2011 Season Stats
| rec | yds | avg | td |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 1411 | 17.6 | 8 |
Visit to ThailandMar 4, 2010, 12:11 PM CST
The finale of my Asian trip was a visit to Thailand, the land of smiles..... and that characterization is an understatement.. in Bangkok, the capital, I visited life on the river Chao Paya, a Thai farm, many of the elaborately designed Thai temples, the ruins of the ancient capital Ayuttaya, and the Grande Palace and its grounds. In the northern mountain city of Chian Maiup near Burma, I viewed the hill tribes with their ornate costumes and friendly smiles and spent a day at elephant training & conservation school in Lampang, Thailand. The elephant is such a beautiful sensitive and intelligent animal that I adopted a group of them... the experience was wonderful-- learning to ride on the mountainside and in the rivers, bathing them and teaching them commands and tricks. Believe me just getting up on top of an elephant which weighs 4 ton and stands 12 feet tall is an accomplishment of its own.
The temperatures dropped from a brutal 98 degrees and humid in Bangkok to the 80's mountain air of northern Thailand and back to the high 90's and ocean beaches of Phuket, a small island off the southwestern coast of Thailand... Beautiful beaches, coral reefs and limestone cliffs and caves were most interesting with 2 days of boating and relaxing on the beach.
The accommodations and hospitality of the Thais is unsurpassed , perhaps the best in the world. Le Bua in Bangkok offered one of the Capitals tallest and certainly most beautiful buildings. Its rooftop bar and dining offered breathtaking 360 degree views of this charming city of over 14 million people ... and i thought New York and Chicago were big!
In Chiang Mai, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and its recreation of ancient villas was really an experience. Outdoor showers, lush gardens amidst rice field paddies took me back in time. My final night I had a private dinner with Thai musicians and classical Thai dancing in a rice paddy setting.
On Phuket Island, I stayed at Banyan Tree resort and got a wonderful reception and candlelight dinner with GM Francoise Huet and his staff.. There were fireworks and delicious Thai seafood.... & my villa?....it is "off the chain" as my Cardinal teammates would say -- my own 2 pools,a lagoon view, and the best spa treatment I could ask for.. teakwood surrounds me from head to toe and the workmanship and design of the villas is simply elegant... but that is the Thai way.. very creative, extremely hospitable and always fun loving. It’s only about 12,500 miles from my childhood home in Minneapolis, halfway around the world. The beauty, wonderful people and serenity make me yearn for another trip to explore more in Thailand..Sawasdee Kap, as the Thais would say... !
Comments (30)
Very cool, Larry. Be safe.
Fitz you look tiny compared to that elephant!! I am so glad you are having the trip of your life you deserve it. You work more than any one I know and trust me it shows. God Bless.
Thailand
Posted by Suchada Singhapricha at 6:43 AM (3/5/10)Glad you had fun in Thailand and now you have me as one of your fanclub..I forgot to ask for the authograph for my son!!!! Hope to see you in Thailand sooner.
Suchada
Thailand
Posted by Bill at 4:45 AM (3/6/10)My friend is from Thailand and she is so thrilled you visited her country and that you enjoyed it. She loves to tell people about Thailand and how beautiful it truly is. I'm glad you got a chance to visit there and it seems like you enjoyed it.
Larry, it sounds like you had a good trip -- safe travels back...it was good seeing you at Anquan's event. We hope to do more with our breast cancer awareness initiative in 2010 and it would be great to support your amazing efforts as well. I hope all is well, Jeff.
WOW!
Posted by JAE at 5:45 AM (3/7/10)Woww! I am very impressed that you came to Thailand . :)))
สวัส�ี�รั� = Sawasdee kap. ^^
Thailand
Posted by Johnny Jet at 4:48 PM (3/11/10)Great job Larry! Good to see you promoting int'l travel.
Looks like fun man. Can't wait til' the 2010 season.
Looks like a great time. How was the elephant ride....details.
Site
Posted by Halftime Huddle at 4:24 PM (3/27/10)Halftime Huddle likes the site Fitz. Enjoyed the everything about it.
Nice Heart
Posted by Parthenia Richardson at 4:30 PM (3/27/10)Hi Larry -
I would like to say what you are doing for the kids fitting them with hearing aids is truly a blessing from GOD. Like you I started a non-profit in Maryland to assist the military widows and singles mothers get on their feet and be able to become self-sufficient. I love to see when people step back from themselves and give from their heart to others.
