Wed. 1-13-16. Evergreen Laurel Hotel Bangkok, Thailand
Be forewarned, these pages will probably take some time to down load becasue there are LOTS of pictures !
This blog entry and probably here forward will be a bit different to previous ones. I always kept a handwritten journal of our travels, and printed photos that I organized in photo albums. After about 100 photo albums, and stacks of journals, I have decided to use this blog as the only documentation of our travels, therefore, there will be more boring detail than usual, and lots more boring pics...sorry in advance !!!
We are traveling for five weeks on a tour with Overseas Adventure Tours in a group of 16 people. We will divide the time between Thailand and Vietnam. We are 7 of the 16 including 2 other couples from Palm Coast, Jim and Danette, Mike and Jana, and Deb a friend of Danettes from Minnesota. We are flying in two days before the tour starts to settle down are jet lag and to celebrate Jons 70th on the 14 th. We crossed the international date line and we are exactly 12 hours later than Florida. It will at least be easy math to know what time it is at home !
We arrived this AM at about 2:00 AM. It was a looooong trip here. Sun. PM we spent the night in Jacksonville, well part of the night. We were spat 3:30 AM to catch a 6:00 AM two hour flight from JAX to Newark. We were about an hour late for take off while the ground crew in JAX tried to figure out how to de ice the plane. I guess ice issues are not the norm for Jax. We arrived in Newark with a two hour layover, then boarded for our 14 hour flight to Tokyo. We had an aisle and window seat and sure enough someone in the middle. For some reason we flew north over the North Pole, skirted just east of Russia, then south to Tokyo. It looked about 10,000 miles out of the way to me ! Arrived in Tokyo and caught up with Jim and Danette (JD) who were on a flight that left an hour earlier than us. We then caught a seven and a half hour flight to Bangkok that arrived late due to head winds. We finally got luggage, cleared customs, and met up with Mike and Jana, and Jin and Dantte. It was really quite amazing we made it all at the same time because we flew in from JAX, from San Fran, and from Co. After 36 hours of either sitting in comfy airports or cattle car airplanes, we finally made it to our hotel the Evergreen Laurel where we will spend the next five nights. We had a short but solid night sleep of five hours then up at 7:30 AM in an attempt to get right on Thai time. Mike, Jana, Jon and I had a complimentary tour included with our room booking so we were picked up at 12:30 PM . Mind you this was 12:30 AM back home so our internal clocks were signaling bed time, but no rest for the weary, time to explore ! The tour was a city tour where we quickly discovered that Thai traffic does not move. We drove about five miles in one hour. We then took a boat tour on what they refer to as a James Bond boat because it was the type of boat he used during a chase scene in the movie "The Man With the Golden Eye". We started on the Chao Phraya River which is the main river, then we veered off and cruised the canals which was a real slice of the old Bangkok with ramshackle shacks, temples and some nice homes that seemed misplaced. We got back late afternoon, cleaned up, then met for cocktails in the lobby bar. We walked across the street, think mini highway, and ate at Baan Khatina. After dinner we walked to the Banyan Tree hotel adn went up to the Vertigo Lounge which provided us with a spectacular night city scape. We got home in bed by 11:00 PM, it was a fabulous first day !
Be forewarned, these pages will probably take some time to down load becasue there are LOTS of pictures !
This blog entry and probably here forward will be a bit different to previous ones. I always kept a handwritten journal of our travels, and printed photos that I organized in photo albums. After about 100 photo albums, and stacks of journals, I have decided to use this blog as the only documentation of our travels, therefore, there will be more boring detail than usual, and lots more boring pics...sorry in advance !!!
We are traveling for five weeks on a tour with Overseas Adventure Tours in a group of 16 people. We will divide the time between Thailand and Vietnam. We are 7 of the 16 including 2 other couples from Palm Coast, Jim and Danette, Mike and Jana, and Deb a friend of Danettes from Minnesota. We are flying in two days before the tour starts to settle down are jet lag and to celebrate Jons 70th on the 14 th. We crossed the international date line and we are exactly 12 hours later than Florida. It will at least be easy math to know what time it is at home !
