Thailand

Two weeks into Australia and I must admit I am having slight Asia withdrawal. Anyone out there who never considered visiting Asia...please do! It is amazing, cheap, and the people are so very sweet. I think what I miss the most though is the watermelon fruit shakes. Ask the girls, I think I had about 3 a day. At $1 a piece for a taste of pure, sweet, pink, why wouldn't you?!?

I'll leave you with a few of my favorites from SE Asia '08..

The Animals:

The flamethrowers:

The beautiful cities:

And last and probably least ;-)...the people:

Much love from Aussieland,
Cristina

Amazing. Just one word to describe it. Today we drove 3 hours each way to Kanchanburi Park to ride on an elephant's back, take a bath with its cute large trunk, and pet tigers. What could be better?!

It's so incredible to see such beautiful creatures up close. I hugged that elephant until my arms were raw, and dreamily thought about keeping one for my own. Meanwhile, Cat and Cnuts were getting thrown around by Full Moon the crazy party elephant, with a tour guide jumping from water to elephant back like Vanilla Ice. After reading "Water for Elephants" - a book I LOVED and highly recommend - it was an amazing feat to be sitting upon one of the earth's largest and most gentle creatures. Life is in fact beautiful.

Man I love traveling. I feel so much more myself out here in this big bad world, where animals and humans are one, time is an unimportant detail in the seams, and the locals laugh with a hearty chuckle. This world is awesome. Thanks Discovery for reminding us.

Tonight is my last night in Thailand. Off to Australia tomorrow where I will be sure to upload some pictures of an amazing 3 week stint in this beautiful, friendly, and loving country. I will surely miss it. Besitos a todos.

love,
Cristina

The islands really are quite addicting. We have been having an extremely difficult time here. I mean waking up everyday, having breakfast on the beach, swimming, reading, and drinking pina coladas, these are all very tough activities, but somehow we have made it work.

We did find ways to amuse ourselves. The most important being: who can open their eyes the widest competition. We will let you guys be the judge:

Cat:

vs. Cnuts

vs. Cool girl

vs. Don don Damico

I think we all know the clear winner...NOT.

As you can clearly see I have very important things to get back to. Internet here is quite expensivo so I pretty much have to choose between eating or internet. Unfortunately, the latter usually ends up winning...

More to come on Koh Tao. We are allegedly heading to the North tomorrow, though truth be told, we are having trouble motivating ourselves to do anything these days. baha. I leave you with pictures our our personal paradise. I LOVE traveling!

love,
Cristina

So we survived the Full Moon Party and quite the adventure it was. Of course, after a week of beautiful, cloudless weather, the rain came down in full force Saturday night just in time for our departure. I literally was fearing for my life as the taxi went sailing down the mountaineous streets in pouring rain. All those stories of car crashes and bus accidents seemed to be hitting a little too close to home.

But we made the drive and arrrived at perhaps the biggest beach party I have ever seen. The sand was lined with massive dance stages, fire throwers, and bondfires. There were people everywhere for miles and the music - house, hip hop, and more house - was pumping to unfathomable levels. Indeed we had arrived.

We bought blue glowing wristbands to keep track of one another, and painted our bodies with flourescent colors to the likes of " I heart Cnuts" and "gato loves me" and proceeded along through the party. Inevitably I lost the girls about 3 hours in. Yet who did I find to replace them? ... Claire Hurley! We didn't even know she was going to be there. It is one small world my friends...

After 2 hours of a missing Cnuts, we found her just as the sun was rising, sleeping in the most comfortable position imaginable...sitting straight up. It was quite hilarious, and I believed Cat kicked her. Haha. But we survived, found Damico, and hopped on a boat about 2 hours later at 8am baby. On arrival, Cnuts fell asleep on the beach, and woke up to her true destiny: nose to nose with a dog.

Quite an adventure I must say. We have spent the last two days recovering. One of these days we may switch islands, but at the moment...that seems like a lot of work!

con carino,
Cristina

So we have arrived in the Thailand islands, located just directly South from Bangkok. I met up with my brother's wife's brother - if you can follow that- Damico. Along with him and his two friends we have been living it up in private bungalows fully equipped with a double bed, mosquito net, private bathroom, and front balcony. It's our own little house! Of course I went the cheap route (fan only baby) but anyone who knows me knows I'm Cuban, and I just can't handle that cold.

Yet this island is just gorgeous.We found a most isolated little cove to lay our feet for the next few days. You can see end to end with just one turn of the head. It is lined with little beach restaurants that let you eat sitting right on the water with a little mini tables and pillows. At night the beach cove lights up in an array of paradise colored lamps, large wooden swings, and candlelight romantic dinners. The boys really love those.

I am pretty content in this place they call Koh Phangan. Friday is the biggest fiesta, fiesta of the year here for the Full Moon. By then the girls and I will be together once again as we join 40,000 other people from all over the world to celebrate the seasons under the bright white moon. Wish us luck.

Con carino,
Cristina