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A nice respite from the heat, Harry and I went to this waterfall to get away from the heat. AWESOME!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Slow Boat to Luang Prabang
After the Gibbon Experience, we took a TWO day slow boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. We stopped for the night in a small riverside community. I thought I would hate this trip, but it was quite relaxing and we could read and enjoy the scenery (in contrast to buses where it is impossible to read as the roads are super winding and twisty and rough). After two days on the boat we were thrilled to be in Luang Prabang. A beautiful city and with French influence; there was good coffee and pastries, temples, and great architecture.
Into Laos
After crossing the Mekong River from Chiang Khong, Thailand to Houey Xai, Laos on a small boat, we registered for the gibbon experience.The next day we drove to the Bokeo National Park and hiked in about 1 hour where we received our harnesses. We walked and "zipped" our way for another hour to our home for two nights. . .treehouse #7. It was a treehouse, yes, 40 to 50 meters in the air. Just spectacular. We saw gibbons our first morning and heard them sing our second morning. We hiked and zipped through the forest for three days. Just amazing, a highlight of the trip.
BTW: you don't pronounce the "s" in Laos.
BTW: you don't pronounce the "s" in Laos.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Bottle Beach Resort
Harry and I have spent the last four days at Bottle Beach, a secluded beach on the north coast of Koh Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand. It was hard to get to (18 hours to be exact) but well worth it. We haven't moved much since we arrived. Swim, walk, read, eat, sleep, repeat. We talked about going to one of the towns on the island by long boat taxi, but decided why bother, it is so nice here, no hassles.
Swim, walk, read, eat, sleep. Repeat.
E & H on the River Kwai
After leaving Bangkok and the Red Shirts, Harry and I went to Kanchanaburi for three days. This town is directly on the River Kwai, known famous from the movie, the Bridge of the River Kwai. It is the main town along the "death railway" that prisoners of war in WW 2 were made to build by the Japanese. Lots of WW 2 history. Also in the area are many national parks, we went to one and climbed the seven steps of Erawan Falls and swam in three of the steps. It was really, really hot!! Like unbelievably hot.
Harry's first Pad Thai (in Thailand)
On Harry's second day after touring the Grand Palace, we went to a typical street vendor to get his first Pad Thai in Thailand. Pad Thai is his favorite dish! He loved it. You can see the woman in the hat behind him is making it.
The day included Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun (my favorite), Thai Massage and river boat ride. Typical first tourist day in Thailand.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Harry Arrives; More Red Shirts
Harry arrived safely early this morning. He is here just in time for more Red Shirt rallys. They are now rallying near campus in the midst of the mega shopping mall area nearby. This has closed down one of Thailand's biggest industries. . . shopping. In addition, campus has been in lock down mode again since friday. It is interesting to see how they do it, they just, in mass, park in the middle of the road so no one can move. They have been there for over 24 hours now. Might get interesting . . . Harry and I will leave Bangkok Tuesday and hopefully by the time we return in a month things will have settled.
Graduation!
Can't believe it but we graduated with our certificates in Peace and Conflict Resolution just two nights ago. It was a long evening with our group presentations before speeches and graduation. Our group, Suhail, Darren, Tazeen, Dominos and myself developed a role play based on a case study we learned about in Northern Thailand. The role play is for high school students and adults to learn about peaceful solutions to conflict.
Our presentation was a short skit demonstrating how a role play might play out. We had some drama in our group, but in the end we all did a great job!
Our presentation was a short skit demonstrating how a role play might play out. We had some drama in our group, but in the end we all did a great job!
Fish Pedicure
My friend Susan who is a fish biologist took me for my first fish pedicure. What is that? You guessed it, you put your feet in a tank full of fish and they suck the dead skin off of them. It seems to be a Thai thing. Very wierd, but an interesting experience.
Thai Cooking Class
My Rotary Host counselor invited me to her house a few weeks ago and taught me some Thai Cooking. It was a great day.We made from top to bottom Son in-laws eggs, Papaya Salad, Sour Red Curry and Minced Pork with Holy Basil.
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