We arrived this AM at about 2:00 AM. It was a looooong trip here. Sun. PM we spent the night in Jacksonville, well part of the night. We were spat 3:30 AM to catch a 6:00 AM two hour flight from JAX to Newark. We were about an hour late for take off while the ground crew in JAX tried to figure out how to de ice the plane. I guess ice issues are not the norm for Jax. We arrived in Newark with a two hour layover, then boarded for our 14 hour flight to Tokyo. We had an aisle and window seat and sure enough someone in the middle. For some reason we flew north over the North Pole, skirted just east of Russia, then south to Tokyo. It looked about 10,000 miles out of the way to me ! Arrived in Tokyo and caught up with Jim and Danette (JD) who were on a flight that left an hour earlier than us. We then caught a seven and a half hour flight to Bangkok that arrived late due to head winds. We finally got luggage, cleared customs, and met up with Mike and Jana, and Jin and Dantte. It was really quite amazing we made it all at the same time because we flew in from JAX, from San Fran, and from Co. After 36 hours of either sitting in comfy airports or cattle car airplanes, we finally made it to our hotel the Evergreen Laurel where we will spend the next five nights. We had a short but solid night sleep of five hours then up at 7:30 AM in an attempt to get right on Thai time. Mike, Jana, Jon and I had a complimentary tour included with our room booking so we were picked up at 12:30 PM . Mind you this was 12:30 AM back home so our internal clocks were signaling bed time, but no rest for the weary, time to explore ! The tour was a city tour where we quickly discovered that Thai traffic does not move. We drove about five miles in one hour. We then took a boat tour on what they refer to as a James Bond boat because it was the type of boat he used during a chase scene in the movie "The Man With the Golden Eye". We started on the Chao Phraya River which is the main river, then we veered off and cruised the canals which was a real slice of the old Bangkok with ramshackle shacks, temples and some nice homes that seemed misplaced. We got back late afternoon, cleaned up, then met for cocktails in the lobby bar. We walked across the street, think mini highway, and ate at Baan Khatina. After dinner we walked to the Banyan Tree hotel adn went up to the Vertigo Lounge which provided us with a spectacular night city scape. We got home in bed by 11:00 PM, it was a fabulous first day !
Before we left Palm Coast, I thought this guys jacket was a good nod to Jon turning 70 It reads - Boozefighters - Est. 1946 - same year Jon was Est. !
We had a small birthday gathering in Palm Cost before we left with Ken and Beth so Jon could open his gifts since I had no intention of lugging them to Asia on the plane !
Jon and Beth
Crew was not about to be left out !
New birthday shades
On our way - flying up over Jacksonville
NYC
Waiting for our flight to Bangkok
Look who we ran into - Jim and Danette !
We finally all met up in Bangkok - Danette, Jon, me, Jana, Mike and Jim
Mike adn Jana - heading out for our tour
City tour - crossing over canal
Temple view from the river
We are always happiest on the water !
This fellow pulled up to our boat hawking his goods
Approaching a lock on the canal
More temple views from the water
If you look closely, on one of the pieces of wood jutting our is a huge lizard - our guide called the lizard a dragon
In our hotel lobby
Dinner with the gang
Pictures of the King of Thailand are everywhere - he seen has not been seen in pubic for a couple of years, all of the pictures are all old ones
Bangkok viewed from the Vertigo rooftop bar
Even Buddha stops to smell the flowers
Thurs. Jan 14 th Jon's 70 th birthday ! Bangkok
Happy Birthday Jon !! We set out in the AM braving Bangkok heat and traffic with Mike and Jana to walk to a nearby park where the tourism board is sponsoring a huge festival. We arrived before they started which was great because it was not stampedes of people. We walked around for about five hours and enjoyed various performances of dance and music, local artisans and food everywhere. If fact, there is street food every two feet. We learned that most Thai people do not cook at home and just grab street. The best part of the festival was that I got a one hour long foot massage for about $9.00 pure heaven ! We got back to our room and I organized all the gifts, decorations and party favors I brought, then everyone joined us in our room for a cocktail kick off to our birthday Tuk Tuk tour. Three tuk tuks with our guide Jib, picked us up at 6:00 PM. We cruised through the traffic which really kept our attention. Our first stop was at Klong San market, a night street market that Jib made stops at various food stalls where we could sample all kinds of food. We then went to Wat Prayoon Temple where we were able to walk around all by ourselves as we listened to chanting drifting over to us from a nearby funeral. We learned that there about 450 temples. Thailand is about 96 percent Buddhist, 2 percent Muslim and Hindu, and two percent Christian. Next stop the giant swing and democracy monument. The whole area still had all of the decorations from the New Year celebration and it really was beautiful. Next we ate dinner at a wonderful Pad Thai restaurant which is the oldest one in Bangkok. At this point, I became ill, and things quickly went downhill for me. I made it to the next stop, the Wat
Pho Temple and realized that the end of the line for me. Luckily one of the tuk tuk drivers got me back to the hotel in record speed and I got in about ten. I insisted Jon stay out to finish the tour and he got back around 11:30 PM. Jon said they toured the night flower market, china town, then last stop was dessert and a suprise birthday cake for Jon. I was sooooo disappointed I missed the end of the evening, but Jon said it was fun !
