Last Moments in Bangkok. Khlong Lat Mayom Market.

It was a sad start to our day as we had to say goodbye to Ayşe in the wee hours of early morning.  By the time the sun rose, she was already on the plane bound for home.

Farewell Dinner in Bangkok. Yaowarat Road.

Yaowarat Road.

We arrived back into Bangkok earlier this afternoon. We're just here on an overnight layover as we're all flying back home to the US tomorrow. So sad that our trip is coming to and end - we've had a wonderful time!

The Journey Back to Bangkok.

We said goodbye to Koh Lanta this morning.  We basically had to retrace our route back to Bangkok.  Ferry from Saladan Pier to Hao Yat Pier.  Shuttle van to Trang Airport.  Flight back to Don Muang Airport.  According to our itinerary, the ferry would depart Saladan Pier at 10a.  From our hotel, it would only be about 5 minute car ride so it was an easy departure for us.  Our hotel had a shuttle back to town.  The nice man who helped us with our luggage when we checked in three days ago was our driver.  Our *taxi* was another small flatbed truck - this one had a cover.

We arrived back at Saladan Pier around 10:20a.  First thing we did was I got us checked in.  As was the case on our way here, we each got another round sticker, with the letters TR manually written on it,  indicating our final destination - Trang Airport.

Feelin' Lazy.

Strolling on Klong Dao Beach as the sun sets over the Andaman Sea.

It was my left ankle that woke me up this morning.  Somehow I must have had in the wrong position when I was sleeping and an achy pain told me to get up to tend to it.  I lifted my ankle from under the blanket to look at it.  It didn't look too bad and when I stood up, it felt sore but okay.

The other two were still asleep but I decided to just go ahead and get ready for the day.  Seems like I'm the first to always get going, then Ayşe follows next and Bro....he's always the last to get into the bathroom.

On a Stroll To Town.

I woke up so well rested though my left ankle is still swollen. Someday soon I hope I will be able to see the space between my toes :-(

Bro and I were downstairs having breakfast while Ayşe was still getting ready for the day. You know you're staying in a small hotel when the woman who is cooking up bacon (yes, real bacon!!) is the same lady who checked you in last night. She is such a lovely woman - very hospital and always has a smile on her face.   Aside from bacon and eggs, there were the usual Western breakfast items e.g., toast, cereal, yogurt as well as Thai fried noodles and rice porridge....a bit of something for everyone.

To Sand and Surf. Koh Lanta.

On the tarmac at Trang Airport.

It was an early wake up call this morning. We are leaving Bangkok for Koh Lanta and it was going to be pretty much a full day of travel. Everyone was scrambling around to get ready for the day, finish up packing and checking the apartment to make sure they've not left anything behind.

My left ankle was still badly swollen this morning but I was able to hobble on it last night so I was sure I could do the same today.  I will have to walk carefully to not injure it further.  I can be so careless!

Down Time For The Wilted Lily.

Setting out breakfast - street food for Bro and I plus restaurant food for Ayşe.

Before I even fell asleep last night, I had already decided that I would sit today out. My ankle had swollen up to the size of a plum and I held no hope that it would be better this morning. 

Apparently, last night while I was fast asleep on the couch, Bro and Ayşe we planning their day without me. Supposedly, they were talking about going to Amphawa Market and all of a sudden, I fully participated in their discussion. They thought I was awake as my eyes were even open. Apparently, I voiced I wanted to go to the market. When I asked them this morning where they were going, they were surprised because they thought everything had been decided last night. I don't recall any of this so I am standing innocent! All I can say is that I must have a very alert subconscious!

Flowers and a Sprained Ankle.

At Yodpiman Flower Market.

After visiting Wat Arun, we took the short ferry ride back across the Chao Phraya River.  There, we then boarded another ferry that would take us to the flower market.  After all the ferry rides we've had, we knew exactly where we had to get off.  Ironically, we were on the local ferry this time - the one that I was hoping we would be on from Day 1.  This ferry doesn't have the commentary and caters mainly to locals.  The fare was just 15 baht.....less than 50 cents.  Not that the tourist ferry, at just 40 baht, was outrageous but for us, it was unnecessary.

A Gem Among Gems. Wat Arun.

At Wat Arun. Bro standing before me, Ayşe waving from above. 

It's our second day in Bangkok. Already I feel like time is passing by too quickly as we leave day after tomorrow.

As always, I was very ambitious with our travel itinerary. I had us visiting Wat Arun in the afternoon of Day 1 but we obviously we were not able to do that so it's on the top of today's sightseeing agenda. Today was suppose to be market day and maybe we'll have time to fit that in later today. Maybe.

Day 1 Comes to an End.

On the long walk home.

We ended our first day in Bangkok the way we started it - with a long walk and a meal.

After wrapping up our visit to Wat Pho, we decided to call it a day.  The Wilted Lily was more than ready to escape the oppressive heat and humidity and the other two were feeling the effects of jet lag.  I think everybody was looking forward to getting off our feet and maybe even catching a short nap.

Wat Pho.

My first day's itinerary for Bangkok had us visiting Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho all in one day. We had done the first two in the morning and although I, the newly nicknamed *Wilted Lily* was ready to escape to a cooler place, I had to trudge on.  The light the end of my tunnel of misery was the hope that we could have lunch in an air conditioned restaurant.

Our Grand Palace guide had given us directions on how to get to Wat Pho.  She assured us that there were plenty of eateries along the way.

A Palace, a Temple, and a Wilted Lily.

At Wat Phra Kaew.

It seemed like it took forever for us to get from our apartment to the ferry pier at Saphan Taksin - mainly because we made so many stops along the way.  No matter. We were enjoying ourselves immensely.

By now, it was late morning and the temperature and humidity had soared.  I found myself taking more and more sips of cold water, from my water bottle, to cool off.

