September 23

We woke up around 7:00am and had an absolutely delicious breakfast on the rooftop floor of our hotel Clover Asoke. They had everything you could ever want- omelette station, waffles, bacon, cereal, yogurt, along with Asian options and a cappuccino machine.

After packing our bag for the day we set off for our first big adventure! As soon as we stepped out the door we realized just how hot and humid it is; it’s definitely going to take some getting used to! We figured out the metro system and for only 76baht for all of us ($2.85), we made our way to the Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Chatuchak is the largest market in Asia and one of the largest in the world. You could probably come here every weekend for a year and still not see all the stalls! We spent hours wandering the maze of shops, taking in all the sights, smells, and sounds.

We all got a pair of elephant pants (100 baht each), Nick got some shorts, and I got a dress for our photo shoot.

For lunch we tried the mixt mall food court. Lydia enjoyed the roasted duck and we had a massaman curry. For dessert we had mango sticky rice. Yum! All washed down with a cold beer.

Next up we went to the Children’s Discovery Museum which was free! Lydia enjoyed running around, digging for dinosaur bones, looking into funny mirrors, and building a castle with giant legos.

We came back home in the late afternoon and rested for a while. I couldn’t believe how well Lydia was doing with jet lag. After a bit of rest we went to Zaab Kak Kak restaurant for dinner. Lydia had a bbq chicken leg and Nick and I shared pad Thai and a crispy pork with basil over rice. It was all delicious and it was our first introduction to spice. It was quite spicy but we were told it was only a 2/10!

We headed back to the hotel after dinner and Lydia basically passed out the instant her head hit the pillow!

After breakfast we set off for Lumphini Park. This was a nice repreive from the hustle and bustle of bankgok plus they had a playground and giant monitor lizards to watch. It was so hot! Lydia’s cheeks were super rosy.

Next we got back on the metro and went to China Town. We ate some lunch at a local spot and then went to explore the markets. We didn’t buy anything though as much of it was cheap looking.

After China Town we came back to the hotel to relax. Nick and Lydia went to the rooftop pool.

For supper we went to the Terminal 21 food court. We had red curry, spicy soup, deep fried mussels and a smoothie. It cost only $10CAD!

It was a great day but we are definitely exhausted!

For lunch we stopped into a local restaurant with AC 🙌🏼. We enjoyed a papaya salad and pineapple fried rice (French fries for Lydia).

It’s rainy season in Thailand so we got a little wet on the way home but luckily we were super close to our hotel.

We visited the rooftop of our hotel after the rain passed for a drink. Lydia has been practicing her photography skills by taking pictures of us. I’d say she’s getting pretty good!

We went to a local restaurant for dinner and had our very own air conditioned room made of all wood. The food was delicious, though we ordered way too much!

Panang Curry

Green Curry

Spicy Sea Bass

Despite our best efforts to keep Lydia cool, she got a bit of a heat rash on her face.

We checked into Mane Village & Suites where we were greeted by such kind staff. They had our room beautifully decorated for our arrival.

We then rode our very first Tuk Tuk to dinner, what an experience! The traffic here is chaotic but also feels very safe.

We enjoyed some delicious food and 50 cent beer. Lydia was brave enough to try frog legs, watch the video for her reaction!

It was a long day and it’s going to be a very early morning tomorrow so we headed home to get some rest!

We spent 6 hours exploring the temples. It was amazing.

Nick continued exploring temples in the afternoon while I lounged by the hotel pool with Lydia. We went to a traditional Khmer restaurant for dinner but forgot to snap pictures because we were so hungry! All in all, it was an incredibly special day.

Next we went to Old Market where we bought a souvenir hand etched out of leather. We enjoyed the frenetic energy of the market but after an hour or so it got to be a bit too much. We relaxed at a nearby restaurant on the famous Pub Street to get a couple pints and a strawberry milkshake.

After a cheap lunch we headed through some more markets and then back to the hotel to head to the airport. Next stop Vietnam!

Poor monkey was exhausted on our drive to the hotel.

This city is absolutely wild and crazy chaotic. Traffic is 90% motorbikes and it’s a little nerve racking crossing the street, you just need to have confidence and not make any sudden movements. As a result the motorbikes go around you in organized chaos.

After walking around the lake we went to a coffee shop. The coffee here is super strong but tastes amazing.

For lunch we had bahn mi which was super tasty. 3 large sandwiches, 2 beers and a drink for Lydia for $10.

I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the city (constant honking + pollution) so we went back to our hotel to rest for a while and do some laundry.

