Thailand: An Asian Adventure

Thailand is a common trip for military families stationed in Korea. We took our trip in December during their high season and thoroughly enjoyed the weather, sites and relaxation Thailand had to offer.

Bangkok:

Many people skip over Bangkok and head straight for the beaches of Phuket. This would definitely be the most relaxing option as Bangkok with small children can be exhausting and terrifying when you’re flying down the wrong side of the road in a taxi that may or may not be legit.

Regardless of the intensity of a big city, we were so glad we didn’t miss out on all it had to offer. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and took advantage of its close proximity to eateries and shopping.

Scary longboat rides, beautiful palaces and Wats (temples) made our 3 days in Bangkok memorable. Just make sure you bring pants or a long skirt and something to cover your arms when entering temples (some places will rent shawls so you can go in, but don’t rely on that).

Sites we visited:

Grand Palace

• 2 Hours
• Whenever I go to Bangkok I always go to the Grand Palace. OK you have to wear long trousers in the tropical heat but the sights make it worthwhile. By the way, you can't wear jeans, three quarter lengths, track suits plus a couple of other things (don't worry, you can hire clothes if you turn up in jeans etc). If you're prepared to abide by the rules (you have to remove shoes/hats before entering temples etc) you're in for a great time, as my photos testify. After you've been to the Grand Palace you can visit nearby Wat Pho with the Reclining Buddha
• Bring an umbrella for shade, and water of course.
  

Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)

• Reclining Buddha is near Grand palace (behind it)
• 50 Bhat admission (Kind of a walk from the Grand Palace, because I couldn’t figure out a way to get there more easily, but not bad)

Standing Buddha

• Cool if you have time, but not necessary

Golden Mount

• Great view of city, but lots and lots (and lots) of stairs so if you’re tired, don’t bother!

Lumphini Park

• Nice for a break from tourist-y stuff. Very pretty, but warm so bring water and sunblock. Just a pretty park with playground
  

City Tips:

• If you spend time in Bangkok and have little ones I recommend you use a backpack type carrier as it is not a stroller friendly city
• Find a nearby store to stock up on water as the tap water is not potable (even for brushing teeth) “Big C” is like a Walmart and has pretty much anything you’d need
• Never trust someone who tries to tell you that a site is closed. There are a lot of people who will try to lure you away from popular points of interest by telling you that something is closed or being renovated
• Make sure the taxi drivers turn on the money meter or at least determine the cost upfront.
• Take advantage of the concierge in the hotel. They have fabulous information and are friendly and can give you great tips
• Always carry a card with your hotel name on it so you can show it to the taxi driver
• Tuk-tuks – 3-wheeled open air taxis. Fares must be bargained in advance. Beware some try to take you to extra stops along the way and scam you
• Most hotels don’t have microwaves

Phuket:

Phuket was fabulous and after the stress of Bangkok we wanted nothing more than to lay on the beach and dig sand forts (well, my husband dug, I sat). Laguna Beach Resort was isolated and beautiful and had supreme service while our last 3 nights were spent at the Katathani where we once again were impressed by the accommodations and stellar care of the staff. We didn’t do much other than the beach and pools while we were in Phuket, but you can sign up for Elephant rides and scuba diving and other adventures if you’re up for it.

If you want to see pictures of our trip, visit http://www.whereiskermit.com/ and go to the December 14, 2007 blog posts of Phuket and Bangkok. Sawatdee Ka/Krub

Anna Jane, Guest Blogger

Tiger World: It's Grrrrrrr-eat!

If you haven't been to Tiger World, check it out! It's a bit of a trek but worth it!

On one floor is an indoor snow skiing/sledding hill (my husband took our 9-yr old--perfect for a beginner) and on another floor is an indoor waterpark/spa. We have been to the waterpark/spa three or four times and plan to go back another couple of times before we leave.

When grandparents were here, our 9-yr old chose Tiger World over everywhere else to take them. The waterpark side is nice (little kids' area, wave pool, lazy river, slides, lap pool), but we spend the majority of our time on the spa side (through the food court).

