Thailand - as I see it.
I just received a wonderful e-mail from Kiplinger.com. The article was written by Laura Cohn and it tells some interesting facts about Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was listed as one of the great places to retire that you never heard of.
People ask me about Thailand and if it is safe for my son and his family. I have always told them a bit about Chiang Mai but this next small article says it all in a nutshell.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
* Population: 1.6 million in the province: 250,000 in the city.
* Climate: Tropical - March to May temperatures can reach 100 degrees
Average high for the year is 89 degrees and average low is 68 degrees.
Dry season is from mid November to early May.
* Proximity to water: The Ping River runs through the city - otherwise it is land locked.
* Proximity to major Airport: Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) is less than 10 minutes from the city center.
The Draw: Far from the civil unrest in Bangkok, this city in Northern Thailand offers cooler temperatures.
It also offers a calmer environment. Renowned as a medical tourism destination.
It is home to ample supply of private hospitals, state-run clinics and full service pharmacies.
The pharmacies provide high-quality health care at bargain prices.
Tip: As an outsider, you cannot own land in Thailand without a local partner.
However, you can buy a condo or an apartment.
We have experienced the medical facilities first hand and completely agree.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
The construction continues.
Thailand - as I see it.
The construction on the house in Chiang Mai is continuing at a rapid pace. It is interesting for Rob and On to watch the process continue. Much of the work is done by hand.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Rob and On
Rob and On ready to take off on his motorbike. We were so happy together in Chiang Mai. We had just walked the Walking Street right near our hotel and they were going back home for the night. The big kitten on her shirt hides the tummy a bit. August will come very soon and a new little Cutler will be arriving. The happy parents to be sure do look happy. The Boo Yah (grandparents Willi and Marcia) are happy too.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Rob and Marcia Mom
A picture taken on our trip from Sydney, Australia to Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Photo of Willi and On
Thailand - as I see it.
Willi and On were painting together. Willi was giving On some pointers on painting with oils. In between painting and a hand and foot game, I took this cute photo of the two of them as we were doing some shopping.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Picture of Lisu Hill Tribe Children
Thailand - as I see it.
Rob, On, Willi and I went to the Lisu Hill Tribe people with clothing for the children. It was an amazing day watching each of the children receive a piece of clothing. They all waited their turn, gave a Y thank you and smiled. They held up their clothes so we could take pictures. After all 90+ pieces of clothing were given out they all sang a song for us and thanked us with the Y. The Y greeting ia both hands together pointing at the sky, a mile on the face and a short bow. It was a wonderful experience.
Rob, On, Willi and I went to the Lisu Hill Tribe people with clothing for the children. It was an amazing day watching each of the children receive a piece of clothing. They all waited their turn, gave a Y thank you and smiled. They held up their clothes so we could take pictures. After all 90+ pieces of clothing were given out they all sang a song for us and thanked us with the Y. The Y greeting ia both hands together pointing at the sky, a mile on the face and a short bow. It was a wonderful experience.
Last Day in Chaing Mai and theTrip Home
Thailand - as I see it.
It is our last day and we got up, packed and went with Rob and On to see the work being done on the house. They have put up some more of the foundation posts. Most of the posts have been set and they just keep working steadily. Songkran, the national holiday of water is in a couple of days so the workers will have a few days off. Since it is the hottest time of the year, during the Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year that is a time to honor elders and revered people, everyone throws water and there are misters all over.
We then went to lunch at the nice Italian Restaurant and then to the massage parlor for one more massage. They were so happy to see us. We all got a foot massage and they gave us some small bananas as a gift and hugged us and said they will miss us. We had a few pictures taken with them.
Then we got back on the motorbikes and went back to the hotel and played a hand of hand and foot. Rob and On took some things back to their home and dropped off one motorbike. We then got a red taxi, a real red shirt taxi, one of the protesters taxis with the red flag on it. We never saw any protests, just the taxis once in a while with the red flags. Rob went to the airport on his motorbike and On went with us in the taxi. We also dropped off three other people on the way.
Rob helped us check in our bags and he managed to get them checked in all the way to Ft Myers even though we don’t leave from Bangkok until 5:55 AM tomorrow morning. We have an 8:50 PM flight tonight and it takes one hour. We then check in for our flight home at 3:55 AM. And the flight leaves at 5:55 AM. We are in the Royal Silk Business Class Lounge now and waiting for our flight. There are hundreds of mosquitoes and we have a tennis racket to kill them. One of the hostesses killed twenty for us and then gave us the racket. The racket is charged from the outlet and it zaps the mosquitoes. We had a nice flight on Thai Air in Royal Silk Class. Then we were in the Bangkok Airport and had to wait until the line opened at 3AM. We then were taken to the Sky Club Lounge and we had something to eat and drink until our flight. The flight was five hours and very nice. We were met in Tokyo and taken to the Sky Club Lounge there for 10 minutes before our plane loaded. We now have an 11 hour flight to Detroit in small seats with three across and we are in the middle and window. We slept a bit, had food three times and four movies. Then we flew three more hours to Ft Myers. It was a safe and wonderful trip from beginning to end.
It is our last day and we got up, packed and went with Rob and On to see the work being done on the house. They have put up some more of the foundation posts. Most of the posts have been set and they just keep working steadily. Songkran, the national holiday of water is in a couple of days so the workers will have a few days off. Since it is the hottest time of the year, during the Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year that is a time to honor elders and revered people, everyone throws water and there are misters all over.
We then went to lunch at the nice Italian Restaurant and then to the massage parlor for one more massage. They were so happy to see us. We all got a foot massage and they gave us some small bananas as a gift and hugged us and said they will miss us. We had a few pictures taken with them.
Then we got back on the motorbikes and went back to the hotel and played a hand of hand and foot. Rob and On took some things back to their home and dropped off one motorbike. We then got a red taxi, a real red shirt taxi, one of the protesters taxis with the red flag on it. We never saw any protests, just the taxis once in a while with the red flags. Rob went to the airport on his motorbike and On went with us in the taxi. We also dropped off three other people on the way.
Rob helped us check in our bags and he managed to get them checked in all the way to Ft Myers even though we don’t leave from Bangkok until 5:55 AM tomorrow morning. We have an 8:50 PM flight tonight and it takes one hour. We then check in for our flight home at 3:55 AM. And the flight leaves at 5:55 AM. We are in the Royal Silk Business Class Lounge now and waiting for our flight. There are hundreds of mosquitoes and we have a tennis racket to kill them. One of the hostesses killed twenty for us and then gave us the racket. The racket is charged from the outlet and it zaps the mosquitoes. We had a nice flight on Thai Air in Royal Silk Class. Then we were in the Bangkok Airport and had to wait until the line opened at 3AM. We then were taken to the Sky Club Lounge and we had something to eat and drink until our flight. The flight was five hours and very nice. We were met in Tokyo and taken to the Sky Club Lounge there for 10 minutes before our plane loaded. We now have an 11 hour flight to Detroit in small seats with three across and we are in the middle and window. We slept a bit, had food three times and four movies. Then we flew three more hours to Ft Myers. It was a safe and wonderful trip from beginning to end.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Our Last Full Day and Night in Chiang Mai
Thailand - as I see it.
