Thulani in Thailand

After a rather uncomfortable trip squashed in my little white envelope, I finally arrived in the ‘Land of smiles’ (Thailand).  The postal service and language barrier gave me a few grey hairs but I eventually found my way to Dan’s apartment just outside the center of the big, busting city of Bangkok.

On the plane from Hong Kong I did some reading to find out a little more about Thailand. I would like to share a few facts that I found interesting. Bangkok is home to approximately 12 million people! Eish! That’s just a few more than the South Coast.

Bangkok currently holds the Guinness record for having the longest name of a place. Apparently “Bangkok” is just the short version because the city’s ceremonial name is “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit”. Say what?

Hot hot hot! Several years ago, Bangkok was named the hottest city in the world by the World Meteorological Organization. It may not be the hottest city in the world every single day but you can be sure it’s pretty consistent.

World’s Best City In the thirteenth annual World’s Best Awards Readers’ Survey of globally leading travel magazine Travel + Leisure, Bangkok was named as “World’s Best City 2008”.

Wow this place sounds super cool! Well we will soon see…

Till tomorrow…

                Tuesday 7-06-2011

Today was my first day out of the apartment. I went with Dan to school where he was running a scout week for all the children at his school. I was really excited to see the children and especially to teach them how to have a real South African Braai. The day flew by and before I knew it, it was up and time for home. I was pretty tired from all the day’s activities but I had a good day.

Till next time…

Wednesday 8-06-2011

After a good nights sleep I made my way back to school with Dan for another fun filled day. Today we went to an adventure center about 2 hours out of Bangkok called Pine Resort. Boy oh boy did we have fun swimming, playing in the mud, climbing up climbing walls and going down zip lines. I was really glad we got to swim because the weather here is crazzzy hot! It never seems to get cool. I think I might get need to get a fur cut…

After our days adventures we arrived safely back home. That evening Dan took me out for dinner to one of the many street restaurants. They line the streets of Bangkok and are always full of people. Some of the food looked pretty strange and not very appetizing, as well as SUPER SPICY! I wasn’t sure if I could eat this food and begged Dan to take me to Mac Donalds but he said that I was here to experience the real Thailand and I am glad he did! Because the food was awesome! My best was noodle soup but I also enjoyed the fried rice. I can’t wait for my next meal! I wonder what I'm going to try next…?

Till next time…

Thursday 9-06-2011

On Thursday I spent the day with Dan’s class. After school it was time to hit the gym for a workout. To get to the gym we had sit and navigate our way through the crazy Bangkok traffic, but we eventually got there. With muscles feeling a little tender, myself, Dan and Nancy hoped onto the sky train running above Sukhumvit road and made our way to the famous MBK shopping center. We did a bit shopping and then made our way to the street for some yummy street food. We sat outside a huge and very popular shopping center called central world. The lights of the city and skyscrapers of Bangkok were amazing.

Till next time…

Friday 10-06-2011

Today was the last day of school before a 2 month summer holiday. So there were lots of good byes and hugs going around. I even got a few which was nice! Haha! That evening it was time to hit the town. We visited a dew place and eventually ended up going bowling and sing karaoke! It was awesome! When I it was my turn to sing I tried to find Shoza Loza, but they didn’t have it so i ended up settling for something a little more chilled – When you say nothing at all – by Ronan Keating. It was a good night out!

Till next time…

Saturday 11-06-2011

On Saturday I spent most of the morning hibernating, preparing myself for the big game that was going to be played that evening… Sharks vs Lions! Before the game Dan introduced me to some of his mates, all of them where from SA! We watched the game in a Kiwi pub called Soi 8. It was very festive and there were many people from SA there! The game was too stressful me, causing a few more grey hairs to appear. Final score 30-30 draw!

Till next time…

Sunday 11-06-2011

Sunday was another busy day. Dan and Nancy wanted to take me shopping at J-J market. It is apparently the biggest market in Asia and I can honestly believe that! It was huge! We spent most of the day there and didn’t even get through the whole place! There were millions of tourists there walking around in the boiling hot sun buy gifts, eating ice-cream and downing bottles of water. Everything  was really cheap and you can find almost anything!  Just before leaving we made our way to the plant section of the market to buy some orchids for Dan’s apartment. Wow! There were orchids everywhere and they were sooo cheap!

Till next time…

Monday 12-06-2011

In Thailand there are many ways to get to where you want to go. You can take a taxi, boat, song tow, bus, train, motorbike or even a tuk-tuk. Today we took a motorbike taxi and the boat. Both were lots of fun and I can’t wait to do it again. Sadly today is my last day here in Bangkok, so after our exercise session at the running track we went to a night market for so food and relaxing. We ended the evening off at the movies. Another great day in Bangkok.

Well that’s all I have for folks. Next stop Argentina baby!!!

Till next time…

Hong Kong - Part 2

Day 7, Friday 27^th May

Thulani spent the day exploring Discovery Bay, where we live, on the Island of Lantau. Firstly, he took a stroll by the lake and waterfalls, next to Ryan’s and Oliver’s school. Then he ventured down to beach to enjoy the lovely sunshine.