The spa side has several pools with varying temps, saunas, a pool bar (no alcohol served, but that is where we eat our Dippin' Dots ice cream!), a large pool with a mushroom fountain and water jets along the edges, outdoor hot tubs, and the famous Dr. Fish pool (something like 3,000 Won for 20 minutes--worth the experience, even our 3-yr old tried it).

You get a bracelet when you check in which serves as your 'key' for your locker and also serves as your credit card. You place everything in your locker (wallet included, but keep out your towels and/or cooler) and you charge everything while you are there with a swipe of your bracelet. You pay on your way out.

We eat at the food court (the kids like the pork cutlet set), but we supplement with our own fruit and crackers (drinking water is free).

It's on the way to the airport and it's about 75-90 minutes away depending on traffic.

Here’s how to get there:

• Take Big 1 North to 50 West (opposite Everland on 50, might say towards Ansan)
• Take 15 North (under 5 minutes' time on 15N) to 100 West/North towards Incheon Airport. Tiger World is on your left--huge blue and gray odd-shaped building.
• Exit at the Jungdong Interchange and make a couple left turns and look for the signs.
• Parking garage is underneath Tiger World.

Bring and show your military ID for a discount!!

The website shows what it looks like www.tigerworld.co.kr/eng/ Click on the 'About Facilities' button at the top and then on 'waterpark/spa' for some great photos. Enjoy!!

Linda, Guest Blogger

Looking for a Church? Consider Mission Baptist

Mission Baptist Church is an easy-going contemporary church just off base. They utilize drums, guitars, and piano during their praise and worship time, but also enjoy singing traditional hymns, too.

Pastor Mike Ivey and his wife, Jill, have been in Korea for 20 years (now, that's a calling!) and lead the church in solid Bible teachings.

MBC (http://www.missionbaptist.com/) has an active youth group, a children's choir, Bible studies, Sunday school classes for preschool through adults (with a great nursery) and many opportunities to get involved.

They also have a parking lot with 3 hours of free parking near the church.

Walking directions:

• Walk out the main gate and straight down the pedestrian mall.
• Walk until you reach actual pavement (you will have been walking on the cobblestone ped mall sidewalk).
• Turn RIGHT.
• You will see Mission Baptist Church (in gold letters) facing you at the end of that street.

Linda, Guest Blogger

Kid Friendly Recipe: Yum Yum Rainbow Pasta

Yum Yum Rainbow Pasta:

3 C uncooked pasta (I use half whole wheat rotini spirals and half veggie rotini spirals)
2 C veggies (examples: mixed veggie pack, broccoli, etc. Whatever you have on hand works)

Cheese Sauce:

2 tbspn butter
1/4 C flour1
1/4 C milk
pinch ground nutmeg
1 C grated cheddar cheese (packed)
1/2 C butternut squash puree

Topping:

2 tbspn fresh grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tbspn fresh bread crumbs

Butternut Squash Puree:

1. Cut butternut squash in half, scoop out seeds
2. Place halves face down in a pan and cover with an inch of water
3. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 40 minutes to 1 hour - be sure the "shell/skin" puckers and halves feel soft then scoop squash "meat" out of the shell
4. Place squash "meat" into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
5. I freeze in 1/2 C jars and then put one in the fridge the day before I want to make this.
6. I heat it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds so it is ready to use.

Directions:

1. Preheat to 350 degrees if you want to bake
2. Boil pasta according to directions, drain, mix a tiny bit of oil in to keep from sticking, and set aside.
3. Steam veggies, when done be sure to dry out with paper towels to keep pasta from getting soggy.

Sauce:

1. Melt butter in medium saucepan, add flour to make a paste, stir over low heat for 1 minute.
2. Gradually wisk in milk, bringing slowly to a boil on medium heat, cook until thickened, stirring constantly with a wisk.
3. Remove from heat and add butternut squash, nutmeg, and cheese (stirring after each addition).

Final Directions:

1. Pour pasta back in the empty pot, mix in veggies and sauce. From here you can serve if your child is starving. But I think it is better baking.
2. Pour into greased casserole dish
3. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
4. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
5. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or the freezer.

Laura, Guest Blogger

Edible Play Doh & Other Tasty Treats

Here are some fun recipes to make with your kids.

