Planes, trains and elephants.

It’s been 10 years since our family has gone away on a vacation together and just had fun – no work, no meetings, just exploring, spending time together, eating, and of course, napping.

We enjoyed all types of food from Taiwanese pot stickers to Vietnamese coffee (made with raw whipped egg yolk) to Balut (fertilized duck embryo – only Spencer tried that one) to drinks made with fresh cinnamon/cardamon & anise.  The food highlight was definitely Thai cooking school on the Island of Koh Samui.

Spencer's "Balut"

Vietnamese coffee shop

Thai cooking school

Our travel included many modes of transportation including planes, High Speed trains, ric shaws, tuk tuks, river boats, scooters, taxis and even elephants.

Ric shaws in Vietnam

Tuk Tuks in Thailand.

Even on a trip of high adventure, there is no doubt that the best part was just having our whole family together again, on the same continent, in the same city and sleeping under the same roof. We laughed so hard that we almost, well, you know. We told and re-told family favorite stories (at the bequest of our children) and we all shared stories on how God has directed our lives in so many miraculous ways.

At the end of each day we sat and looked at whatever view was in front of us and were in awe of the beauty of the world that our creator made.  I love that our children notice sunsets and rainbows, the color of the ocean and the simple beauty in a flower.  

Bangkok, Thailand

Koh Samui, Thailand

Friday night we made it home to Swaziland where we will continue our family time for the next 9 days.  This blog is written in honor of my family and to give thanks for the time that we have had together.

Live from Swaziland … I am a very happy and thankful mama.

Janine