Happy Birthday Jon !! We set out in the AM braving Bangkok heat and traffic with Mike and Jana to walk to a nearby park where the tourism board is sponsoring a huge festival. We arrived before they started which was great because it was not stampedes of people. We walked around for about five hours and enjoyed various performances of dance and music, local artisans and food everywhere. If fact, there is street food every two feet. We learned that most Thai people do not cook at home and just grab street. The best part of the festival was that I got a one hour long foot massage for about $9.00 pure heaven ! We got back to our room and I organized all the gifts, decorations and party favors I brought, then everyone joined us in our room for a cocktail kick off to our birthday Tuk Tuk tour. Three tuk tuks with our guide Jib, picked us up at 6:00 PM. We cruised through the traffic which really kept our attention. Our first stop was at Klong San market, a night street market that Jib made stops at various food stalls where we could sample all kinds of food. We then went to Wat Prayoon Temple where we were able to walk around all by ourselves as we listened to chanting drifting over to us from a nearby funeral. We learned that there about 450 temples. Thailand is about 96 percent Buddhist, 2 percent Muslim and Hindu, and two percent Christian. Next stop the giant swing and democracy monument. The whole area still had all of the decorations from the New Year celebration and it really was beautiful. Next we ate dinner at a wonderful Pad Thai restaurant which is the oldest one in Bangkok. At this point, I became ill, and things quickly went downhill for me. I made it to the next stop, the Wat
Pho Temple and realized that the end of the line for me. Luckily one of the tuk tuk drivers got me back to the hotel in record speed and I got in about ten. I insisted Jon stay out to finish the tour and he got back around 11:30 PM. Jon said they toured the night flower market, china town, then last stop was dessert and a suprise birthday cake for Jon. I was sooooo disappointed I missed the end of the evening, but Jon said it was fun !
Happy 70th Birthday to Jon - easily sliding into his day
The ol geezer pumping iron
Jim, Mike and Jon all getting their AM workout in
The wiring in this city is a nightmare - there are electrical wires everywhere all in a tangle !
Pond at the park
One of the 100's of food stands at the festival sponsored by the tourist board
Who is a tourist now ? Jon is ready with his camera and video recorder...
All of the white on the arrangements is popped rice
weaving demo
Made me smile
Wood carvings
UUmmm - sausage stand
These girls were getting ready to do a dance performance - it was fun watching them do each others hair and makeup
and the performances
There was a huge scroll that you could write messages on - we all wrote messages
Kids and lunchtime
This young girl was rocking her tribal outfit
A "Romance Farm" in Bangkok
It was so hot there were fans outside everywhere
Romantic moment for Mike and Jon
They do the groundskeeping with wicker baskets and actual straw brooms
Jana and I close to heaven with our foot massages
I actually got a neck massage too
There are massage parlors everywhere
After the festival we walked back to our hotel and decided to have a birthday beer
While we were having a beer the hotel staff surprised us with a birthday cake for Jon - how fun !