Everyday Playdoh

Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter in a bowl. Meanwhile, bring to boil 1 cup of water, one tablespoon of cooking oil and a few drops of food coloring. A little flavoring essence could be added, too. Pour hot mixture into flour mixture and stir. Add more flour if necessary.

Kool-Aid Playdoh

Add a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid to boiling water in Everyday Playdoh recipe to strengthen the color and scent.

Self-Hardening Playdoh

Mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of flour, and add cup of water. Use the same day, air dry for about 48 hours, and paint if desired.

Peanut Butter Playdoh (edible)

Mix together 1-cup peanut butter and cup honey. Blend in powdered milk until mixture is not sticky, and a playdoh consistency. Double the recipe if necessary.

Fudgy Chocolate Playdoh (edible)

Mix together 4 tablespoons softened butter, 1/2 cup white corn syrup, 6 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup powdered milk. Knead well.

Finger Paint

Pour about a tablespoon of liquid tempera on laminate surface or large piece of shiny paper. Add a few drops of mild dish soap.

Pudding Finger Paint (edible)

Add food coloring to prepared vanilla pudding, and finger paint on a paper plate.

Egg Yolk Paint

Separate the yolk from the white of an egg. Put the yolk in a small cup, and save the white for another use. Mix a few drops of food coloring and teaspoon water with the yolk. Make several colors with more yolks. Use a small brush or cotton swab to paint. This paint dries with a glossy finish on paper. It can be used to paint cookies before they are baked.

Buttermilk or Condensed Milk Paint

Mix drops of food coloring with cup buttermilk or condensed milk. This creates pastel colors. Corn Syrup Paint Mix drops of food coloring with a small amount of corn syrup. Mix in small glass cups to see the translucent colors. This is sticky and glossy.

Bubbles

Mix together equal parts of water and Joy dishwashing soap. Make a wand by twisting a pipe cleaner into a circle with a handle.

From http://www.everythingpreschool.com/recipes/index.htm

Heather, Guest Blogger

Itsy Bitsy Spiders & Other Local Creepy Crawlies

If you're like me, when you PCS'd here you've found lots of little critters running around in/outside of your home. Since my son has no fear of anything creepy and crawly I decided to try and identify some of the most common ones we see in our home (We live in Hallasan Tower). The good news, it looks like all of them are more or less just scary looking.

Tent Caterpillars:

In the spring, the caterpillars took over the playgrounds (and our balcony). There was a lot of confusion and worry among the kids and parents over whether they were "stinging" caterpillars or not.

From what I've been able to find, these are a version of Tent Caterpillars. You can read about them here .

In general, the following seems to be a good rule of thumb that I found in a few different places:

"Many species of caterpillars are variously armed or clothed with setae and spines; however, only a relative few actually possess venomous or urticating structures. Thus, there are "stingers" and harmless "look-a-likes", and distinguishing one from the other solely on appearance is difficult. Determining which is which by "hands-on" personal bio-assay is foolproof but could be foolhardy and painful."

However, my husband, 2 year old, and I all handled these things all summer (even without washing our hands after wards) and never had any adverse reactions to them. So, I personally believe our Osan Tent Caterpillars are harmless. It did make our dog sick when she ate one though.

Earwigs:

I've found several Earwigs (they look like beetles with pinchers on their butts) in the house and unfortunately they meet an untimely death when we cross paths. Here is some general information and pictures.

"Earwigs are considered harmless to people, though they may emit a foul smelling liquid when disturbed. Larger earwigs might use their abdominal "pincers" to "bite" someone, but no venom is present. Though potentially unpleasant and perhaps disconcerting, no harm is done. Because earwigs hide during the day in dark places, they often get transported along with the object they hide in, and are easily overlooked. Most of our species are introduced, and new ones are constantly being introduced."

Seed Bugs:

Seed bugs are the bugs that look like stink bugs. A kind of slim body with triangle head. Here is a picture of a similar one.

"These bugs do not bite, sting, feed, carry diseases or otherwise cause harm to people, pets, the house or its contents. They cannot reproduce inside the house, as egg laying and development are restricted to the host plants during the summer months. They will, however, give off a pungent odor if you handle them, which is part of the insect's defensive strategy. They also may make a buzzing sound when flying."

