No this is not the combination to my locker at school.
These numbers represent the countdown and tallies that we do here in BKK when we are sitting around looking at the ceiling and such.
32 - that is the number of sleep over guests we have had to date at our digs here in BKK. Not a bad number when you stop and think about how far they have to travel. Hope that we can get that kind of visitation headcount at our next assignment in Sioux Lookout, or maybe if we go to Iqaluit, Nunavut.
My mom's words keep ringing in my ears about this. When I told her we were going to Asia her response was, "Why do you want to go way over there? You've go a big country right here that you haven't seen all of and now you want to go gallivanting all around the world." Point well made ma.
4 - that is the number of remaining planned visitors we have. Just two more groups in February/March. Our friends Sheila and Andy left this morning at 4:30 am for their flight back to Canada. We celebrated their visit with many dinners out, last night being one of the best. Great Thai food and a decent Riesling wine to wash it all down.
56 - the number of days we have remaining in Thailand. Woohoo.
We are ready to go home, and don't get me wrong it has been a lot of fun, an unbelievable adventure. But as you can tell from my blogging the bloom is off the rose so to speak. No more great adventure stories spilling out onto the page.
Deeds and I were talking this morning over tea that we have a weekend with no plans coming up and we were wondering what we should do with it. Travel to another country for a weekend away - done that. Go to the beach and sit around reading - done that, done that, done that. Visit ancient ruins, or temples - check. Go walking around BKK looking for the strange, different and unusual - already have a blue ribbon for that kind of foray. How about some shopping - ahh.... no! Cause I definitely got the tee shirt for that one.
We kinda have the feeling that we have done what we want to do. We haven't done it all. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But I feel good about the place I am in. I have, we have, done a lot of stuff over here, as well as live our lives if you know what I mean. So we are definitely feeling good about leaving soon and starting to look for some slightly different adventures.
We have out trip home of course. But I'm sitting here thinking about all the little neighbourhoods in Toronto that I haven't been too. Lived in and around the city for 30 plus years and I don't do half of what I can do right there in T.O.
When was the last time you went to Kensington, St. Lawrence Market, St. Clair Avenue, or a hundred other of the great little areas with restaurants and shops/markets in T.O?
That's what I 'm talking about.
That is on our list when we get back and we sure hope that you will come along with us in Toronto, like some of you did here. In fact help us out. Think about this adventure moniker for a get together and pick a place, area, restaurant, whatever and when we get back to Toronto in the summer, invite us to go along with you to some place you want to show off or have never been before. We would love to go with you.
Sawasdee Krup
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sun nien fai lok
And of course you all know Kung hei fat choi.
My heading means Happy New Year and the greeting that you all know - Kung hei fat choi is "May you become prosperous.
There is a very big Chinese influence in Thailand and none of this is more evident then the celebration of the Chinese New Year. This year the year of the dragon.
The whole fam is headed down to Chinatown tonight with a group of Diane's work colleagues to enjoy the festival.
So on to the news...... Lena has dropped her workload to four days a week with two jobs. She quit the M to F half days to give herself a little more time and because she really did feel like it was unfair to the school to only be working until March and then leave then short when we head home. Better they find a full time replacement for her now. So only working full day on Saturday and half day Sunday at an international language school called Lalingua. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings she has classes with folks from Thanachart Bank. The time off has already paid dividends for Lenz. Went to the condo on Sunday afternoon as Deeds and I exited and Lena stayed till mid day Tuesday. Soaking up some sun and taking it easy by the pool.
Deedles is working four days a week, just like back home. We get to travel a little bit, or at least go to the condo in Pattaya for two and a half days every week to chill out. Work is going really well for her and therefore not even worth talking about here. No pressure, no issues at this point.
Jer, well he is working even harder now then he has in all the time in BKK. Yeah I am the offiical travel agent for the team. We have started to book our return to the Great White North, more on that in following paragraphs.