While Jon was showering, I did my best to decorate our room
Our pre tuk tuk birthday party
Danette and Jim
The birthday boy
Off for our Tuk Tuk tour
The tour route
Tuk Tuk cruising
Feet up and relaxing on our Tuk Tuk
One of our stops above - below is a video that I did not know I was taking - everytime I took a pic - somehow the video came on
Sampling the food at the night market
Back on our Tuk Tuk for the next stop
You can see a sliver of the moon between the temple spires
The festival of lights
Of course, a pic of the king
A well known Pad Thai restaurant for dinner
On to the next temple - this is where I headed home, but the others stayed out and finished the tour
Night Flower Market
Dessert in Chinatown with a surprise birthday cake for Jon
Heading back home after the tour
Fri. Jan 15 Bangkok
We rendezvoused with our tour group at 9:00 AM for introductions and overall briefing. We then headed out on a bus to tour. Again, stand still traffic till we made our way through Chinatown to the flower market at Pakklong Talad. The flower market is a huge business here and the flowers and arrangements are amazing. We then walked to the Chao Phraya river where we boarded a larger boat, and set off for more canal cruising. The canal was packed, and at one point we had to lock in with about 20 other boats. These guys literally packed in like sardines, nothing we have ever experienced before ! We cruised to a private home on a canal where we had a cooking demonstration then a delish Thai lunch. The communities on the canals, or "klongs" are not usually seen by tourists on land. We then cruised to see the Royal Barge museum, and got back to the hotel around 2:00 PM. The Royal barge museum housed the barges used by royalty for processions on the Chao Phraya River. We reconvened at 6:00 PM for a fabulous group dinner at a local Thai restaurant. We are not crazy about the curry dishes, or I should say they are not crazy about me, but everything else has been heavenly.
We rendezvoused with our tour group at 9:00 AM for introductions and overall briefing. We then headed out on a bus to tour. Again, stand still traffic till we made our way through Chinatown to the flower market at Pakklong Talad. The flower market is a huge business here and the flowers and arrangements are amazing. We then walked to the Chao Phraya river where we boarded a larger boat, and set off for more canal cruising. The canal was packed, and at one point we had to lock in with about 20 other boats. These guys literally packed in like sardines, nothing we have ever experienced before ! We cruised to a private home on a canal where we had a cooking demonstration then a delish Thai lunch. The communities on the canals, or "klongs" are not usually seen by tourists on land. We then cruised to see the Royal Barge museum, and got back to the hotel around 2:00 PM. The Royal barge museum housed the barges used by royalty for processions on the Chao Phraya River. We reconvened at 6:00 PM for a fabulous group dinner at a local Thai restaurant. We are not crazy about the curry dishes, or I should say they are not crazy about me, but everything else has been heavenly.
Schedule for the day - we started off at the flower market
Driving past Chinatown
People making interesting floral arrangements
There also was a produce section to the market, as well food stalls everywhere
Packing and unpacking the tuk tuks for produce transport
This guy was making potato chips
Heading off to school
Huge bamboo baskets used to transport goods
On our boat tour - saw this tug, in below picture it looks like a huge eye bolt is holding the tow line
Towing three barges from the front, and below as the barges passed us
Water view of temple
This cutie was the son of the couple who owned and operated the boat we were on
Locks along the canal
The smaller boats and elaborate floral decorations on the bow
Our group
The boat motors looked like car engines
Bangkok from the river
oncoming boat traffic
Lots of boats piled in waiting for the lock to open, this guy was a human fender
Jim and Mike
Boat vendor
More boat vendors staying cool in the shade of the trees
Coke bottles to painted dock decorations
Passing by kids on a dock
River map
Danette assisting the chef at our cooking demonstration
Clever toilet paper dispensers
In the kitchen of our cooking class
Jim and Jon - bring on the lunch
Our boat waiting at the dock of where we stopped for our cooking class and lunch
Fish at the dock
The boats fly through the canal leaving quite a wake
More boat vendors
Sat. Jan. 16 Bangkok
We had a 6:30 AM wake up and an 8:00 AM departure to tour the Grand Palace, and home of the Emerald Buddha. We wanted to arrive early to beat all of the Chinese tourists. Unfortunately the Chinese were there in hoardes and we spent the morning being pushed by the crowds. It was stifling hot again, but it really was worth the visit. Rama IV ruled from the palace and was portrayed in "the King and I". The Emerald Buddha is the most highly revered buddha statue in Thailand. We will be visiting quite a few temples and since you have to take your shoes adn hats off, it is recommended that you keep temple socks with you ! Next stop was back to Wat Pho Temple where we had visited during the evening of Jon;s birthday. Quite a different experience today as it was full of people. We were able to view the famous reclining Buddha. The grounds were beautiful with Buddhas and statues sculpted in various yoga poses. We relaxed in the afternnon and organized our bags for a 5:30 AM wake up, and 7:00 AM departure to the River Kwai. This evening we walked around a bit, and joined Jim, Danette and Deb at an Irish Pub where Jon and I ate dinner then back at the hotel at 8:30 AM to get to bed early for our early wake up call.
