24th Jan 2015 – To the West

Up nice and early and Saovanee, Wanna, Nuttasorn, Raj, Shoba and I all packed onto a van for our next trip to Kanchanaburi Province. Woke up early and caught van to Kanchanaburi Province. We stopped at the River Kwai Bridge and Hell fire Pass museum. I’ve been to both before with my parents. This was the busiest I’ve seen the bridge. I suppose there can’t be too many people on it while the train is crossing it!

From left to right: Nuttasorn, Shoba, Saovanee, Raj and I

 

Unfortunately the van broke down, so we waited at the garage while they fixed it.

Leave it to the experts…

Once it was fixed it was on-wards to Sangkhlaburi. It’s a winding trip around the outside of the three lakes, which are surrounded by mountains. For beauty, this has been my favourite place so far!

Snapped this quickly while in the van

After checking into the hotel, we were off again, to tour some of the temples. First to Wat Wang Wiwekaram. This temple was built around Luang Phaw Uttama, who passed away in 1983. This temple consists of a few different temples, the main one is where his remains are in a coffin.

The decorations adorning the main hall where Luang Phaw Uttama’s remains lie

 

The next temple we visited is called Buddhakaya Chedi. This one has stalls set up, to benefit from the tourists. It’s still under construction but no less impressive.

 

The next stop was the 400m long wooden bridges that span across the Vajiralongkorn Lake. From here you can reach the Mon village “Wang Kha” with the Thai and Karen parts of the town. You can also catch a long boat for 300 baht to the remains of old Sangkhlaburi, which is a stone temple, the bell tower and home for the monks. When the water level is high, the boats can go through the temple, but were able to walk through.

The boat ride reminded me of being in Renmark, with my cousins and uncle. A beautiful memory to be reminded of. The lakes and surrounding greenery were so lush, and completely unjustified by blurry photos, so I haven’t included any.

Nuttasorn loves photos, Shoba hates photos, Raj is afraid of boats and not being able to swim!

 

We ‘docked’ at the Mon Temple, Wat Samprasop and carefully balanced our way off. Don’t let the photos fool you. There were many more people here, but I was lucky to take some without all the selfie sticks.

 

It was almost sunset by now, so we headed back. Walking across that bridge revealed the ingenuity of it’s construction. It’s strong enough to hold all those people, yet built to conform to the wakes of boats coming and leaving their ports. A little bit of swaying underneath your feet never hurt anyone, though I was glad to be on solid ground afterwards.

The driver took us to the Saturday Night Walking Markets, which were quite small. While they ate at a restaurant I had a wonder through the stalls. It’s quite interesting to see the difference in handicrafts within the difference provinces of Thailand. So far, I have actually seen more things that I like in Chiang Mai. Coincidentally as were leaving, some children started a performance. They were from La Salle Bamboo School, which we will be visiting tomorrow. We also met Bro. Victor, who works there.

20th Jan 2015 – Nong Khai

I’m up nice and early because it’s COLD! I had to pinch another blanket in the middle of the night and I was still cold. Downstairs, it’s always a bit of a challenge having to refuse food and asking for a place to buy fruit because I hate offending anyone, especially those whose culture is to show affection and care by feeding you to the point of no return. Through the language barrier, I am sent on my way to look for fruit on one of the main streets. On a bike.

I’ve never ridden a bike anywhere other than Australia, but if you stay out of other people’s way, it’s not too bad. Early morning was still busy in Nong Khai, motorcycles and cars going everywhere. I think people expect anything, so most people are very aware. I was fine, until I forgot where to go to ride back to FFAC. I had an inkling I’d turned near a motorbike shop and it turns out that instinct was correct! I’d found nothing to eat though, and upon seeing this, Pensri took me again. This time she rode and I sat on the back! I wish I’d been able to take a photo. We rode up the street, further than I’d gone to an early morning market. Plenty of fruit and seafood on display. I wish I’d been able to cook up some prawns.

Back at the Babies Home, a girl from New Zealand was there. She comes most mornings, from 8 to 11 to spend time with the children. One of the girls, Elese received a package from her adoptive parents. They are from Germany and sent over a teddy bear, backpack and book with their photos. She was adorably most interested in the book.

After all the excitement, the girl from New Zealand left, and we walked to the hotel where Raj and Shoba are staying. Just across two busy main highways. When the two Thai ladies were nervous about crossing the road, I know I definitely was!

Pensri, Raj, Shoba and Nuttasorn in the hotel lobby

All of the FFAC crew with Raj and Shoba in the middle

With everyone at the Babies Home, Raj and Shoba started their Pranic Healing session.