Our Last Full Day and Night in Chiang Mai
We woke up early, for us, 8AM, and made a smoothie, had some hot tea and played a game of hand and foot.
We just walked out to one of the side streets and had lunch. We each had a large plate of Pad Thai and bottled water and the bill came to 70 Baht or $2.25. We then went to the little local grocery market and bought two ice creams sandwiches and they were 80 Baht, more than the entire lunches. Everywhere you go now, water is misting. Water hoses are strung across all the streets, driveways and everywhere. The temperature for the last three days has been 45 degrees Celsius or around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a haze in the air as there has only been rain for a few minutes since we arrived a month ago. We learned another Thai saying – check bin - is asking for the check at a restaurant. They do not pronounce the end of a word with ll’s so it is bin rather than bill.
We went to the local market which has fruit, flowers, vegetable, bolts of cloth and any other garments or household items you could think of. We bought bolts of fabric for On to make diapers and little cover-ups for the baby. She cuts out triangles for the diapers and rectangles for the cover-ups. Then she takes the cloth pieces to a seamstress who sews them all so they do not fray. The cloth is very soft cotton and it has baby designs on it.
Rob and On picked us up and we went for our massage, pedicure and manicure. The people at the massage parlor were so happy to see us. I had a manicure and pedicure as well as a foot massage, two people were working on me. Rob, On and Willi had head, neck and foot massages.
When we were done, Rob and I went to the Mall and Rob bought an Apple computer and an I-pod. You should have seen us on his motorcycle with the huge box for the desktop. We had 5 turns to make and it was a bit scary, but we made it fine. Willi and On played hand and foot and then we all went to dinner, but had to wait for an hour so we went to the Night Bazaar and bought a few small items. The restaurant was the Japanese buffet where all the uncooked food comes you on conveyor belts and you take off the plates you want. The servers took away 20 little plates after we put the food into the cooking pot on our table. It was a fun meal. It was a fun day, as well.
Our Last Full Day and Night in Chiang Mai
We woke up early, for us, 8AM, and made a smoothie, had some hot tea and played a game of hand and foot.
We just walked out to one of the side streets and had lunch. We each had a large plate of Pad Thai and bottled water and the bill came to 70 Baht or $2.25. We then went to the little local grocery market and bought two ice creams sandwiches and they were 80 Baht, more than the entire lunches. Everywhere you go now, water is misting. Water hoses are strung across all the streets, driveways and everywhere. The temperature for the last three days has been 45 degrees Celsius or around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a haze in the air as there has only been rain for a few minutes since we arrived a month ago. We learned another Thai saying – check bin - is asking for the check at a restaurant. They do not pronounce the end of a word with ll’s so it is bin rather than bill.
We went to the local market which has fruit, flowers, vegetable, bolts of cloth and any other garments or household items you could think of. We bought bolts of fabric for On to make diapers and little cover-ups for the baby. She cuts out triangles for the diapers and rectangles for the cover-ups. Then she takes the cloth pieces to a seamstress who sews them all so they do not fray. The cloth is very soft cotton and it has baby designs on it.
Rob and On picked us up and we went for our massage, pedicure and manicure. The people at the massage parlor were so happy to see us. I had a manicure and pedicure as well as a foot massage, two people were working on me. Rob, On and Willi had head, neck and foot massages.
When we were done, Rob and I went to the Mall and Rob bought an Apple computer and an I-pod. You should have seen us on his motorcycle with the huge box for the desktop. We had 5 turns to make and it was a bit scary, but we made it fine. Willi and On played hand and foot and then we all went to dinner, but had to wait for an hour so we went to the Night Bazaar and bought a few small items. The restaurant was the Japanese buffet where all the uncooked food comes you on conveyor belts and you take off the plates you want. The servers took away 20 little plates after we put the food into the cooking pot on our table. It was a fun meal. It was a fun day, as well.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
A Full Day of fun in Chiang Mai
Thailand - as I see it.
Yesterday – a full day of fun in Chiang Mai
We woke up early, well early for us, at 8:30am and played a game of hand and foot. Rob and On picked us up for church with the motor scooters and we went to the service for Easter. It was interesting as there was a minister who lived in Japan and spoke English for most of the service. There was a slide show, musical presentation, as well as the sermon.
After one and a half ours we went back on the motorbikes and went to a nice Western Restaurant called Dukes. We had big hamburgers with blue cheese, sautéed onions and garlic bread.
We then headed to the construction site to see the progress on the house. They were putting in the footings and had already done two when we arrived. All the work is done by hand and they were going to compete five of the footings that day. It was the warmest day so far and we were sweating profusely – the workers who were doing all the hard work were not even noticing the heat. They had headgear,long sleeves, face covers and long pants. They carried cement, rocks, sand and water all in buckets. There were seven workmen and they all were doing work whether it was mixing the cement, filling the mixer with ingredients, tying the metal beams together with steel wires, carrying the cement and coming back for more, over and over again. They didn’t even have a shovel, all they had was a hoe and pails.
We then went to the massage parlor and Willi and I had a foot massage. I had a facial and Willi had a neck and arm and hand massage. They were so happy to see us, I got a free half hour longer massage. One of the massage therapists brought us a big bunch of little sweet bananas. Willi had a haircut and head massage as well. We relaxed there for two
hours. Rob and On were tired so they went back to their home to rest. When we left the massage parlor, we went to the eyeglass store and got Willi a pair of special sunglasses to block out the ultra violet rays. We then walked a while and flagged down a red cab and told him our hotel name. He didn’t understand and he took us to the other end of the Taepae Road instead of the Taepae Hotel so we had a sightseeing tour on the way. We went through markets of fresh flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, items for the monks, and weird food being cooked on the little carts on the street. We finally got back to our hotel and the cost was about $1 for the entire ride for the two of us. We had an icecream from a vendor on the street. We then went back to the hotel, picked up our laundry and played a game until Rob and On came for us for dinner.
Rob and I went on the motorbikes and Willi and On walked. Rob and I stopped at the Night Bazaar to pick up a couple of things and then we met Willi and On on the walking street. There were thousands of people walking up and down this street with musicians, dancers, sellers of everything imaginable. I bought a few bracelets, hair clips, little bags and a couple of money pouches. We then went to dinner at an Italian Restaurant right in the middle of the walking street. It was delicious and we then walked a bit more, On got some corn on the cob on a stick, fried bananas in a bag, a papaya salad in a bag, and some little puff pastry balls. They also got a yogurt drink with jelly balls in it.
By this time, I was getting tired as I had walked a lot. Willi and On walked back to the hotel, much more walking than I did, and Rob and I went back to the hotel on the motorbike. We went up to bed and Willi and I played one game of hand and foot and boy was I tired. It had been a full, fun day.
Yesterday – a full day of fun in Chiang Mai
We woke up early, well early for us, at 8:30am and played a game of hand and foot. Rob and On picked us up for church with the motor scooters and we went to the service for Easter. It was interesting as there was a minister who lived in Japan and spoke English for most of the service. There was a slide show, musical presentation, as well as the sermon.
