When the driver lurched to avoid the tuk-tuk, he sent me careening into my sister. The Thai golf cart scooted over, allowing us to take the lead. I gingerly removed my elbow from my sister's ear. “See? This is a mistake. If we jump out now, we only have to walk a few miles to return to the airport.” I'd had a twenty-six-hour trip to come up with lots of reasons why we shouldn't be traveling by ourselves through Asia. Getting lost was one of the bigger ones, but I hadn't known enough to put reckless motorists on the list—yet. Rachel smiled without making eye contact. As we flew down the six-lane motorway, she orientated herself by watching road signs. “Gina, back home you complain that all the drivers are too slow.” “In Tucson half the drivers are snow birds. They value life.” “Here the townspeople are mostly Buddhist. They value life too.” “Not the drivers.” My sister laughed as we bounced over the next curve, but I worried about what we'd gotten ourselves into. Whatever it was, it was all my fault.
Who would expect a long-lost relative and a charming native to lead to a chase through Thailand? Gina Campanello is ecstatic to win a summer trip for two to Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but there's a catch. Since she's underage, she has to bring an adult. Her friends are too busy to accompany her to Asia, but her sister Rachel signs on for the adventure right away. Rachel loads up on guidebooks to prepare for their journey, but the last thing Gina wants is to spend her precious days hustling between temples and museums. She has a better personal project: a neighbor from back home in Tucson has asked her to deliver a small package, but the old grandfather is harder to find than anyone expects. How can Gina enjoy her trip and accomplish her mission at the same time?
Join Gina on her personal journey: one that includes forgotten histories, hot spicy food, family sagas, relaxing beaches, old rivals, and, yes, one handsome grandson . . .
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