42, is like only 5 more Mondays, if you know what I mean

Yes, 42 days until the fam departs. Less than 6 weeks, so only 5 more  Monday mornings. Think I am counting the days?

Today is Monday and Deeds is at the office, Lena and her best friend Caits and beau Brad are packing for their 8 day adventure in and out of Thailand.
Lena has put together an excursion to Laos to do some white water rafting. Yeah. Most people try this on the Ottawa River first, not some tributary of the Mekong. They are taking an overnight train to north Thailand and crossing over into Laos by bus. Then on to the booze cruise, yeah that is really what it is. Only a different version of a swing around Toronto harbour. Drink lots in many places along the river. Apparently there are these bars set up along the river. Boats pull in, you drink, have some fried rice or noodles and off you go again.
They will be staying at hostels along the way. From Laos they return to Thailand and fly to Phuket for another hostel stay and some serious beach and more party time. Ask Nikki about the good times in Phuket. Their 8 day whirlwind finds them back in BKK next week. A few short excursions are planned. A day trip up to Authaya and an elephant prison, no actually I am told it is a sanctuary for elephants. Apparently this is different. They raise them and treat them well. Don't think they even ride them. Just feed them hay and bananas.
From there off to Pattaya and a few days at our condo there where they will take in some more serious beach time and the local flavour.

In the meantime Deeds and I are just ticking off the weekends. We have a few in and around Thailand. One excursion to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. This remaining temple built on this spot in the early 12th century and is a symbol of Cambodia. Revered throughout the Buddhist world. A must see for all those who come to Thailand and happen to see 30 or 40 other temples in their travels.

I am still golfing a little, but not really crazy for it like I was a while ago. Or perhaps knowing  that in a few short weeks because we are traveling home and I won't be playing I might as well knock off now. In addition or perhaps as an explanation it all came tumbling down with the floods. As you know my golf course and many others within a reasonable driving distance was flooded and these courses are still out of commission. This put a great crimp in the golfing style. Not to mention a significant additional cost.

• Thailand Myth # 8 - The golf over there is really cheap. Not true at all. In fact it is as expensive as Toronto golf. Green Fees run around 1600 Baht = $50. Golf cart 700 baht = $21 and don't forget the mandatory caddy fee 300 baht = $10 and then the caddy tip at end 300 or more = $10. All in $90. 

My new course is one plus hours away and there are no Falang playing there so I basically spend 3 hours in the car and play a round of golf by myself. Not really something you look forward to doing 2 or 3 times a week. The golf courses here do not press to have you join into another group. They are content to let you play on your own. The local Thais are not eager to have you join as they see it more as a social outing and you are not part of their social scene for that day. So I am less enthused of late. I still have my regular game with the lads from Bangkok Golf Club at an adjacent course with very similar fees to those listed above.

Hockey talk. What are the Habs doing? Not just playing out the string they could be ruining their chances of a great draft pick and the possibility of building a team around one star player. No way they can make up 7 points on the likes of Washington, Winnipeg and Florida, never mind the Leafs and Senators. Just more proof that Gauthier has got to go.
Leafs playing in the Winter Classic. Wow. Who woulda thunk that the NHL would actually let a Canadian team into their little festival. Good on the Leafs. Hope they still sell out the stadium!!

Talk to you soon
Sawadee Krup