Saturday, January 31, 2015

2 Week Countdown!

Seems hard to believe that we leave in 2 weeks, after saving and planning for so long.

Over the last year or so, countless hours have gone into research. I’ve read travel blogs, stalked Tripadvisor, ordered travel books from the library, created lists of everything from travel tips to possible itineraries, watched youtube videos, compiled the not-to-miss list. etc. Sweet Google, what did I do before you? I’ve also looked into travel insurance, backpacks, family friendly accommodations, vaccinations, in-country travel (air, train, bus, taxi, tuk-tuk, bike), how to survive the brutal flight from Seattle to Bangkok, when to get passports, etc. etc. etc. Not to mention the 1,001 emails sent & received from AK & Todd. Todd's been in charge of phones, electronics and credit cards/ATMs/money stuff. It's been fun planning the trip with a fellow researcher like Ann-Kristin, and so much less intimidating to travel with friends.

I have periodically gotten tired of it all and will leave it for weeks or months at a time, and then dive back in. I did enjoy most of the planning. Besides the fact that I am somewhat OCD about researching anything, I’ve realized from past trips that planning and reading and dreaming is an important part of the adventure as a whole. Hopefully we'll spend more hours in Thailand than we spent researching!

My mind is still spinning from all the information. Excited- and a little scared as it comes down to the last few details, and seeing the dream become reality. We are a little freaked out to be gone for a month, but AK & Eric's trip gives us some perspective and we calm down. A little.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Our Thailand Adventure...

30 days in Siam: Bangkok, Koh Phayam, Chumphon, Ko Tao, Krabi, Sukhothai, Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary, a little more Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Treehouse, Chiang Rai, back to Bangkok, and home.