We have personally squished these and they do stink when squished.

House Centipede:

These are by far I think the scariest looking. I can't stand to even get close enough for a shoe stomping. Here is a picture.

"Indoors they are likely to be found at all times of the year provided they have warmth and available prey. To the North they will only be found outside during Summer. Predatory on other arthropods, including cockroach nymphs, flies, moths, bedbugs, crickets, silverfish, earwigs, and small spiders. In short, they'll eat many things you'd probably much rather not have in your home. Consider these beneficial in your home, since they rid you of other pests.House centipedes are aggressive predators to things their own size but are not considered dangerous to humans. Their small jaws (actually modified front legs) cannot easily pierce human skin. In the rare event you were bitten, pain and swelling may result, but it would probably be no worse than a bee sting."

Golden Orb Weaver Spiders:

You know those big nasty green spiders hanging all over the place that seem to get bigger and bigger as the summer goes on? They seem to be a kind of Orb spider (named because of the types of webs they make) and, while they will bite if provoked, they aren't dangerous to you or your dogs.

For great info and pictures go to whatsthatbug.com or bugguide.net

Lauren, Guest Blogger

Hafa Adai! Saipan: Where the US Starts Its Day

If you want to take the kids and go to the beach for a week, Saipan is a great place to go. The primary language is English and Saipan is a US protectorate. As they say, it’s where the US starts it’s day. Coincidentally, it is where many Koreans go on their honeymoons so you’ll see a lot of couples in matching T-shirt and a lot of Hangul, too.

Keep in mind, there is nothing but sun and sand in Saipan so don’t go for the shopping, the entertainment, or the food. The resorts have decent restaurants, but they are a bit pricey because they are resorts. There is a McDonalds, Subway, Tony Roma’s, Hard Rock Café, and that’s about it for US chains. There are also a lot of excellent Japanese and Korean restaurants.
You don’t need a car in Saipan. The resorts will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Most of the things “to do” are at the resorts or in the streets around the resorts. Once a week, there is a street festival with food vendors. Good food, cheap prices. We ate it and remained healthy.

It is worth renting a car from the resort for a morning to drive around the island. This is where you can really see the beauty of the Pacific islands and also take in some of the history.
There is a huge World War 2-Pacific Theater history in Saipan and it is one of the sites where the US defeated the Japanese in these battles. The history is somewhat of a touchy subject, but only because the wounds are still fresh. There is a museum run by the US National Park Service that tells you more about the history of Saipan.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency, but there are other resorts as well, such as the Pacific Island Club. The beaches are great for kids because the water is shallow and warm. The beaches are soft and pleasant. There is a water park at one of the resorts that is well worth the trip. There are places to Scuba, such as The Grotto. So if you are a scuba diver, you may be able to take advantage of that.

We booked our trip through ITT. The main thing about the trip is that the flights from Korea are terrible schedule-wise. You leave in the evening (around 8pm) and arrive around midnight. You catch the return at around 2 in the morning. With kids, this is not so great. However, I have a suspicion that if you fly through Japan, you can get a better itinerary, so ask and see.

Here’s a link to the Saipan Tribune: http://www.saipantribune.com/ There is not a whole lot of information online. It is a VERY SMALL place, but we loved it.

Helen, Guest Blogger

Osan Parents Sound-Off about Jet Lag Recovery

Question: We got our tickets for the end of the month and I can't wait! We'll be leaving from the west coast in the mid-afternoon. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with the time change?


This is one of the most common questions asked of OPN members. The following answers are Osan parents' actual responses to this question.


Answer 1: My son was born in this time zone but has flown to the states 3 times as well as the UK once (all before 22 months). I recommend looking at the time zone and only shifting bed times by a few hours. This is what I have always done when I go back to the states. When we arrive in Seattle I would generally work to get my child in bed between 11pm and 12am (about 3 hours earlier his time than normal). This worked well as he would generally sleep a bit on the plane. The next night I would work for 10 and 11 pm then the following night 9 and 10 pm. I would follow these up with letting him sleep no more than 12 to 13 hours in a row and then only for about 3 hours for nap. It has taken him only 3 days max each time we travel to adjust.


