Sawadee... Thailand in 2006

It's our first time to Thailand and we were quite excited. This was our second travel for the year having been to Australia in March. That meant we only had around 4 months to prepare, unpack, repack, and get going.

Day 8 - Bangkok, Thailand (2006)

Our last 2 days in Thailand. We checked out from Novotel Bang-na and transferred to Bangkok Palace near the city centre. Then we headed to Chatuchak Market to see what the fuzz was all about. They said this is the place to be if you wanted to get good, cheap stuff so I was quite excited to go shopping.

We took the cab to Chatuchak. When we arrived there, we saw this massive market we weren't sure where to start. We walked around to check if we could see anything interesting to buy.

the busy market street

Novotel Bang-na, Thailand (2006)

We spent the next few days in the hotel and just visited some malls nearby. "Rest days" for me and the kids.

Day 3 - Bangkok, Thailand in 2006 (Grand Palace)

Today we were supposed to have a half-day tour to the floating market. We woke up early, brought kids down to have breakfast, and waited for our pick up at the lobby. We should have left the hotel by 630am, latest 7am. Unfortunately, after around 30minutes of waiting, there was no pick up. I was so furious I called the travel agency to check on them. It happens that there was some miscommunication on their side and they said they will go back and pick us up. Hello?! For what? It was already a few hours after the pick up time. I told them that we are not going on the trip again and that they need to refund our payment ASAP. What a way to start the day.

Since we didn't have anything scheduled for this morning, we changed our itinerary. Grand Palace grounds in the morning then check out and leave for Bang-na earlier than planned. We tried to be adventurous and walked our way to the Grand Palace, under the hot sun. I had to wear jeans, by the way, since I found out that shorts are not allowed inside the temples.

waiting to make our way to the ticket counter

Kanchanaburi, Thailand in 2006

On our second day in Thailand, we went on a private guided tour to Kanchanaburi . We booked this tour ("Erawan Pure Fun" - a full day tour) online from Good Times Travel (www.good-times-travel.com) for USD210. Quite costly, but we wanted to maximize our time in Thailand and taking this tour turned out to be the more efficient alternative (considering other tour options available).

A private van picked us up from the hotel in the early morning for a 3-hr drive to Kanchanaburi. We had a tour guide so it was a very informative trip. Upon arriving at Kanchanaburi, we passed by their office to get some supplies - water - then headed to our first stop which was Erawan Waterfalls National Park.

Day 1 - Perth and Hyden, Western Australia (March 2006)

From WA Road Trip

Perth International Airport.

Touched down at Perth Intl Airport on time. We cleared the immigration, then the customs. They were really quite strict. Checking the luggage of ALL passengers. There were a lot of things on the NOT TO BRING list. Good thing I was able to read that before the trip. They checked our luggage full of diapers and formula milk, and cleared us. The customs officers were nice. 

Day 2 - Esperance, Western Australia (March 2006)

We woke up early, as per schedule (around 630am). We went back to the rock formations to take pictures of the Wave Rock with the morning lighting. 

photo taken on a higher ground

Day 4 - Albany, Western Australia (March 2006)

Today was allocated for exploring sights in town.

We drove to Whale World, just a few minutes from our hotel. 

We visited WHALE WORLD which was located on the site of the old Cheynes Beach Whaling Station, located on the picturesque southern coast of King George Sound in Albany, Western Australia. The station ceased whaling operations and was decommissioned in 1978. Now an international tourist icon, it is also acknowledged as one of the State's most significant tourist attractions.

Day 3 - Albany, Western Australia (March 2006)

Another early morning in preparation for another long drive (around 530kms) to Albany.

Pre-departure photo early in the morning, while the kids were still sleeping, around 7am.

this was our simple villa

Day 6 - Margaret River and Busselton, Western Australia (March 2006)

It was good to wake up with a fine cool weather. We needed that to energize us on our 200-km drive to Busselton and Margaret River area which was a mixture of nature and gastronomy (with all the yummy chocolates and some vineyards along the way).

Day 5 - Denmark and Pemberton, Western Australia (March 2006)

Checked out early morning (again) to continue our journey westward. We were on our way to to Denmark (53.4kms away) to visit William's Bay National Park which features Green's Pool and Elephant Rocks. 


William's Bay National Park. Famous for its windswept rocky shores and sheltered pools. Protects the coastline and forest between Walpole and Denmark on the south coast.

Day 7 - Busselton to Perth (March 2006)

We weren't very early today. We took the time to lounge at the hotel room veranda, taking in the cool breeze.

Day 10 - Perth City Centre & Caversham Wildlife Park (March 2006)

Our last day in Perth and we still had the whole day to enjoy. Before checking out from Holiday Inn City Centre, we strolled along the nearby shops. I was hoping to find opal earrings before leaving the city. Good thing we found that I want (milky opal) and one that has a reasonable in price.

Western Australia, March 2006

Travelled during summer - March 9-18, 2006 (10 days)

Day 8 - Nambung National Park, Western Australia (March 2006)

Today we were headed to see the Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park - 245 kms north of Perth. It took around 3 hours to get to the hot desert.

the marked path around the Nambung National Park where the Pinnacles were

Day 9 - Rottnest Island & Fremantle, Western Australia (March 2006)

Today we were on our way to visit ROTTNEST ISLAND - a 25minute ferry-ride from Fremantle. We drove to Fremantle in the morning as we planned to spend the whole morning till early afternoon in the island.