Bangkok pics

A few more pics from Bangkok - Grand Place & hanging with Alex Jonas for a few days before we headed out to Cambodia.

I LOVED the Grand Palace (despite the heat & mandatory full clothing). So much mirror details = disco ball temple. The Emerald Buddha was so beautiful I was overwhelmed!

We also spend an afternoon in Chinatown - which puts San Francisco's Chinatown to shame! So much to see and hectic bustling everywhere. Strange foods I have never seen before and bags upon bags of dried shrimps. Also - they have every color of plastic bag under the sun, not just pink. Jesse needed to take a few deep breaths at one point, haha!

Also - my favorite thing about Bangkok might have to be the billboards & photos of the King everywhere - and he always has his camera around his neck.

Bangkok

Made it to Bangkok!

It's hot and sticky here - lots of smog too.

Yesterday was Buddha's birthday...but we did not know it! Tried to go to the Grand Palace first thing in the morning and got shut out b/c there was a special celebration there. We did visit the Big Buddha - massive! There were so many people out and about which meant lots of traffic.

Have already have seen lots of cool stuff. Went to the floating market today and rose gardens.

Tonight on the way home from dinner we ran into an elephant walking down the street!! I fed him some type of mystery fruit -he seemed to like it!

Heading to Cambodia in a few days and looking forward to it.

Nelson Market - Jan 31st

Saturday market in Nelson.

Auckland

We made it to Auckland with our rental car @ 4pm today - almost got involved in a 3 car pile up at the Hertz drop off! Disaster avoided, phew. Was funny to drive on the wrong side of the road and getting used to the driver's seat on the right side.

Staying with a friend of a friend tonight & then fly to Bangkok tomorrow! It is going to be such a new environment - I am mentally preparing for the serious culture shock. Very excited about the move though, and talking to other travelers who have been to SE Asia adds to the excitement.

LOVED New Zealand so much. Sad to leave but already hoping/planning to come back here some day...

Raglan Dinners

We had some nice dinners at the backpackers in Raglan- one friend Joseph caught a bunch of clams one night & steamed them in wine/cream sauce. yummy!

Last night we had amazing cheeseburgers - special recipe from Dawson & Laura.

surfing safari

In Raglan right now - chill surf town on the west coast of the north island.
The waves are perfect for me, small right now but consistent. The beach here was made famous in Endless Summer, largest left break in the world maybe? Definitely beautiful and surfer's paradise.

We are staying at a backpackers in town that is so great we decided to add another night.

Tomorrow we head to Auckland. Then to Bangkok the next day = crazy!
It will be sad to leave New Zealand. But I am looking forward to another adventure in SE Asia.

I promise to post some pictures while in Auckland.

North Island

we took the ferry from Picton to Wellington on the 31st. Two nights in Wellington - fun night on the town - we rocked down to "Electric Avenue" and did some dancing. Then met up w/new friends for an impromptu haircut - well done Jesse!

Now we are @ Lake Taupo. Finally got to go skydiving!!
Jesse and I both jumped from 15,000 feet - O.M.G.
Scary but awesome - hard to breathe up there! Have a dvd and pics from the outfitters so maybe there will be some more pics soon.

On the North Island of New Zealand now...only 5 more days. The time has passed too quickly and I already want to come back to NZ. This traveling thing is addictive!