Country Photographer

Back on Aussie Soil

Well, we are back home.  Arriving back in Bairnsdale yesterday, after arriving back from Bangkok late wednesday night.

Thursday was a teary day.  Trying to get my head back in western mode.
We ended up spending the day at the zoo with Kate and the boys, and Sean, Gabby and Mason.  At at a nice italian restaurant that night.

Friday, Patrick and I caught up with some cousins, while Steve got sucked into shopping in the city with the girls.  I was so totally over shopping by then.

Today, has been catch up day.  Looking thru over 2000 photos, getting some food, washing clothes, and watching Geelong thrash Port.  YAY!

Hoping to get some pics uploaded in the next day or 2.  Too many to choose from.

This time has been amazing.  I feel so blessed that my husband lets me travel.  And its awesome to know that they are all there for me. 
My God, well, if you dont know Him, its time you did.  He is why I live, why I breathe.  If you want to know more, email me.

Be Blessed
Dee

Krabi

Sitting at the airport trying to remember the post that I lost about 5 hours ago.

Arrived Krabi saturday at midday.  Lunch by the pool.  Room was fab.  walk out onto the balcony into the water.  Buri Tara Resort.  Dinner at the restaurant by the pool.

Sunday we hired a car.  Went to waterfalls, hot springs (they were amazing) and to blue lagoon.  Found a great place in Krabi for dinner called "Bolero"  Pizza cafe, with live music.

Monday, after leaving for Phnang Na (blah), ended up driving to Phuket.  Shopping

Lots of rain the last few days

Little bit of sun.

Today we relaxed, after 2 really late nights

gotta go before it logs me out

Dee

Leaving Bangkok

Been a busy few days.

Thursday, we went to the floating market (which was amazing), the snake show (which was creepy), wood carving.  Then while the others went to the Grand Palace, Kate and I went shopping at the Platinum Centre.  Shopping in Bangkok was wonderful (whats excess baggage worth??LOL).  Had dinner by the pool.

Friday we headed to the River Kwai, went down the river by long boat (beautiful Typhoid cestpool).  Then we headed down accross the bridge by train.  A bumpy, but fun ride.  We had lunch at the River Kwai Restraunt.  Lovely meal.

Then we headed to the Tiger Temple.  Our guide didnt make out that it was going to be that much to see or experience, so only Kate, Angie and I did it, and the boys piked.  They really missed out.  It was incredible.  To be in the presence of such beautiful animals.......pat them, hold the babies, and just have that whole experience. 

Last night we went to dinner with Angie, while the boys found a bar to watch the football.  Poor Collingwood supporters...  We went to Gullivers Bar and Restraunt Sukumvit Soi 5.  It had real french influence outside, and the food was wonderful.  We sat by the fountain, and talked and ate.  Great night.  Then walked the night market on the street, did more shopping.  And a TUK TUK ride back to the hotel. 

Got woken by the boys at 5am, heading to the airport.

Now its our turn.  Off to the beach for 4 days.  Maybe no more posts..................need beach time.

Blessings

Dee

Elephants in Chaing Mai

Today we left the guesthouse early, for the Elephant Show.  We travelled about an hour, and went to ride the elephants in the early morning.  It was wonderful.  Really pretty place too.  Then we watched the elephants perform, did some shopping.  It was a lovely time.

Then we travelled to the Orphanage, to have lunch.  Was lovely.  Great curry, and great fellowship.

Yesterday, we spent the day with Doug Higgins, the missionary we support here in Chaing Mai. Saw 3 projects, lots of wonderful things going on here.

Have taken far too many photos, and havent had anywhere to download, so will have to wait till we get home, unless I can find somewhere in Bangkok.\

Kate and I are heading to the pool, to relax, get more tanned, and swim.

Off to dinner with the Higgins family tonight. 

Be blessed all, and know that we are all safe.

Dee and Co

Chang Mai

We arrived in Chang Mai yesterday.

Went to the orphangage.....amazing.  heart pulling, and then some.

Today Kate and I went to the international church with Fiona Higgins and her boys.  Was a wonderful time. Had lunch at the Higgins House.  then came back and found a pool, swam, read, and kicked back.

Tonight we all went to the night baazar.  I dont know what to say...the shopping was amazing.  And I think the boys were shopping more than we were.

Emma, Keren and Patrick....you would love the clothes here.  Not much for you emma, but I did find you something.

Jewelery, and all sorts of stuff.  Great to barter with the locals.

