Thailand

Kyle and I were able to go to Thailand the beginning of February. He served a mission there about 5 yrs ago and we have always wanted to go together. We were given the opportunity to go so we jumped on it. We were able to visit with some of the people he baptized, which was a neat experience. We were gone for about ten days and in that time did a ton:

We flew in to Bangkok and stayed there a couple days, we were measured for suits, visited some sights, and met with some people.

Then we flew to Chang Mai rode an elephant, got in a cage with six tigers, walked through a pool of about seven crocodiles, watched some crazy monkeys, saw an amazing temple, went to a silk factory and a jade shop, then on to the zoo and aquarium.

Afterwards we took a night train back to Bangkok, then took a bus to a ferry which took us out to the "Elephant Island" (Thats translated into English). We spent a couple nights there hanging out at the beach, getting Thai massages and swimming in the pool.

We were able to meet with some more people back in Bangkok before we left.

It was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the Thai culture and for Kyle to practice his Thai, which skill proved to be very valuable.

One of the first nights in Bangkok we went to dinner with several people from the branch in which Kyle served as a zone leader. The three people in this picture are some of the people Kyle baptized.

The first day there we went to a fabric store and picked out material; Kyle was measured for a suit and I was measured for a dress coat. Then the last day we picked them up.

In Chang Mai we went to a this Crocodile enclosure,and got in this pool area with about 7 crocs; in this pic I could feel him breathing with my hand. I'm just glad he wasn't hungry.

In Chang Mai we rode an Elephant. It was so much different than riding a horse. It's so much higher in the air and a lot more bumpy. It was really exciting.

Kyle and me in a cage with six tigers. I can't believe how big they are!

The worker said they like to have their bellies scratched. I guess they are just like huge house cats that could rip your head off if they wanted to.

This is a temple in Chang Mai. We are barefoot because it's disrespectful to wear your shoes on the temple grounds.

We are on the ferry on the way to the island.

I found this hammock right next to the ocean. I think I found the perfect place for me.

The night before we left we were able to visit a family and friends that Kyle taught.

The picture on a back wall of their house is a photo of the son of the couple sitting next to Kyle the day he was baptized. Kyle taught and baptized him and he is now serving a mission in California. His parents (next to Kyle) were taught by Kyle, and later were baptized after he came home. The couple sitting on the floor were both baptized while Kyle was there. They are going to be sealed in the Hong Kong temple in December.