Answer 2: It took about a week before me and my daughter got totally adjusted to the time difference. I was actually quite surprised how quickly she adjusted! I think our plane left California in the afternoon, too, which put us in Seoul late afternoon/early evening. I remember letting Kami sleep some on the bus ride to Osan, but once we got to our apartment, we tried to stay up as late as we could. Then for about a week, both Kami and myself would wake up around 3am-ish for a couple of hours and then go back to sleep. But, like I said, it didn't last very long. The plane ride over wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, too. I was really nervous flying over with a one year old and myself, but I had lots of help from a Korean couple nearby!


Answer 3: I just made the trip myself from LAX to Seoul Sept 19th. My daughter is almost three. We boarded our LAX flight at noon. I got Alyssa up at 6:30 am(she usually sleeps until 8:30) so she would be tired by the time we got on the flight. It was great she napped for the first two and half hours. When she woke up we watched movies until they served dinner. We flew Korean Air. The seats had individual TV screen. It was great. They had kid moves and adult moves to chose from. I had brought my portable DVD player but I never used it. Alyssa was fine with the movies the airline had. Once dinner was over we watched another movie until she was ready to sleep again. I had to wake her up to get off the plane. I did not bring my stroller but I wish I had. I just had to many things to carry on the plane(car seat,back pack, and small suitcase). I let Alyssa walk the entire time once we got off the plane, went threw customs, and met Daddy. She was really loving the running around. Once you get to Seoul you have about a 1hour and 45 minute bus ride. Alyssa slept for the last 20 minutes. Once home I let her run around for an hour or so and then I put her to bed. I only let her nap for one hour the next day and put her to bed an hour earlier then normal. She was completely switched. From then on she was back on her schedule. I wish I could have. It took me a week. I know this is alot of personal info but this is what worked for us. They say it usually takes 1 day for each time zone you cross to get adjusted.


Answer 4: I agree with everyone that it is no big deal. I moved from Phoenix in July. I expected a really bad travel and adjustment experience, but it was not a problem at all. The planes are well equipped and I didn't need half the stuff I brought on the plane. (Be sure to ask for a bassinet for your little one.) It took about a week before we settled in time wise. We'd be tired late in the afternoon and then my son (4) woke up at 3 AM for the day, but that faded away. My 10-month (at the time) just fell in with everything else. I was told not to sleep on the trip, so I didn't, then crashed when I got here. That pretty much instantly put me in the right time zone. (While the time change is really 16-hours from the West coast, it really only feels like an 8-hour change. e.g 16+8=24 hours) The general rule for jet lag recovery is 1 hour a day.


Answer 5: For us, every time we have come West (several times back and forth to Okinawa and once here so far), we made sure we stayed awake the last few (1-3) hours of the flight. Then when we got here (it was around 5pm local), the trip from the airport and getting settled in our room. By that time it was 8-9pm and we were all exhausted and ready to go to sleep! We did wake up very early (5am) the next morning, but we just made sure we didn’t go to bed the next night before 9pm local and our 4 kids at 7pm. We let our 2 youngest take short naps (less than 2 hours) that first day, and it was tough to wake them up, but we just took them to the BX for ice cream or to the playground and they woke up pretty easily. By doing this, it only took us about 2 full days before we were completely on local time. The biggest thing is just don’t allow yourself to sleep more than 1 hour during the day (kids 2 hours), and don’t go to bed too early and it won’t be too bad. Otherwise I’ve known some people who took several weeks to get over the jet lag. My 4 month old daughter was the only exception. She got her days and nights mixed up again (she’d been sleeping through the night for about 2 months when we moved), so that was a bit difficult.


Answer 6: A neat idea my husband came up with (after we adjusted to the time) was to take a ball to the basketball court inside the gym and let the little ones play ball. It is inside, the gym is open 24 hours and not too many people will be using the court at 4am. Why didn't he come up with this great idea a little sooner?!!!! Hope this helps you guys out :-)


Answer 7: I've been back and forth from the states twice so far since I've been here, and each time, it takes me and my 2 year-old daughter about a week to fully recover. My best advice is to stay awake as long as you can, which is pretty easy, because most of the flights when you come arrive in the early afternoon to evening. I wouldn't stress too much about this. Just know it takes some time...longer for some, shorter for others. But....it will eventually happen!

