Bangkok Week 875

April 3, 2025

We begin this week with the biggest of surprises: the strongest earthquake to shake Bangkok in the memory of most (if not all) residents. And so, after keeping a low-key weekend, we roll into another high-energy, high-activity week at school, in the lead-up to the Songkran break.

For better or worse (better, as far as Lucy's concerned) we now have two forward-facing children!

Off to the office, via the new tower at the corner of Ekkamai and Sukhumvit, which is now open!

APAC Tower - glad they feel comfortable using the name!

Friday pickup at 1pm, with Dad only today.

Enjoying her new view.

Fast-forward to 1:25pm; this is no longer a normal Friday at the office!

49 flights of stairs later, meeting all of Bangkok on the sidewalks of Sukhumvit.

To say the city was gridlocked would be an understatement!

Back at home, Lucy and some neighbors busted out the chalk, since they had to be outside anyway.

Everyone's home and accounted for... so why not play some football?

And ride some bike on "solid" ground.

Very proud of her "pedal stand" (not kick stand).

She's getting good at making her "pedal stand" work!

Defiantly eating rich chocolate cookies in her undies for breakfast.

Excited to have broken the code in 3 moves.

Really getting into the foil crafting kit from India.

Showing off his creation.

Oh no! I think we have a problem on our hands. Look at all these new papayas!

No swimming for Lucy (and her runny nose) today, so we head out for ice cream instead. Because why not.

Arlo's favorite flavor - bubble gum.

Sigh. What a tough morning.

This dolphin is enjoying his lesson though. (Fueled by ice cream...)

Repotting the largest of the papayas, into the new pot we just bought from the back of a truck.

This is one way to defend your goal.

Mum might be one of the easiest people in town to score against.

Trying on our Songkran shirts to make sure they'll fit for one more year.

Arlo's got a rather bright red rudolph nose, thanks to a ball that Mum kicked in his face.

Up-close of the poor, crowded papayas.

It was a small piano class this week: only 3 students.

Meanwhile, Dad & Lucy took a tuk tuk to the peacock cafe.

Not a bad way to spend the morning.

And hey, the peacock even felt like showing off.

The cactus with a pink flower is blooming for the first time in almost a year.

Someone's decided to start making a wish list for his birthday.

Trying to capture "flying" before bath time.

A quick code breaker before bed.

Uh oh! It's another special themed week at school this week!

This time, it's "Len Duay Gan", or "Let's Play!"

In celebration of the upcoming Thai New Year, it's traditional games and activities all week!

A high swing for Lucy.

Someone saw flags on the face paint box, and decided she wanted them. Go Brazil!

Practicing both shooting and goal-keeping at once.

I almost thought Lucy had disappeared when I opened the door to her room!

Chickens at school? I wonder which grade they're in.

And traditional shadow puppet show.

And spinning tops.

Meanwhile, on Lucy's side, it was a full-on floating market!

Picking which sweet sugary snack she'd like at 9 o'clock in the morning.

Syrup ice!

And syrup popsicle!

Not a bad way to start the day, especially when the sugar's not my problem!

Afternoon fun: enjoying the leftover ice from the morning.

Water color painting.

Observing the cheeky squirrel, who is the most frequent customer at the bird feeder.

A new (old) collection of Lego for Arlo and Lucy!

Watch your feet!

Another enthusiastic morning.

Hippo hug!

Making floral arrangements.

Traditional Thai band. (Cover your ears.)

Two cute, matching "red heads".

Enthusiastically showing off the house he made with the new legos.

One last morning of pre-Songkran fun. Today, the kites are out.

And the (not so) air hockey.

They've garnered an audience!

And bamboo vehicles.

Arlo is very proud of his creations.

Time to go test them!

And on Lucy's side, we arrive just in time to play Thai duck duck goose.

After school on Thursday, packing up the chickens to send them "back to the farm."

Safe drive, chicken!

We moved several papayas last weekend, but somehow, the original container is still full!

Speaking of hippos, working nicely together on a new hippo activity book.

Good night! See you next week!