Chrissa, your trip sounds lovely! I understand Thailand is exquisite and I'm, quite frankly, a little jealous. I would LOVE to see France and Italy. My daughter was in France a few years back and said she'd love to go back there to live. I told her I support that decision -- as long as I'm dead. It's hard to fathom not seeing a daughter for the five years that you spoke of, but I know it happens....and the fact that you are in contact each week surely makes things better.
Chrissa, POST PICTURES!!!!!!!! There's a few of us who never get to venture very far and we'd love to see where you were able to go.