Bangkok, Nature Watching, and the Bittersweet Goodbye

We left Koh Samui on a small, prop‑propelled plane—the kind that makes you feel like you’re starring in your own 1950s adventure film. There’s nothing quite like flying into Bangkok on a commuter plane, slow and low, gliding past skyscrapers like you’re sneaking into the city under the radar. It was smooth, fun, and only briefly interrupted by visions of Buddy Holly that drifted through my mind. Just briefly.

Back in Bangkok for the third time in a month, we checked into what might be one of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed in. Koh Samui’s resort had already set the bar sky‑high, but the Le Meridien Bangkok Golf Resort simply blew us away. A 5‑star golf resort with all the bells, whistles, and polished marble you could imagine.

And then came the surprise: a complimentary upgrade to a massive suite with back doors that opened right onto the 8th hole. Every morning looked like a postcard—lush greens, soft light, and golfers who were far more confident than I am.

We played night golf for the first time ever, guided by wonderful caddies in bright pink uniforms who chased after our golf balls and gave us tips on every green. 

Sonja swam in the luxurious pool, and one day we hopped on the skytrain to the Ari neighborhood for a day of wandering, shopping, eating, and even pedicures.

On our nature walks, Grandma kicked my butt every single day. New birds? She spotted them first. Giant lizards? She pointed them out while I was still looking at the wrong tree. I’ve learned to accept that she is the reigning champion of wildlife spotting, and I am merely her enthusiastic apprentice.

Our last day was a little sad. Sad to leave such a gorgeous resort, but also sad to leave Thailand after 29 glorious days. We began this journey in Chiang Mai, reconnecting with old friends and discovering new restaurants where we devoured Khao Soi and sipped Thai tea. Koh Samui gave us beauty and monsoon drama in equal measure. Khao Sok overwhelmed us with its stupendous geography, long‑tail boat rides, and a day with elephants we will never forget. And Bangkok—Bangkok welcomed us like family. We wandered through neighborhoods, met wonderful people, ate incredible food, and felt completely at home.

Our 8 p.m. flight out of Bangkok to Colombo, Sri Lanka was delayed an hour and a half, and we didn’t reach our hotel until after midnight. But that’s travel. And now, our next adventure begins… Sri Lanka.

A Final Reflection On Thailand

As we packed our bags and looked back on the past month, one truth stood out: Thailand has a way of getting under your skin in the best possible way. It’s the people—the kindness, the humor, the generosity. It’s the food, the landscapes, the unexpected moments that turn into lifelong memories.

We came here for adventure, and we found it. But we also found something deeper: a sense of belonging in a place far from home. Thailand has changed us, as it always does. And we leave better than we arrived.

A Journey That Changed Us

Looking back on our 29 days in Thailand, it feels as if each place handed us a different gift. Chiang Mai welcomed us with familiar faces and new flavors. Kanchanaburi wrapped us in laughter, history, and kindness. Khao Sok overwhelmed us with nature so grand it humbled us. Koh Samui reminded us that storms—literal and otherwise—can still hold moments of joy. And Bangkok embraced us like family, giving us neighborhoods to explore, people to meet, and memories that felt like home. Together, these chapters became more than a trip; they became a reminder of why we travel in the first place—to grow, to connect, to be surprised, and to return home just a little better than when we left.

Koh Samui: Finding Sunshine in the Storm

Leaving Khao Sok was harder than expected. We said heartfelt goodbyes to Coit and Mrs. Joy—friends we never would have met had we not traveled. That’s the magic of wandering: no matter the country, no matter the differences in background, when you’re open to new ways of living, friendships form. And those bonds, however brief, carry forward.

The journey to Koh Samui took about four hours: two van rides across the Thai countryside and a 90‑minute ferry ride. Being veteran ferry riders, Sonja and I settled right in, watching the water roll by. 

At the island, our taxi driver—a fun, energetic young Thai woman with perfect English—had us laughing the whole way. Palm trees, beach houses, ocean‑side shops… it felt like driving through Maui.

Then she turned into the driveway of the Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa, and suddenly we were in a world that looked straight out of The White Lotus. Three bellhops sprang into action, whisking away our bags before we could touch them. We were seated in a stunning lobby, handed ice‑cold fruit drinks, and treated with the kind of attention I only used to get when sent to the principal’s office—though this time it was all positive.