First our latest trip. Bali. For my birthday Diane took me to Bali for a four day weekend. We flew out Thursday morning and came back on Sunday, January 15. Just before our second last visitors arrived. Sheila and Andy are last minute travelers. I believe they decided to come to Thailand around the middle of December and boom here they are. Midway thru their trip now, in Cambodia as I write this, back for a few days in Pattatya and then home to the winter. Our last visitors arrive mid Feb. Lena's best friend Caitlin and Brad. They have a great trip planned and Lena will be sure to tell you all about it. So Bali.
Awesome place. Very English friendly. Seems like everyone there spoke decent English. Cheap as Thailand so good value. Food is not as interesting or as many dishes offered as here but good nonetheless. It is a little more toward the young folk then the mature traveler like myself but very enjoyable for both of us. Oh, and of course it is on the other side of the equator. Actually 8 degrees south, just like BKK is 8 degrees north. So same climate, trees, etc., which means......... rainy season!
Yes, if it is dry on one side of the equator it is raining on the other side. Rained every day. Poured the first day, we couldn't even see out the taxi window as we bumped down a lane way to our first hotel. (Yes first, Deedles story to follow). At the end of the lane way there were cows grazing in a field.
So a little off the beaten path! Good selling point on their website, serene, away from the noise of the city. No discos to worry about..... Just the balling of baby cows in the middle of the night is all. Big huge cowbells clanking around thier necks. And they are there every night staring at you as the taxi pulls up, saying "Home a little early tonight aren't ya folks! Going to bed already? It's only 9:30!!"
Yeah you guessed it. We are out of here. Just wasn't right. And my Deedles does not settle for run of the mill. Ever want to get a room upgrade, call Deeds. Think you should be in the penthouse rather than the room facing the dumpster, call Deeds.
While I slept (was easily 10 for the cows big fat information) Deeds got on the internets and found us an absolutely gorgeous hotel. Way out of our snack bracket but since it was my birthday, voila. She made it happen. Guess in some small way I am worth it. (Big grin) A few words to the front desk and we were gone. To the Ayana Hotel and Resort.
Unbelievable property. Great vistas of the Indian Ocean. Close to local seaside restaurants which we sampled. A fresh seafood dinner on the beach....... well except that it is rainy season. Freaking monsoon hit about 15 minutes after we settled in, lucky for us the German couple at table 8 finished their garlic shrimp in a hurry so we were able to watch the rain beat down on the beach from a safe distance. Until the staff draw down the bamboo blinds. Yeah it rains so hard there is collateral soaking if you don't close the windows. But it turned out to be the best. A great night out in Bali. Wow, I can't even imagine myself even saying it. Bali. Who doesn't want to go there. If you can, do it.
We did some touring around the island. Went to Ubud an artsy town near the middle of the island. They have a sacred Monkey Forest / Sanctuary on the edge of town. Was getting ready to rain and very dark so the pics kinda suck. But a great walk up the streets of Ubud. Many boutique style stores and open rooms with artists painting and doing sculptures. Very cool.
The All Star break is upon us. Man there are some good hockey teams out there. St Louis Blues are very impressive with our boy Jaro in nets. Bruins unfortunately are stronger than ever, Rangers right there with them.
Ahh but my Habs. Party is over for Les Glorieux this year. At least I hope so.
Time to dump some of the mighty mites and get a few picks for the draft. You know that all the success in the league now (and in the past too) is through the draft. Build a team of your own, buy few from the street.
Need to get Nail. Just like the Leafs we haven't had a top NHL forward on our team in 20 years, or longer back as far as Lafleur.
And of course there is no controversy like Habs controversy. French speaking coach, of course ya dope. How else do you talk to the press? Would Toronto put up with a French speaking coach who was uni lingual? But still, it is a distraction that worsens the plight.
But good hockey is out there and I certainly still watch my share. Blues and Red Wings yesterday was a great game.
And now the good news, we are coming home. Our first few legs of the trip have been booked. Flights only. No hotels or tours yet. We depart BKK on March 26. Deedles will be finished work on the 23rd. So my job in those last weeks will be to arrange packing and shipping to happen on the 27th or 28th, want to sleep on sheets the last night, hahaha. We are looking to use a sea container for our stuff, which isn't really much, but too much for air freight we think. Work, work, work. If it ain't one thing it's another.
Sawadee Krup
My heading means Happy New Year and the greeting that you all know - Kung hei fat choi is "May you become prosperous.
