Shenzhen Trip

The last stop on our little adventure was Shenzhen, China.  We went there to visit our good friend Dawn, who moved from Huangshi to Shenzhen about 2 months ago.  We miss her so much!  Unfortunately, the weather while we were there was cold and rainy, which was worse than usual since we were coming from sunny Thailand.  We still had a good time and were so happy to spend time with Dawn!  Since it rained most of the time and it was the end of our trip, we only did one touristy thing while in Shenzhen called the Windows of the World.  It is like a theme park with replicas of all of the world's famous sites.

Aaron and I about to enter the park.

We started out in Asia, which was not the best decision since we live here and by the time we made it to Africa and America it was dark and you couldn't see anything!  Oh well, live and learn.

That's me in Asia!

At the Taj Mahal

In Italy and France at the same time! Crazy!

Holland

Just leaning against Stonehenge

Lesley chilling at Stonehenge

The Roman Colosseum

Aaron in Thailand

Lesley sitting on a bridge in Asia.

Australia

I've always wanted to go to Italy.  This will have to do for now!

Eiffel Tower

The rest of the trip was literally spent inside subway stations, malls, or at the coffee shop Dawn was working at.  It was too cold to do anything else and we were not prepared with our clothing choices for cold weather! This is a billboard that was in most of the subway stations for New Years.  I loved it because I was born in the year of the dragon, which is this year!

Dawn was so cute working at her coffee shop!  She was a great hostess and very worried that we were too cold, so she was constantly trying to take care of us.  Love this girl!

Another double dare went down in Shenzhen as well.  Lesley dared me to sit on the floor of the subway because there were no seats left and I was tired.  Well, I did it, as well as greeting anyone who came onto the subway and telling people goodbye in Chinese as they exited the subway.  haha All I can say was it had been a long day and apparently I was out of it!  Luckily, it was a very clean subway and the floor wasn't dirty.

Aaron and Dawn on the subway!

That's the end of our trip!  It was a great time, but I am glad to be back in Huangshi and teaching.  I missed my students a lot and I think they missed me too!   

Koh Kood Island

Koh Kood Island was my favorite place we visited over our 3 week trip.  I mean it's an island in Thailand, who wouldn't like it!  The three of us met up with a family we know from Huangshi, the Randalls.  They were with another family named the Kohs.  It was nice to be with both of the families and their kids were so fun to be around!

We took a 3 hour van ride from Bangkok to a pier near Trat city.  We then loaded onto a speed boat for an hour ride to the island.  This is a picture at the pier before getting on the speed boat.

At the pier ready to get on the boat and be in paradise!

Once we arrived, we knew it was going to be a wonderful four days!  We stayed in little huts, with a huge bed and outdoor shower.  

A view of the beach.

The Randall's have three daughters Hope, Grace and Mercee.  I absolutely adore these girls and am so happy we got to spend some of our vacation with them. 

Hope and Lesley lazing about on a hammock.

Grace on a kayak!

Mercee splashing in the water!

One day, we took a trip around the island, exploring some random trail and then headed to the fisherman's village.

Us on the trail.

At the fisherman's village.

The food on the island was amazing!  They had barbecue every night, including fish, chicken, baked potatoes, corn, kabobs, and the largest shrimp I have ever seen.  This is a picture of the shrimp.  It was about the size of my hand.

The next day, we went snorkeling.  It was my first time to ever go and I was excited.  The boat ride to the location was rough and we were all feeling a little sea sick, but overall we had a great time!

Part of the Koh family, we were with on the island.

The Randall's except for Hope.

My first time snorkeling! Wahoo!  You can see a school of fish at the bottom of the picture.

Lesley, Hope and Grace 

Lesley's camera can be used underwater, so she got some cool pictures!

All of the snorkeling boats were tied down to large rocks.

We attempted many photos of us underwater.  Sadly, this was the best one.

Snorkeling buddies!

Now, I can say I have officially been snorkeling and in Thailand!

After our first snorkeling trip, we headed to another island to eat lunch on the beach and swim a bit.  Sorry for the water spot on the pic.

Sean kept chasing us around with the sea cucumber he found.  Eek! It was gross!

All the girls' feet!

It was a beautiful day to go snorkeling!

After snorkeling, we headed back to the island.  The next two pictures were taken while we waited for our fruit smoothies!  We had at least two every day.  My favorite was orange pineapple!

Lesley and I about to go kayaking!

The sunsets were incredible, especially since the sun light is lacking in Huangshi!

Just another beach day!

We all took a turn being buried.  The only one I have a picture of is Sean!

Let the photo shoot begin!  We convinced Hope to take some pictures of us on the island and be in some of them too!

A picture of all of the "kids" the last night in Koh Kood!

One last kayak ride with Lesley and Hope!

So all during the trip, Lesley would double dog dare me to do different things.  In her own words, "I had been daring her to do random things throughout the trip that she kept turning down, so when I absentmindedly dared her to jump out of the boat I didn't actually think she would do it".  Well, I did do it!  The Aftermath...

The best part was me trying to get back into the boat, which took several attempts and caused a foot cramp along the way! 

That's the end of Koh Kood!  Next up: Shenzhen, China