Thunder's Rumblings

Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Luphini Park

Luphini Park is a HUGE park right in the middle of lots of highrises. The kids played on the playground, we heard a live band, we rode the paddleboats, we fed the fish, and we climbed trees. They had a large group of people (100s) doing aerobics and I've heard they have quite the group doing Tai Chi early in the mornings. It was just fun spending the evening outside.

Tuk-Tuk

We took a tuk-tuk taxi several different times to get around Bangkok. They are these cute little 3-wheeled motorcycle type things. Anyway, they are EVERYWHERE. And the drivers always try to scam you and overcharge you or take you somewhere else to look at things that they will get commission for. Anyway, we had read about the scams so we were prepared. But, we agreed to go look at some gems and some silk and other materials so that the driver could get free gas. In exchange, he gave us a really good deal, only charging us 30 cents for our ride across the city. We had the time and figured it was all part of the experience.

On to Bangkok

We did a lot of things in Bangkok that we aren't able to do in China--like going to the movies and eating in Western restaurants. They have HUGE shopping malls with all the fancy stores--Prada, Dolce and Gabanna, etc. There was even Ferari, Lotus, and Lamberghini dealerships inside the mall. We got to watch two American movies while we were there--Alvin and the Chipmunks and National Treasure 2. We loved both of them. The movies theaters are so nice with nice, plush leather reclining seats. We wished every movie theater was like that. Quite a step up from the sticky floors and broken chairs in the dollar theater at home.
Haley got a Barbie Nutcracker video a while ago, so when she saw these Nutcrackers, she was thrilled and HAD to take her picture with them.

The Tiger Temple

There is a Buddhist Temple about 45 minutes away from Kanchanaburi called the Tiger Temple. It is an animal refuge where the monks take care of all different kinds of animals, but the main attraction is the tigers. They let you pet the tigers and take your pictures with them. Then there are also all kinds of other animals just wandering around. It was a really fun place to visit, but I apologize for not having some better pictures. Haley made me hold her the whole time and she was crying and upsetting the tigers at one point so I was worried about taking care of her for the majority of the time.

When they moved the cubs from one spot to another, they let Britton walk one of them. He was so excited!

I love this picture of Jason with the tiger, but I'm mad that the lens cap was stuck partially closed. Of course, as I was taking it, I couldn't figure out why there were two big, dark shadows clouding my vision.