Jan7

We left San Francisco on Thursday, January 5 on a trip to Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Although we had only traveled for about 19 hours, we arrived in Bangkok, Thailand in the early morning of Saturday, January 7. That's what happens when you cross the international date line. The time difference is 13 hours and with the long exhausting flight, there is a need to rest and relax before venturing out into this exotic country. No pictures yet, haven't even looked at the camera...

We are staying at the CentrePoint Apartments Silom, the same place we've stayed on our two previous trips to Thailand. After our breakfast buffet at the apartment complex, we got some Thai money at an ATM and visited our local Tops Market to get bottled water and other supplies.

We relaxed during the day and early this evening walked out on the street and saw how lively everything continues to be: vendors on the street selling unknown fruits and vegetables, clothing, and food that smells so wonderful. We both had a traditional Thai massage after a simple dinner with beers. I had no idea how many aches and pains I had, and now know I need a massage daily until we leave for Vietnam. The massage was so relaxing that I came to the room and fell into the soundest sleep I've had in weeks.

I awoke suddenly remembering that my brother Michael arrives early this Sunday morning around the same time we got here. He'll be staying with us at the apartment until we all leave to Vietnam together on January 11.