Satun, On the Planet Earth

I'm hanging out here in Satun, on the border of Malaysia, until tomorrow. Here are some hi-lights from the last couple of days...

I left my Hotel after several relaxing days in Songkhla. 79.3 kg (Now I only look 2 months pregnant.)

Major Chit took me to a beautiful resort just outside Satun. This place is famous for it's birds. My Mom was asking why I go to places with so many birds and not include photos in my Blog. See all these birds? That's why. It's a skill I haven't quite mastered.

Early Sunday morning, we visited a famous market that is right on the border between Malaysia and Thailand. It stretches 2km along this stretch of highway.

This is actually Malaysia. You can see the same kinds of Mountainous features in the background as you find in Krabi or Phattalung.

There are a majority of Moslem people here in the border towns. Malaysia is a predominantly Moslem Country.

Then we had a wonderful Thai meal. Chit just assumed we have this creature in Canada. It did look very familiar to me but then I realized it looks just like the monsters from the Movie; 'Alien' ("In outer space they can't hear you scream".)

Here's what it looks like from underneath. (I have alerted NASA.)

It's actually a Horseshoe Crab. What you see here is the Crab pulled open to expose the eggs, which you eat with the Thai salad that is packed between the layers of the shell. Sort of tastes like chewy walnuts. I kept smiling and saying 'aroi, aroi' so they just kept giving me more. The things I do for my Country...

Today was a struggle at first. I headed out at 8am to find a travel agent to arrange a tour of the Islands. But almost no one speaks English here. Finally, this beautiful woman saved my life. She is Prapapan and she arranged all my tickets as well as giving me some great tips on how to get the most out of my journey. It's probably impolite, but I ask many Thais their age. I was wrong by ten years with Prapapan. Kopt khun krup for all your help! Next stop: Koh Turutao.

Thale Noi; A Life In A Day

Thale Noi Bird Sanctuary, Thailand, January 29, 2006

This was a day that encompassed a lifetime of beauty.

Jook's sister; 'Ten' invited a bunch of us to Thale Noi Bird Sanctuary, near Phattalung. This is a world heritage site on a huge lake that drains out into the Gulf of Thailand. The water is actually fresh water and salt water combined.

We stayed in these wood huts on the water. They are reserved for staff only, but Ten is a government Nurse with many connections so we were given permission to stay here for a night.

We got up around 7am and sat drinking coffee on the dock while we watched the sunrise.

As it warmed up, the lotus flowers began opening up all over the lake.

Jookie got us a 'Long tail Boat' and pilot, to take us into the wetlands.

Ten brought her son; Chip; along. We call him the little monkey and he lives up to that name. He's always exploring or eating something. He's a sweet little guy.

We saw a wonderful array of birds, flying and nesting, but the most amazing sight for me was the sight of so many lotus covering the lake around us.
When we got back to the dock, we stopped for a great 'aroi mark mark' Thai breakfast. Then Jook's brother drove me to town to take a mini bus to Hat Yai where I got on yet another bus to take me to Songkhla. It was only 11am.

Phattalung Plantation

Phattalung, Thailand, January 29, 2006

I have been working my way South to Malaysia to meet up with my buddy, Ted and his wife Bee. My very dear friend Jookie invited me to visit her home town; Phattalung; and see the rich countryside and plantations there.

This is a fertile area of Thailand with many rice paddies and rubber trees. The land tends to be relatively flat with huge rocky deposits like this one.

We started by bringing food for the monks at the local Temple. After they ate their meal of rice, fruits and vegetables, we bowed our heads while a monk sprinkled a blessing of water on us.

Then we had our own lunch. From left to right this is: Jookie, Jookie's brother 'On' and her sister 'Ten'.

You may remember these two; 'Red' and 'Green' (I promise, I'm not making their names up.) They live in Bangkok with Jookie. Jook always calls them her sisters but they are really her cousins. But what I love about Thailand is that there isn't really a distinction made between sisters and cousins. They actually act as if they are Jookie's daughters.

I tell you this because these are their parents; Aree and Pak. The family have a rubber tree plantation and have worked it for several generations.

Jookie also has her own plantation. Her sister; 'Ten' manages it for her.

Here is a tub of the rubber as it looks when it has been collected and poured into aluminum containers. The rubber is dumped out while it is still pliable and it is pushed flat like home-made bread. It is then run through those presses you see, to flatten it out.

Finally, it is hung to dry. It looks like long car floor mats when it is done. Later it is sold in this form and can be melted back down to be made into tires or whatever the manufacturer chooses to make of it. A typical family plantation like this one earns about fifteen thousand baht per month ($500 Canadian Dollars).

The other thing you see here is Water Buffalo. They use them to do some of the physical labor and for their milk (I think).

Pak is harvesting their other crop; Somo; a fruit that tastes like a mild version of a grapefruit.