We had a 6:30 AM wake up and an 8:00 AM departure to tour the Grand Palace, and home of the Emerald Buddha. We wanted to arrive early to beat all of the Chinese tourists. Unfortunately the Chinese were there in hoardes and we spent the morning being pushed by the crowds. It was stifling hot again, but it really was worth the visit. Rama IV ruled from the palace and was portrayed in "the King and I". The Emerald Buddha is the most highly revered buddha statue in Thailand. We will be visiting quite a few temples and since you have to take your shoes adn hats off, it is recommended that you keep temple socks with you ! Next stop was back to Wat Pho Temple where we had visited during the evening of Jon;s birthday. Quite a different experience today as it was full of people. We were able to view the famous reclining Buddha. The grounds were beautiful with Buddhas and statues sculpted in various yoga poses. We relaxed in the afternnon and organized our bags for a 5:30 AM wake up, and 7:00 AM departure to the River Kwai. This evening we walked around a bit, and joined Jim, Danette and Deb at an Irish Pub where Jon and I ate dinner then back at the hotel at 8:30 AM to get to bed early for our early wake up call.
Benny showing us her orange umbrella so we can find her in the crowds
A directory of sorts
Below are photos from our visit to Wat Pho
Danette, Deb, Jana and me doing our best pose
This little flower was covered with bees
This place was crowded, mostly Chinese tourists
These two looked like they were quarreling
People praying and worshipping
Since you have to take your shoes off to enter the temples - there are shoes everywhere
Our group cueing up to go into the temple to see the emerald buddha
Who knew - the Emerald Buddha has seasonal outfits
The intricate adornments on the buildings and temples was amazing
Jon and the Tabor dragon
Head of the reclining buddha
Never let your guard down
It was steaming hot
Common sight - shoes on, shoes off
Touching this phalic sculpture was suppose to enhance fertility
I loved all theses statues posed in different yoga positions
Buddha, Buddha, Buddha
Jon, Me, Jim, Danette, Jana and Deb
Jon practicing for the squatty potty
Benny buying more snacks for us at the street vendor
Luckily I do not wear my DPH hat here
Everyone stopped in town for lunch, Jon and I decided to take the bus back to the hotel so we had a private coach to ourselves
Jim, Danette, Me, Jon and Deb - dinner at an Irish Pub
Sun. Jan 17 Kanchanaburi Hintook River Camp
Up and out of Bangkok early. Our first stop was at a salt flat where there was a guy also selling salt products. Next stop was the Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak where we sat single file in a very narrow boat while a guy paddled us around. It was unreal, all the boats mingled with both vendors and tourists. I did purchase a pair of elephant pants that I think are a requirement when visiting Bangkok. Next stop was the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery with the graves of lives lost from the construction of the River Kwai railroad. Next to it was a fascinating, overgrown Chinese cemetery that Jon and I spent most of our time at. After the cemetery we went to the River Kwai where the bridge was built and made well known by the movie "The River Kwai". We then ate at a restaurant on the that served family style Thai dishes. Our final stop was the Hellfire museum which was the area of the railroad where most people were killed. The workforce consistent of prisoners of war of the Japanese, then Chinese were brought in. Following the museum we actually walked through Hellfire pass. There still some railway ties there's, and drill bits and marks still in the rock walls. At the end of the walk we were brought to our hotel where we will go for two nights. The Hintook River Camp is set on a high bank of the River Kwai, and all the rooms are hard floored tents complete with air conditioning. We are definitely glamping. We promptly all checked in, settled into our tents then headed to the natural spring fed swimming pool. Afterward we organized our luggage - again ! We met for dinner at the center of the camp where they had a cookout with a variety of grilled food, Thai dishes, and salads. Early to bed ago with a 6:00 AM wake up.