Osan: Off the Beaten Path

Just a mile or so out the Main Gate is Buraksan State Park. This is a great, close place to get out in the woods and play, and the weather is so great right now. There are miles and miles of hiking and biking trails at the park; some paved and some rugged. To get there:

-Go out the Main Gate and turn right
-Take the next left (at Century 21)
-Cross the bridge
-Go straight through 4 traffic lights (the 2nd one is a flashing yellow)
-Take a right onto Little 1 at the fifth light (0.7 miles from the Gate)
-Get in the near left lane
-Go through one light
-Turn left onto the street before the next light (if you miss it, you'll have to wave off and come around)
-Turn right onto one of the narrow roads that ends against the trail and look for a parking spot. There is a small lot at the end of one of the little roads.
The trailhead is near a church with a bright orange steeple (see photo)

Some other outdoor fun on base you might not have considered:

On the backside of the flightline is a huge concrete field, perfect for biking and skating. There's also a big dirt and gravel lot there, and after it rains there are always big mud puddles, complete with water bugs. Of course, it's not without hazards- it's near the perimeter so there is razor wire to watch out for, and the vegetation around the fence may be sprayed with a defoliant.

The grass and rocks in front of Turumi is great for running, playing, climbing and collecting pinecones.

The playground and grass over by the ball fields has a lot of room for running, and some good steep hills for sliding or rolling for older kids.

If you have some ideas to add, put them in the comments or email osanparents@gmail.com

Kids Activity: Treasure Hunts at Osan!

Here are three 'Treasure Hunts' around base, suitable for clue finding fun for 2-5 year olds. Just hide a 'treasure' in the hiding spot, and then give the clues.


1. Hospital (hiding spot is behind the standing rock in the little courtyard behind the ER stairwell)

Clues:
-enter the hospital lot by the noisy brown box
-find the red cross across the parking lot and look to the right of it
-climb up 6 curvy steps
-count 3 circles
-turn left and follow the red brick path
-count 5 benches
-stand on the 5th bench and look in the direction the sun comes up
- a rock points into the sky
-look behind it

2. MVV playground (Hiding place is behind the end of the little stone (not concrete) wall in the brick courtyard where the riding animals are)

Clues:
-stand at the green gate where the little ones play
-turn left
-hop to the corner of the green fence
-turn left
-follow the path to the end
-turn around 3 times and then turn left
-find the silver garbage can and get back on the path
-follow the rocks down the hill
-find the brown fire hydrant and jump up and down 6 times
-turn left
-walk straight ahead to the big, curved, brown pipe
-take the lower path and start following it
-walk by some diamonds
-find some purple U's and stand right in the middle of them, facing them
-look to your right and walk to the square rocks
-walk on the rock wall to the end
-jump down
-jump up on the other rock wall and wakl to the end
-look down

3. MVV brick pavilion near the pool (Hiding place is on the back (pool side) of that big barbecue thing)

Clues:
-Head up the road towards the pool
-turn right at the orange mirror on the cinder block wall
-pass bldg E
-turn left before the big ivory candy cane
-pass the purple and white roof
-look for the pumps in a cage
-turn right and follow the brick path
-count 14 bushes
-look for a silver garbage can
-jump up and down 3 times then go up the hill
- look for a forest hideaway
-turn around 5 times
-look around for a big brick square
-circumnavigate the square and find a little treasure cave in the back

Welcome to the OPN Blog!

As you may already know, Osan has an active community of bloggers. OPN is jumping on the blogwagon. To paraphrase the Gettysburg Address, this blog is by the parents, for the parents. So, Osan Parents, we need your posts! If you have something to talk about, this is the place to do it.

Do you have words of wisdom for newcomers, fun kids activities, parenting tips, health or nutrition advice, consumer education, a little known skill, or just a point of view to share? Content is completely up to you! Controversial topics are fine to tackle, but please keep it clean and be respectful of others.

Please send your contributions to osanparents@gmail.com; we look forward to hearing from you!