I left my heart in Thailand

We recently returned from a 3-week spring break to Thailand.  It was amazing. Wonderful. Beautiful.  Tropical.  Warm.  Did I mention the Food?  All I have to say is mmmm....

I didn't want to make you endure a long travel log, so here are just some photos with short captions.  Hopefully you can get a sense of how great our trip was!

On the train to JFK airport.  Is someone excited for Thailand??!

During our 8 hr layover in Tawain we were shuttled to a nearby hotel.  Needless to say, it was difficult for Dominic to leave behind the slippers.

We made it to Bangkok!

We toured a couple of the most famous Buddist temples

Beautiful detailing on the temples

"Look a Monk"

I think he thought this was a doggy.  Disappointment is written all over his face.  

Dominic loved seeing all the sights

Tranquility

Next day: More temple touring.

Street sweeping

Throngs of people would gather around Dominic wanting to hold him, touch him, stroke his blonde hair, and take his picture.  Fortunately he handled his stardom well.

Taking a "sleeper train" up north to a town called Chiang Mai.   8 hours on a train.  Dominic loved it.   We traveled all night and arrived in the morning.

Mesmerized as Thai life zooms by outside the train window

Chiang Mai

The market where we would buy our breakfast, lunch, and or snacks.

There were tons of ornate Buddhist temples to see, so we hopped on some bicycles and set out with the camera 'round my neck and Dominic on Michael's back.

Living the high life

Gold everything at the Buddist temples

A dragon!

A house on stilts above the moat

Tending the garden

Taxi aka "tuk tuk". 

Base Camp for Rock Climbing

I'm the one on the left! The rock was amazing (i.e. had lots of personality, meaning features)!!

Soaring

Eating lunch at base camp

More rock climbing after lunch.  The climbing near Chiang Mai was amazing.  It had been a while since either of us had climbed outdoors.  It definitely reignited our passion for climbing! 

Trekking to and from the climbing wall was, well a trek!!  Good thing Michael is super humanly strong and carried a ton of the gear!  Oh yeah, and the baby!  Osprey sponsorship??

Possibly the coolest day ever: We got to ride an elephant, hike to a beautiful waterfall, and go rafting (on a bamboo raft).

It was amazing to see these enormous animals up close. Truly remarkable animals.

Atop the elephant

I admit, I was a little scared anticipating our ascent up this hill.

The baby elephant is as big as me

Not sure of that trunk

No peanuts here

We stopped by a small village and watched some women weave

Very strong current, but it didn't keep us from jumping in

Stopping in for a delicious lunch with our group

"Rafting" on a bunch of bamboo shoots tied together

Dominic kept trying to jump in!

Dinner with Michael's cousin Travis (who lives in Chiang Mai) and a visiting Yale classmate.   This restaurant served a dish that was specific only to Chiang Mai.  After we left this city, we craved it endlessly.

Dominic loved playing in the dirt while mama and papa climbed

Hiking to a temple atop a mountain

Fruit

He loved ringing the bells

At the top of the mountain/temple

His new found love for elephants

  

Typical Thai Toilet (remarkably cleaner than most)

A big moat that encircles a part of Chiang Mai

A delicious fruit market

Our Hotel lobby in Chiang Mai

Playing with the fish in the hotel lobby

Riding in a Tuk Tuk (Taxi)

Dominic loved riding in the Tuk Tuks (taxi)

Waiting at the train station Dominic befriended a monk

These trucks are a common way to get around in Chiang Mai.  Dominic eagerly tries to climb aboard.

"Let's go!"

On a sleeper train back to Bangkok

 We spent the day walking though Bangkok's China town.

Making friends

Un Besito (a kiss)

Pink eggs?!

The people couldn't get enough of his blonde hair

Only this time he wasn't feeling very social.

We took a boat up the river

Love.

and Love.

Chasing Pigeons

In pursuit of the pigeons

Continued Stardom.  Most of the time he loved the attention.

The temple that is featured on our Lonely Planet guide book!

I'll have to call it quits for today.  But be excited for "I Left My Heart in Thailand Part II":  Beautiful beaches and gorgeous rock climbing photos in Southern Thailand.