Sun. Jan 17 Kanchanaburi Hintook River Camp
Up and out of Bangkok early. Our first stop was at a salt flat where there was a guy also selling salt products. Next stop was the Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak where we sat single file in a very narrow boat while a guy paddled us around. It was unreal, all the boats mingled with both vendors and tourists. I did purchase a pair of elephant pants that I think are a requirement when visiting Bangkok. Next stop was the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery with the graves of lives lost from the construction of the River Kwai railroad. Next to it was a fascinating, overgrown Chinese cemetery that Jon and I spent most of our time at. After the cemetery we went to the River Kwai where the bridge was built and made well known by the movie "The River Kwai". We then ate at a restaurant on the that served family style Thai dishes. Our final stop was the Hellfire museum which was the area of the railroad where most people were killed. The workforce consistent of prisoners of war of the Japanese, then Chinese were brought in. Following the museum we actually walked through Hellfire pass. There still some railway ties there's, and drill bits and marks still in the rock walls. At the end of the walk we were brought to our hotel where we will go for two nights. The Hintook River Camp is set on a high bank of the River Kwai, and all the rooms are hard floored tents complete with air conditioning. We are definitely glamping. We promptly all checked in, settled into our tents then headed to the natural spring fed swimming pool. Afterward we organized our luggage - again ! We met for dinner at the center of the camp where they had a cookout with a variety of grilled food, Thai dishes, and salads. Early to bed ago with a 6:00 AM wake up.
Our ride awaits us
Heading out of Bangkok
The road was lined with stalls selling salt
Flooded salt flat
Measuring and bagging salt
Arriving at the floating market
Mike, Me, Jon and Jana - heading into the busy part of the floating market
I spy coconut ice cream
Well, hello
Bit of a traffic jam
Look of determination
All the boats at a stand still
Everywhere and temples scattered around
Everything is for sale - snakes too
Hats for sale
Combing dollies hair
When I saw this guys bandaged ear, I thought Snake - 1 guy - 0 look at the monkey on the post looking on
That's a big load
These lamp post fixtures were really something
Local taxi
Kanchanaburi cemetery
The beautiful, ornate overgrown chinese cemetery
I don't know what his guy is telling this Cop, but I don't think the cop is buying it
At River Kwai
On the River Kwai bridge
Railroad tracks leading to, then over the River Kwai bridge
The gang - Deb, Jim Danette, Mike Jon, Me and Jana
Arrival sign at the fabulous Hintok River Camp
Looking down onto the natural rock swimming pool at the river's edge
Inside of our tent - glamping for sure !
Front of our tent
Beautiful view of the river
Boat dock down on the river front below camp
The pool
Dinner at the bar be cue on site
Mon. Jan 18 Kanchanaburi
We had a fabulous breakfast perched over the River Kwai. Off to the morning market where we were given money, and a food product to find and purchase. Catch was that our food item was written in Thai so we had to figure it out by taking to the vendors - we felt we we were on the Amazing race ! We then stopped at the Ban Phu Toey School where we spent about an hour and a half with a kindergarten class. They sang several songs for us, then somehow I was chosen to sing two different songs, then get everyone involved. We did the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "The Hokie Pokie". It was so much fun watching the kids follow all the movements of the songs ! Next we each got a child to read to. Jon and I each got a little girl. Jons little girl was completely enamored with him and I think the feeling was quite mutual. He taught her to say Yabba daba doo ! She would not let go of his hand ! Next stop we toured an area of maybe ten dwellings, then off to a food coop and vegetable farm. We all piled into a school bus, but not quite of the American variety ! At the farm we toured with the owner and sampled sweet tamarind, papaya, pumpkin peach, banana and several other fruits right from the tree. Next we went to their home for lunch where we had a cooking demonstration on how to make a papaya carrot salad. We were served family style, a Thai lunch. I have to say, dessert was a green tapioca pudding made with sweetened coconut milk and my life may never be the same it was so amazing !! After lunch we took a boat cruise on the River Kwai in small Long tail speedboats that each held about 8 passengers. We got back to our hotel around 3:00 PM. I had an hour long massage and we are now getting ready to walk into the village for dinner with our group. Tomorrow is a 5:30 AM wake up and we head to Pitsanulok. The river camp really is gorgeous, it has sheep and dogs, birds singing and flying around, and some very ornery roosters that were crowing before 6:00 AM this morning !!