After one and a half ours we went back on the motorbikes and went to a nice Western Restaurant called Dukes. We had big hamburgers with blue cheese, sautéed onions and garlic bread.
We then headed to the construction site to see the progress on the house. They were putting in the footings and had already done two when we arrived. All the work is done by hand and they were going to compete five of the footings that day. It was the warmest day so far and we were sweating profusely – the workers who were doing all the hard work were not even noticing the heat. They had headgear,long sleeves, face covers and long pants. They carried cement, rocks, sand and water all in buckets. There were seven workmen and they all were doing work whether it was mixing the cement, filling the mixer with ingredients, tying the metal beams together with steel wires, carrying the cement and coming back for more, over and over again. They didn’t even have a shovel, all they had was a hoe and pails.
We then went to the massage parlor and Willi and I had a foot massage. I had a facial and Willi had a neck and arm and hand massage. They were so happy to see us, I got a free half hour longer massage. One of the massage therapists brought us a big bunch of little sweet bananas. Willi had a haircut and head massage as well. We relaxed there for two
hours. Rob and On were tired so they went back to their home to rest. When we left the massage parlor, we went to the eyeglass store and got Willi a pair of special sunglasses to block out the ultra violet rays. We then walked a while and flagged down a red cab and told him our hotel name. He didn’t understand and he took us to the other end of the Taepae Road instead of the Taepae Hotel so we had a sightseeing tour on the way. We went through markets of fresh flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, items for the monks, and weird food being cooked on the little carts on the street. We finally got back to our hotel and the cost was about $1 for the entire ride for the two of us. We had an icecream from a vendor on the street. We then went back to the hotel, picked up our laundry and played a game until Rob and On came for us for dinner.
Rob and I went on the motorbikes and Willi and On walked. Rob and I stopped at the Night Bazaar to pick up a couple of things and then we met Willi and On on the walking street. There were thousands of people walking up and down this street with musicians, dancers, sellers of everything imaginable. I bought a few bracelets, hair clips, little bags and a couple of money pouches. We then went to dinner at an Italian Restaurant right in the middle of the walking street. It was delicious and we then walked a bit more, On got some corn on the cob on a stick, fried bananas in a bag, a papaya salad in a bag, and some little puff pastry balls. They also got a yogurt drink with jelly balls in it.
By this time, I was getting tired as I had walked a lot. Willi and On walked back to the hotel, much more walking than I did, and Rob and I went back to the hotel on the motorbike. We went up to bed and Willi and I played one game of hand and foot and boy was I tired. It had been a full, fun day.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Health Care in Thailand - An Outsider's View
Thailand - as I see it.
Health Care in Thailand – an outsider’s view
On is going to have a baby in August so we are enjoying the time with Rob and On to the fullest. They go to the doctor/hospital for regular check-ups and are given much information about each stage of the pregnancy. They have a book that tells everything that is happening and going to happen. We have been looking at a website that shows the growth of the baby from a poppy seed to a watermelon. She is at the stage of a banana now and the baby is about 10 inches long. What a cool way to watch the progress.
Both Rob and On were tested for all diseases and health issues when she first got pregnant. What a great way to make sure the baby has a good start. They were both perfectly healthy and the doctor writes down everything about the pregnancy in the special book. It is an excellent history for the new parents. When On has an issue or a problem, they go to the hospital and it is free for Thai citizens. Her skin was breaking out a bit so they went to the hospital and the doctor told them that it probably was going to be a boy because of the higher level of male hormones that cause the breakout on the skin. On will go to a special hospital for mother and child when the baby is born.
I have had a bit of a problem also this visit as my asthma has become much worse. I had to go to the hospital and they were very efficient. I had a check-up, xrays, and the doctor gave me medicine as well as the Advair inhaler. He told me that I was going to have to use it for the rest of my life and that if I did I shouldn’t have this problem again. He told me to use the Albuterol puffer when I needed it and to use two puffs at a time. The first puff was to open up my lungs and the second to get the medicine into the lungs. The entire hospital visit with the medications, xrays, doctor and nurse consultations was less than $100. The medications were 80% of the cost.
The hospitals are clean, spotless, efficient, caring and well equipped. Rob mentioned that because we had to go at night, to the emergency room, it was more expensive than if we had just gone during the day. Last year, Willi had gone to the hospital for a problem with his elbow and the doctor and specialist visits, xrays, medications, shot and nurse assistance had only cost $60. We were also very impressed with the hospital last year. The nurses all wear white or light uniforms with little pin cushion hats and high heel shoes. Every aspect of the hospital is very professional.
Health Care in Thailand – an outsider’s view
On is going to have a baby in August so we are enjoying the time with Rob and On to the fullest. They go to the doctor/hospital for regular check-ups and are given much information about each stage of the pregnancy. They have a book that tells everything that is happening and going to happen. We have been looking at a website that shows the growth of the baby from a poppy seed to a watermelon. She is at the stage of a banana now and the baby is about 10 inches long. What a cool way to watch the progress.
Both Rob and On were tested for all diseases and health issues when she first got pregnant. What a great way to make sure the baby has a good start. They were both perfectly healthy and the doctor writes down everything about the pregnancy in the special book. It is an excellent history for the new parents. When On has an issue or a problem, they go to the hospital and it is free for Thai citizens. Her skin was breaking out a bit so they went to the hospital and the doctor told them that it probably was going to be a boy because of the higher level of male hormones that cause the breakout on the skin. On will go to a special hospital for mother and child when the baby is born.
I have had a bit of a problem also this visit as my asthma has become much worse. I had to go to the hospital and they were very efficient. I had a check-up, xrays, and the doctor gave me medicine as well as the Advair inhaler. He told me that I was going to have to use it for the rest of my life and that if I did I shouldn’t have this problem again. He told me to use the Albuterol puffer when I needed it and to use two puffs at a time. The first puff was to open up my lungs and the second to get the medicine into the lungs. The entire hospital visit with the medications, xrays, doctor and nurse consultations was less than $100. The medications were 80% of the cost.
The hospitals are clean, spotless, efficient, caring and well equipped. Rob mentioned that because we had to go at night, to the emergency room, it was more expensive than if we had just gone during the day. Last year, Willi had gone to the hospital for a problem with his elbow and the doctor and specialist visits, xrays, medications, shot and nurse assistance had only cost $60. We were also very impressed with the hospital last year. The nurses all wear white or light uniforms with little pin cushion hats and high heel shoes. Every aspect of the hospital is very professional.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Three Fun Times in Chaing Mai with Rob and On
Thailand - as I see it.
Tonight we left the hotel on the motorbikes and traveled through the city with hundreds of other motorbikes. We parked at the mall in a parking lot that held over 1000 motorbikes and was free parking. We went to the movie theater, which was very modern with many wild movies. Today was Wednesday and all the movies were half price. The theater was sold out but Rob went early to get our seats. We saw How to Train your Dragon a 3D movie, which was our second 3D movie in two weeks. The first was Alice in Wonderland. The theater was packed but Rob was able to get us the seats with lots of leg room. You choose the exact seats you want when you buy your tickets. We were the oldest people by many many years. We have seen four movies with Rob and On, more than in the US in a year.
