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

Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang, Laos, April 23, 2005

As I was waiting to get my knapsack from the boat I met up with a fellow traveller from Osaka, who said he would show me a good place to stay.

Hiromi Saori is a writer for Lonely Planet and has been travelling for forty years. He has worked as a diplomat, a broadcaster and freelance writer. He is also a self professed hippie. He led a bunch of us from the boat, like the pied piper, to a guest house that rents for two dollars a night.

Here's the Guesthouse I stayed at. It was very simple, with showers outside the rooms, but very comfortable and clean.

These are two Japanese girls who arrived with us on the Slow Boat. I'm sorry I can't find your names but it was very nice meeting you both.

After settling in at our Guesthouse, Hiro took a couple of us to his favorite bistro and we had noodles for 1000 kip (one dollar US). Then we found a bunch of children playing, so Hiro made them some origami birds and butterflies.

These kids wouldn't let me alone until I took all of their pictures.

The next day, I just hung out and relaxed. I didn't realize how tired I really was. I found a copy of a book Nancy from Winnipeg had suggested: Atlas Shrugged and spent the day reading. It wasn't until 7am the next morning when I suddenly realized I was a day behind in my thinking. I sprung out of bed, headed for a travel agent, bought a ticket for 10am for Vang Vieng and grabbed a tuk tuk driver to give me a very quick tour before leaving.

This is considered to be the oldest Temple in Laos; 300 or more years old.

In my Lonely Planet guide, these carved walls are described as exquisite. I agree.

The Seven-Headed Naga is a common Motif in the Thai Temples.

The attention to detail, even in the pillars of these Temples, is staggering.

I noticed a strong Chinese influence in the Pagoda style structures.

As I was passing by, a young Monk called me over. I thought he wanted to talk about the mystic secrets of Buddha. What he said was: "Hey, you got email?"

I agreed to send my new friends, copies of these pics.

The face of this Buddha gave me shivers. It felt so familiar.

More Joy In Ubon: Mar24

I have a passion for Buddhist Temples so Joy took me on the Motorcycle tour of Temples.

You can see the Naga theme repeated in these Temples and also the Chinese influence through color and the use of dragons.

I want to give these guys from Sony special mention. I showed them my camera and wanted them to see if they could replace the flash which I thought had burned out. The three of them looked at it for two seconds, pushed a button and handed it back to me all fixed. So my night shots are thanks to my new best friends here.

When ever I see a monkey I think of my dear friend from Bangkok and can't resist taking a picture for her. Here's to you Toi!

Joy and Gai are best friends and this is one of the best pictures I took of them. Joy kept trying to marry me off to her friends including Gai. For those of you looking for a great marriage partner, I highly recommend Gai. She has a beautiful spirit, a wonderful sense of humor and she owns her own home. Plus, can she ever cook. But remember, before you can meet Gai, you have to get approved by Joy!

Today is Gai's birthday. I got her a that stuffed dog and a birthday cake. Thais don't make a very big deal of birthdays but they love to celebrate. Gai said this was the best birthday she ever had. Joy and I both got Gai Birthday cakes but when I suggested we put candles on them Joy gave me a look of disgust. "We not like blow on cake with breath. Not good to spit on cake." I admitted I had never considered that but I couldn't resist pointing out that hers is the same culture that thinks nothing of eating food that has flies landing on it and grasshoppers are a delicacy here in Ubon. As if to make sense of the grasshopper thing, Joy said: "Yes, but first take legs off"

I felt like I was at a progressive supper. Joy, Gai and I got on motorcycles and went down the street where we met up with 'Oi' for a some lunch.

As we were eating, another friend showed up. I asked what her name was and as if they thought I was daft they said: "Oi! Her name is Oi!" I said: I thought the other woman's name was Oi. "Yes", Joy said. But that is small Oi. This Big Oi."