A Morning in Bangkok.

Buying some delicious fried bananas from the vendor across the street.

Good morning, Bangkok.  Although we didn't set an alarm to wake us up this morning, we were all up bright and early.  I think we're still reeling from the excitement of being here.

Our plan today was to visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.  I had delegated navigational duties to Bro and Ayşe. Aea had left us with a rough map of the city and Bro had carefully looked it over last night to familiarize himself with the lay of the land.  We decided we would approach the Grand Palace by boat.  Good excuse for a short boat ride up the Chao Phraya River.

Another Trip Begins! Bangkok.

Our first meal in Bangkok.  Seafood!

It was 10 minutes past minute on February 10 that our flight took off from SFO. The first leg of our journey would take us to Taipei. We were on the same EVA Airlines flight that flew us to Singapore in 2012, enroute to Sri Lanka.   On that trip, one of Bro's friends took us to the airport; this time we took Uber.  How things have changed in just a few short years.

The flight to Taipei would be a 14 hour flight.  Ugh....I used to not mind the long haul flights but nowadays, I seriously dread them.

I managed to keep myself busy watching a couple of movies, playing games on my iPad and catnapping.  I know I can't sleep on a plane so no point even trying.  I looked over at Bro every now and again and he looked to be in a deep sleep - his head hanging down low against the neck pillow.  He later commented that he hadn't slept but at the same time, he was amazed at how the first 9 hours of the flight seem to just fly by.  Uh....it flew by cause you were fast asleep!!

Bangkok or Bust!

Thai street food.  This will be my first meal in Bangkok!
(Photo by MOs81.  Licensed under GFDL via Wikimedia Commons.)

In a few short hours, Bro and I will be heading to the airport for our long flight to Bangkok.

 I used to not mind the long haul flights but as I get older, I don't look forward to them. The only saving grace is there are usually plenty of videos to keep me occupied until I drift off to catnapping. I also have plenty of games loaded on my iPad and my iPod to keep me entertained as well.

Sleepwise, I never really get much sleep - just enough that I can power through the rest of the day once I land.  Bro is determined to sleep, as best he can on the flight - he bought a travel pillow last night.  Hopefully, it works for him.

The entire trip will take us nearly 18 hours not including a short layover which I have to admit, I do look forward to. It's not only a good opportunity to stretch our legs a bit but it also gives us the chance to get some fresh air.

Money Matters.

Photo by Veronidae.  Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The trips to Thailand and Myanmar and the Caucasus are pretty happening back to back so while I was reading up the currency and money issues for Thailand and Myanmar, I decided I would just read up for the three Caucasus countries at the same time.

Island Time. Koh Lanta.

Koh Lanta at sunset.
(Photo by Rushen.  Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.)

We only have a few days in Thailand and while we could've have spent it all in Bangkok, I decided we needed to see another part of the country. At first, I had thought of going to Chiang Mai and doing a village trek.  I even spent quite a bit of time looking into a trekking tour and accommodation in Chiang Mai.  But, then the beach called with an invitation of white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters.  I answered.  A few pictures of the beautiful beaches that Thailand is world renown for and that was it.  To the beach are going.

Then, there was the question of which beach?   Thailand has extensive coastline - along both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.  Right off the bat, I eliminated Phuket - it's much too touristy for my liking.  I also eliminated Krabi because it has beaches but why just do a beach if you can do an island.

Not Your Usual Fair Lady.

She's a better looking woman as a man than I am as a woman!
(Photo by Andyindia. Licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.)

If there's one word that grabbed a lot of attention in the US this year, it would be *transgender*.   There were plenty of articles and even a TV show focused on transgender individuals and the struggles they go through as they evolve into what has been labeled as their *true self*.  
Of course, the transgender community was handed its most celebrated member when the Olympic athlete formerly known as Bruce Jenner transitioned to her true self - Caitlyn Jenner.  She came out on in a big way, introducing herself on the July 2015 cover of Vanity Fair.  She even appeared in her own reality show on E! TV docu-series called "I am Cait".

Packing List. Myanmar and Thailand.

Miniature suitcase made from an Altoids mints tin.  It's so cute!
Crafted by Julie McGufee. Photo taken from her blog - Life in the Craft Lane.

We don't leave for Thailand and Myanmar for several more weeks but for me, it's never too soon to put together the packing list.

Every trip I go on, I try to reduce the load but I'm afraid I've not been very successful.  On my first trip, to Peru in 2006, my suitcase weighed in at barely 8 kgs....that was including the 2 kgs that the suitcase weighed!  Now, my suitcase generally tips the scale around 13 kgs and really that's not all that bad considering I'm packing for at least 3-4 weeks travel.

This trip will be to the tropics so it's going to be a lot of lightweight clothing.  However, for visiting the temples, I will need to bring a long sleeve shirt and a pair of long pants that I can then also wear on our day long trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake in Myanmar.  Keeping the clothes thin will also be important.  Except for the first few days in an apartment in Bangkok, the rest of the trip, we will likely be doing our own laundry though I hope that by the time we arrive at the hotel in Mandalay, we can pay for a load to be done.

The Markets of Bangkok.

Floating Market.
(Photo by By Georgie Pauwels.  Licensed under CC by 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.)

We're lucky that we'll be in Bangkok over a weekend.  That means we get to explore the famed floating markets that are open on Saturday and Sunday.

This is Ayşe's first trip to Asia so the markets will definitely be fascinating to her.  Everything is going to be exotic to her.  Although Bro and I have been to many a market in Asia, they are always interesting places to us and we very much feel at home in them.

All three of us absolutely love visiting markets so I decided to set aside one night to check out a night market and one weekend day to check out one of Bangkok's iconic floating markets.