We want Thailand but does Thailand want us?!

It started in Japan. After three months of calling and emailing and writing and sorting and more calling and mailing and more calling and nail biting and check writing and more calling and more emailing to collect all the necessary documents we were denied the long-coveted 90 day Non-Immigrant B Visa. Resigned to the 30 day tourist visa, we packed our bags and headed to the airport. A misunderstanding of the excess baggage charges on Singapore Airlines resulted in the heartbreaking discard of countless items (Chacos , all my dresses , CDS, running shoes, and countless sentimental objects) that had to be tossed tenuously to the wayside to arrive at a financially manageable (debatable) excess baggage charge. Then, we had to undergo the process again when surprised with a flight from BKK to Chiang Mai when we were expecting a long 10 hour bus ride. Then, we learned about the nightmare of the temperamental at best visa process. . Then, Brett's wallet got stolen along with the only access to both our money. Mon Dieu! Luckily, he had the foresight to give me the bulk of the money we took out from the ATM which will hopefully last us through Chiang Mai. We are sorting our banking options out and crossing our fingers and our toes.

But we've also ridden elephants and floated down peaceful rivers surrounded by lush landscapes on bamboo rafts. We've explored man-made caves in the Thai Buddhist temple, Wat U-Mong, just up the street from our hotel and been blissfully twisted and contorted during a Thai massage. I was given a ride on the scooter of my favorite cafe owner and he showed me and a friend around the Chiang Mai Sunday market. Next week, we hope to explore some Chiang Mai crags. The people are wonderful and friendly. We're very excited about our new home... if it will have us.