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

Monkey Temple

Prachuap, Thailand, January 24, 2006

I finally left Hua Hin to explore further down the East Coast of the Thai Peninsula.

Before I left, I picked up some silk scarves for you Mom. Let me know what other colors you're looking for.

This is me at my Guest House, all loaded up and ready to roll.

I took a bus to Prachuap Khiri Khan which is 80km South of Hua Hin. It's a quiet fishing village with a wonderful Temple on a Mountain but I came here for several other reasons; and they were all MONKEYS!

There is a Waterfall Fountain just as you arrive in Town and there are Monkeys everywhere.

On the street...

On the cars (remember African Lion Safari when those monkeys used to love to rip off vinyl roofs?)

Even on the Hydro Wires...

Now I know what the expression 'Barrel of Monkeys' is really all about.

I bought some bananas from this woman and had her feed these guys. The movies I got of this are a riot.

These monkeys live at the base of an ancient Buddhist Temple that is at the top of a Stairway 395 steps up.

The monkeys followed me as I made the climb.

Like old Souls, reincarnated to guard their Spiritual Home with Joy.

And as they messed up the stairs, an orange robed monk quietly swept it all clean again.

You can see the steps from this top view.

The Islands behind me are far away. The view is amazing. As I looked out I tried to imagine what it must have been like for the Thais as they saw the Japanese invasion force come on to their shores here. This was one of the points they chose for their invasion; right into this harbor. As I stood looking out from the top I wrote in my Journal:
"This is the Castle of Prachup Khiri Khan. It does not command as a fortress. It shares its blessings with the World. The people of Thailand have learned a great secret of serenity that we in the West can only hope to catch a glimpse of."

Khon Kaen:(2) Cobra Strikes and Ostrich Bites

We started our day with a tour of the Village outside Khon Kaen.

We went to the local Temple which was built 200 years ago and the painted surfaces are still intact after all these years.

As we walked back, more and more people kept showing up and we kept saying hello. By the time we were back to Sit and Nu's home, we felt we were the stars of a parade.

I took this picture of the people who wanted to greet the Farangs.

After a wonderful breakfast we headed to...Okay, this wasn't breakfast. It's the scorpion that was at our front door when we got up this morning. 'Sit' took it out and dropped it back over the Stone fence of his yard.

But these guys? They are alive and they are to eat. They cost 20 baht a piece. Put in your orders while supplies last.

We all hopped in a Pickup truck (Dennis and I rode in the back) and we went to town to see where they make the silk products. You would have loved to watch these women on the looms, Mel. Khon Kaen is world renowned for having the best silk anywhere.

Monkey is modelling a silk sash she bought. 300 baht. EEK it's cheap eh Melissa?

Then it was on to the Temple where Buddha's remains are interred. This is Monkey, Kow (which means 'Nine') and Nu. Kow and I became great buddies when I helped him learn to swim in a reservoir we picnicked at. He is a tennis player, rated 25th in his town. He's also a great checkers player. I nick named him 'Kato'. He is Sit and Nu's nephew and is going to join Monkey in Bangkok for a while where he will take more tennis training and learn to use the Internet.

Dennis really knows how to hit that bell. It makes a wooden bong that is very powerful.

This is the King Cobra Project. This little guy risks his life to dodge a deadly Cobra for tips.

And this is the biggest of all the Cobras. I thought maybe the snakes would have been drugged for this show but they move incredibly fast. I would hate to see what he pays for his medical plan.

Jook wasn't smiling a moment later when this Ostrich nipped her. This ostrich reserve is inside a military base where Sit was a Colonel.

We spent two days looking at fascinating animals and temples and forests. Sit and Nu treated us like royalty. I really have so much to write about on this trip but I have so many other stories I'm dying to tell about what happened just after this weekend that I will just leave it for now. All I can say mom is: I'm glad my trip is winding down...