Bob and I took a wonderful bike and boat tour yesterday- about 12 kilometers of bicycling, as well as boating through the canals and river in a long boat. It was a great way to get a sense of the everyday lives of Bangkok residents — back alleys, markets in Chinatown, neighborhoods, schools, temples off the beaten path, people at work, neighborhoods on canals, and much more! I did get quite anxious, however, trying to maneuver my bike through very narrow alleys and on a narrow elevated path through wet farmlands. So I ended up walking my bike on the elevated path and actually got to take in tremendous beauty at a slowed down rate. One of the tour guides took great care of me as I went at a different pace. And, thankfully, I did get to miss a snake falling from a tree onto one of my fellow bikers! I would have definitely ended up in the water seeing that happen!

Posted more photos than usual- sorry- lots to share!

Stopping in a schoolyard for high fives and smiles!

Ringing the bell three times for good luck at the Buddhist Temple. My skirt came in handy today!

Unloading baskets of dirt on the river- really hard work in the heat and humidity!

In the long tail boat on one of the canals.

Typical house along the canal

Getting a boules lesson from the locals- great fun!

Along the elevated path on the farm.. With Earn- the guide who took such good care of me!

Waiting for the train at the crossing…

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Today was my niece Marina’s graduation from the International School in Bangkok. Was a really wonderful ceremony! Congratulations to Marina!!