We went to a golf course to check it out. It was very old and established but only had nine holes. It was right in the middle of the city. Three of the holes were being used for a National Cricket Match this week. The course was in good condition with beautiful trees covering an entire green. We looked at the hole in one board and in 75 years, there were only about 75 holes in one. The golf course also had squash and tennis for its members.
Last night we went to a Japanese Restaurant and had to wait for half an hour even though Rob went earlier in the day to get our number in the queue. It was a buffet restaurant with all the dishes coming by on a conveyor belt. All the meats, fish, vegetables, eggs, noodles, sushi, mushrooms, corn, shrimp etc came by all the time and you just took the plates you wanted and put the raw ingredients in the big pot on the table and cooked it yourself. The pot had two parts so Willi and I had a regular soup and On and Rob had a hot, spicy soup base. They also had all the green tee or any other drink you wanted included. There were different kinds of rice, tempura shrimp, and other items. There was ice cream and fruit for dessert as well as a bean dish. It was quite an interesting dinner. You paid one price and could eat for one and quarter hours. The cost was less than $8 per person. What a deal.
Tonight we left the hotel on the motorbikes and traveled through the city with hundreds of other motorbikes. We parked at the mall in a parking lot that held over 1000 motorbikes and was free parking. We went to the movie theater, which was very modern with many wild movies. Today was Wednesday and all the movies were half price. The theater was sold out but Rob went early to get our seats. We saw How to Train your Dragon a 3D movie, which was our second 3D movie in two weeks. The first was Alice in Wonderland. The theater was packed but Rob was able to get us the seats with lots of leg room. You choose the exact seats you want when you buy your tickets. We were the oldest people by many many years. We have seen four movies with Rob and On, more than in the US in a year.
We went to a golf course to check it out. It was very old and established but only had nine holes. It was right in the middle of the city. Three of the holes were being used for a National Cricket Match this week. The course was in good condition with beautiful trees covering an entire green. We looked at the hole in one board and in 75 years, there were only about 75 holes in one. The golf course also had squash and tennis for its members.
Last night we went to a Japanese Restaurant and had to wait for half an hour even though Rob went earlier in the day to get our number in the queue. It was a buffet restaurant with all the dishes coming by on a conveyor belt. All the meats, fish, vegetables, eggs, noodles, sushi, mushrooms, corn, shrimp etc came by all the time and you just took the plates you wanted and put the raw ingredients in the big pot on the table and cooked it yourself. The pot had two parts so Willi and I had a regular soup and On and Rob had a hot, spicy soup base. They also had all the green tee or any other drink you wanted included. There were different kinds of rice, tempura shrimp, and other items. There was ice cream and fruit for dessert as well as a bean dish. It was quite an interesting dinner. You paid one price and could eat for one and quarter hours. The cost was less than $8 per person. What a deal.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
On A Wild Goose Chase
Thailand - as I see it.
We started out from Chiang Mai in a rented auto. The roads were wide enough for two cars and a motorcycle or two. Once in a while, we saw a motor coach, modern and massive, which seemed to take up the whole road. As we traveled, the roads got narrower, just enough room for another vehicle to get by us. The road changed back and forth from curvy and hilly to straight and narrow. As we continued on, the road got even narrower and we kept going up, up, and up. We saw people working on the steep hills with machetes. The road was getting bumpier and bumpier and smaller and smaller. It was just some gravel and an orange looking dirt road. It was only wide enough for just our car and the sides were so steep. Rob was not sure we were on the right road but he had read in Thai that there was a tulip festival. Finally we came to the end of the road a dead end, with nothing there but some bamboo sticks that used to be a flower mart. We turned around and went back over the same scary road and in two kilometers we were on the small country road with a yellow line in the center. It had black and white posts every so often, as well as a guardrail here and there. We had been on an adventure, a wild goose chase.
We went by a public toilet and it had only ceramic places to stand up and place your feet. As you go, and stand on the floor, the liquid flows out under the toilet. What a crappy place. The public ones didn’t have any toilet paper, which is common in Thailand. Most of the toilets are the western type but not all have paper.
Next we passed an Army truck checking for drugs because we were so close to the Burma border. We were stopped at a police barricade and they asked Rob where we were from. He told them Chiang Mai in Thai, and we were told to go on. The police all had on fatigues and looked very official.
We started out from Chiang Mai in a rented auto. The roads were wide enough for two cars and a motorcycle or two. Once in a while, we saw a motor coach, modern and massive, which seemed to take up the whole road. As we traveled, the roads got narrower, just enough room for another vehicle to get by us. The road changed back and forth from curvy and hilly to straight and narrow. As we continued on, the road got even narrower and we kept going up, up, and up. We saw people working on the steep hills with machetes. The road was getting bumpier and bumpier and smaller and smaller. It was just some gravel and an orange looking dirt road. It was only wide enough for just our car and the sides were so steep. Rob was not sure we were on the right road but he had read in Thai that there was a tulip festival. Finally we came to the end of the road a dead end, with nothing there but some bamboo sticks that used to be a flower mart. We turned around and went back over the same scary road and in two kilometers we were on the small country road with a yellow line in the center. It had black and white posts every so often, as well as a guardrail here and there. We had been on an adventure, a wild goose chase.
We went by a public toilet and it had only ceramic places to stand up and place your feet. As you go, and stand on the floor, the liquid flows out under the toilet. What a crappy place. The public ones didn’t have any toilet paper, which is common in Thailand. Most of the toilets are the western type but not all have paper.
Next we passed an Army truck checking for drugs because we were so close to the Burma border. We were stopped at a police barricade and they asked Rob where we were from. He told them Chiang Mai in Thai, and we were told to go on. The police all had on fatigues and looked very official.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A Road to Nowhere
Thailand - as I see it.
A Road to Nowhere
We rented a car and went for a ride to see a Tulip Festival. Many of the roads are unpaved and dusty. We started out on a nice paved road in Chiang Mai and we travelled out into the unsettled area outside of Chiang Mai. The road was very curvy and there were hills on both sides of the road. For a while the road was very narrow but very straight. We were stopped by police at a check point and asked where we were from. The soldiers were all dressed in army drab and they were standing at metal gates on either side of the road that stopped the cars. Rob told them Chiang Mai in Thai and they smiled and told us to go on. As we drove along the fields and woods, we saw little shacks dotting the forest/field area.
The road was curvy and hilly and seemed to get narrower. The steep hills were on either side of the road and the trees were planted on the hillsides everywhere you looked. It seemed as if we were winding up a mountain, up up up. We looked down into the hills and slopes and people were cultivating the land. We saw rice paddies on our way also.
We went by a tree with hundreds of roots about six or seven feet above the ground. The road kept getting bumpier and bumpier. The road turned to orange dust, very bumpy and winding and steeper and steeper.
Finally, we arrived at a big area where there had been a festival, but nothing was there now except for some wooden boards and posters in Thai. So we had to turn around and take that scary road back. Oh well, it was a nice ride to see the countryside.
A Road to Nowhere
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| Workers cultivating the land. |
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| Rice Paddies. |
We went by a tree with hundreds of roots about six or seven feet above the ground. The road kept getting bumpier and bumpier. The road turned to orange dust, very bumpy and winding and steeper and steeper.
