Day 299: Ancient Egypt and the Pyramids
Egypt! It’s been a dream of mine for years. I can’t explain exactly why, but ever since I began homeschooling Mikayla and Ryan in first grade, and teaching them about ancient civilizations and the Egyptians, my desire to visit the Pyramids of Giza was ignited and has grown ever since. I’m not the only one. All of the kids seemed to have this destination at the top of their list of places to go and things to do when we discussed potential itineraries. Ancient civilizations fascinate them as well. At the very start,… Read More
Day 292: Bangkok Photoblog
Bangkok is a city of contrasts, the old mixed in with the new, and the cheap and inexpensive found just outside the pricier venues. Temples and shrines are interspersed with tall, modern skyscrapers, and there are colors and people everywhere. I didn’t expect to love Bangkok as much as I did. We spent about a week exploring the streets, shops, temples, and markets of this beautiful city and I still feel like I barely scratched the surface! Some of the highlights? Below is just a small snapshot of the things we saw and… Read More
Day 290: House of Blessing and House of Love
The House of Love is a home for women and children who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. This includes women who have been sold into prostitution, AIDS orphans, and children taken out of their homes because of abuse. Many of the residents at House of Love do not have Thai citizenship, which also means they have few rights in Thailand. House of Love began 16 years ago as a refuge to approximately one hundred displaced women and children, most of whom have been affected by HIV/AIDS, and many of whom had been… Read More
Day 288: Zoe and Sex Trafficking
This is my second post on victims of trafficking. By now you may have guessed that these men, women, and children have a special place in our hearts. The brutality they’ve had to endure, and the deep wounds their abuse has caused remains heavy on our hearts. Our journey to Thailand was much anticipated. Yes, there are gorgeous beaches, so beautiful that Leonardo Dicaprio starred in a movie set on one of them (The Beach). And the food is outstanding, with fragrant spices, savory meats, rich soups, and a variety of noodles to accompany them. But… Read More
Day 286: Destiny: Hope for Victims of Trafficking
I got brave and had my first haircut on the road since leaving Chicago almost exactly nine months ago. It happened in Chiang Rai, a beautiful city in Northern Thailand, close to the borders of Laos and Myanmar (the Golden Triangle). Was I nervous that my hair dresser could not speak one word of English? Well…maybe a little. Did I feel any anxiety that one of the two ladies working on my hair was in training and a bit unsure of what to do. Yes! But it all turned out well in the… Read More
Day 278: Elephant Nature Park
Our experience at Elephant Nature Park was also really nice, but a lot less hands on. Most of the elephants here have a history of abuse, exploitations, and neglect. It was sad to see the many injuries and even blindness caused by man, but it was also encouraging to know that there are people who care enough to help make it right. At Elephant Nature Park, you will not ride the elephants, but you will learn about them, feed them, and watch a video that teaches you about the abuse they experience… Read More
Day 275: Playing with Elephants – Patara
I never knew how much I would love elephants until Ryan and I went on safari in East Africa about two years ago. It was there that I discovered how special they were. They are powerful yet gentle, large, loving, and protective. Just watch them when they think their babies are being threatened and you’ll see what I mean! Babies: We met two newborns, just a few months old. The male was quite aggressive while the female was docile and sweet. It was amazing to see the difference in their personalities at… Read More
Day 242: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
We are loathe to do anything too touristy, as we prefer more authentic experiences, but once in a while we discover why something has become so touristy. Bangkok’s Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of those things and we debated long and hard before deciding to make a visit. We’re so glad we made the effort to get there. This floating market is wonderful and it is not to be missed. To enjoy it, however, just a few quick tips first. If you’re going to visit, try to leave your Bangkok hotel… Read More
Day 241: Experiencing the Fish Spa!
We got to experience our first Fish Spa in Chiang Mai, Thailand yesterday. We stumbled upon it while exploring the Sunday Night Walking Market, where they close off the streets to traffic, and vendors and customers alike cram in together, searching for the perfect bargains. *Warning, the Sunday Walking Market is busy! It’s almost comical to see elderly local women actually being quite aggressive, pushing aside anyone in their way, even our tall teenage son, who towers over them. But to be fair, we find that to be the case anywhere and in… Read More
Day 239: Exploring Indonesia – Temples, High Fashion, and Sex Tourism
A Photoblog… We visited the Uluwatu Temple right at sunset. The view was magnificent and the ocean stretched out forever. This Hindu temple was built right into the edge of the cliff. The setting couldn’t have been any nicer. The ocean sunset in particular was spectacular and we enjoyed watching it descend, despite the crowds. While we could have chosen to pay exorbitant prices for the dance and fire show at sunset, we chose to separate ourselves from the crowd and just enjoy a quiet, gorgeous sunset. We’ve noticed that wherever we… Read More
Deena Gainor
Six Hearts One Journey 
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