Thailand/Japan Vacation
Somehow in all my journeys over the Pacific, Thailand had been the destination that had eluded me and I decided as early as winter of last year that I had to go this year. Having discussed it with my best friend Nong, the consummate planner, she sprung into action and planned out a hectic, fast-paced schedule to see as much of the touristy side of Thailand as possible, while incorporating mutual friends as dinner guests and travel partners. We began in Bangkok with reunions (with old friends from OU, and a former roommate - the cutest air hostess in Thailand "Tik Tik") touring local temples, mall-hopping, and experiencing Thai massage, then ventured to the islands of Phuket, Phi Phi, and Khai Nai for four days, then north of Bangkok to Ayutthaya, south again to Pattaya, and a final evening in Bangkok.
From there, we parted ways as she flew to her hometown and I caught a flight bound for Japan, where I met up with Haruka, a friend from college, and stayed with her family in Osaka. She, her mother Michiko, and sister Kana were my eager tour guides through Osaka, Kyoto, Yonago, Adachi and Izumo, where we went to an outdoor concert at the Izumo-Taisha shrine by Japanese pop star - Daichi Miura. Even with limited time, I was able to able to have dinner with another college friend, Hiroko and reminisce the old times and the changes since. As I was set to leave, Typhoon Vongfong rolled ashore and made me thankful for the incredible skill of the pilots who flew us out of Kanshai international through incredibly heavy rain and strong winds.
From there, we parted ways as she flew to her hometown and I caught a flight bound for Japan, where I met up with Haruka, a friend from college, and stayed with her family in Osaka. She, her mother Michiko, and sister Kana were my eager tour guides through Osaka, Kyoto, Yonago, Adachi and Izumo, where we went to an outdoor concert at the Izumo-Taisha shrine by Japanese pop star - Daichi Miura. Even with limited time, I was able to able to have dinner with another college friend, Hiroko and reminisce the old times and the changes since. As I was set to leave, Typhoon Vongfong rolled ashore and made me thankful for the incredible skill of the pilots who flew us out of Kanshai international through incredibly heavy rain and strong winds.