Once we were ready to go back out we went to another coffee shop and tried egg coffee and coconut coffee. We liked them both but the coconut was our favorite.

We went to a local restaurant for dinner and had crab spring rolls, bun cha, and veggies with meat. Yum!

In the evening we went to a night market and then tried to visit the main square which was closed for mid-autumn festival. It started to downpour though and it was getting late so we went back to our hotel.

A food stall across from our hotel always has lineup but since it was raining no one was there. Turns out they sell pancakes stuffed with cheese. Tasted amazing!

Next we took a Grab to Tran Quac pagoda, it was also very lovely.

We cooled down at a coffee shop overlooking the lake for an hour our so and then headed to lunch. It turns out my old colleague/friend Steph and her partner were also in Hanoi for a vacation so we got together with them.

After lunch we relaxed at the hotel for a bit and then went to the famous Train Street. This is a railway built right into a series of shops. After a whole lot of confusion and chaos we were given a seat at a restaurant to watch the train go by. It came WAY closer and it was MUCH bigger than we had expected! Very cool.

We walked into different shops for a while and found an embroidered print we liked. Then we went for Pho. It was the best Pho we’ve ever had!

It had been a very long day so we took the evening to relax and recharge because we are off again tomorrow to a new place!

After making it to Halong Bay we were put on a speedboat to our cruise ship.

We were greeted with an amazing lunch and then were shown our room which has huge windows and a patio to view the bay.

Lobster with cheese

Salmon in passion fruit sauce

Miss Lydia loves her olives

The views here are absolutely unreal. It’s hard to believe that such beauty exists in the world!

We went on an excursion to visit a cave and get some more fantastic views.

It was a very beautiful, but very hot day.

We went swimming in the pool in the afternoon and then got ready for dinner. It was a BBQ on the rooftop of the ship.

It was a lovely day and we can’t wait to explore more tomorrow.

This cruise has been a once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget!

Lydia with her gift from our butler Tam.

Soaking up the last few minutes of the cruise.

After a long transfer we made it back to Hanoi. We stopped in at the original “egg coffee” place. It was interesting to say the least.

Egg with Oreo and egg with coffee.

Only tiny chairs to sit on

We did a little shopping and then had some bahn mi for dinner.

We headed home for some rest. Unfortunately our hotel didn’t have the room we booked available but we are only here for one night.

We made our way to the airport and into a really nice airport lounge with Dim Sum!

We enjoyed trying this “grass jelly” drink

Shrimp dumplings

After a quick flight we we made it to Chiang Mai, Thailand. We only had enough time to grab dinner but it was delicious. Out of all the countries we’ve visited this trip, we definitely enjoy Thai food the most!

Khao Soi

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan

Wat Chedi Luang

We stopped in at a VERY local restaurant and had some of the most delicious food so far.

Lydia had a 7/11 “toastie” ie a grilled cheese sandwich

Next we walked to a park and Lydia got to play for a bit. It was SO HOT today, we thought being north would provide some reprieve from the heat but we were wrong.

We cooled off at our hotel pool in the afternoon which was lovely then we set off to do some shopping.

Quick so top off at a cafe to cool off

Amulet market. The owner was so gracious to have made a sale, he wanted to put us in his YouTube video

Night market street food

We didn’t buy too much but it was still fun to see the markets at night!

This elephant is 76 years old!

We were all pretty pooped after the excursion and fell asleep on the ride home. For dinner we went to another local place, delicious as always.

Pork with basil

Pad Thai

Lydia’s ham sandwich

Nick went to a Mai Tai fight on his own in the evening.

Lydia holding Lemongrass and Bergamot

Pad See Ew

Khoa Soi

Mango sticky rice

In the afternoon we did some swimming and then went to the Saturday night market. We got some food and Nick got a mug.

Lydia got a bracelet

Insects we weren’t brave enough to try

We loved Chiang Mai and could easily spend another few days here but alas we are moving on again tomorrow!

Next up we stopped at Huay Tueng Lake. Lydia enjoyed taking pictures with the giant gorillas! We enjoyed having lunch in a hut on the lake.

Photographer Lydia

After lunch we went to an activity for Lydia. It was a kids theme park and although it was a bit worn down, she enjoyed it.

Our next stop was at Mon Jum, a cute little village at the top of the mountains. We had some coffee with a great view!

Mr Boon then dropped us off at Panviman resort in the mountains. Fingers crossed for decent weather tomorrow as we hope to enjoy all the resort has to offer!

View from one of the balconies

Lydia still working on the photography

The amazing pool!

