Thailand Animals

This past week David and I had a time off from school for Chinese New Years. After spending part of it in Shanghai, we flew to Thailand for the rest of our holiday. We stayed in Bangkok and Phuket, each for a few days.

I fell in love with Thailand. The country is beautiful, the people are kind, the food is amazing and their animals are awesome. I can't wait to go back. Instead of giving day by day details about the trip I figured it would be easier to break my posts into themes. This first one is all about animals.

We interacted with a variety of local animals while in Phuket. During our second day there David, Jackie and I decided to take an elephant ride up a small mountain. Jackie and I sat in a seat laced to the elephant's back, while David rode on its neck. (Can you imagine the amount of strength their necks must have?) The ride up the mountian was frightening at times. I was on the side of the elephant that was closest to cliffs. So with every slow step the elephant took it looked like we we just a few inches away from tumbling into a ravine. (I'm sure we were in no actual danger. I'm sure it was the perspective that just skewed my view.) On the way back down, it was Jackie's turn to be on the side the closest to the cliffs. Jackie, who had previously reassured me that we were in no real danger saw what I was freaking about about. We both were very happy when we go back to the base camp. I was so pleased to still be alive that I insisted on taking our picture with our elephant guide.

Later that afternoon we took a tour to James Bond Island. I will post about it at a later point. On the way there we stopped at a cave temple. Outside were tons of monkeys swinging from the trees and eating bananas out of your hands. I had never been that close to a monkey before. They are so cute! They really are like small little people.

On another day we took a snorkeling and swimming tour of other small islands. (Sorry no pictures) We were able to explore several coral reefs. The colors of the fish were unbelieveable! It seemed like every fish was irradescent. Stay away from the pink and brown ones if you ever go. They bite!

Year of the Pig

Xin Nian Kuai Le!!!

For our first Chinese New Year in China, David and I expected an evening of non-stop craziness. With about 70% of Shanghai's population leaving the city to visit their home villages, all we got was an evening of blissfully traffic free roads, great North Eastern Chinese food with friends, a lion dance, and a few days of solid firecrackers.