There is a very big Chinese influence in Thailand and none of this is more evident then the celebration of the Chinese New Year. This year the year of the dragon.
The whole fam is headed down to Chinatown tonight with a group of Diane's work colleagues to enjoy the festival.
So on to the news...... Lena has dropped her workload to four days a week with two jobs. She quit the M to F half days to give herself a little more time and because she really did feel like it was unfair to the school to only be working until March and then leave then short when we head home. Better they find a full time replacement for her now. So only working full day on Saturday and half day Sunday at an international language school called Lalingua. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings she has classes with folks from Thanachart Bank. The time off has already paid dividends for Lenz. Went to the condo on Sunday afternoon as Deeds and I exited and Lena stayed till mid day Tuesday. Soaking up some sun and taking it easy by the pool.
Deedles is working four days a week, just like back home. We get to travel a little bit, or at least go to the condo in Pattaya for two and a half days every week to chill out. Work is going really well for her and therefore not even worth talking about here. No pressure, no issues at this point.
Jer, well he is working even harder now then he has in all the time in BKK. Yeah I am the offiical travel agent for the team. We have started to book our return to the Great White North, more on that in following paragraphs.
First our latest trip. Bali. For my birthday Diane took me to Bali for a four day weekend. We flew out Thursday morning and came back on Sunday, January 15. Just before our second last visitors arrived. Sheila and Andy are last minute travelers. I believe they decided to come to Thailand around the middle of December and boom here they are. Midway thru their trip now, in Cambodia as I write this, back for a few days in Pattatya and then home to the winter. Our last visitors arrive mid Feb. Lena's best friend Caitlin and Brad. They have a great trip planned and Lena will be sure to tell you all about it. So Bali.
Awesome place. Very English friendly. Seems like everyone there spoke decent English. Cheap as Thailand so good value. Food is not as interesting or as many dishes offered as here but good nonetheless. It is a little more toward the young folk then the mature traveler like myself but very enjoyable for both of us. Oh, and of course it is on the other side of the equator. Actually 8 degrees south, just like BKK is 8 degrees north. So same climate, trees, etc., which means......... rainy season!
Yes, if it is dry on one side of the equator it is raining on the other side. Rained every day. Poured the first day, we couldn't even see out the taxi window as we bumped down a lane way to our first hotel. (Yes first, Deedles story to follow). At the end of the lane way there were cows grazing in a field.
So a little off the beaten path! Good selling point on their website, serene, away from the noise of the city. No discos to worry about..... Just the balling of baby cows in the middle of the night is all. Big huge cowbells clanking around thier necks. And they are there every night staring at you as the taxi pulls up, saying "Home a little early tonight aren't ya folks! Going to bed already? It's only 9:30!!"
Yeah you guessed it. We are out of here. Just wasn't right. And my Deedles does not settle for run of the mill. Ever want to get a room upgrade, call Deeds. Think you should be in the penthouse rather than the room facing the dumpster, call Deeds.
While I slept (was easily 10 for the cows big fat information) Deeds got on the internets and found us an absolutely gorgeous hotel. Way out of our snack bracket but since it was my birthday, voila. She made it happen. Guess in some small way I am worth it. (Big grin) A few words to the front desk and we were gone. To the Ayana Hotel and Resort.
 |
| The famous Rock Bar, hanging out into the Indian Ocean |
 |
| Beach Pool |
 |
| A little Balinese serenade at the main pool |
 |
| Nice Rooms too. A great balcony! |
 |
| Pool fades into the Indian Ocean. Sweet. |
Unbelievable property. Great vistas of the Indian Ocean. Close to local seaside restaurants which we sampled. A fresh seafood dinner on the beach....... well except that it is rainy season. Freaking monsoon hit about 15 minutes after we settled in, lucky for us the German couple at table 8 finished their garlic shrimp in a hurry so we were able to watch the rain beat down on the beach from a safe distance. Until the staff draw down the bamboo blinds. Yeah it rains so hard there is collateral soaking if you don't close the windows. But it turned out to be the best. A great night out in Bali. Wow, I can't even imagine myself even saying it. Bali. Who doesn't want to go there. If you can, do it.