The surprise? A complimentary upgrade to a suite. I thought Sonja was going to fall out of her chair. When we toured the room, she was speechless—possibly the most luxurious hotel room she’d ever seen. We wandered the property, snapping photos, basking in the coddling of staff, and feeling like royalty.

And then Mother Nature decided we’d had enough joy.

A storm rolled in—not a Seattle drizzle, but a “hold onto your hat” kind of tempest. Wind, rain, lightning, thunder shaking the walls. From our third‑floor balcony, we watched the pool and ocean rise together under sheets of rain, the sky flashing spectacularly. It was beautiful, but also daunting. The forecast promised more storms. Our beach holiday of epic proportions seemed doomed.

The next morning, umbrella in hand, we headed to breakfast. Eggs, noodles, fried rice, fruit—you name it, it was there. And over that meal, Sonja and I looked at each other and decided: we were going to roll with the weather.

And that’s when the silver lining appeared.

The rain stopped. We walked the beach, dipped our feet into the Gulf of Thailand, sipped fruit drinks at seaside tables, and soaked in the peace between storms. Sonja swam in the pool while I worked on our travel videos. Those few hours became some of the best of the entire trip.

The Lesson For My Grandchildren

Life will throw storms at you—sometimes literally. Plans will change, expectations will be upended. But things are never as bad as they seem. If you stay patient, flexible, and open to joy, you’ll find silver linings even in the heaviest weather.

Koh Samui wasn’t what we expected. Mother Nature threw us a curveball. Yet by refusing to let the storm dictate our attitude, we discovered some of the most memorable moments of our journey.

That’s the gift of travel—and of life. Don’t dwell on the storm. Step outside, find the calm between the clouds, and you’ll carry home memories that shine brighter than the sun.

Coming Attractions

Today, we're flying back to Bangkok to spend a few days at a golf resort.  We've been feeling pretty confident lately and it's time to humble us and bring us back to earth with a few rounds of golf.  Then it's off to a new country...  Sri Lanka.  We're almost halfway through our "getting out of Seattle winter" excursion and the best is yet to come.

Two Days of Wonder in Khao Sok

 From Bangkok To The Jungle

An early morning flight carried us from Bangkok to Surat Thani, followed by a two‑hour drive that felt like a slow reveal of nature’s masterpiece. Limestone cliffs rose higher, jungle pressed closer, and by the time we reached our cabin at the Hotel Khao Sok and Spa, we were literally in the jungle.

Sonja quickly claimed the front porch as her “wildlife observation deck.” She sat for hours, scanning for monkeys, butterflies, and anything that crawled. Papa’s Travel Tip: If you’re married to a wildlife enthusiast, don’t expect to get much porch time yourself—bring a second chair.

Lake and Jungle Trekking

At dawn, we boarded a longtail boat for a three‑hour ride across Cheow Lan Lake. The scenery was so overwhelming that even my camera gave up—it couldn’t capture the grandeur of limestone towers rising from emerald waters. Sonja, of course, kept snapping away, convinced that photo number 347 would finally “do it justice.” Spoiler: it didn’t.

Papa’s Travel Tip: Dry bags are worth their weight in gold. Between mist, splashes, and Sonja leaning dangerously close to the water for “the perfect shot,” I was glad our gear stayed dry.

That afternoon, we trekked into Khao Sok National Park. The heat and humidity were relentless, but Papa pressed on, fueled by stubbornness and a questionable amount of pork and rice. 

My reward? A family of monkeys who decided to huddle and play just feet away. I stood there grinning, while Sonja whispered, “Don’t make eye contact—they’ll think you’re challenging them.”

Papa’s Travel Tip: Jungle humidity is not your friend. Hydrate often, and don’t try to look graceful when sweat is pouring down your back.

Walking With Giants

The next morning brought the highlight of highlights: walking with elephants through the jungle. We fed them, touched their rough skin, and marveled at their gentleness. At one point, Sonja and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes—overwhelmed by the bond we felt with these giants.

Papa’s Travel Tip: When feeding elephants, stand slightly to the side. Trust me on this one. They sneeze.

