Happy New Year from South Korea

Happy New Year from South Korea! Today we returned to school after a three week Christmas Break. Our break was great! Liisa's sister and family (Marja, Bob, Eila, and Mak) made the trek to South Korea to spend Christmas with us. It was great to be with family again. We spent some time showing them around Daejeon and also ventured up to Seoul for three days. On Christmas morning ( at 4:00 am after Santa visited) we took off on a 10 day trip to Thailand. What an experience- 3 days in Bangkok, 3 days on the island of Phuket, and 4 days on the island of Yao Yai. Swimming, riding elephants, renting motor bikes, eating Thai food, and experiencing the culture of Thailand is something that we will never forget. We tried to capture a few of those moments with the pictures posted below. We hope that everyone had a great holiday season! Liisa is off to Australia next week for 8 days to attend an MYP workshop. Nice - I only left for 5 days for my MYP training in Japan. All teachers at our school are required to attend these workshops for the IB certification. She is a little stressed since she has sub plans to prepare for five days! That is why I am the "guest" writer on our blog. Also, Liisa's parent's will be arriving in two weeks for a visit, so the kids are excited to see Noni and Grandpa. We have been thinking about all of you at home and kids are missing their friends! Only one more semester and we will be home to visit for six weeks this summer. Take care! Andrew

Bangkok Pictures

Liisa and the girls shopping at the night markets in Bangkok - they never seem to get tired of shopping!

Lonne loved his experience of riding an elephant, so for the rest of the trip he wanted pictures next to elephants! Notice his t-shirt!

Riding in a Tuk-Tuk around Bangkok - traffic was unbelievable, but the ride was exciting!

The Emerald Palace - Home to the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand. The King of Thailand is currently the longest serving leader of a country in the world - 65 years!

Boat traffic in Bangkok was also busy. Anja getting wet by the wake of another boat as we are riding in a long boat - part of the experience!

Traveling on the river by long boat through Bangkok and looking at the famous Buddhist Temple - Wat Arun.

City view of Bangkok from the balcony of our hotel - 56th floor - Great views of the city of 10 million people!

The hotel in Bangkok upgraded our room to a 3 bedroom suite with a living room and kitchen. This was a surprise! Not really sure why they upgraded us for no extra cost - I think they looked at four kids and decided that this room was away from the other guests!!!! :)

Our hotel taxi on the island of Yoh Yai -kids had a blast riding on top!

Thailand

Liisa hanging on as she rides an elephant in Krabi, Thailand.

Here she looks a little too comfortable! The kids thought that the elephant experience was one of the highlights of the trip!

Lukas and Mak searching for sea creatures!

Sea kayaking - traveling down some canals into the rain forest. We saw monkeys and some very large lizards on our adventure.

Pictures of Thailand

Lukas, Lonne, and Mak enjoying ridng on the front of a long boat on our ride to Krabi, Thailand.

Thailand is a beautiful country!

Having lunch at a local restaurant on Yao Yai Island.



Kids playing beachball soccer!

Exploring the island of Yao Yai off Thailand

Liisa and Lukas taking off on the motor bike to explore more of the island! Lukas drew the short end of the stick - had to ride with Mom!!!

Family picture around the motor bike. It was a fun and exciting way to explore the island.

Ailsa finding hermit crabs in the sand,

Anja and Lonne goofing around on the beach.

The kids enjoying the sun with a traditional Thai long boat in the background.

Vacation in Thailand

Ailsa and Anja getting their hair braided at Sirum Beach.

Enjoying fruit drinks at the beach - the fresh fruit shakes were the best!!

Ailsa and Anja walking along the market areas near the beach!

Lonne "surviving" swimming in the ocean!

Let's wear our neck pillows on our heads as we are waiting in the airport on our way to Thailand!

Visiting Seoul Before Christmas

Liisa, Ailsa, and Eila "standing guard" at the Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Liisa, Anja, and our niece Eila ice skating at the city center in downtown Seoul.

Lukas and his cousin Mak racing around the outdoor ice rink.

Lukas and Mak hanging out at the Namdaemun Market area as the parents finish off some Christmas shopping.

The cousins exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Merry Christmas and Happy 2011!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve in Daejeon 2010 - showing off some of their new PJ's.

Hiking to the top of Mt. Gyejoksong - Great view of the City of Daejeon and the surrounding mountatains.