"Salaam Alekum"

Songkhla, Thailand, 2006

The Major has been showing me around Songkhla so much that this was actually my first chance to just hang out at the beach. When I came out of the water I sat down and looked over to my left.

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There were a horde of lovely Students staring at me and smiling. I got up and said: "Salaam Alekum" (God is with you), to them. They all shrieked with joy and replied: "Malakum salaam"(and with you). How did I know to address this group of Muslims in this fashion? Was it my worldly knowledge of Religion? What it my cunning instinct? No. I had just read a book by Wilbur Smith, and that's what he said to say. (Thanks Scott and Judy for that book.)
The students rushed over and asked me to take a photo of them.

Then They insisted that I join in a photo with them. I can't really explain why this happens so often to me but I love it. And to you wonderful students who made me feel so welcome on the beach of Songkhla today, let me just say "Allah Akbar." God is Great.

A Life In a Day 2

Songkhla, Thailand, January 29, 2006

I had already experienced so many amazing sights at the Bird Sanctuary. So now I headed to Hat Yai and on to the Coastal City of Songkhla to relax on the beach (again)...

When I got there I gave a call to Jookie's Uncle, who happens to be Major Chit; the head of the Thai Malaysia liaison Embassy in the City.

He met me at the Embassy and introduced me to his men.

The next thing I knew, he had arranged for a lieutenant in his command to act as official translator and off we went on a sight-seeing tour. We drove onto a Ferry and across to an Island that houses one of Thailand's top Museums of History. My translator made a call to his wife to say he would be staying in town to show me around. I objected. I told the Major I didn't feel right about taking lieutenant Sadit (Sah-deet') away from his family just for me but I soon learned that when Major Chit gives an order, we obey.

This is a view from the Museum overlooking the longest bridge in Thailand, from the Island to the Mainland.
What I notice most about Songkhla is the Architecture. The lines are clean and the building techniques are the best I've seen anywhere in the Country. This is a look-out structure for seeing the Ocean and the Mainland.

This is a silk tapestry from the Museum. Mom.

The Major was honored to be photographed beside a portrait of one of his favorite Monks.

Then we headed to another Viewpoint Structure up a Mountain in Songkhla. You can see the Blue water of the Gulf.

Remember when you called to make sure your Uncle had not made me join the army, Jookie? That's him talking to you on his Cell Phone. And that's what we were looking at. So Soay!

Just down from the Citadel is a Naga staircase, built on orders from King Rama V, around 1900. The Major and the lieutenant took me all over the City to show me the sights, feed me great food and finally to this place where my new best friend; 'Suw' gave me a wonderful Thai massage (100 baht for one hour).

Suw is the one on the right. I'm not really sure who the others are but they all live there too. The one in the back is 'Pon'. They fed me very well and I gave them Canadian souvenirs.
I finally got to my hotel about 11:30 pm. When I reflect on the events and the beauty I experienced, it's hard to believe I did so much, in two separate Cities, in the same day

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.