Reflection

Our time in Khao Sok was a blend of awe and laughter. From misty mornings on the lake to sweaty jungle treks, from monkeys at arm’s length to elephants at heart’s length, it was two days that left us changed. Tomorrow, we head to Koh Samui for beaches and relaxation—but Khao Sok will remain etched in our hearts as one of the most stupendous adventures of our lives.

Coming up...

After two stupendous days in Khao Sok, we’re trading limestone cliffs and jungle treks for island breezes and cinematic luxury. Our next stop: the Anantara Bobhut Resort Koh Samui, one of the real filming locations for The White Lotus season 3.

It’s surreal to think that the same infinity pools and palm‑lined villas we’ll be walking through were once the stage for HBO’s drama of privilege, secrets, and sun‑drenched intrigue. Of course, our story will be less about scandal and more about family laughter, beachside relaxation, and Papa’s inevitable attempts at “blending in with the glamorous crowd.”

Papa’s Travel Tip woven in: If you’re visiting a resort that doubled as a TV set, don’t forget to pack your sense of humor. The staff may treat you like a star, but your grandkids will remind you you’re still just Papa in flip‑flops.

Laughter, Legacy, and Kindness in Kanchanaburi

The Train Ride of a Lifetime

We left Bangkok’s station at 7:45 a.m., expecting a quiet ride to Kanchanaburi. Instead, we found ourselves in the middle of a rolling comedy show. Six slightly inebriated Thai women piled into our cabin, their laughter bubbling over. Within minutes, their antics had spread through the car—snacks flying, jokes bouncing, and strangers becoming friends.

By 9 a.m., the Heinekens were open, Pepsi was being mixed into mysterious concoctions, and the conductor had already scolded them twice in Thai. Each scolding only added fuel to the fun. 

Sonja, of course, was in her element—every time I turned around, she had a new snack in her mouth, courtesy of our new companions. Selfies, videos, and shared laughter made the miles disappear. What began as a train ride became a festival on rails.

Shadows of History

Kanchanaburi is not only about waterfalls and coconuts—it carries the weight of history. We visited the Death Railway Museum and one of the cemeteries where prisoners of war rest, men who perished building the infamous bridge across the River Kwai during World War II.

The story is sobering: tens of thousands of Allied POWs and Asian laborers suffered under brutal conditions to construct the railway. The bridge itself became immortalized in the 1957 film The Bridge on the River Kwai, which dramatized both the futility and the resilience of human spirit. Standing there, history pressed down on us, reminding us that travel isn’t only about joy—it’s also about remembrance.

Later, we walked across the current bridge (the original was destroyed by Allied bombing). 

The solemn feelings gave way to laughter when we met a lady boy coconut vendor who looked uncannily like Dan Blocker from Bonanza—if Dan had lipstick and a flair for comedy. 

He had us in stitches as we sipped our coconuts, proving that even in places marked by sorrow, humor finds a way to shine.

Kindness At Every Turn

On our final day, we rented a motorbike and set off toward Erawan Falls. Rain clouds gathered, and neither of us felt like tackling the climb, so we didn't see much of the falls. 

That detour led us to one of the most unforgettable moments of our travels.

We stopped at a weathered coffee shack, where the young owner greeted us with uncontainable excitement. He was not only a barista but an artist, proudly showing us his studio and each piece of his work. As we sipped our coffee, he approached Sonja with tears in his eyes and offered her a small, framed painting of a bird. “This is for you. Please take it,” he said. That gift, born of pure generosity, will hang on our wall as a reminder of the kindness we found here.

The theme continued when we returned our motorbike. My phone was dead, and I couldn’t call for a ride. Without hesitation, the rental shop owner closed her shop, hopped into her SUV, and drove us five miles back to our hotel. No fuss—just kindness.

Closing Thoughts

Thailand has a way of seeping into your soul. From laughter-filled train rides to solemn lessons in history, from coconut comedy to unexpected gifts of art, every encounter leaves us changed. We’ve never returned from Thailand the same people we were when we arrived. Each trip makes us better—more grateful, more connected, more human.

To our grandchildren.  Adopt these qualities.  Become better people and always be kind and respectful to everyone you meet.  You'll never know when Dan Blocker will become your friend.