About Us


We are a married couple who retired and moved to Thailand in 2014. You are welcome to join us and our travel monkeys Sun Wukong and Malcolm Jr. on our adventures! We hope you enjoy the trip as much as we do.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

What's It Like To Receive A Gift From Your Home Country?

Living in Thailand and receiving mail is a challenge for many.  When we were in Chiang Mai we did not receive packages or letters sent to us from the US and were very sad and frustrated.  We have heard more of the same from other expats.  You can imagine my joy, happiness and elation when we received a box from a dear friend in Oregon!   I did request it be sent "Registered."

In our conversations before she went to the post office, she asked if there was anything else I needed.  I told her, "A great big hug will do nicely!"   She made me a hug from a warm woolly scarf and mittens!     You should have seen my face when I opened the box and saw WOOL!

She also made me a recycled carry bag from a UO T-shirt!   And sent two additional UO Recycling nylon shopping bags that will come in very handy during our weekly grocery shopping.

The first thing we ate was a box of Twizzlers!  They were delicious!  I am so used to looking at labels and not being able to tell what they say that I giggled when I turned over the box and it was all in English!   Vince loves the Lemon Heads, Tootsie Rolls and Jelly Beans.   Just looking at the Jerky is making my mouth water!  It all looks so good and I want to make everything last.....we shall see how that goes!

I really had no idea how much a box of goodies from a friend would tug at my heart strings.  The familiar flavor of the watermelon Jolly Rancher brought tears to my eyes but reading the note and seeing your handwriting made me get out the wool hug again!  

Sights, smells, tastes and sounds trigger long lost memories and strong emotions.  When we first arrived a year ago and I would see a tiny jar of Skippy Peanut Butter in the store that cost more than $5.00 USD and wanted to buy it because it was familiar.   I now make my own peanut butter and am more than pleased with the results.  We have not had too many of those moments and as time goes by we don't miss them at all.  Our replacement snacks and comfort food have become something completely different.  I was told by our son and daughter in law who are expats of 3 years, when you hit that wall, go with it, take care of yourself and soon enough you will be past it.  OK, I am taking care of myself because we are going to our favorite restaurant in Hua Hin for Mexican food and hopefully a really good craft beer!   Then we will come home and have candy for dessert!

Thank you my darling Val for your sweet letter, thoughtfulness, love and the toothbrushes!   Hilarious!

Sights of Osaka

We had a wonderful time in Osaka!  Only a 5 minute walk from the apartment to two different train lines and you can go anywhere in the city! If you miss one train, the next is only 3 minutes away! 



                                                 Below is the Rapid Express to the airport

                                                Lisa happened to match the train today!



Shopping Districts










More beautiful buildings




The use of space on these skyscrapers is brilliant as they have roof top gardens with walking paths,benches, trees, flowers and shrubs of all kinds. It is a peaceful sanctuary any time of day.








Tossing water on a shrine for good wishes


Hair cuts










Sunday, June 28, 2015

Asia Cruise 2015

Our cruise on the Diamond Princess itinerary took us from Singapore to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Osaka, Japan where we continued our vacation for a few more weeks.

                                                         Flying into Singapore

                                                         Little India Neighborhood


                                     The only place to hang clothes.  I hope the pins are strong!


                                                               Beautiful Mosque





Dinner at Lagnna Barefoot Dining in Little India.  It was Tamil New Year and the owner was blessing everyone with Jasmine Flowers and powder for a good New Year.


                                                             Dinner was delicious!

                                           View from our room at J8 Hotel in Little India

                                      Marina Bay with the famous hotel Marina Bay Sands


On the ship

After a year in Thailand we thought we were used to the heat.  
This day was 97% Humidity and 40c / 104f.  
                                      We are in the waters of Vietnam docking at Chan May Hue.
                                       

The people are hardworking and happy to see foreigners bringing money to the area.  















After the American War (Because that is what it is known as here) the devastation by the Americans was catastrophic.  What is left was used by the occupying forces and shows war wounds but the people are still very proud of what they do have.








Hong Kong
Victoria Peak



                                                    Madame  Tussaud's at Victoria Peak
Johnny Depp

 Queen Mum and Prince Albert

                                           William Shakespeare                                                

                                                                      Pablo Picasso

Albert Einstein

Audrey Hepburn

Alfred Hitchcock

Chiyonofuji Mitsugu

Yao Ming

Muhammad Ali

Tiger Woods

The Beatles

Madonna

Lady Gaga

The Hulk

Hello Kitty

Sun Wukong


                                                          Kai Tak Cruise Terminal


                                                             The old and the new

Lucky shot



Phu My Vietnam



                                                              Keelong, Taiwan


Osaka, Japan