Finally, we arrived at a big area where there had been a festival, but nothing was there now except for some wooden boards and posters in Thai. So we had to turn around and take that scary road back. Oh well, it was a nice ride to see the countryside.
Sawasde ka - a friendly greeting
Thailand - as I see it.
As I mentioned in my last writing, I would tell the greeting when using the Y. Sawasde Ka is the female greeting and the men say Sawasde Kop. (Sah wah dee kah)
With the greeting and the Y, the people make a small bow as well. Smiles are everywhere in Thailand and one feels very welcomed. It becomes almost natural to say the greeting and give the Y to all you meet.
When dining in Thailand, every restaurant, whether large or small, elegant or basic has napkins, usually tiny thin ones and toothpicks on the table. Water is usually there also in bottles for every meal. Ice is common and is used for the smoothies and at the table for the water.
Smoothies can be purchased at any little stand or restaurant. They are made fresh with ingredients just cut up like watermelon, pineapple, canteloupe, strawberries, bananas, papayas, mangoes and other strange fruits. The cost of a smoothie is 20 baht and up. One of my favorite ones is 20 baht and banana pineapple with a lot of ice. Fresh juice is squeezed from delicious oranges which are very orange in color and very pulpy. I look at the smoothie as a friendly greeting to start a meal or to just have a small snack, fresh and sweet.
Thailand has restaurants from the most elegant to the simplest. Sometimes the chairs are tiny benches low to the ground. Others are nice chairs with pillows for your comfort. Our meals have ranged from 120 baht, or $4 to 1100 baht or $33 at the most elegant Thai Restaurant for four people. Both extremes have delicious food. I am sure if we looked, we could find a farang, foreigner restaurant for an even pricier meal. My son, Rob has found excellent places to eat and we have enjoyed them all. Liquor can be quite pricy but we enjoy the water, juices and smoothies.
As I mentioned in my last writing, I would tell the greeting when using the Y. Sawasde Ka is the female greeting and the men say Sawasde Kop. (Sah wah dee kah)
With the greeting and the Y, the people make a small bow as well. Smiles are everywhere in Thailand and one feels very welcomed. It becomes almost natural to say the greeting and give the Y to all you meet.
When dining in Thailand, every restaurant, whether large or small, elegant or basic has napkins, usually tiny thin ones and toothpicks on the table. Water is usually there also in bottles for every meal. Ice is common and is used for the smoothies and at the table for the water.
Smoothies can be purchased at any little stand or restaurant. They are made fresh with ingredients just cut up like watermelon, pineapple, canteloupe, strawberries, bananas, papayas, mangoes and other strange fruits. The cost of a smoothie is 20 baht and up. One of my favorite ones is 20 baht and banana pineapple with a lot of ice. Fresh juice is squeezed from delicious oranges which are very orange in color and very pulpy. I look at the smoothie as a friendly greeting to start a meal or to just have a small snack, fresh and sweet.
Thailand has restaurants from the most elegant to the simplest. Sometimes the chairs are tiny benches low to the ground. Others are nice chairs with pillows for your comfort. Our meals have ranged from 120 baht, or $4 to 1100 baht or $33 at the most elegant Thai Restaurant for four people. Both extremes have delicious food. I am sure if we looked, we could find a farang, foreigner restaurant for an even pricier meal. My son, Rob has found excellent places to eat and we have enjoyed them all. Liquor can be quite pricy but we enjoy the water, juices and smoothies.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Beautiful children in Thailand - Farang and Thai
Thailand - as I see it.
Today we ate at a very nice Mexican restaurant. The food was tasty and about as hot as Thai food. They even had the Thai hot sauces to make it hotter if you wished. While we were there, we met an American man and his little girl who was two years old. He was married to a Thai lady and the child was beautiful. She had long black hair, pulled up in a pretty pony tail, a friendly smile and she spoke a bit of Thai and English. What a wonderful accomplishment to have a little one speak two languages.
Speaking of Farang and Thai, Rob and On are expecting their first child and On is so cute with her little tummy growing each day. Rob and On were talking about how On knew exactly when the baby was conceived as she felt a ping. She said she felt a ping and three weeks later they confirmed the pregnancy. Rob is so cute with her, touching her tummy and giving her a love pat every so often. It is such a treat for us to be with them at this time. We are looking for baby items, and talking about the traditions of a Lisor/Thai mother and baby.
The mother and baby stay home for one month after the baby is born in the hospital for mothers and babies.
The mother sleeps on the floor on a thick mat so the baby is safe from falling on the floor. Rob and On are going to incorporate Thai and American traditions in their home. They are building a house and will have a bedroom suite for them and the baby. They will also have a cradle or hammock for the baby to sleep in.
The house has been started while we were here. The house will be approximately 2500 square feet with enough room on all four sides of the house for a garden. There is a water well already there. There is a
concrete wall on three sides of the property already. The builder has built a little shack for the workers to live in while they are building the house. They have dug the foundation holes and are now making the reinforcement beams with heavy metal rods. It is all done by hand and very sturdy looking. There will be four bedrooms, one bedroom suite and bath for us on the first floor. They will have two bedrooms on the second floor, as well as a bedroom suite for themselves. There will be a kitchen, living room and dining room on the first floor. There will be 4 bathrooms. What a treat to watch the work in progress.
Today we ate at a very nice Mexican restaurant. The food was tasty and about as hot as Thai food. They even had the Thai hot sauces to make it hotter if you wished. While we were there, we met an American man and his little girl who was two years old. He was married to a Thai lady and the child was beautiful. She had long black hair, pulled up in a pretty pony tail, a friendly smile and she spoke a bit of Thai and English. What a wonderful accomplishment to have a little one speak two languages.
Speaking of Farang and Thai, Rob and On are expecting their first child and On is so cute with her little tummy growing each day. Rob and On were talking about how On knew exactly when the baby was conceived as she felt a ping. She said she felt a ping and three weeks later they confirmed the pregnancy. Rob is so cute with her, touching her tummy and giving her a love pat every so often. It is such a treat for us to be with them at this time. We are looking for baby items, and talking about the traditions of a Lisor/Thai mother and baby.
The mother and baby stay home for one month after the baby is born in the hospital for mothers and babies.
The mother sleeps on the floor on a thick mat so the baby is safe from falling on the floor. Rob and On are going to incorporate Thai and American traditions in their home. They are building a house and will have a bedroom suite for them and the baby. They will also have a cradle or hammock for the baby to sleep in.
The house has been started while we were here. The house will be approximately 2500 square feet with enough room on all four sides of the house for a garden. There is a water well already there. There is a
concrete wall on three sides of the property already. The builder has built a little shack for the workers to live in while they are building the house. They have dug the foundation holes and are now making the reinforcement beams with heavy metal rods. It is all done by hand and very sturdy looking. There will be four bedrooms, one bedroom suite and bath for us on the first floor. They will have two bedrooms on the second floor, as well as a bedroom suite for themselves. There will be a kitchen, living room and dining room on the first floor. There will be 4 bathrooms. What a treat to watch the work in progress.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A Day and Night in Chiang Mai - special sights
Thailand - as I see it.