Then my buddy 'Pond'(pro.'Pone+D) showed up He's five. As soon as he saw me he sat right up beside me, I put my arm around him and that's how he stayed the rest of the day.
Pond's mother died at childbirth and his father died of Cancer before he was born. Small Oi already has two children and can't really afford to take care of him but Thais just take care of each other anyway. Oi's husband drives a bus and makes very little money and is also away alot so Pond really enjoyed having a man around on this day.

After lunch, we all got in a pickup truck and went to see some Temples.

This is a Jackfruit that was growing on the grounds of this Temple. Pond loves to have his picture taken. It's not that I kept inviting him into the shot. He just would run in to be in the picture. You'll see a lot of Pond on this day...

I had no idea what he was saying most of the time but I just did whatever he said. Just after this picture was taken Pond motioned me to take him to a walled in pond nearby. I lifted him off my shoulders and stood him on the top of the wall. I thought it was some kind of enclosed garden. I looked down and there below us, just a few feet away was a ten foot crocodile sunning himself. At first Pond looked scared but then he looked down at me and smiled. I guess he figured I would protect him so he relaxed. I have got to learn more Thai words!

We were in a Budhist Museum sitting in front of a wax figure of one of the most famous Monks in all of Thailand. Suddenly Gai's cell phone rang and everyone tried to shush her as she started talking.

Joy laughed so hard she fell down and then they all were laughing uncontrollably.

This glass case is also here. The skeleton is no one in particular. I asked Joy why this display was in a Buddhist Monk Museum. She told me it was to show us that there is nothing to fear about birth or death. She said that the inscription tells us that both are just a part of nature and not to be feared or run away from.

Proof Of Reincarnation?

Dennis says that his totem is the Naga. When I saw this one today, the startling truth of that statement came to me. Proof of Reincarnation? The Missing Link? You decide...

What do you think Peter? Am I on to something about your brother?

Chaing Mai Doi Suthep Temple

Today I teamed up with my Vancouver buddy, Dennis, and we hired a truck to take us to The Great Golden Temple that overlooks Chiang Mai City. This is 'Parsons' our driver. He is a character. When he took us back after the Temple Trek, he actually got lost in the city. As I'm sure my niece, Amy, would tell you, just because they call themselves Taxi drivers, doesn't mean they have any idea where they're going. At the end he took us 20 minutes off course and then asked for 100 baht more for his mistake. I just smiled and said 'Namaste'. But I digress...

This Temple is called 'Doi Suthep' (Dah-set-epp') and was built in the 1300s. I have been feeling home sick for the last couple of days and the Temples are what make me feel home.

The approach to the Temple is a long series of 306 steps between two 'Nagas' or serpents, to the top. This is Dennis. He says that the Naga is his totem and that it keeps him safe while he travels.

I just wanted to show you Diana, that there are indeed crocodiles to be found here in Chiang Mai; even if only in stone. I promise not to dangle my feet here...
There are 4 Temples at the four quadrants around the main Temple. This is one of them.

I am doing an ancient sign for a friend today as I sat for this picture. The feeling while I'm in this temple is as if I am floating. The energy I feel is so calming and my heart feels totally at peace. I feel a tremendous feeling of airiness at the crown chakra for those of you who know what that means.

This Temple is very familiar to me and what really strikes me is that this is the first time I see the Buddha figure with eyes open. The gaze is piercing and the feeling of joy and peace carries through the whole Temple site like a never ending river of electricity.

Again, I took this picture to connect with a another dear friend who I wrote earlier today. Tell me if you could feel the energy. I know this place very well.

This is the site that most know from the postcards.
As I sat before the main Temple, the clocks at either side began to chime exactly twelve o'clock noon. I barely heard them over the intense sound of what seemed like high tension wires coupled with 'white noise' that swirled around me as I listened.
I bought a bell just after this visit so that I could share a tiny bit of the sound current with my friends when I return. I also found that special stone for you Kathy.

I wish you, my dear friends and travellers, the kind of peace I feel when I am in such places as this.