Blog update - Dec. 30

Sorry we have not updated the blog in quite a while. We have just been too busy doing stuff here (I know at least some of you probably think we've been kidnapped by now). So here is what we did in the interim (minus photos, as they take WAY too long to load).:

Pattaya: Stayed one more night, hung out on the beach, went to some pretty marginal bars and bought fake Rolex watches from some guy selling them out of a briefcase.

Next day (driving on the way to Chiang Mai): Stopped in Lopburi, north of Bangkok, to see the monkeys. Got accosted by several dozen by the side of the street while trying to feed the "cute baby monkey" some bananas. This attracted the attention of many others loitering nearby. After trying to distract them with an entire bag of lychee nuts and some dried bean chips, we finally got our car back, and had all of them off the windshield. Monkeys are evil.

Then, we continued north to Sukhothai, where we spent 2 nights. On the second day, we went to see the ruins of the 14th century city that was the main capital city of the region at that time. Also drove into the mountains to a large fruit market.

Next day we went north to Chiang Mai and stayed there for 3 nights. Spent lots of time walking through the large night market/bazaar and bought more fake Rolex watches. Also bought lots of handmade silver beads and bawdy T-shirts (Greg). Julie and I went to a large shopping mall and looked around, and took a crazy 3-wheeled tuk-tuk taxi back to the hotel (those guys drive like crazy people).

Then we drove back towards Bangkok, stopping for 2 nights in Phitsonolak, where we just mainly walked around and drove around the streets. We went to the "Big C" there, which is basically like a "Big K" here. Except that it has 3 levels, including a video game arcade and food court.

And today, we drove down to Bangkok, and are staying at the Sheraton on the main river here. Greg and Julie are walking aimlessly through the streets, but as I was being continually admonished against continued shopping, I have returned to the hotel, and am heading over to the mall next door (with my credit cards).