The Grand Palace in Bangkok

One last stop on our private tour in Bangkok and this one is not to be missed.  The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and has been the official residence of the monarchy of Thailand until recently.  The current King resides elsewhere but the Palace is still used for official events.  It's a large complex with various buildings, pavilions, halls, gardens, stupas and chapels.  This is also where you will find Thailand's most sacred site, Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.  You could write a book about this place so I'll just share some of my favorite photographs from our time there and just a few quick tips if you are planning on visiting.

Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market in Bangkok

I've been having so much fun editing the photos from our trip to Thailand last year.  (Yes, I realize how behind I am. I blame my job and my uterus. )  I still can't believe we were even there.  I don't think a day goes by that I don't long to be back.  I loved everything about Thailand, the smell, the people and just the feel of it.  We packed a lot into our one week trip and were only in Bangkok for about 36 hours.  I was determined to visit a floating market in that short time. The one we chose was the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market.

Short Stay in Bangkok

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, then I apologize for my wacky timeline.  But, today we are going back to Thailand even though my social media feeds are all about Budapest.  I use post it notes and a calendar to schedule my blogs and those Thailand post-it notes have been shuffled around so much they are losing their sticky.  I've already written about our short time in Bangkok (the floating market and lotus farm) so that is where we'll pick up.  This week it's all about Bangkok, Thailand.

Golden Buddha of Wat Traimit

It's time to show you some more photos from one of our most incredible trips.  Thailand was so high on our list.  We only had one week to spend there which is never going to be enough.  I was probably in love with Thailand before we even went, and it did not disappoint in any way.  I loved every site, sound and smell.  It was absolute magic.  We had such a short time in Bangkok, but we got in a much as we could by booking a private tour with Your Thai Guide.  After visiting the a floating market and a lotus farm, our guide Nina took us to visit Wat Traimit, the Temple of the Golden Buddha.

Wat Pho - The Temple of the Reclining Buddha

The next temple that we visited on our private tour with Your Thai Guide was Wat Pho to see the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.  Wat Pho is actually a large temple complex and home to the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. This was my favorite stop of the day (in addition to the Lotus farm).

Bangkok Lotus Farm

While we were at the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market our guide Nina asked if we would like to take a boat ride along the canals.  Of course we did.  We eyed the line of people waiting to fill one of the colourful flat bottomed canal boats.  But Nina had other plans for us.  Smart girl.

Two Days in Yangon, Myanmar

After five years, Matt and I do pretty good traveling together.  Matt traveled extensively and often solo for years before we met.  He's much more of an explorer than I am.  Let's just say I'm partial to a more leisurely pace.  But as I've gained more experience and confidence, our traveling rhythm has become pretty well matched.  I've expanded my comfort zone and he indulges me with a few hours or days where there's "no plan". (Well, that's not entirely true, with Matt there is always a plan.)  But, this slight difference in our travel style was never more evident than when we went to Thailand and included a side trip to Yangon, Myanmar. 

Koh Samui, Thailand

After our crazy few days in both Bangkok, Thailand and Yangon, Myanmar it was time to move on to the part of the vacation that I had been dreaming about.  As Zac Brown would say "I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand."  (You can take the girl out of Texas...)   Koh Samui is a large resort island off of the east coast of Thailand, second only to Phuket in popularity with tourists.  That is where we spent the reminder of our holiday, soaking in the sun.

Instagram Update

Things have been terribly quiet around here for a few weeks, but I'm back and I have so many photos to share with you.  Before we get back to regularly scheduled programing here's a little Life Lately update with the help of Instagram.  My blog posts are a bit behind but here's what we've been up to. 

First and foremost... Grandbaby!  Jessica is now at 31 weeks and doing terrific.  She had a baby shower a few weeks ago.  It broke my heart to not be there but they were surrounded with love and presents.  We'll be going to Texas for three weeks in August for the delivery.  I can't wait hug my sweet baby and meet her sweet baby.

My daughter Jessica & son in law Johnny at the baby shower for little Michael. 💙 I couldn't be there but my sweet momma got all my presents there & made sure to send me lots of pictures. I just love this one!!! We'll be going to Texas in August for three weeks!! I can't wait!!! #gigi #babylove

A photo posted by Selena (@selenatheplaces) on Jun 14, 2015 at 11:58pm PDT