Back in KC

This will be the last entry for a while. I am scheduled to return to Bangkok in May. I'll continue then.

Made it to Japan

Heading back home. Traveling 1st class this time. It is OK, but as I mentioned on the way to Bangkok, it is not that much better than business class. But here in Japan, flying 1st class gives you a opportunity to visit the 1st class lounge. The only thing different about it and the business class lounge is that there are not as many people and there is free food. I like Japanese food almost as much as I like Thai food.

And I have this thing about Asian restrooms. The Business class lounge has pictures of famous Sumo Wrestlers. But not here. It was rather boring. Except for the large appliances they have in Japanese restrooms. These things are huge. And the toilets in Japan - they have spritz and air-dryers along with scent dispensers.

Saying Goodbye to Sukhumvit Soi 24

I have been here in BKK (Bangkok) for nearly 3 months. And if plans go the way they are intended, I'll be back in May and remain until December. But plans change. So I took pause today to close out this visit, taking some pictures of what I saw each and every day from my apartment - Oakwood, Sukhumvit Soi 24.

Every day I walk out under the sign and head up the street (Soi). Get my daily ration of grilled chicken with chili sauce, walk up the stairs to the BTS (Sky Train) 15,16,16 steps, then down the same on the other side of Sukhumvit - main road in Bangkok).

I got used to the routine. Living in a 3 room apartment. If you look close at the pic on the left, my apartment is the one with the curtains open in the middle - 4th window down from the top on the far right. I didn't have much of a view. When (if) I return in May I was promised a room on the top floor. That will give me a better view and no water-boarding at night by the AC unit.




If you asked me now do I want to stay longer, the answer would be NO - or Mai Chai in Thai. But I will miss this place. It has been interesting living alone, going to work each day, learning a new language and trying to keep connected with home. I've learned to value the Buddhist view about life. That being stay in the middle, relax, know that everything passes and enjoy the moment for what it offers. And if you are of the belief that nothing happens by chance, then my 3 months here was for a purpose and lets hope I learned whatever it was that I was supposed to learn.














I went up to the 8th floor of my apartment building - I'd never been there before. There is a swimming pool and a great view of the Emporium shopping Center.


But the heat was oppressive - there was no one there and I understood why. So I took these pics then quickly retreated to my apartment.







I wanted to take a pic of the staff here at Oakwood, so I could remember them. Each one had become like family over the 3 months I was here. The gentleman on the left is the person who manages my wake up calls in the AM. With a hectic schedule I've found it necessary to have a call in the AM. Note to self - buy an alarm clock for my return visit.




And a farewell to the spirits that guard Oakwood Sukhumvit Soi 24.

Trip to Kho Kret

This being my last weekend in Thailand, during "this trip", some of my friends from work decided to take me to another place that I had never been. They always seem to know exactly what I enjoy. Namely Thai food and Thai culture. I'm not so much into the beaches where there are so many other tourists. I want to experience Thailand the way Thais live in Thailand. So we went to a place called Kho Kret. This was a Burmese settlement centuries ago. It is actually an island on the Chao Phraya river. The Chao Phraya rivier is the "Mississippi of Thailand". It runs the length of the country, north to south, and divides old Bangkok from modern day Bangkok. Kho Kret is an island oasis in the middle of the river



Kho Kret is famous for its pottery.



The sign says Baan Ohng which loosly translates as "Home (earthenware) Water Jar". And guess what, I translated it myself.

เก่งมากฟิล (Geng Maak Phil) Very Good Phil !





But I was content with the food! Mine is the Green Curry Chicken in the foreground. The plate of veggies that you see are there to be added to the dish. Everything is fresh in Thailand. I ate an extra helping of Thai Basil to clean out my arteries after eating Burger King the night before.





I also enjoyed seeing some new flora. I have learned one thing: if it is a flower, it grows in Thailand.





And of course there were the Wats (Temples).

I was particularly impressed by the large Buddha that was across the river.








There was also some very interesting woodwork.







And in typical Thai fashion, there was food everywhere.

After the one meal at Kho Kret, and some walking around, the team took me to another restaurant where they ordered 12 different dishes. The pic is a bit dark, but I think you can see how many plates of food there are. And can you spot the fish? It was beyond delicious.

After the 2nd meal we went to visit the home of one of my friends (work associate). I was excited because this was my first visit inside a Thai home. In this pic you see Eve. One of the associates who helped make this trip possible for me. At the start of the trip I took a tumble scraping my knee. "Watch Your Step" signs are not popular here in Thailand. As I was looking out over the river walking on what I thought was level ground I met a step. They say 'roll with the fall" which made it all the more dramatic. So all day Eve was there by my side, as I got in and out of the boat, walking up/down stairs etc. hoping to prevent a repeat performance.

I had an idea of what to expect to see in a Thai home. Since living here now for 3 months I think I'm learning the style of housing. Tile floors rather than carpet, two story and functional in ever detail. But I was still impressed. There was exceptional woodwork inside the home everywhere I looked.










And there was a special place reserved for prayer and meditation. It was next to the living room.










I was interested to see a Thai kitchen. As I expected it was spacious and designed for everything Thai. Plenty of room to prepare food and cook. And there was also an adjacent outdoor cooking area as well. That's my friend (work associate) Champ with camera looking the other way. And our hostess with the big smile.



And outside there were exceptional pieces of art.












Meet our hostess(s) Khun Piyanud (Left), my work associate and her mother.