I now know how Alice in Wonderland felt when she stepped through the tiny door! Today we boated out about ten miles toward majestic islands that jutted up out the turquoise water. They were wrapped in a haze giving you the sensation that you were in a different world. We stopped at a tranquil beach on one of the islands to swim and wait for low tide. About an hour later, we hopped back on the boat headed for Hong island.
There we boarded rubber canoes paddled by a Thai who took us first under huge overhanging cliffs and then into a hidden opening. Laying down flat, we got a close up view of the water carved walls as we listened to the sides of our canoes scrap the sides. And then it happened! The bright sunlight appeared and we were in the center of the island surrounded by 300 ft cliffs in a glistening pool about the size of a football field. A variety of bushes, trees and vines cascaded down the cliffs and eagles circled the opening above. A surreal wonderland. We paddled through several caves off that one and on other islands for the next several hours--awed again and again. Sparkling stalactites, bats, walking fish, jellyfish and swimming monkeys added to the uniqueness of each of the caves. Elsi had the monkeys eating out of her hands. Wonderland.
Back at the hotel, we jumped into the pool for a quick swim before gorging on another three course Thai feast. Then Elsi went off for a massage while the rest of us checked out the many pictures we'd taken of the caves. Tomorrow we leave this paradise where dragon and eyeball were names of fruit we ate. Will we ever taste such sweet pineapple juice, luscious pastry or exquisite Thai food again???
Jan 5--Bob's 73rd birthday--one he won't forget. A breakfast of fresh & unusual fruits, homemade pastry, cheese, eggs & bacon filled us up and then off to the airport for our flight to Chiang Mai. Here we checked into 3 Sis B & B and booked a tour for tomorrow.
Then I contacted Ursula who is a friend of the daughter of a friend of our church friend, Vicki Utke. Long story but the fact that all those connections were made and we got to meet up with her here a half a world away--amazing. Traveling sure gives you the sense that we are all connected if only we take the opportunity to find out how!! Ursula told us all about her mission (WeWomen) and was thrilled with the M & M's we brought her. She directed the boys to the best computer store & off they went coming back with a great find which will be donated to Safe Haven thanks to our church mission/men & women committees.
Our next mission was to find a piano keyboard...but first we went for a short walk around the block and just as Elsi mentioned that she wondered where we'd find one...boom, she saw a music store!! We checked that out but decided we'd wait to purchase until we had a bit more info & we needed to find music lesson books. Guess where we found them??? Right next door to our hotel. God surely is pulling strings for us.
In between all this running around, we ate lunch. Bob & Elsi were ready for hamburgers & fries, Jane wanted plain ham & cheese & fries--but guess Rog hadn't had enough Thai yet as he slurped down more Thai soup. We hunted down ice cream to celebrate Bob's birthday and found banana splits. An Italian family joined in as we sang Happy Birthday.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped again at the music store. The store clerk we had talked with wasn't there but we were asked to wait just one minute...then out came he came, with wt hair and a towel wrapped around him. He kept a straight face as he answered some more of Bob & Elsi's questions--but Jane couldn't help but just crack up. Gotta love how Thai people are so willing to help--even if it means jumping out the shower!!
There we boarded rubber canoes paddled by a Thai who took us first under huge overhanging cliffs and then into a hidden opening. Laying down flat, we got a close up view of the water carved walls as we listened to the sides of our canoes scrap the sides. And then it happened! The bright sunlight appeared and we were in the center of the island surrounded by 300 ft cliffs in a glistening pool about the size of a football field. A variety of bushes, trees and vines cascaded down the cliffs and eagles circled the opening above. A surreal wonderland. We paddled through several caves off that one and on other islands for the next several hours--awed again and again. Sparkling stalactites, bats, walking fish, jellyfish and swimming monkeys added to the uniqueness of each of the caves. Elsi had the monkeys eating out of her hands. Wonderland.
Back at the hotel, we jumped into the pool for a quick swim before gorging on another three course Thai feast. Then Elsi went off for a massage while the rest of us checked out the many pictures we'd taken of the caves. Tomorrow we leave this paradise where dragon and eyeball were names of fruit we ate. Will we ever taste such sweet pineapple juice, luscious pastry or exquisite Thai food again???
Jan 5--Bob's 73rd birthday--one he won't forget. A breakfast of fresh & unusual fruits, homemade pastry, cheese, eggs & bacon filled us up and then off to the airport for our flight to Chiang Mai. Here we checked into 3 Sis B & B and booked a tour for tomorrow.
Then I contacted Ursula who is a friend of the daughter of a friend of our church friend, Vicki Utke. Long story but the fact that all those connections were made and we got to meet up with her here a half a world away--amazing. Traveling sure gives you the sense that we are all connected if only we take the opportunity to find out how!! Ursula told us all about her mission (WeWomen) and was thrilled with the M & M's we brought her. She directed the boys to the best computer store & off they went coming back with a great find which will be donated to Safe Haven thanks to our church mission/men & women committees.
Our next mission was to find a piano keyboard...but first we went for a short walk around the block and just as Elsi mentioned that she wondered where we'd find one...boom, she saw a music store!! We checked that out but decided we'd wait to purchase until we had a bit more info & we needed to find music lesson books. Guess where we found them??? Right next door to our hotel. God surely is pulling strings for us.
In between all this running around, we ate lunch. Bob & Elsi were ready for hamburgers & fries, Jane wanted plain ham & cheese & fries--but guess Rog hadn't had enough Thai yet as he slurped down more Thai soup. We hunted down ice cream to celebrate Bob's birthday and found banana splits. An Italian family joined in as we sang Happy Birthday.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped again at the music store. The store clerk we had talked with wasn't there but we were asked to wait just one minute...then out came he came, with wt hair and a towel wrapped around him. He kept a straight face as he answered some more of Bob & Elsi's questions--but Jane couldn't help but just crack up. Gotta love how Thai people are so willing to help--even if it means jumping out the shower!!
