Merry Sis-Mas!

Happy New Year!

This winter break we were blessed to have my sister, Ashley, and her "friend" Mike visit us in Thailand. I haven't seen my sister since July so of course I miss her tremendously and we had loads to catch up on. As soon as she stepped off the plane the chatterfest started.

Rachel: Welcome to Thailand!
Ashley: I just threw up.
Apparently, airplane food isn't as good as I remembered it. Note to self: do NOT fly airlines from America. Asian airlines are the best!

Mike: We have 3 bags that weigh a total of 150 pounds, and only 20 of it is ours. 
Our mules   Ashley and Mike were kind enough to drag 8 bags of coffee, 5 pairs of shoes, 25 magazines  (thanks for the Real Simple from 2007, Mom), 5 books, and various other goodies across the Pacific for us. Thanks, guys!

They were rewarded for all their efforts by heading to a beach just a short 2.5 hour drive from Bangkok. Lucky for them it's perfect season in Thailand, so the low is 75 and the high is 90....just the right weather for tanning on the beach, getting a massage (or 2 - don't judge them) every day, parasailing, and snorkeling.

Back in Bangkok we did all the major sites. The Grand Palace....gorgeous....Wat Pho....beautiful....blah, blah, blah...see the collage.

A highlight was watching my sister learn the art of cooking at May Kaidee cooking school. This really is a treat! May Kaidee owns a cute little restaurant, and in the back she helps you whip up 12 delicious vegetarian Thai dishes. If you're ever in town, check it out: https://www.maykaidee.com/cooking-school

Cooking isn't nearly as hard when someone else preps your ingredients! 

Looks like she's living up to her new nickname in the picture below!

 

I love the look on Ashley's face in this picture. Not even SHE can believe that Mike can cook!

Another highlight was visiting the Ancient City. It's not really ancient, but it does have replicas of many ancient temples and other ruins across Thailand. Cheesy? Yes! Awesome? Yes! It was also where they had the final runway show on season 6 of America's Next Top Model. Fierce? Yes!

Donovan and Ryan don't want any of your attitude. 

We ran into my student Arika with her family at the Ancient City. 

A big thanks to Smash and Mike for visiting us!!