umpquawinding

[umpquawinding]

A scrap of paper I memorized and carried around in order to desperately try to communicate properly with the lovely Thai folk... “vegetarian PLEASE!” No. This almost never got me anywhere. Oh well! Somehow still managed to make friends!

#travelling #thai #thailand #bangkok #thai food #travel blog

[umpquawinding]

SO MUCH PASSIONFRUIT JUICE!!!

#thailand #bangkok #travel blog #tarvelling #backpacking #street market

[umpquawinding]

Pretty little details :) 

Wow am I missing the freedom to travel!

#travel blog #travel #bangkok #temple #thailand #backpacking #photography

[umpquawinding]

More from exploring this breathtaking temple...

#travel #travel blog #temple #buddhism #bangkok #thailand

[umpquawinding]

Inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, January 18 2020

#travel #travel blog #buddhist temple #thailand #bangkok #backpacking

[umpquawinding]

Lingering on the outskirts of a temple in the city after it has closed... nighttime shadows

#travel #travel blog #bangkok #buddhist temple #thailand #backpacking

[umpquawinding]

A day at the mall in Bangkok, January 17 2020

Malls are quite popular in Thailand. One of Jonah’s older cousins has lived in Bangkok for the last seven years, and so we had an opportunity to stay with him for a few days and explore the city with a bit of his guidance. A big plus - his half Thai half American daughter, Maprow, three years old, totally lovely. Super smart, adorable, proficient in both English and Thai, and so much fun. On this particular day, we adventured to the rooftop of the mall which is a waterpark. There were four stories to the mall, each with a different purpose, the fourth being a huge arcade equipped with games, rides, a rollerskating rink, a foam pit, and much more...here is a piece of the beautiful glass ceiling. Gettin’ our city fix quick, as I must say cities become overwhelming, perhaps soul-sucking for me eventually. Usually quickly. I think I speak for Jonah too. But when in Rome... 

The interesting thing for me about being in a city like Bangkok, however, is that it was so entirely different than anywhere I had ever been, massive international city or not, until I “got used to it” (sort of), the city effect didn’t set in very much as it does when I go to Portland or Seattle (see and I’ve hardly been to big American cities). Because it’s all just... New! and Beautiful. 

#travel #travel blog #photography #thailand #bangkok #backpacking

[umpquawinding]

Bangkok, January 16 2020

#travel #travel blog #thailand #bangkok #cities #markets #food #photography

[umpquawinding]

January 16 2020

Our first look of downtown Bangkok. We spent a whirlwind day wandering the colorful city blocks, tasting things, riding Tuk-Tuks, seeking the best massage, mapping markets and events...it was overwhelming in an incredible way.

#travel #travel blog #thailand #bangkok #city #food

[umpquawinding]

January 15 2020

Sunflower garden atop the Singapore Airport

#travel #travel blog #airplane #airport #singapore #singapore airport #sunflowers #garden

[umpquawinding]

Spotted in the airplane bathroom on the way to Singapore!

#butterflies #new zealand #thailand #singapore #travel #travel blog #airplane

[umpquawinding]

Some of the many lovely Kiwi cats we met along the way. We missed our kitty sooooo much.

#new zealand #cats #travel #travel blog #camping

[umpquawinding]

There was this incredible public park in Invercargill that we LOVED!!! Generally, the parks in NZ were super impressive. We stumbled upon multiple free public aviaries in different towns. This one was big and beautiful, with several different types of gardens (cactus, rose, indoor tropical botanical garden, Japanese garden, rock garden), and a really cool playground, an amazing aviary, a zoo, and a few other little displays. Jonah and I have shirts that say llama lover on them, a gift from his bosses (inside joke), and THANK GOD jonah was wearing his when we spontaneously went to the zoo. Or maybe those are alpacas. Plus, wallabies!

#new zealand #animals #travel #travel blog #van life #road trip #park

[umpquawinding]

Hokitika, New Zealand, November 23 2019

#new zealand #beach #ocean #travel #travel blog #camping #road trip

[umpquawinding]

November 23 2019

As we were leaving Arthur’s Pass, we saw this huge truck-van thing that was really quirky and charming...it was made to look like a house and had messages encouraging us to follow them to the extravaganza fair! It was a teeny bit out of our way but generally in the right direction, and the timing was perfect, so alas. At home we go to oregon country fair every summer, which is this magical beautiful place in the forest...easily the best weekend of the year every year. Anyway, we hoped it might be reminiscent of our beloved fair. It ended up being really sweet and cute and in a funny way reminded us of home.

#new zealand #fair #travel #travel blog #road trip #camping #hiking

[umpquawinding]

November 21 2019

Having a grand ole time

#national parks #photography #hiking #new zealand #camping

[umpquawinding]

November 21 2019

Selfies on the Bealy Spur Track

#van life #hiking #mountains #camping #new zealand #road trip #national park #nature