Channeling sex energy into your brain. Looks as funny as it sounds, but great fun

Left or right!? Saai/Kwaa?!

Nuttasorn fulfilling her translation duties

It takes 3 people to remove 2 kg of jewelry from 1 person

Listening and learning

After Pranic Healing, the children went down for their nap and Nuttasorn, Shoba and Raj went for lunch. Once they came back, we all went for a little sightseeing along the beautiful Mekong River. Today was very hazy, so the photos aren’t intentionally blurry! We also caught their version of a Tuk Tuk to the Friendship Bridge, between Thailand and Laos.

Friendship Bridge. That sign in the back, says not to pass and I’m being such a rebel with my foot

The train to Laos

Nuttasorn said to stand in front of the thai sign

Along the boadwalk

Beautiful Mekong

Riding high

 

18th Jan 2015 – Making Friends in Chiang Mai

I barely slept last night on the night train. The mattress was rock hard and I was freezing the entire time. The air-con makes the room feel like a refrigerator. Once I was awake I stayed up and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The mountains and greenery of country Thailand, shrouded in fog, while the sun is still streaming through is gorgeous.

Goodnight!

 

At 10, we arrived at Chiang Mai train station, where Jane, a volunteer and foster parent at FFAC was waiting for us. She drove us to breakfast and onto the Babies Home.

I felt rude taking photos, so none for everyone else unfortunately. Many of the children here have severe disabilities. They often come from Nong Khai or Bangkok and then moved here. While the carers do as much for them as possible, it’s still quite hard to see them and hear their stories. The building is very make do, quite run down and small. One girl’s birth mum tried to abort her with drugs they suspect and by consequence she has severe developmental issues. Another was about to be adopted when she climbed out of her crib and fell. Her injuries caused severe brain damage, and now she is confined to a chair, unable to sit or stand on her own. It’s a good reminder that although the children hate being tethered and they scream and cry when you do it, it could save them. Most of the children I am with are awaiting families now. The paperwork just needs to be approved. These children, their only chance for adoption is if a couple specifically ask for a special needs child.

After we were introduced to the children and carers, Raj and Shoba took us outside to demonstrate Pranic healing. It works with people’s individual energy and clearing out the stress energy before healing the damage. We sat and meditated for 15 minutes and they showed us an exercise to help channel sex energy. I hope it will help the carers and the children. We were supposed to do some work with the children today but Shoba was feeling unwell so we took them to the hotel.

When arrived we found out there was no vacancy for me, so they went to another hotel to find room for me. They found one eventually at Noble Homestay (Chiang Mai), about 10 minutes walk away from the main gates of the old city.

I was starving by now so I went straight out to find some fruit. While waiting for the shuttle van to come, a Thai girl, Ying befriended me. Thais have an aversion to being alone apparently, and as this was my first time alone in Chiang Mai, I didn’t mind the company. First we ate at a little restaurant. She had some yummy looking soup and I had mango. Afterwards we walked down the street for a while, until she hailed a tuk tuk and we caught that to the Art in Paradise Museum. It’s a museum filled with illusion paintings. A good way to waste a couple of hours, taking silly pictures out of the heat. Many of the paintings are actually really life like and there’s a huge array. It helps to know a Thai, because foreigners pay 300 baht and locals only pay 180 baht. My job was to stand silently and smile, otherwise my accent would certainly give it away!

 

Starving again, we caught a bus (which is really an open van) to the Sunday walking markets. These markets are sprawling, set on the streets of Chiang Mai, blocked to traffic. Much of the products on sale aren’t just touristy garb either. There are vintage shoes, clothes, leather goods, paintings, home made skin care, lots of food and beautiful decorations. It never ceases to amaze me how clever people are. It’s almost impossible to keep track of which street you turned down, which intersection is which or when the markets will end, so if you want to buy something, do it while you can. You might not find it again.

Streets and streets of shopping

Don’t forget the amazing number of Wats or temples in Chiang Mai. It seems there’s on every few metres. I adore how intricate the designs are. They are well worth a look, but remember to remove your shoes and don’t act like paparazzi when taking photos. Also, the closer you approach, be mindful it’s really disrespectful to be taller than Buddha and to point your feet at him.

By the time we walked back, my feet were aching, I was constantly swatting mosquitoes and I just wanted to relax on my own. Tomorrow we are flying to Nong Kai, though I’m pretty sure Ying would love it if I went with her to Phuket!