Cross Stitch

2012 Trip – part 1: Family in the East

I am currently travelling, and I’m dividing up my stories into three parts. Also, I have a new camera! I have finally replaced the one that died in Buatong Waterfall (Chiangmai) last July :) On April 26th, 2012, my maternal grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Quite the achievement! I planned a trip home to…

A sculpture in the Bangkok airport

Leaving Phnom Penh

I’m in Bangkok airport with a long layover before continuing on to the cold of Beijing. I’m actually looking forward to the winter weather. A little miffed that it snowed in Beijng 36 hours before my return, though! This was my 5th trip to Cambodia, so I’ve written about it before. (Like here, here and…

Kep Vacation (Cambodia)

Last week I, along with best friend and youth pastor Christina, ran the first annual EPIC conference for TCKs. There were 60 people plus a bunch of parent volunteers who helped out over the three days. It was a great time and a fantastic start to what we hope is the first of many EPIC…

Posing on my moped

Driving into impending doom…

The TCK workers’ retreat in Thailand went really well. There were only 6 people, but the small size gave us some flexibility. I had wondered if there was enough “content” but was committed to making it a restful experience. Looking back I’m glad the time was not more structured and that the sessions were so…

Summer travels – Singapore

I had just over a week in Singapore. I rode the Singapore Flyer, went on a Ducktour, saw a bit of Marina Bay, including the Helix Bridge, ate at hawker stands, and did a little shopping. I’m told that eating is one of the most important things to do in Singapore – so of course…

Summer travels – Chiang Mai, Thailand

I had five days in Chiang Mai. I wrote about my trip to Buatong Waterfall already, but here are my thoughts on the rest of my time there. If I had to describe Chiang Mai in one word, I would choose “green”. Even the overgrown abandoned lots have a lush green-ness, verdant and beautiful, with…

at Buatong Waterfall, Thailand

Summer travels – Buatong Waterfall

I landed in Chiangmai on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning I went to Buatong Waterfall with a few Chiangmai families, including some I’d met in Cha-am in April. Buatong is in Mae Taeng National Forest Reserve, about 45km north of Chiangmai. The last stretch of road was a narrow concrete path, which reminded me of…

Summer travels – Hanoi

Yesterday (Thursday) was my tourist day. I rarely play tourist in my travels (my touring is more about seeing people and taking part in events) but I really, really enjoyed it on this occasion. I met up with Beth, a girl I knew in China a long time ago, and together we wandered the old…

Summer travels – Phnom Penh

I really enjoy visiting Phnom Penh. This is my fourth visit in about 18 months and I’m now quite familiar with the areas Christina frequents. I feel confidant to get around on my own – I can give basic directions in Khmer and I recognise a lot of places; I can feel my way around.…

Bonfire on the beach!

Summer travels – more from Dolphin Bay

Today was our last full day at Dolphin Bay. Tomorrow afternoon Christina and I will travel back to Bangkok and spend the night there before taking a bus to Phnom Penh the next morning. I’ve really, really enjoyed our week here. Thursday (day three) was the day the whole holiday thing started to sink in.…