We did some touring around the island. Went to Ubud an artsy town near the middle of the island. They have a sacred Monkey Forest / Sanctuary on the edge of town. Was getting ready to rain and very dark so the pics kinda suck. But a great walk up the streets of Ubud. Many boutique style stores and open rooms with artists painting and doing sculptures. Very cool.
 | |
| Habs lose another one |
The All Star break is upon us. Man there are some good hockey teams out there. St Louis Blues are very impressive with our boy Jaro in nets. Bruins unfortunately are stronger than ever, Rangers right there with them.
Ahh but my Habs. Party is over for Les Glorieux this year. At least I hope so.
Time to dump some of the mighty mites and get a few picks for the draft. You know that all the success in the league now (and in the past too) is through the draft. Build a team of your own, buy few from the street.
Need to get Nail. Just like the Leafs we haven't had a top NHL forward on our team in 20 years, or longer back as far as Lafleur.
 |
| And in some parts of Thailand too...... |
And of course there is no controversy like Habs controversy. French speaking coach, of course ya dope. How else do you talk to the press? Would Toronto put up with a French speaking coach who was uni lingual? But still, it is a distraction that worsens the plight.
But good hockey is out there and I certainly still watch my share. Blues and Red Wings yesterday was a great game.
And now the good news, we are coming home. Our first few legs of the trip have been booked. Flights only. No hotels or tours yet. We depart BKK on March 26. Deedles will be finished work on the 23rd. So my job in those last weeks will be to arrange packing and shipping to happen on the 27th or 28th, want to sleep on sheets the last night, hahaha. We are looking to use a sea container for our stuff, which isn't really much, but too much for air freight we think. Work, work, work. If it ain't one thing it's another.
Sawadee Krup
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Happy New Year
Lena went to Koh Semat with some friends on Friday afternoon and also had a fantastic time.
We had brought plenty of food and drink with us to last us the whole time. We ventured out to go for dinner two of the nights. First night we went out was to go to a local place that we thought was going to be a Thai food treat. The first couple of times I had strolled past the restaurant it was packed, with local Thai people. Always a good sign for good Thai food right? Well it turns out that this place only had five Thai dishes on the menu!! What a surprise that was to us. We were all set for the big Thai feast and now we are looking for an alternative.
So we headed back up the street to an outdoor Thai kitchen that we have visited before. Very basic, good price, good Thai food. On the way there however we had to pass a little food cart that serves up chicken shawarmas, they call them kebabs, but wrapped in a pita, with lettuce, tomatoe, cucumber and topped with three different sauces clearly says shawarma not kebab.
Well Deeds dares me, "Would you rather have one of these than walk all the way to the kitchen?"
"I'm in"
There were two kids in front of us, they had ordered four between them, we wanted the same.
Gonna take a while say Kuhn Dic the cook of the chicken stacked on the rotisserie. There is a Russian guy behind us who laughs at his simple order for one shawarma!
So to kill the time we decide to get a large bottle of San Miguel and settle in, so does the Russian customer. Turns out he speaks a little english and we strike up a conversation. Nice young fella, from Siberia. Really, we say. Siberia, how did you get out, hahahaha. Well it is only a six hour train ride from my town to the city with the airport. And then only 7 hour flight to Thailand.
So to those who have been here and seen way too many Ruuskies in Pattaya, well there is a little explanation. Only a 7 hour flight. And it seems most of them are from Siberia.
Oh and the shawarma with a movie was a terrific replacement for the thai feast we went out looking for.
So we are back now and going back to normal. Deeds is at work, so is Lena and I am sitting here watching the boys get there butts kicked in the WJHC by Russia. Glad I could get the feed but not real happy with the outcome. 5 - 1 after two periods. Lets see if they can make a game of it in the third.
We have a few more visitors coming. Our friends Sheila and Andy are next, arriving in the middle of the month. We may get a few friends kids who are traveling through Thailand as well, I will update the body count next time around, but it is getting really close to 30.
Oh and one other count that you will see as well.
19
Yeah 19 weeks before we are back in Canada. Still too many sleeps to mention but that is less than 5 months.
Sawasdee Krup
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