From Dublin we flew to Amsterdam for our last stop. We were only here for a few days. The temperature was a little less cold then Dublin. This was my first time here and I was surprised how beautiful the city is. There are water canals everywhere and the buildings have very distinguished looking architecture. We had fun exploring the city and going to the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and the Keukenhof Gardens.
We are now safely back home. Although we didn't make it to all the places we originally wanted to, we had quite an experience and are glad to be back. There's no place like home!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Ireland
We had a great time in Ireland. It was a quick five days, so we didn't venture out of Dublin. Doug's friend from college, Gavin, flew from Atlanta to meet up with us. Since it was the week of St. Patrick's Day, there was a lot to do and see! And we had fun getting bundled up for the cold- it actually snowed our last couple days there.
On our first day, we went to Trinity College to see one of the oldest books in the world- The Book of Kells. It was written around AD 800 by monks and contains the four New Testament gospels written in Latin. It is amazing how intricate and beautiful the writings and illustrations are. They showed the different minerals and plants the monks used to create such bright and vivid colors. Some famous Trinity alumni include: Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, and Oscar Wilde.
On another note, we also visited the Guinness Storehouse. It is a huge five storey center where you can learn all about the world- famous stout. The best part is the rooftop bar where you can overlook the city and drink a free pint!
For fun one night, Doug and I went on the "Ghost Bus" tour. We got on a double decker bus which had closed curtains all around it. Our guide tried to scare us by taking us to grave yards, telling "true" ghost stories, and occasionally yelling into the microphone. There is some very interesting and dark history in Ireland. We drove by the house Bram Stoker grew up in and heard how as a child his mother would tell him scary stories about people infected with cholera. This was the inspiration for him later writing about the walking dead in Dracula.
The three of us had a blast here. The Irish are extremely friendly and this is one place we hope to visit again.
On our first day, we went to Trinity College to see one of the oldest books in the world- The Book of Kells. It was written around AD 800 by monks and contains the four New Testament gospels written in Latin. It is amazing how intricate and beautiful the writings and illustrations are. They showed the different minerals and plants the monks used to create such bright and vivid colors. Some famous Trinity alumni include: Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, and Oscar Wilde.
On another note, we also visited the Guinness Storehouse. It is a huge five storey center where you can learn all about the world- famous stout. The best part is the rooftop bar where you can overlook the city and drink a free pint!
For fun one night, Doug and I went on the "Ghost Bus" tour. We got on a double decker bus which had closed curtains all around it. Our guide tried to scare us by taking us to grave yards, telling "true" ghost stories, and occasionally yelling into the microphone. There is some very interesting and dark history in Ireland. We drove by the house Bram Stoker grew up in and heard how as a child his mother would tell him scary stories about people infected with cholera. This was the inspiration for him later writing about the walking dead in Dracula.
The three of us had a blast here. The Irish are extremely friendly and this is one place we hope to visit again.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Thailand Pictures
Bangkok Grand Palace.
The famous Khao San Rd.
Typical street food vendor.
Bangkok traffic is always congested.
Ohhh, fwoating market. Ferry nice!
Cobra show.
Audrey relaxing with a massage.
Hat Rin beach on Kho Phagnan
Muy Thai boxing matches.
Resort at Kho Samui.
Doug in front of the little propeller airplane we took from Kho Samui island to Bangkok.Goodbye Thailand!
We are back in Bangkok to catch our plane tomorrow. We had a good two weeks here in Thailand. After Phi Phi Island we went to two other islands, Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Samui. Ko Pha-Ngan was crowded and is known for its full moon parties. We had fun hanging out and meeting other travelers. We went to a "muy thai" (thai boxing) fight. We sat ring side and watched some pretty good fights. Almost everything is legal! It was very entertaining to see the whole crowd get into it and make bets. It was also interesting to see the cultural aspect of muy thai. Before the fight begins, the boxers walk the perimeter of the ring to seal out evil spirits, and then they do a spiritual dance to protect them from harm and injury.
Next we went to a beautiful resort at Ko Sumui. Here we just relaxed!
Tomorrow we fly to Dublin!
Next we went to a beautiful resort at Ko Sumui. Here we just relaxed!
Tomorrow we fly to Dublin!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Thailand
We arrived in Bangkok March 1st and stayed in the bustling city for a few days. Despite the heat, crowds, filth, and some very strange characters, we both really like it here! We stayed in the popular backpacker neighborhood of Thanon Khao San where at 2:30 am (when we arrived) the bars were still full and the street vendors still open. The accommodation is pretty cheap and the food even cheaper- delicious pad thai for under a dollar!
We walked to the Ko Ratanakosin area which has some of the countrys most holy sites: Wat Phra Kaew -Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and The Grand Palace- the former residence of the king which is still used for certain ceremonies. Both have amazing architecture with highly detailed artwork. We also went to two markets. The Chatuchak market is huge with vendors selling everything from live chickens to fake designer handbags. Outside Bangkok, we went to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Our fist canoe traffic jam! You can shop for fresh fruits and veggies or hot food from other canoes paddled by Tai women, or souvenir shops lining the banks of the canals. A very fascinating site.
And what visit to Bangkok would be complete without seeing a cobra fight a mongoose? We went to a cobra show which was actually pretty exciting. Some "highlights" include a man picking up a huge cobra by the tail while it strikes out at the audience, another man capturing three snakes by himself- one in each hand and the other with his mouth, and of course the fight between the cobra and the mongoose- apparently the mongoose wins every time!
So after these strange but exciting days in Bangkok, we headed south to relax on the famous islands. Yesterday we took a one hour flight to Phuket, and then two boats to the island of Phi Phi. We have a simple bungalow on the beach. The scenery is pretty and the water is clear and warm. And today we got our first Thai massage on the beach. Welcome to paradise!
We walked to the Ko Ratanakosin area which has some of the countrys most holy sites: Wat Phra Kaew -Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and The Grand Palace- the former residence of the king which is still used for certain ceremonies. Both have amazing architecture with highly detailed artwork. We also went to two markets. The Chatuchak market is huge with vendors selling everything from live chickens to fake designer handbags. Outside Bangkok, we went to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Our fist canoe traffic jam! You can shop for fresh fruits and veggies or hot food from other canoes paddled by Tai women, or souvenir shops lining the banks of the canals. A very fascinating site.
And what visit to Bangkok would be complete without seeing a cobra fight a mongoose? We went to a cobra show which was actually pretty exciting. Some "highlights" include a man picking up a huge cobra by the tail while it strikes out at the audience, another man capturing three snakes by himself- one in each hand and the other with his mouth, and of course the fight between the cobra and the mongoose- apparently the mongoose wins every time!
So after these strange but exciting days in Bangkok, we headed south to relax on the famous islands. Yesterday we took a one hour flight to Phuket, and then two boats to the island of Phi Phi. We have a simple bungalow on the beach. The scenery is pretty and the water is clear and warm. And today we got our first Thai massage on the beach. Welcome to paradise!
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