Thailand

Country Information:

The capital of Thailand is Bangkok. There are approximately 70 million people living here. The official language of Thailand is Thai and English is the language of the elite. The majority of Thai people practice Buddhism.

Jim’s Perspectives:

My father and I visited Thailand in 1995. We flew into Bangkok, and afterwards went to Chiang Mai, then Chiang Rai, and then to Phuket.

We marveled at the Grand Palace. Located in Bangkok, it was the former home to the king, his court, and the entirety of Thai government for 150 years. Got to play with elephants in Chiang Rai, and enjoyed the spectacular beaches in Phuket.

Visited Bangkok again in 2018 when visiting my college friend Dave Burris, and catching up over dinner.

Antigua and Barbuda

Country Information: Christopher Columbus came to Antigua in 1493 and the Spanish settlers grew sugarcane and tobacco there. It was colonized by the British in 1632 and remained a British possession until 1981. Jim's Perspectives: In 1993, my wife (who I was then...

Portugal

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Ecuador

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, 1995 Country Information: In Ecuador, there are roughly 16 million Ecuadorians in a country slightly smaller than Nevada. The capital is Quito which is situated at the base of a volcano, making the city prone to earthquakes! In fact the...