Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is an adventurer's dream come true with trekking, rock-climbing, elephant riding, the list goes on and on, so of course Tim wanted to take advantage of some more climbing! Our instructors were phenomenal. I learned how to set anchor, very scary.

Bangkok, Thailand

Tim planned for us to stay 3 days in Bangkok. There are backpackers everywhere. What struck us the most is the temples or Wats. Thailand's wats are the most glittering we have ever seen. They use gold and mirrors to create the sparkly look.

Raileh, Thailand

We decided to take a side trip to Raileh, Thailand before we hit Bangkok.This is where the movie "The Beach" was filmed with Leonardo di Caprio. The mountains look like Dr. Seuss made them. Here is Tim lead climbing meaning he climbed first, carrying the rope to the top.

Singapore and Malaysia

Did you know Singapore is 75% Chinese. Although there is a small "Chinatown," the newspaper said that Singapore is just one big Chinatown itself. We spoke Chinese with our cab driver who also spoke Enlgish and the local language of course. We stayed at the Gateway Inn, a military lodge we found after arriving on a Space-A flight from Yokota Air force Base in Japan. We swept through Singapore. Here is Malaysia however, we were able to take advantage of the Elephant Sanctuary. Tim and I bathed, fed and rode elephants that are kept here for survival. Sooo cute! We also visited the Batu Caves which is an Indian temple in Kuala Lumpur. Monkeys roamed the temple grounds and a very tall, very green monkey god statue guarded the gates of another temple. Check out the flikr pics for these.

Tokyo, Japan

We only had time to spend one day in Tokyo, but we were able to meet Gabe, Jennifer and their adorable son Noah. We spent the afternoon chatting about life in Japan and life in China. Then we strolled through a pagoda garden.
What we won't forget about Japan is their super deluxe public toilets, complete with seat warmers, spray, dry and music! We only tried the flush mechanism which worked quite well.

Kyoto, Japan

Here are two lovely geishas walking down the street in their traditional dress or kimono. Geisha's wear white two-toed socks to fit into wooden flip-flops. Yesterday and today we visited Zen temples, castles and Japanese gardens. The Japanese people are expert gardners and landscapers. Every garden they touch elicits a sense of peace and tranquility.

Kobe, Japan

We are here with the Tanner family and their adorable little girls. We discovered this amazing herb garden behind their home, complete with a glasshouse and endless trails of every herb and flower you can imagine. Scents of lilac, rosemary, roses filled the air as we strolled along a brick path.

Hiroshima, Japan

We are in Japan this week. This is one of the places I have wanted to see the most. This is the Children's Memorial dedicated to Sadako, a little girl who died of cancer after the A-bomb hit. I read this story, "Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr to my students and cried every time I taught this lesson. Sadako believed that if she folded 1000 origami paper cranes, she might survive leukemia. She died before she was able to finish, but her classmates finished the number she had left. Today, children visit the memorial and create these pieces of art in Sadako's honor and to spread the message of peace.

Seoul, Korea

We are in Seoul, Korea this week. Yesterday we visited Korean War Memorial Museum. They happen to also have the Dead Sea Scrolls on display in another section. What I loved about the day was seeing all the preschoolers play in and out of the war planes and tanks. Korean children are adorable! We decided to rent a WWII motorcycle to head back home.