We got up leisurely, as usual, and the air quality was again hazy. We have only seen the sky - blue sky and white clouds - one time in Chiang Mai. The haze is so thick that we can't see the mountains. But last night we saw the moon, a full moon and a few stars. As we rode the motorcycles, it was quite a sight to see hundreds of motorcycles on the roads and we were weaving in and out of the pack as most roads are one way in Chiang Mai and you have to go around the moat of the old city to get most places. Yes, they drive on the opposite side of the road, very disconcerting sometimes as you can turn left on red, right on red and also go straight on the red light. I asked about this and my son, Rob said that it was a light to tell you to take care and just yield into the traffic.
We rode down one main street in Chiang Mai and passed by an elephant right in the street. Many places in the city are statues of elephants, pictures of elephants, but this was the first live one we had seen in the city.
We parked the motorbikes and walked through the Night Bazaar to the massage parlor. Women dressed in native Hill Tribe costumes were selling their wares. Some were selling bracelets, necklaces, hats, clothing and a wooden musical instrument that you run a stick over and it made a rat-rat-rat sound. These women were about four feet tall and even looked short to me. They looked up to Rob, and when he spoke Thai to them, a group formed and just looked up and smiled and talked with him so happily. Even though, we didn't buy anthing, they were so happy to see him.
We walked by a Mc Donalds Restaurant and a huge Ronald Mc Donald was outside welcoming the people. He had his hands in the form of a Y and it looked so cute. The Y in Thailand is a very important part of the Thai culture. Everywhere you go, everyone you see greets you with a smile and a Y. The Y is made with your hands together and fingers facing up like in prayer. The people greet you with this sign, smile and say their greeting. In my next writing I will write it for you.
The massages were so great. Pupay, is a 30 year old lady who is my favorite masseuse. She has done my manicure, pedicure, hand and arm massage, neck and head massage but last night she worked on my feet and legs and gave me not only a massage but put hot tiger balm on my legs and gave me hot ginger tea. What a special treat.
Willi has gone outside on the patio every morning to sit in the sun for an hour or so and he has not ever gotten burned. With the haze, the air feels comfortably warm but not hot. Willi and I both have masks for our nose and mouth, but I dont seem to need it very often. Mine is a charcoal mask and it keeps out the polution.
Last night we went for a long walk on the walking street which was about a mile long. On both sides of the street are vendors, shops, food carts, artists, and people demonstrating their wares. We stopped at a booth that had a wire head massager, wierd. It gave me the goose bumps and chills. It is an eerie feeling but I bought one so I could give my friends a massage when we get home. haha Another food stand had roti and cooked bananas. A young man took a small wad of dough, swung it around on the table until it looked like a round pizza, but very thin. He then cut up fresh bananas and spread them on the dough. He cooked it on a griddle with oil and made it very crispy. Then he folded it together and cut it in small squares. He put hot chocolate or a honey mixture over it and it was delicious. They also had small round balls the size of a ping pong ball which were also fried bananas. They were light and fluffy. The third kind of friend bananas were slices of banana dipped in a crispy batter and fried. They were all delicious. A glass of fresh orange juice just made the walking tour perfect. At the end of the street there were Thai dancers and beautiful Thai music. We passed a lady in the middle of the walking street nursing a baby with two other little children just playing with a string and a piece of material. We walked back down to our hotel and I was exhausted, but I did it. I am trying to increase my stamina so I can walk better when we get home to Ft. Myers. This was a bit rambling but I keep thinking of things to say. Bye for now.
We got up leisurely, as usual, and the air quality was again hazy. We have only seen the sky - blue sky and white clouds - one time in Chiang Mai. The haze is so thick that we can't see the mountains. But last night we saw the moon, a full moon and a few stars. As we rode the motorcycles, it was quite a sight to see hundreds of motorcycles on the roads and we were weaving in and out of the pack as most roads are one way in Chiang Mai and you have to go around the moat of the old city to get most places. Yes, they drive on the opposite side of the road, very disconcerting sometimes as you can turn left on red, right on red and also go straight on the red light. I asked about this and my son, Rob said that it was a light to tell you to take care and just yield into the traffic.
We rode down one main street in Chiang Mai and passed by an elephant right in the street. Many places in the city are statues of elephants, pictures of elephants, but this was the first live one we had seen in the city.
We parked the motorbikes and walked through the Night Bazaar to the massage parlor. Women dressed in native Hill Tribe costumes were selling their wares. Some were selling bracelets, necklaces, hats, clothing and a wooden musical instrument that you run a stick over and it made a rat-rat-rat sound. These women were about four feet tall and even looked short to me. They looked up to Rob, and when he spoke Thai to them, a group formed and just looked up and smiled and talked with him so happily. Even though, we didn't buy anthing, they were so happy to see him.
We walked by a Mc Donalds Restaurant and a huge Ronald Mc Donald was outside welcoming the people. He had his hands in the form of a Y and it looked so cute. The Y in Thailand is a very important part of the Thai culture. Everywhere you go, everyone you see greets you with a smile and a Y. The Y is made with your hands together and fingers facing up like in prayer. The people greet you with this sign, smile and say their greeting. In my next writing I will write it for you.
The massages were so great. Pupay, is a 30 year old lady who is my favorite masseuse. She has done my manicure, pedicure, hand and arm massage, neck and head massage but last night she worked on my feet and legs and gave me not only a massage but put hot tiger balm on my legs and gave me hot ginger tea. What a special treat.
Willi has gone outside on the patio every morning to sit in the sun for an hour or so and he has not ever gotten burned. With the haze, the air feels comfortably warm but not hot. Willi and I both have masks for our nose and mouth, but I dont seem to need it very often. Mine is a charcoal mask and it keeps out the polution.
Last night we went for a long walk on the walking street which was about a mile long. On both sides of the street are vendors, shops, food carts, artists, and people demonstrating their wares. We stopped at a booth that had a wire head massager, wierd. It gave me the goose bumps and chills. It is an eerie feeling but I bought one so I could give my friends a massage when we get home. haha Another food stand had roti and cooked bananas. A young man took a small wad of dough, swung it around on the table until it looked like a round pizza, but very thin. He then cut up fresh bananas and spread them on the dough. He cooked it on a griddle with oil and made it very crispy. Then he folded it together and cut it in small squares. He put hot chocolate or a honey mixture over it and it was delicious. They also had small round balls the size of a ping pong ball which were also fried bananas. They were light and fluffy. The third kind of friend bananas were slices of banana dipped in a crispy batter and fried. They were all delicious. A glass of fresh orange juice just made the walking tour perfect. At the end of the street there were Thai dancers and beautiful Thai music. We passed a lady in the middle of the walking street nursing a baby with two other little children just playing with a string and a piece of material. We walked back down to our hotel and I was exhausted, but I did it. I am trying to increase my stamina so I can walk better when we get home to Ft. Myers. This was a bit rambling but I keep thinking of things to say. Bye for now.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Side trips - Into the wilderness
Thailand - as I see it.