Food is great.  And alot of choice at the night market.

Well, early start tommorrow.  Off to the Hilltribe villiage with Doug Higgins.  One of his projects.

Be Blessed!

Dee

Siem Reap Airport

Logging in from the Airport.  Met up with the group wednesday morning.  So much has happened.  No time to write now, but will be back later.

BTW, I think we all have a stomach ache from laughing so hard.

Be Blessed!

Dee and Co

sihanouk ville

Day 3, and I think each day has its own joys.

Last night, we had a BBQ on the beach, sat with the children that earn a living off the "barang" (white people), and talked with a young man from USA, who lives with a family while he stays here, and helps out with their bar.  Food has been AMAZING. But more so, its the people. thats what this place is about.  Lots of smiles.  They love the cameras. Had a fab massage for US$3. maybe another one today.

Started the morning by watching the sunrise.  Truly beautiful. Today, we rented a driver-TUK TUK, for US$17 and he took us on a tour of sihanoukville.  We saw all of the beaches, went and saw a temple, and talked with the monks, and the children.  We also went to the fishing wharfe.  Now that was just something very special.  Shops along the way, children smiling.  Our tuk tuk driver help with some language barriers.  Got some amazing photos.  A very special people.

Then we came back and had lunch at the hotel, and it was just lovely.  Great flavours.  Kate had a wonderful omlette and I had chicken and cashews, but I dont think it was chicken....needless to say I ate the veges and the cashews and the rice.

Tonight we are going to stay at bungalows on the beach.  With A/C.  The nightlife at the beach is great.  Lots of westerners, mostly younger than us.  Kate called us the ""old mums"".  wasnt funny at the time, but I kind of think it fits.  Mostly all of the girls that are travelling seem to be in their early 20s.  But the cambodian people are great.  Most of the kids speak great english, so its so easy.

Well, I think the beach is where I need to head.

More tales to come, I am sure!

Be blessed!

Dee and Kate

Bus, Beach, Beautiful

This morning we hopped on a bus for Sihankoville.  The beach.  WOW!  Its amazing.  The most amazing white sand.  Lovely people, smiling, etc.  Massages on the beach.  Met a lovely boy named Gin, who made bracelets.  And we have booked accomodation right on the beach for tommorrow night. Tonight we stay at the Golden Sand Hotel, 150m from the beach.  US$25 a night. Pool and A/C.  Luxurious.  The place tommorrow night is bungalow with A/C at US$20 a night, and right on the beach.  Cant get any closer. 

The bus ride was great.  Saw a lot of countryside, stunning, poor, and so green.  Feeling so blessed to have this experience.  Even including the elevator power going out in the Hotel.  Was good for a laugh...but very dark.

Well the pool is calling.

Be Blessed!

Dee and Kate

Greetings from Phnom Pehn

Well, we made it!!  Safely at that.  Easy flights, slept alot of the way.  Hit a thunderstorm about 1 hour out of Bangkok. (what thunderstorm says Kate...she slept thru it)  Bit of turbulance, and the kwell had worn off, so I didnt cope with that so well.  It left me feeling a little under the weather for the rest of the day.  Between that and some heat and exhaustion.....Kate was complaining that I was so quiet and I think I may have kind of freaked her out.

Sarah Ardu met us at the airport, and we went and left out gear, had a drink and then went and had a look around the Russian Market, its like nothing I have ever seen before. Tight walking space, hot and smelly.  Then we went to lunch, in a little place owned by a westerner.  Air conditioning, and great service.

After lunch, I really needed some sleep, so did Sarah.......and Kate, well she was off for an adventure.  Kate walked for about 2 hours, finding some interesting things to video, including deep fried tarantulas, and the HOT Dogs (BBQ dogs heads, teeth and all).  She hopped on a moto(motorbike) to come back to Sarahs and the guy got a little lost.  She now wishes she had got video of the guy asking for directions about 6 times.  But with a little help from a map, and some good direction help, they made it.

After my sleep, I went  for a shower (I was so hot that my skin felt like it was burning), and then took off to look for Kate, not knowing that she had gone so far.  So had a bit of a look around, close by so that I didnt get lost, and got some photos of some of the locals. 

The people are so friendly, and the smiles melt you!

Hoping all is well at home.

Be Blessed!

Dee

Flying Out!

Well, this could be the last post for a while. 
Lets just hope that the internet access is as good as lonely planet says it is!
Should be able to get somewhere to update you all within a few days (if we arent having too much fun)

Take Care!
Dee