Days 8 & 9, the weekend, 28-29^th May

Thulani has finally got around to experiencing some of the traditional sights of Hong Kong. He has been on so many kinds of Hong Kong transport this weekend: buses, ferries, taxis and trams. Firstly, he went up to Victoria Peak, to see the (normally) incredible view of the harbour, lined with all the skyscrapers and backed by mountains. Unfortunately, it was a hazy day so the view was not so good. To make up for the slightly disappointing view, Thulani took a ride in a rickshaw, with Derry, around the peak. He then rode on the incredibly steep funicular railway tram from the Peak down to Hong Kong Park in the busy Central area of Hong Kong Island. Rhys got some funny looks having a photograph with a teddy bear at his age!!

  

In Hong Kong Park, Thulani enjoyed the aviary, fish, waterfalls and tea museum. He then took in the sights and sounds of busy Central, on board a traditional tram. These trams are more than 100 years old  and they make a ding ding sound as they move along, hence why the locals call them the “Ding Ding Trams”.

Goodbye Thulani, we will surely miss you. We look forward to hearing all about your further adventures, as you travel around the globe. Have fun, take care and remember the Thomas Family!!

Thulani in Hong Kong - Part 1

Hong Kong is situated on the southeast coast of China at the mouth of the Pearl River facing the South China Sea. Covering an area of 1,104 square kilometres (425 square miles), the territory is made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. At the core is Victoria Harbour, which separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon and beyond that, the New Territories that runs up to the boundary with Mainland China. As well as making up the bulk of Hong Kong's land mass, the New Territories also incorporates 262 outlying islands, including Lantau where the airport is located.  Despite its dense urban environment, about three quarters of Hong Kong's total area is countryside, including about 40% designated as country parks

History

The bustling city of Hong Kong was just a collection of fishing villages when claimed by Britain in 1842 following the First Opium War with China. This failed attempt by the Ching Dynasty to stop the British trading in opium led to Hong Kong being ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking that year. The Kowloon Peninsula was handed over in 1860 and a 99-year lease on the New Territories, comprising the area north of Kowloon up to the Shenzhen River plus 235 outlying islands, was granted in 1898. Under the unique principle of 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997 as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. This arrangement allows Hong Kong to enjoy a high degree of autonomy, retaining its capitalist system, independent judiciary and rule of law, free trade and freedom of speech.

Hong Kong's magnificent harbour has been the key to its development as a trading port and entrepôt for China, progressing through an industrial era to become a leading financial and services centre in Asia. Culture and heritage are what sets Hong Kong apart from the rest of Asia – indeed the world. With over 100 years of colonial history and a largely Chinese population, Hong Kong is a unique fusion of Western and Eastern cultures where the old and the new live side by side. Its incense-filled temples, colonial buildings and glass-and-steel skyscrapers, along with its ancient traditions and lively festivals, have made Hong Kong a living culture experience

Weather

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Typhoon season is May to November.

Languages

Cantonese is the Chinese dialect spoken by over 88% of the people in Hong Kong. However, English is widely used in the Government and by the legal, professional and business sectors as well as tourist areas. Since reunification with China in 1997, Mandarin, more commonly known as Putonghua – the official dialect of China, has gained in prominence and most locals can at least comprehend it to a certain degree. Chinese (Cantonese is widely spoken) and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. All official signs are bilingual (using traditional characters).

Day 1, Saturday 21^st May

We arrived home late on Saturday evening to a small package. Ryan (age 7) and Oliver (age 5) were so excited to open it and find Thulani inside. They have been tracking Thulani’s travels and eagerly awaiting his arrival. The boys have been taking it in turns as to whom Thulani sleeps with.

Day 2, Sunday 22^nd May

On Sunday we were due to take Thulani on a friend’s junk (traditional Hong Kong boat) to a beach with great waves for surfing, however, we awoke to heavy rains and thunderstorms so we quickly came up with a contingency plan. We all went bowling and then had lunch at one of our favourite restaurants, called Zaks. Thulani enjoyed playing with the 5 boys, especially the bowling.

Day 3, Monday 23^rd May

Oliver enjoyed showing Thulani his Lego Star Wars figures and Ryan read him a bedtime story, with “Storm” the husky.
  

Day 4, Tuesday 24th May

Ryan had his friend, Rohan, over for a play date.Being a travelling bear, Thulani enjoyed playing with the electric train set and aeroplanes.

Day 5, Wednesday 25^th May 

Thulani joined Oliver’s class and Miss Bennett at Discovery College, today. They really enjoyed looking at the blog on the interactive white board and tracking Thulani’s travels.
  

Day 6, Thursday 26^th May

Thulani joined Ryan’s class and Mrs McKee, at Discovery College, today. They really enjoyed looking at the diary and Ryan telling them all about Thulani’s travels, during their sharing session.