Bangkok
We arrived here Sun. after a 34 hour trip door to door.  The Penninsula Hotel is very luxurious and meets all the needs of tired, jetlagged tourists.  (Bill checked out the spa prices and found them too expensive - I didn't even look!)
We are located on the banks of the Chao Phya River which flows through the center of downtown Bangkok; it is a very busy river and there are always boats of all sorts to watch.
Yesterday we went on a local river boat for a tour of the river and major canals off it,  Very picturesque with lots of river traffic, houses on stilts and temples along the way.  We stopped for a visit at Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn....a well-known tourist attraction with lovely temple grounds.  The temple was built in the 18th century and still functions as a working temple today.
Last night we ate at the hotel's Thai restaurant and had a lovely meal....Bill, of course, trying more adventuresome items than me! (I like to be able to recognize the main ingredients of a dish!)

Today we transfer to our ship, the Nautica, and will settle into our home for the next few weeks.

Last blog from home

First of the tulips...in Feb!  The rest will bloom while we are gone.

Our cat Spock.

My family, daughter Cathye, husband Bill, son Mike, me.

Bill and I start our Asian adventure tomorrow afternoon....the excitement between the two of us is rising.  5 am and we both are up and wide awake!  The bedroom is filled with suitcases and layered with clothes, especially mine, as I decide what to pack and what to leave behind.
The cats seem to be undisturbed, as though they know they will be staying here the entire time and will not need special caretakers or any boarding.  Their care and routine should remain the same; they will be taken care of by our daughter Cathye who lives with us.
5 weeks is such a long time to be gone from our home, our place of solace and yet we have often travelled together over the years to far places.  We become our own place of solace, finding strength in each other and our mutual love of travel.

How could I have come so far?
(And always on such dark trails!)
I must have traveled by the light
Shining from the faces of all those I have loved.
                           by Thomas McGrath

Getting started

I've decided to join the 21st century and do an online blog, motivated by an upcoming cruise to Asia at the end of the month.  It seems like a great way to share info and pics with friends and family during the trip. (Also both my kids have blogs and I feel the urge to compete!)
It may become more than a travel blog as I share thoughts of my journey through life.
Ok....I'm started....not too bad....not too hard.