Saturday, February 7
Final prep for our trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Dubai. Travel agent has been busy sending me boarding passes, visa corrections, and check-in’s. Suitcases are almost ready. Tonight is the farewell/birthday party for Óscar. Tomorrow we leave. Are we really sure we want to go see the elephants?
Sunday, February 8
At the Medellín airport ready to take off for Bogotá and the elephants! Last night the farewell/birthday party for Óscar was fantastic. Here we go!
Sunday continued:
Arrived in Bogotá without a hitch. We had a late lunch at the Avianca VIP lounge. Just left Bogotá on a somewhat empty, but very comfortable, Emirates jetliner. We head to Miami and then to Dubai and finally Bangkok. We’re watching the Superbowl and Bad Bunny. Emirates has everything!
Monday, February 9
We are somewhere over the Arabian Peninsula on our way to Dubai. Flight has been uneventful. The Dubai airport is a wealthy shopper’s paradise!
Tuesday, February 10
We arrived in Bangkok by noon. Quickest arrival process of any airport: immigration, luggage and customs. Within an hour we were in our personal transport headed to the hotel. After a nap, we ate dinner and headed out to see what we call the “grand bazaar.” There was a concert going on outside, and inside an incredible experience of 7 floors of shopping!
Wednesday, February 11
Today we visited the Royal Palace and its temples. The queen mother died in October, 2025. Her body will not be cremated until October, 2026. The people are still paying their respects. We visited the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and crossed the river by ferry to visit the temples on the other side. They have shops to rent Thai clothes to visit the temples by the river with makeup included!
Blessings from the Padre!
Thursday, February 12
It was a fantastic day. We drove about 2 hours out of Bangkok. Then took a train for about 45 minutes to visit the Thai Train Market. The train we were on passes right through the middle of the market with booths and people right at the tracks on either side. After exiting from the train we walked through the market with its incredible sights and smells: fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, pork, handcrafts, and the friendliest people in the world. We then drove a short way to catch a launch that took us to the floating market. Canals filled with sellers, goods, food, cooks, and buyers, all in launches. Eating at the floating market was wonderful. Best Pad Thai in the world! Venice eat your heart out!
Friday, February 13
What a lucky day! We traveled to Ayutthaya and visited the archaeological sites of the civilization that flourished between 14th-18th centuries. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phra_Nakhon_Si_Ayutthaya_(city)?wprov=sfti1 ). There were elephants on the street lamp posts in town, as well as people enjoying elephant rides. We encountered lots of young people in traditional Thai costume. At the close of the day we enjoyed a cruise on the three rivers that surround the ancient city like an island. On the river cruise we passed a 17th century Buddhist temple, a 17th century Catholic church, and a 18th century mosque. God is truly in this land!