As we travel through the countryside, in each little village we see dozens of little children walking, playing or watching us go by. Three little kids are walking with sticks three times as long as they are tall. They are going fishing in one of the streams or ponds that dot the landscape. We just saw a motorbike go by with 5 people on it. Wow, two is scary enough.
We just went by a graveyard which is above the ground with little cement houses and ornaments decorating each. It is a Chineese-Thai cemetary and very elaborate with curly-cues on the top and sides. They are colorful and numerous in this area.
Most of the roads we have travelled on in the countrside are two way roads with just enough room for a vehicle to go by us. A wild animal just ran in front of the car and it looked like a mink or weasel. It went by so fast that I didn't get a picture of it. We see little shacks dotting the countryside. They look abandoned but every so often we see people sitting outside or working in the fields.
A huge group of cows, just walking along in the center of the road, don't seem to mind that we are there at all. Some of them look at us and the others scurry to climb the high embankment of dirt, rocks and pebbles and trees. They were nibbling on the folliage as they walked along.
We are out in the wilderness and we just passed a large school made of concrete or cement with a few buildings and a large wall around it. I can only wonder how many children attend this school and how many of the children walk there. I wonder if they live there on the week days and then go home on weekends.
Enough for today. I don't want to write too much at one time. I just seem to have so many things to say, haha. I have been told that before.
As we travel through the countryside, in each little village we see dozens of little children walking, playing or watching us go by. Three little kids are walking with sticks three times as long as they are tall. They are going fishing in one of the streams or ponds that dot the landscape. We just saw a motorbike go by with 5 people on it. Wow, two is scary enough.
We just went by a graveyard which is above the ground with little cement houses and ornaments decorating each. It is a Chineese-Thai cemetary and very elaborate with curly-cues on the top and sides. They are colorful and numerous in this area.
Most of the roads we have travelled on in the countrside are two way roads with just enough room for a vehicle to go by us. A wild animal just ran in front of the car and it looked like a mink or weasel. It went by so fast that I didn't get a picture of it. We see little shacks dotting the countryside. They look abandoned but every so often we see people sitting outside or working in the fields.
A huge group of cows, just walking along in the center of the road, don't seem to mind that we are there at all. Some of them look at us and the others scurry to climb the high embankment of dirt, rocks and pebbles and trees. They were nibbling on the folliage as they walked along.
We are out in the wilderness and we just passed a large school made of concrete or cement with a few buildings and a large wall around it. I can only wonder how many children attend this school and how many of the children walk there. I wonder if they live there on the week days and then go home on weekends.
Enough for today. I don't want to write too much at one time. I just seem to have so many things to say, haha. I have been told that before.
A walk on the sidestreets of Chiang Mai
Thailand - as I see it.
A walk through the back streets - a city of contrasts Chiang Mai
Today we went to a fancy restaurant which is a farang, foreigner, style restaurant. It had lovely gardens, fountains, beautiful trees with misting on each tree to keep it blooming. The sides of the property had nice high bamboo. There were outside and inside seating areas as well as a nice outdoor patio by the fountains. The restaurant cost 1100 baht for lunch for the four of us. I had a salad, Willi had a bowl of chicken soup and rice, On had a curry and rice dish and Rob had chicken satay. We had three small waters .5 of a liter which each cost 36 baht. The lunch was $33 which was quite pricy. On our way back to the hotel we stopped and had massages and a pedicure. The massages and pedicure cost a total of 600 baht for an hour treatment each. The treatments were a total of $18. We then walked through the bazaar and looked at all the things for sale. We stopped for a scoop of Haagen Das ice cream and the cost was 286 baht or almost $9. We went by an ice cream stand where we could get ice cream for less than a $1 for 2 people. We walked by a lovely boutique hotel on our way back and the rooms were quaint and cost from $250 to $500 a night, with a small swimming pool. As we left the boutique hotel, we walked down a tiny walking street and saw vacant lots, beautiful trees and plants. We walked past a Wat, beautiful on the inside and outside the walls needed power washing. Motor cycles sped past, a Tuk Tuk stopped to ask if we wanted a ride. We walked past others walking and even a motorcycle with three people and a huge sack of rice. In comparison to our hotel which cost $500 a month with no swimming pool. Our hotel is not elegant but pleasant with a nice spa and restaurant. Tonight for dinner we are having Pad Thai and fresh fruit from a vendor and it costs 120 baht or $4 for four people and is tastier than our lunch. We bought a bottle of water 6 liters for 30 baht or $1 to have in the room.
Thailand is a land of contrasts where you can get whatever you want for almost any price you want. The reasonable food and massages can be even better than the ones priced 5 or 6 times more. It is important to investigate a bit and checking into shops or restaurants before you go. Or if you are happy with a place, they are so pleased to have you back that they treat you as a friend. The other places, one visit is enough.
A walk through the back streets - a city of contrasts Chiang Mai
Today we went to a fancy restaurant which is a farang, foreigner, style restaurant. It had lovely gardens, fountains, beautiful trees with misting on each tree to keep it blooming. The sides of the property had nice high bamboo. There were outside and inside seating areas as well as a nice outdoor patio by the fountains. The restaurant cost 1100 baht for lunch for the four of us. I had a salad, Willi had a bowl of chicken soup and rice, On had a curry and rice dish and Rob had chicken satay. We had three small waters .5 of a liter which each cost 36 baht. The lunch was $33 which was quite pricy. On our way back to the hotel we stopped and had massages and a pedicure. The massages and pedicure cost a total of 600 baht for an hour treatment each. The treatments were a total of $18. We then walked through the bazaar and looked at all the things for sale. We stopped for a scoop of Haagen Das ice cream and the cost was 286 baht or almost $9. We went by an ice cream stand where we could get ice cream for less than a $1 for 2 people. We walked by a lovely boutique hotel on our way back and the rooms were quaint and cost from $250 to $500 a night, with a small swimming pool. As we left the boutique hotel, we walked down a tiny walking street and saw vacant lots, beautiful trees and plants. We walked past a Wat, beautiful on the inside and outside the walls needed power washing. Motor cycles sped past, a Tuk Tuk stopped to ask if we wanted a ride. We walked past others walking and even a motorcycle with three people and a huge sack of rice. In comparison to our hotel which cost $500 a month with no swimming pool. Our hotel is not elegant but pleasant with a nice spa and restaurant. Tonight for dinner we are having Pad Thai and fresh fruit from a vendor and it costs 120 baht or $4 for four people and is tastier than our lunch. We bought a bottle of water 6 liters for 30 baht or $1 to have in the room.
Thailand is a land of contrasts where you can get whatever you want for almost any price you want. The reasonable food and massages can be even better than the ones priced 5 or 6 times more. It is important to investigate a bit and checking into shops or restaurants before you go. Or if you are happy with a place, they are so pleased to have you back that they treat you as a friend. The other places, one visit is enough.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
On Our Way to Chiang Dao
Thailand - as I see it. ,
As we left Chiang Mai, in our rented car, we travelled through the bustling city with motorbikes cutting in and out, Tuk Tuk's noisely plodding along, and red taxi cabs dotting the roadways. Activity is everywhere. As soon as we left the Chiang Mai city area, we saw a high thin, tall smokestack and were told that that is where the bodies are burned. The smokestack is so tall because the ashes are blown up and out, as the fire is so hot, there is nothing left. We saw one last year when we were here which was right in a group of houses. One can only think of how many people are strewn over the area.
