Most of you reading this blog already know that my mom came for a visit to Thailand, and many of you have already likely heard about it and maybe even seen photos. Allow me, though, to give a rough summary of what my mom did while she was here – from my perspective.
Mom arrived late on a Tuesday night. I picked her up at the airport and was so excited to see her. It was a bit of a surreal experience because she has never come to ME abroad – I’ve always greeted her at airports in Canada where I was arriving and she was greeting me! It was neat to bring her outside, grab a cab, and watch her get excited about green street signs in English and Thai flourishes to buildings and things.
Wednesday I didn’t plan much. Just showed her around my area of town, went to the bank, and then took her on a longtail boat tour of the back canals of a Thonburi, the old capital of Thailand. It was a lovely and relaxing two hour trip, and nice for me too, as I hadn’t yet done that! Afterwards we walked around town, did some window shopping, drank coconut, and took our first tuk tuk ride (complete with Bangkokian traffic!). I was surprised that mom seemed to be taking everything in stride, not too overwhelmed by the sights or smells. I was proud of her!
Thursday we left for the airport, where we took a short plane ride down to Krabi, in the south. Our destination – Koh Lanta, a relaxing, less touristy island in the Andaman Sea (south of Phuket and East of Koh Phi Phi). We spent three gloriously relaxing days there, eating, wading in the bath-warm water, reading, walking the long beach, and chatting and absolutely everything (right mom?). We also did a tour of the island the second day as the weather was not beachy, and mom saw Koh Phi Phi and did some snorkelling the third day.
Wednesday I didn’t plan much. Just showed her around my area of town, went to the bank, and then took her on a longtail boat tour of the back canals of a Thonburi, the old capital of Thailand. It was a lovely and relaxing two hour trip, and nice for me too, as I hadn’t yet done that! Afterwards we walked around town, did some window shopping, drank coconut, and took our first tuk tuk ride (complete with Bangkokian traffic!). I was surprised that mom seemed to be taking everything in stride, not too overwhelmed by the sights or smells. I was proud of her!Thursday we left for the airport, where we took a short plane ride down to Krabi, in the south. Our destination – Koh Lanta, a relaxing, less touristy island in the Andaman Sea (south of Phuket and East of Koh Phi Phi). We spent three gloriously relaxing days there, eating, wading in the bath-warm water, reading, walking the long beach, and chatting and absolutely everything (right mom?). We also did a tour of the island the second day as the weather was not beachy, and mom saw Koh Phi Phi and did some snorkelling the third day.
Monday we flew back to Bangkok, and it was there that we parted for a few days. I had to begin teaching summer school (the subject of another blog post) so mom went off to discover Chiang Mai. It seems that she had a great time shopping, seeing temples, riding elephants…
Thursday evening mom came back and we had Baskin Robbins for dinner! She was so shocked they even had a Baskin Robbins in Bangkok that we just HAD to do it! Friday we went to Kanchanaburi, the National Park and location of the Bridge over the River Kwai. It was a two hour taxi ride there and cost us roughly $30! Not too bad eh? We stayed at a brand new guesthouse on the river itself, and that night sat out on the river, drank beer, and ate delicious Thai curries. The next morning we woke early to kayak on the river, and that was amazing! So relaxing and calm, I felt that I was in the middle of the jungle, save for the occasional million dollar home on the river! After lunch, we visited the War Museum and cemetary where I learned more about the disturbing plight of the POWs in Thailand during the war. It made for a more sobering visit to Kanchanaburi than my previous two…
The next morning, I had to return to Bangkok for a choir practice, so mom went on a day tour to visit the famous Erawan waterfalls and some other sights. It was an adventure, eh ma?
Mom returned to Bangkok Monday afternoon and met my boyfriend Louis, who came over to take us to an International food buffet dinner at the tallest building in Bangkok. We viewed the city from the 84th floor and then ate on the 76th. It was nice having mom meet Louis, and they both were on their best behaviour (so thanks!).
Tuesday mom went to Ayutthaya, the truly ancient capital of Thailand, filled with ancient ruins and history. It’s a day trip there, but mom overnighted it so that she could see as much as possible. She returned Wednesday afternoon in time to see my choir concert. I was so happy that mom flew out for this, because it was so nice having my number one fan in the audience! The concert was a success and a lot of fun. Sort of sad to see it end… 
Thursday was mom’s last day in Thailand so she did some shopping and sight seeing while I was at school. In the evening, we went out for Nepali food with Muna and two other friends from school. I was glad she got to meet all my girls out here! We had a silly, girlie, gossipy evening!
Thursday was mom’s last day in Thailand so she did some shopping and sight seeing while I was at school. In the evening, we went out for Nepali food with Muna and two other friends from school. I was glad she got to meet all my girls out here! We had a silly, girlie, gossipy evening!
And as fast as mom arrived, she was gone. I won’t easily get the image of putting mom in a cab for the airport out of my mind, nor will I soon forget how sad I felt to see her go. It was so wonderful having a little piece of home here with me in this “other” home. Even more than that, it was incredibly meaningful for me to be able to share Thailand with my mom so that she could see where I’ve been living. Mom was so great while she was here! I don’t even think she experienced any culture shock – or at least she didn’t show it! She was so calm, accepting, and solid while she was here… I think she is ready to continue her world travels. Whatd’ya say dad?
