Morning on the last day in Bangkok

Yesterday was a good day. I didn't blog last night because I was so tired. Our conference lasted all day. I presented twice and those went well. Then we had a group dinner (there are about 75 of us at this conference -- a conference that we host for all of our resellers in Asia Pacific). I would definitely lose weight here. I had white rice and moved just about everything else around on my plate. I also had a serious allergy attack to something in the air. It was bad. Now after a benedril and a night's sleep, I'm fine.

Today we have one on one meetings with the resellers, our awards dinner, and then I fly out to Berlin just before midnight.

I was talking with someone yesterday. Bangkok has 15 million people (7 times the number of people in the state of Utah). We talked about how the enjoyment of living here would be completely dependent on how much money you made. The disparity between the people is so stark. There are beautiful modern malls and hotels and then there are tiny dirty slums. There doesn't seem to be much in between. There are a lot of street vendors. They work seven days a week, 12 hours a day, for very little money. It is sad to see. That said, I admire them greatly. They aren't begging, they are working. I'm sure just to make enough to feed their families.

I saw an elephant in the road last night. Weird.

Here are three more pics (I haven't done a very good job at taking pictures to share).

The first is the hotel. It is very nice and very modern. The second is the Thai woman who works on the hotel at the guest lounge. She opens the elevator for you, says good morning, asks you if you need anything, etc. (man, I sound spoiled). She didn't smile in the picture, but they call Thailand the land of 1000 smiles. The people are always smiling. The third pic is the busy Bangkok street.

I need to go get ready. I love you all and miss you!!!!

Bangkok -- Day 2

Okay a quick post then I'm off to bed. Today was the golf tournament. We finished second -- but there were only four teams. It was fun. I'll post some pics later. My foursome had a guy from China, a guy from Taiwan, and a guy from Malaysia. A nice cultural mix.

Tonight was one of those "smooze" dinners that I hate so much. The funniest part was the band. Cracks me up to hear Asians singing 70's pop songs in English:-) I'll bet I lose weight on this trip. Just not a lot of Tai food that I like. So I typically find something that I do like and I fill up on that.

Tomorrow I present twice. Both are easy subjects, so it should go fine.

One final thing. When you go to blogspot here it is all written in Tai. It took me awhile to "guess" what to click on to get logged in. Pretty weird.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I miss you all and love you. Have a great day!

Bangkok -- I've Arrived!

Wow. Quite the trip. Door to door, it was 30 hours and 40 minutes. Time in the air was just under 22 hours. Something just isn't right when you have two nighttimes during a single trip. Almost 3 hours SLC to Cinncinatti. 8 1/2 to Frankfurt. 11 to Bangkok. I think I slept for about 4 hours on the way to Frankfurt (had a row of three seats to myself), but no sleep to Bangkok. Slept for a couple hours here at the hotel. It is now 5:30 in the afternoon and I feel pretty good!

I got here early enough that I thought I could get to church. I found a ward that meets at 1 pm and it was english speaking. But...it was 45 minutes away and getting around Bangkok is not easy. Plus I wasn't sure I could get back. So I had to miss it.

The one thing I'd forgotten about Bangkok from my last trip is how friendly these people are. They are always smiling and are just plain nice! The hotel is one I've stayed in before. It is beautiful and the service is amazing. To check you in, they take you to your room, show you everything, make sure it is all acceptable.

This trip was certainly hard to pack for. It will be 93 degrees in Bangkok tomorrow. I fly to Berlin on Wednesday night. It will be 30 degrees there. :-) Tomorrow is going to be a really hard day for me -- it's the golf tournament. I know, rough life, but you just have to make some sacrifices.

So for some pics...

This is one of two large statues at immigration. It is about 50 feet tall.

This is a gift the hotel presented me with when I arrived. It is made out of flowers. It is really cool. Not sure what you do with it, but it's cool!

These last three pics -- the first is downtown Bangkok, from my 32nd floor hotel window. The next is the city market. Finally, a tok-tok, which is a form of taxi.

Two pictures worth posting

A quick post to share two pics with you...

This first one is amazing -- Robyn is a kid! It must be the lighting or camera angle. She couldn't have been that young when we got married. I, on the other hand, am quite mature looking. The other funny thing is that just like her own daughter, Stephanie always wanted Mommy.

This second pic is one that I took of Kenzi in Oxford, England. I love it! It is so Kenzi and so "British."

Ah, the theatre...

January 13, 2009: I slaved at work all day. Robyn and Kenzi....well, you'll have to ask them about their day of leasure. At night we went to Les Meserables -- it was fantastic. Robyn said it was the best play she's ever seen.

Here are pics from our night in the West End...

Tomorrow, Robyn and Kenzi are going to see the sights (and I think shop). Our kick-off meetings start early. I have two presentations to give and then a sales and marketing dinner.

Our Day-trip

We had a great day trip today. We left just after 8 a.m. and got back at around 6 p.m. We went by bus to Oxford (home of Oxford University and the location where they filmed parts of Harry Potter). Statford (birthplace and home of William Shakespear). The Cotswolds (just a seires of small towns filled with cottages). And Warwick Castle (a castel built in the 1500's). We had a great time. Here are some pics below. Robyn didn't sleep well last night, hopefully tonight is better. I go to work tomorrow and Robyn and Kenzi are off to see London. I love you all.

Pictures from January 12, 2009:

Oxford University (Christ's Church College) inner square. We think this is where they filmed the parts of Harry Potter where they play the game where they fly on brooms.
A street in downtown Oxford.

In Oxford University, this is the dinning room where they filmed parts of Harry Potter.

Robyn and Kenzi in front of Shakespear's birthplace.

Kenzi on a side street of Oxford.

A view of one of the side garden and towers of Warwick Castle.

Warwick Castle.

Looking down at the grand ballroom in Warwick castle. The room now displays armour.

Joe in front of Warwick Castle.

London Town!!!! Cheers!

I figure I better get something posted before my family revolts! The trip over was safe and uneventful (the best kind). The three of us met up in Atlanta (me, Robyn, and Kenzi) and flew together to London. Poor MeKenzi was forced to fly business class (complimentary upgrade), while Robyn and I suffered in coach. The funniest part was the guy next to Robyn fell asleep with his head waaaaaay over into Robyn seat. I finally woke him up and asked him to move back into the enjoyment of the seat he actually paid for:-)

From Gatwick airport to Victoria station was a straight shot on the Gatwick Express train. Our hotel is very British -- old, small, and quaint. We like it. There is no thermostat -- just a three speed fan which means -- cold, hot, or burning hot. It's fun and the people are very nice.

Yesterday (Saturday) we went to dinner in a great English pub. It was cool. We also went to Herods Dept Store. Very similar to Macy's in New York -- huge, jam packed, expensive. It was neat to see it. Here is Kenz out front of the store all lit up.

Today we made our way to church on the tube (underground or subway). I've been to this chapel (Hyde Park chapel) enough times that I can actually find it without directions. Church was great. I went to the gospel essentials class. I love the feeling and spirit present in a class with new members just soaking it all in. We then came back for a nap and then ventured to get a picture of the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum. Grandpa Staples REALLY wanted us to see it. See this link to know what it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_stone This is a picture of me with it.

We then stopped by Lester Square on the way home. We'll go back there Tuesday night to see a play.

That is about it. We'll post more pictures later. Kenzi has the best ones and she is asleep right now. We'll take more and try and keep you updated. We wish you were all here with us. We love you!!!! Matt and Alyssa start their next semester of classes tomorrow -- good luck. Lyss is now a sorority resident -- you rock!