Thailand

not used to so many post at once- so after a break..... =)

We finished our trip off in Thailand and Vietnam. These were my favorite places because they were so very different than the big cities we started in. Very local.... very real. The below photos are from our visit to Chiang Mai in the northern part of Thailand and the capital, Bangkok. A visit to local villages, temples, amazing deals at the night bazaar and a very relaxing Thai massage! Needless to say- I loved this place!

village girls from Chiang Mai- cuties huh? shortly after we were attacked saying "you want photo, you pay". not exactly what we were expecting. monks in the Wat Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai
Wat Doi Suthep Temple, the top piece is solid gold- donated by the King
Wat Doi Suthep Temple. This sits at the top of a mountain overlooking Chiang Mai
me at the entrance of the temple
Don´t you love the public transportation here! there´s no back and you typically see these filled with the locals..... as many as they can possibly squeeze in. and we passed these guys along the way...
My family had planned a trip to Thailand at the same time. And just so happens we both were in Chiang Mai at the same time. Small world, or what?? This is my Aunt Pat, Uncle Wayne, and my Cousin John. We met them at McDonald´s near the Night Bazaar- figured it would be the easiest place for Americans to locate!
I loved the ride home in the Tuk Tuk- and so happy after a night of shopping in the Market. You wouldn´t believe all the things we bought. There´s a reason it´s all "Made in Thailand". Such good deals! I´m sure it was all very "authentic" as well. hehehe

The next day, Ricardo, Alberto and I met my cousin John and his girlfriend Julia for our adventures in the nearby villages. First stop- a ride thru the jungle on elephants.

Loved it! but we definately had the "untamed" guy.....
and i´ll stand on the outside please...

we started our hike in Karen Village, where the locals were selling their handicrafts

then hiked to Maewang Waterfalls and National Park

We loved the hotel we stayed at- The Ayatana Resort. A beautiful place and the people were amazing.

We ended our stay in Bangkok- here.... Wat Pho w/ the famous "Reclining Buddha"
Ricky and I in Wat Pho

Wat Phra Kaew- Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Grand Palace
and Wat Arun along the Chao Phraya River

Happy Father´s Day!

Happy Father´s Day to the Best Dad in the World!

and one in the works!

Love, LeeAnn

Japan

And then to Japan...... I have a ton of pictures from this stop because everything was so shocking and interesting. From the quaint local community in Kyoto to the bright lights and big city of Tokyo. I was reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" during the trip, so I was definately set in the mood. I loved Kyoto for this reason as this is where the book takes place. The pictures will tell the story........

First Stop- Imperial Palace in Osaka

It was a rainy night, but the colors and signs and people.... it was our first feel of the culture

Next to Kyoto. Our Hotel, (sorry Rick, but it´s just so interesting.....) =)

This was so cool, the Geisha´s just walking down the street

And then some more....

Japanese Couple overlooking the Japanese Gardens

One of the many many temples we visited

You can tell I liked the Geisha´s!

and Finally Tokyo! Just like you would imagine

We decided to try out the capsule hotels. Such an experience!

A little local cuisine

A little local sport (Sumo Championship was going on while we were there)

Temple in Asakusa

and a view from the top of the Hilton (Lost in Translation was filmed here!)

Hong Kong

We started the trip in HKG visiting my friends Henrik and Shereen that I knew from Italy. (see wedding in Cairo post) When I remember one of the best views from the trip.... without a doubt their terrace is amongst the top. Hong Kong is a hustle and bustle of a million different nationalities, languages, and styles. It is recognizable by the super tall and skinny high rise buildings and the view from Kowloon just across the river. Of all the stops we made, it seems that this would be the easiest to settle in. Very easy to get around with the metro and taxis (though most didn´t speak english) and every where you turn- shopping! And a special thanks to Ashley for lending us her house. =)

View of Hong Kong from the IFC tower

Lunch at Shereen´s


City Lights from Kowloon

Shereen and I in Wan Chai

Cable Car ride in Tung Chung

to see the World´s Largest Sitting Budha!

and all this in 2 days! Next stop- Japan!

Back from Asia!

4 countries, 12 flights, and 2,000 pictures later..... We just returned from the most incredible trip to Asia. Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Out of this world! I´ve never been to places so completely different from the world we live in. The language, the behavior, the food! I don´t even know where to start..... and please don´t ask what i enjoyed most! =) each experience was one of a kind. I´ll try to summarize...........

It all began- with a view of Hong Kong from the Peak