Hot tub overlooking the mountains

The huge balcony off our room

Room service

We basically spent the whole day swimming and relaxing. It was wonderful!

Dinner with a view

Beachfront villa

Local restaurant for dinner

Breakfast with a view

Most of the day was spent in the pool

Happy hour drinks at the swim up bar

Lydia is living her best life 😂

We all got a bit of sun despite spf 50!

In the evening we watched a really cool storm go around us; the lightening storm was super cool. We also saw a bunch of green lights in the water which we found our were squid fishing boats!

Storm clouds

Lydia was very happy to celebrate with us

Lydia practicing her selfies anytime she can get ahold of my phone.

We saw a giant monitor lizard. This island has all kinds of wildlife including a million geckos.

For lunch we went back to the restaurant down the street (Chill Chill) that we went to our first night. This place has everything you need including scooter rentals and laundry. They actually lost all of mine and Lydia’s underwear yesterday but they found them in the end…not asking questions about that one lol.

What matters most is we have clean clothes and we ate one of the best meals of our trip!! We had massaman curry and prawns with cashews. Interestingly we thought Thai food would be spicier, locals are always impressed when we order dishes with“Thai Style” spiciness.

Not pictured is the chicken satay which Lydia orders everywhere we go. It’s marinated chicken with toast. She’s also enjoying rice more and more each day.

After lunch it was time to leave the island. After another ride in a traditional songathaew (pickup truck with seats in the back) it was time to board a speedboat to Ao Nang, Krabi. I had to sit in the front and it was very bumpy.

Lobby of our new hotel

We took a little walk into town and since it was Friday night there was a lot happening. We were still full from lunch but we got Lydia a pancake and banana milk from 7 Eleven.

The sunset along the beach was spectacular and there were even some fire dancers putting on a show!

We took a traditional long tail boat

Railay

Phranang cave- as you can see people make offerings for fertility

Chicken island is named for its chicken shaped rock. We got to go snorkeling off the boat here. Although Lydia wasn’t too keen on wearing goggles the fish swam right up to us so she got to see them anyway!

Next up was tup island. We didn’t like this one as much since there were a lot of people there. Lydia took a decent photo of us though!

Those are the long tail boats in the background

Last we went to Poda island for lunch and a swim. The water was stunningly blue!

We had some yummy seafood for dinner and then called it a night as we have an early start tomorrow.

Fried squid with chilis

Our resort in Ao Nang

For lunch we went to a Mexican restaurant, it was ok but I think we’ll just stick with Thai food for the rest of the trip.

We spent the entire afternoon swimming. Lydia absolutely loves the pool, she probably swam for 2 hours straight, even when it started to rain.

Nick remembered to take a photo!

A guy was trimming coconuts by the pool and was kind enough to give us one. Yum!

Finally, we visited our first grocery store. Nick and I usually like to wander grocery stores in new countries to get a taste of the local foods. This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity and we stocked up on some snacks and spices.

We had soup and a crab curry for dinner. All very yummy!

Our next stop was Pileh Lagoon. The speedboat stops and you can swim in the amazing lagoon plus we got to snorkel to see fish and coral. Lydia tried the mask on but wasn’t brave enough to put her head under water this time.

Viking Cave

Next was Phi Phi Don for a very tasty buffet lunch and of course more views.

Finally we went to Bamboo Beach to relax. It was a long day but so worth it. Lydia had a blast!

We decided to have Indian food for dinner as there are million of these restaurants in our are and all are highly rated. It did not disappoint!

We had lunch on the island which was tasty but the real winner was the Thai pancake with mango!

In the late afternoon as per Lydia’s request we spent more time at the pool. She is now asking us to buy her a pool when she gets home 🤪

We went back to the same seafood restaurant we went to the other night and had prawns in curry and a fried fish with garlic. It was incredible, probably the best seafood meal we’ve ever had!

Lydia’s request, an entire plate of corn (she also loved the fish)

We always seem to book huge vans for all our transfers

After transiting between the two airports we checked into our hotel and headed out to the local mall. We pretty much got all the souvenirs we wanted but we stocked up on some more curry paste and snacks for the plane.

We had hot pot for dinner; it cost only $27 CAD for all you can eat for the 3 of us. So tasty!

Lydia was fascinated by the robot servers

We have a very early wake up tomorrow to start our long journey home. As I reflect on the last month, I feel immense gratitude to not only experience this incredible part of the world so rich in culture and beauty, but to also have the chance to reconnect as a family and spend so much quality time with Lydia making special memories. It has truly been a trip of a lifetime!