On Sunday we finished the holiday a Lola's favourite Bangkok spot, the wonderful pet friendly Craft cafe. I thought it might pull at some heart strings being there, and well it did. I miss that girl all the time, she truly was the best dog ever. Sebastian and me took a walk around the beautiful gardens remembering the times with her. Lola Cola a one of a kind.
The second of the three races. Just below 1100 stairs and 50% more people, I was nervous. I arrived an hour and half early and the place was already filling up. I just wanted to place but I saw some of the ladies I recognised from other races and knew it would prove difficult. I managed third place in 8 minutes 56 seconds, but just. I am very nervous for the final event which is 1600 stairs and will be extremely busy. Ideally I get a second, so I can have one for each of the series! But it will not be easy.
When we arrived in Bangkok in August 2022 we spent a day at the same hotel. I remember the day well as the day pass was such a great deal and we had such a lovely day. I could even remember the videos and pictures so we recreated a few.
. 
After five days and four nights at the beach we headed back to Bangkok for a staycation. I had given our flat out in the home exchange until the Sunday so we needed to say somewhere else.
We spent a few days at our hotel, two days at the water park and a couple evenings for happy hour at a nearby hotel. Everyone was relaxed and got in the rhythm of holiday. Luis enjoyed time with his Mum on holiday as this is the first year she has been here while we had some time off and Sebastian just had a blast.
I didn’t get much time with Mandy so was super happy she had to come back to Bangkok to get her connecting flight back to Kenya. We took her and Brad to Molino’s as we had not been in ages and everyone loves Mexican. I almost forgot just how fabulous it is, just delicious. It was not much time with Mandy but so great to see her. Nothing like seeing the people that know you best.
Mandy was only here for a couple of days before her in Brad headed to Chiang Mai but I was lucky enough to have Cooper and his friend here for a few days before they start their big Thailand adventure. Cooper's friend Liam had never left North America before and unfortunately had a horrific time getting here. Air Canada caused several problems which saw him taking a very long route here with some time in South Korea. But he made it, and what a lovely boy he is. We took them and Mayra (who is here for two months) to dinner last night before they hit the town.
February 10th would have been my Dad's 85th birthday and if he had not been poisoned by General Electric, he might have been running beside me, or possibly trying to do a new degree. He would have been doing something amazing for sure. Sebastian really wanted to make a cake to mark the occasion, so we made one and had a mini celebration.
