Chang Mai and Samui, Thailand

Chang Mai, Samui and Singapore

Chang Mai in Northern Thailand was a great place to explore. The air was cooler in Chang Mai and although it is usually fairly smoggy there we were lucky to see it in its less smoggy days. We stayed at a guesthouse in downtown Chang Mai run by a lovely couple who enjoyed having our children in their home. We were able to walk most places but at night we would take the tuk tuk to the night market to explore the shops and food options. We had a blast going to an elephant camp where we got to ride on elephants, an ox cart and then float on a raft down the Ping River. Everywhere we go we tease the kids by asking, “Is this better than Disneyland?” and most times they say “no”, but when asked the same question in Chang Mai they said “yes”. Yeah! After Chang Mai we flew to Samui and stayed on the beach where we lazed about, swimming and swinging on the big swings that hang over the ocean.

After Thailand we stopped in Singapore for a couple of days where we visited the shopping areas and basically treated ourselves to seeing a couple of movies. It reminded us of a cross between California, China, Thailand and Hawaii. We are now in Bali where we will be for Christmas and New Year. We have met several families where we are staying and for some of us it will be our first Christmas away from home. We are looking forward to winding down for the holidays.