We travelled through fields and fields of papaya trees and banana trees. We see miles and miles of rice paddies that are dry now and corn is planted in them during the dry season. Vegetables and fruits of all kinds dot the landscape. Every so often we see little stands of watermelon, papaya, bananas, mangos and other unknown fruits. Some are cut in slices and packaged in celophane bags with a stick closing them. 10 baht, 20 baht they ask for their produce. 30 baht approximately is one US dollar. Coconuts early and fresh are cut with macheties so that one can eat the coconut gel and drink the coconut water. The bananas are delicious. There are long bananas and finger bananas which are thick, short and very sweet with a chewy consistency. Ginger grows all over Thailand and especially in the North. Beautiful flowers and flowering trees are everywhere. Bright green, bright yellow, snowy white, light and dark pink and various shades of orange. Bamboo trees are swaying in the breeze throughout the countryside. It is very noticeable how good the soil is and so rich where ever you look. After this seasons crops, the fields are burned to get ready for the next crop. We wished we had a botanist with us to identify all the unusual flowers, trees and shrubbery.
As we left Chiang Mai, in our rented car, we travelled through the bustling city with motorbikes cutting in and out, Tuk Tuk's noisely plodding along, and red taxi cabs dotting the roadways. Activity is everywhere. As soon as we left the Chiang Mai city area, we saw a high thin, tall smokestack and were told that that is where the bodies are burned. The smokestack is so tall because the ashes are blown up and out, as the fire is so hot, there is nothing left. We saw one last year when we were here which was right in a group of houses. One can only think of how many people are strewn over the area.
We travelled through fields and fields of papaya trees and banana trees. We see miles and miles of rice paddies that are dry now and corn is planted in them during the dry season. Vegetables and fruits of all kinds dot the landscape. Every so often we see little stands of watermelon, papaya, bananas, mangos and other unknown fruits. Some are cut in slices and packaged in celophane bags with a stick closing them. 10 baht, 20 baht they ask for their produce. 30 baht approximately is one US dollar. Coconuts early and fresh are cut with macheties so that one can eat the coconut gel and drink the coconut water. The bananas are delicious. There are long bananas and finger bananas which are thick, short and very sweet with a chewy consistency. Ginger grows all over Thailand and especially in the North. Beautiful flowers and flowering trees are everywhere. Bright green, bright yellow, snowy white, light and dark pink and various shades of orange. Bamboo trees are swaying in the breeze throughout the countryside. It is very noticeable how good the soil is and so rich where ever you look. After this seasons crops, the fields are burned to get ready for the next crop. We wished we had a botanist with us to identify all the unusual flowers, trees and shrubbery.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tributes to the King
Thailand - as I see it.
Every few miles, or kilometers in Thailand, one can see a tribute to the King. Huge billboards are colorful, crisp and usually gold in color. There are little pagodas, small signs of the King, overhead bridge concrete structures every so often. Some of the pictures are of the King and his wife. In the movie theaters we watch many previews of movies to come, usually modernistic and quite violent previews. But I will discuss movie theaters in another blog. I wanted to tell of the movie of the King, before the feature film. Music is played and everyone stands and watches a movie of the King and Thailand. The movie, the national anthem, shows how everyone works together, is friendly, and loves Thailand. We see soldiers, nurses, doctors, police, teachers, football players, and children playing together. The song is beautiful and many sing along. Everyone is reverent, all stand up and noone moves for the two or three minutes. The music stops and all sit and get ready for the show.
The King is a handsome man and a perfect example for the people to look up to. In every restaurant, bar, hotel, home and any other building, one sees the King on calendars, framed pictures, and posters from long ago. There are not too many pictures of the present as he is getting older. I mentioned that to my son, who said that I should not say that. Everyone only says good about the King and does not say that he is getting older. He is held in the highest regard by all at all times. An interesting side note is that when you go into a large store like a Home Depot, there seems to be more workers than customers. Thailand is a service oriented country and all workers are there to serve you well. The King sets standards of excellence and the people show it in their daily lives.
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Every few miles, or kilometers in Thailand, one can see a tribute to the King. Huge billboards are colorful, crisp and usually gold in color. There are little pagodas, small signs of the King, overhead bridge concrete structures every so often. Some of the pictures are of the King and his wife. In the movie theaters we watch many previews of movies to come, usually modernistic and quite violent previews. But I will discuss movie theaters in another blog. I wanted to tell of the movie of the King, before the feature film. Music is played and everyone stands and watches a movie of the King and Thailand. The movie, the national anthem, shows how everyone works together, is friendly, and loves Thailand. We see soldiers, nurses, doctors, police, teachers, football players, and children playing together. The song is beautiful and many sing along. Everyone is reverent, all stand up and noone moves for the two or three minutes. The music stops and all sit and get ready for the show.
The King is a handsome man and a perfect example for the people to look up to. In every restaurant, bar, hotel, home and any other building, one sees the King on calendars, framed pictures, and posters from long ago. There are not too many pictures of the present as he is getting older. I mentioned that to my son, who said that I should not say that. Everyone only says good about the King and does not say that he is getting older. He is held in the highest regard by all at all times. An interesting side note is that when you go into a large store like a Home Depot, there seems to be more workers than customers. Thailand is a service oriented country and all workers are there to serve you well. The King sets standards of excellence and the people show it in their daily lives.
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Thailand an initial reflection
Thailand - as I see it. I have been to Thailand three times and each time I return, I am awed by the people, sights, activities and smiles.
Arriving in Bangkok, one notices a fragrant smell and warm feeling. Maybe it's the people, maybe it's the anticipation of life in this beautiful land, or maybe it's the fragrance of flowers or curry. Thai Air welcomes one with caring and elegance. Royal Silk Class is a treat from the special waiting lounge to the delicious Thai food served there. Arriving in Chiang Mai is the beginning of an adventure one never tires of having. The motorbikes, Tuk Tuks, red taxis and other forms of unique travel are always taking one to another special adventure. Walking also is a major form of movement in Thailand. I will discuss Wats, Buddhist Monks, Massages and all the special treatments, travel, sightseeing, elephants, flowers, eating, dining and just loving the food. I hope to intrigue you enough to see Thailand for yourself.
Arriving in Bangkok, one notices a fragrant smell and warm feeling. Maybe it's the people, maybe it's the anticipation of life in this beautiful land, or maybe it's the fragrance of flowers or curry. Thai Air welcomes one with caring and elegance. Royal Silk Class is a treat from the special waiting lounge to the delicious Thai food served there. Arriving in Chiang Mai is the beginning of an adventure one never tires of having. The motorbikes, Tuk Tuks, red taxis and other forms of unique travel are always taking one to another special adventure. Walking also is a major form of movement in Thailand. I will discuss Wats, Buddhist Monks, Massages and all the special treatments, travel, sightseeing, elephants, flowers, eating, dining and just loving the food. I hope to intrigue you enough to see Thailand for yourself.
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