Penang.. Its not all riding dinosaurs , snake taming and sword fighting

 

 

 Sometimes we go to school

 

 

 

 

                                  Sometimes we eat cake   

 

 

or go to parties

 

 

 

or just relax

 

 

but mainly we are

 

 

 

Riding Dinosaurs

 

 

 

Taming snakes

 

 

 

and sword fighting

 

 

 

 

 

Muay Thai Boxing

Yes.........got to say i really enjoyed this!!!....so did Serenity and friends. She was cheering 'go red shorts'....


Nothing comes close to experiencing the real thing in the stadium where you can feel and hear the electric atmosphere full of yelling, excitement and hypnotic music (just needed that plastic snake!!!) We watched 5 or so fights, youth weight and headed home to put kids in bed.....was buzzing......


Next day flew home to Penang.....


Was a totally amazing trip shared with wonderful, fun friends ....Bangkok has a lot to offer for children.......

Various...

On way back to hotel passed this area. Everyone was  lighting  josh sticks, praying and lots of music played....The Thai girls (above) on queue would start singing for various people who sat in front of them.....very beautiful.

We also went to Jim Thompson's house, where u can purchase silk accessories...oh i could have gone crazy.......and learnt a lot about this unique man, his love for architect and Thai Silk  and how he just disappeared whilst visiting Cameron highlands...

Fantasia Lagoon
Amazing water park, as its set on the rooftop of a 6 storey shopping complex...water slides, swimming pools....A lazy river where you could drift around parts of the park.. Very cool place to hang out....we all loved it...it was just what one needed, once 2.30pm came, everyone got told to get out of the water as it was time for people to eat.........We were leaving by this time......Not sure if that would work at Waiwera!!!...... No photos - phone/camera died!!!!

Snakes

Milking the snake  venom ......Serenity sooooo loved this part..and she had to have a miniature plastic toy 'King Cobra'... note how i say 'plastic, imitation , not real, toy!!!!' ...but a few people felt it was real at the airport......so if you want drama and have lots of security around you at BKK, buy a plastic snake from the souvenir shop,  like the one below.....OR....store it away in your check in luggage.....for safey for all concerned..... :-)

Siam Ocean World

Love the above photo of the kids......no-one looking at the camera! au naturale.... definitely 'poster' material.

Who would have guessed that underneath the glamorous upscale Siam Paragon mall (basement) hides the 10,000-square-metre world-class aquarium? ..so much to see and interactive areas for the kids.






Don't think they have noticed that huuuuggggeeee crab.

The Grand Palace - Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

The Grand Palace.....huge and lots of Gold....lovely photo opportunity.

Phra Siratana Chedi, (to the left)





                                   The Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha. 


                                                        Phra Mondop   (below).

Wat Prayoon - feeding the Turtles

Feeding the turtles very cool thing to do with kids/adults.  We caught a river taxi from Wat Arun over to Saphan Phut Pier...where in a huge pond  these turtles are, you buy food and they snaffle  it off your sticks.

Tuk Tuk

Awww the reliable 'reliant robin' or as Serenity knows it as Mr Beans form of transport......it was the highlight of her and her friends  trip, i reckon... (anytime we could take one....rain/shine...we did!!!!). They can motor!!!...this is the older style....On the first night we caught one that was 'pimped up' and very new....(sorry no photo).

Yes, 1 tuk tuk ...10 people.....can just see the other tuk tuk....we all heading off to The Grand Palace...

Bangkok - Thailand...

                                                                        

Serenity and I headed to Bangkok with some good friends....left Mark at home (had man flu). Visited
 Wat Arun...amazing Buddhist temple ...super steep to climb up, very narrow steps and  to come down (think i did it backwards...)....  The view from the top is outstanding.                                                                                    

The cat, the dragon fly and the weetbix

On the many steps to the waterfall hilltop temple this dragon fly landed. There are lots of brightly coloured things flying around but usually they do not pose for photos. I have lots of shots of just air.

This feline hangs around at our local eatery. Last week a large crow made the mistake of landing to close. Those eyes can be deceiving. This is not a nice cat.

Found some unrequired fluff on my weetbix. Waiting a response from the manufactures.

temple

The Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple. 

Waterfall hilltop temple is a Hindu temple. It is on the side of a hill and to gain access you must traverse rows and rows of steps. We had only just started the trek when we realised no one else was wearing shoes. We asked and were told you have to suffer a little to get to the top. It was great going barefoot. Very hot day so we scarpered from shadow to shadow before our feet combusted.

                                                       Almost to the top of the 511 stairs

We arrived before the priests started the ceremony so decided to stay. It was the most amazing feeling being there. We both felt it and want to go back at some stage without the rug rat. They played hypnotic music and bells were ringing. It felt good for the soul

You know you are a dad when your jokes get lame. I cant help but think the big guy looks handy. I cant stop it.











Another observation at the temple is everyone we spoke to were so nice and helpful. It is a special place. The photo below is not mine. I just think it does the temple more justice than my phone camera

Scary stuff

Creatures are ready

                                 Prepare to scare

 are you scared yet

 
                           ......how about now

the monster mash

Just dance

                Thumping music, empty square, midday sun, two crazies having a dance

October feasting

Whoever realised that this combo go great together was a genius.  I am talking about the beer and meat. Who would have guessed they compliment each other.

We have apprehended a small child. Does she belong to anybody?























Quality father and daughter time hanging out at the beer hall.