Take care and have a wonderful day!
Parthenia Richardson
CEO/Founder The Warford Foundation
http://thewarfordfoundaion.org
twitter @thewarford
Thailand
Posted by Brent Rosencrans at 4:31 PM (3/27/10)Thanks for sharing Larry.
Very interesting to see different cultures in person and have that experience of interacting with them.
A lifelong memory for sure, and something that will give you a whole new perspective on world events in general.
Great trip and keep up the good work!
Love your "report" about our trip; make one wanna go... and right on with the pics Mr. Fitzgerald ;) And all that on top that you are a "charity person" and the #1 receiver. Can I ask whats NOT perfect with you, lol? Keep that spirit
thailand
Posted by ricky anderson at 5:34 PM (3/27/10)Thailand looks beautiful and I hope u enjoyed yourself...I want to visit one day to see the different things life has to offer
Glad to see this! I'm Thai!
Posted by Nat at 5:59 PM (3/27/10)Sawatdee ka! Hi, I came across your tweet via @TheRealJordin :) I am Thai!!! And I live in Bangkok :) It's great to hear that you had a great time here. :D Hehe. And wow you went to so many places, from the north to the south! That's awesome!
awesome pics!
Posted by Joel Spurlock at 6:08 PM (3/27/10)Awesome pics- great blog on the trip. :)
Pic's
Posted by Norma Lopez at 6:11 PM (3/27/10)wow what great pic's! i love the one with the elephant lol that is awesome!
Incredible!
Posted by Kathy at 6:13 PM (3/27/10)That's so awesome, Larry. The elephant ride looks like so much fun to ride and you're right, they are super intelligent animals. Sawasdee kup for sharing your journey with us, even though I wish I was there too ;) Love ya Larry!
I'm glad you had a great time in my home country. I plan to go back in December myself from Chicago and hope to have just as much fun as you did.
fun
Posted by Adam Feran at 7:54 PM (3/27/10)I wish i could go to Thailand. One day, when I am as good as you, I will be able to go. :)
Great photos and description of what's been goin on with you the past month or so. Hard to believe where you were the horrific tsunami had last graced the images in my mind of that area, now I have a better rememberance of Phuket! Life goes on. God Bless and be safe in India.
larry
Posted by joe at 2:34 AM (3/28/10)thats awsome man you deserve the vacation .dont hurt yourself though .i dont wanna hear you got hurt jumping off a cliff or something i would cry lol
Thailand
Posted by Barb at 3:24 AM (3/28/10)I love how you describe Thailand. It sounds breath taking! It's not a place I would have considered visiting, but now it seems like a must see wonder. Keep up the good work, helping kids and I can see why you start with "land of the smiles" Teakwood head to toe huh?
Yep..making me yearn to visit.
Thanks again for taking us along with you.
Much respect and FFF!
Thailand
Posted by Jennelle at 3:24 PM (3/28/10)This must have been an amazing trip. The people and sites seem inviting and friendly. This gets me excited for my trip to Asia next year!
Thai Trip
Posted by Alan Kouchha at 10:11 PM (3/28/10)Sounds like you had a blast man! Now your in India. Like I said before, you're traveling more in a few weeks then I will in my life lol. Anyway bro, keep it safe, and the next season is right around the corner my man, cant wait.
Thank you for sharing this part of your life with your fans. Those are some great pictures and the description of your visit had me feeling very blessed with such goodness of life.
Amazing
Posted by Dan at 7:39 AM (4/8/10)Man, what a life. At least you appreciate it. I've never even been out of the US. GO CARDS!
go cards
Posted by Evan at 3:55 AM (4/9/10)i cant wait to see you play in the 2010 season
CARDS WILL GO ALL THE WAY
Yea, Fitz!!!
Posted by Darla at 1:55 AM (4/13/10)Hey Fitz, love hearing about your travels. I was fortunate enough to live in China as a teen for a year & travel abroad. Can't get the real experience from a book. My daughter & I are huge fans, we'll see you in Charlotte for the 2010 season, CAN'T WAIT! WE'RE GONNA GET OUR TICKETS ASAP! lOVE YA, darla & danielle, xoxoo