We had a fabulous breakfast perched over the River Kwai. Off to the morning market where we were given money, and a food product to find and purchase. Catch was that our food item was written in Thai so we had to figure it out by taking to the vendors - we felt we we were on the Amazing race ! We then stopped at the Ban Phu Toey School where we spent about an hour and a half with a kindergarten class. They sang several songs for us, then somehow I was chosen to sing two different songs, then get everyone involved. We did the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "The Hokie Pokie". It was so much fun watching the kids follow all the movements of the songs ! Next we each got a child to read to. Jon and I each got a little girl. Jons little girl was completely enamored with him and I think the feeling was quite mutual. He taught her to say Yabba daba doo ! She would not let go of his hand ! Next stop we toured an area of maybe ten dwellings, then off to a food coop and vegetable farm. We all piled into a school bus, but not quite of the American variety ! At the farm we toured with the owner and sampled sweet tamarind, papaya, pumpkin peach, banana and several other fruits right from the tree. Next we went to their home for lunch where we had a cooking demonstration on how to make a papaya carrot salad. We were served family style, a Thai lunch. I have to say, dessert was a green tapioca pudding made with sweetened coconut milk and my life may never be the same it was so amazing !! After lunch we took a boat cruise on the River Kwai in small Long tail speedboats that each held about 8 passengers. We got back to our hotel around 3:00 PM. I had an hour long massage and we are now getting ready to walk into the village for dinner with our group. Tomorrow is a 5:30 AM wake up and we head to Pitsanulok. The river camp really is gorgeous, it has sheep and dogs, birds singing and flying around, and some very ornery roosters that were crowing before 6:00 AM this morning !!
Below are the sounds we woke up to
Our outdoor shower
Breakfast - it was still dark at our wake up call
The bar be cue area from night before
Main lobby area
Breakfast buffet
The usual breakfast condiments
Check in area
Morning view of river
Lots of lovely little touches everywhere
Danette - major photo bomber
And we are off again - Jon and Jim
May I help you
A lazy day for pups
I would love to have one of these motorbikes with side cars
Shopping at the market looking for our product we were assigned to buy
Benny with a bag full of snacks
Arriving at the school
Cups for snack time
The kids performed several songs for us - amped up the cute factor
I put my side shy aside, and taught the kids the Hokie Pokie
Time to read to the kids
Jon's little girl was enamored with him
Playing
Kids all came out to say good bye to us
Jon wanted to stay with the kids
Next stop an explanation about the local agricultural areas and co-op
Various packaged seasonings
Our ride to the village
Keri and Jon
Deb, Me and Jim
I want him
Walking around the village
Red chilis being sun dried out
Proud papa
More drying chilis
Boot pegs - great idea
On to visit our hosts garden - it is huge
Cut open Durian fruit - wish we could get this here
Papaya trees
The brown pods on the tree are tamarind
Ginger plants
Demo on how to make papaya salad
Lunch time
My all time favorite dessert - it was tapioca in sweetened coconut cream - oh la la
Inside of our hosts home
Living room
Kitchen
Bedroom
River cruise - passing by another river front resort
Water buffalo
Suspension bridge over the river
Our boat
So beautiful and peaceful here
Jon venturing across the suspension bridge
Others starting over an being met a motorbike - it was a pretty narrow bridge
Collecting the crops
What mooda is your buddha in ?
More bridge traffic
Back to camp for R and R
Walking down the road a bit to the village for dinner
Dinner time ! Jon Ben, Keri and Ron
The kitchen
Food line
Question and answer time with Benny and the restaurant owner who was also the mayor of the village