Thailand Holiday - Day 13

Wat Luang Pu Nak
Originally uploaded by Evans-Amsri

In the morning Jeep, Sunisa, Myself, PJ and William visited a nearby temple - Wat Luang Pu Nak. We took food to offer to the monks and share with the other visitors to the temple. I took many photos of the sculptures depicting hell. We bought a Buddha image and some amulets from the temple shop to take home with us. Afterwards we bought some fish food to feed the temple fish.

Later, Jeep and I slipped out without the boys to do some shopping in Udon. We bought several items that we wanted to take back to the Isle of Man. We met Plai later after he finished school. In the evening we stopped by at our favourite kerbside noodle bar in Udon Datsadi Road. Afterwards to did some more shopping in Tesco Lotus before returning home. By the time we got home William was fast asleep.

Thailand Holiday - day 12

Loi Krathong
Originally uploaded by Evans-Amsri

Fulll Moon - Loi Krathong festival. Aom and Garn stopped by for a visit in the morning. Aom has changed so much I did not recognise her. Lunchtime we watched the Loi Krathong carnival procession through the town. The costums, floats and dancing was a delight! Afterwards, we lunched and chatted with Aom and Garn. Later they left to return to Udon. After dark, we went into town, bought our Krathongs (floats) and set them afloat in the local pond. Later, Jeep and I went to the nearby school grounds where the main festivities were taking place. We watched a little of the beauty pagent. There were also dance competitions from various schools in the area.

Thailand Holiday - day 11

Sunrise over the fishponds
Originally uploaded by Evans-Amsri

We woke early and I took some photos of the sunrise over the fishponds. We breakfasted at Gulab's house, just a short drive from the guest house. We chatted awhile with Gulab's sisters, Udorn and Lamduan, and Udorn's husband Moor. Late morning we drove home for lunch as we promised PJ we would be home then. During our drive home we spotted a snake crossing the road ahead of us. We slowed to watch it's rapid progress - this is considered lucky to witness - it is quite rare to see a snake. Amazing how quickly a snake can cross a road! PJ had a great time at home - spoilt rotten! In the afternoon Jeep and PJ had their hair cut. Both look great. Jeep's cough is getting better. Weather is noticeably cooler now in the morning and evening. When the sun gets up it is lovely and warm again.

Thailand Holiday - day 10

Gulab's Guest House
Originally uploaded by Evans-Amsri

Jeep, Sa, Gulab, William and Myself drove to Gulab's home - Ban San Te Suk, ampur Pha Khaow, Loei province. We drove past Erawan Cave. We must visit it one day. We stayed overnight in Gulab's guest house, surrounded on three sides by fish ponds. Still no trouble with those dreaded mossies! Gulab and Sa slept in the tent on the balcony. The tent makes a great natural mossie net! I took some great photos of the sunrise next day - we got up early!

Thailand Holiday - day 9

A quiet day today. Jeep still has her bad cough. We all got up early to visit the forest temple - Wat Na Kha. It was good to see the senior monk at the temple again.

Later in the morning, we were visited by Jeep's aunt, uncle and cousins.

In the afternoon, our good friend Gulab from Loei province visited us with her sisters and brother-in-law. Gulab's family returned home and Gulab stayed with us overnight. Tomorrow, we will all go to the local temple to make merit.

In the evening, Uan, Buth, Pui, myself and the boys visited Wat Luang Pu Nak to tell our fortunes using chinese fortune sticks. I drew number 28 and PJ number 16. Both were supposed to be good. I couldn't read Thai or Chinese so I had to rely of others to translate. We bought some fish food and fed the catfish in the temple pond.

Thailand Holiday - day 8

Bike made for err... 4!
Originally uploaded by Evans-Amsri

Rode the motorbike today with Pj and Jeep as pillion and William astride the footwell to the local Tescos. We did some shopping then returned in the same manner plus some shopping.

Later in the morning we drove to Uma's parents home in Thung Fon - to the east of Udon Thani - not far from Ban Chiang world heritage site. We delivered some family photos to Uma's parents and stayed for lunch.

After lunch we visited one of Jeep's cousin's who lived nearby (about 5 miles back the way we came).

On the way home we stopped off at the Big C shopping mall in Udon, arriving home late.

Thailand Holiday - day 7

This morning, Jeep gave me some brief instructions on how to ride the motorbikes. I prefer the pink one - twist and go - can't be simpler. The black one has a tempermental choke! I was riding about town in no time. I rode to the computer shop (where else?) and bought a sound card and speakers for Plai's computer - the onboard sound card is rubbish! Back home, I fitted the card and fired up Skype. In the evening, I called Mum in Spain. Late evening our end, mid-afternoon Spanish time. Video was great, sound not so good. We could hear Mum (most of the time) but Mum kept losing us!

Plai is well pleased with the addition of the sound card. It makes all the difference to his game playing and listening to music on YouTube.

Thailand Holiday - day 6

Neighbours at Gold Shop
Originally uploaded by Evans-Amsri

This morning we visited our neighbours at the gold shop. I presented the patron with a bottle of Glenmorangie. I have yet to find any malt Whisky in Thailand. Plenty of blended stuff, but no malt. I'm sure it can be had (for a price) in Bangkok, but elsewhere I'm not so sure the demand is there.

We sat and chatted with our neighbours for an hour or so. PJ and William went off to school with their cousin Palmy. This is a private school in Ban Phue. It was very quite at home without the children. I went shopping alone at the department store in Ban Phue. I bought some shorts and shirts. I was horrified at my waist size. I must do something about this when I get back to the Isle of Man.

The children arrived home at lunchtime. PJ wasn't happy with the Thai food at school.

During the early afternoon we stood by the cross-road in the town centre to watch the Chinese festival and parade. There was a dragon dance along the main road with lots of fire crackers, some acrobatics and then a very lengthy parade. Different communities in Ban Phue put on float displays, dance troops, beauty queens and generally made as much noise as possible. This really marked the start of Loi Krathong festival. Many of the procession displayed their Krathongs - a float made from banana leaves and decorated with flowers and candles. Some were very large and ornate. These would be floated during the night of the full-moon (this year the 12th) after dark on the local waters.

In the evening after dark we went into town again to visit the fair. Plenty of food stalls - delicious! There was a Chinese theatre, a Chinese shrine, some fairground rides, an outdoor stageshow and and outdoor cinema. This fair runs until Loi Krathong itself. We will come back again. PJ, Palmy and William manage to persuade Na Sa and Na Buth to take them to the fair every evening!

PJ is taking to learning Thai under Na Sa's tutorledge. It seems to me with PJ's tantrums, all he needs is more attention. William happily plays alone or with others, he doesn't need the constant attention as PJ does. Gold star today for William.

Thailand Holiday - day 5

Feeding fish in Nong Prajak Park
Originally uploaded by Evans-Amsri

I sat around home and chatted the morning away. In the afternoon we drove to Udon and fed the fish at Nong Prajak Park. Later we went to the Chaoensri Complex shopping mall. I bought various bits for Plai's PC. When we got home I setup the webcam and downloaded Skype. I checked Skype but Mum was not online. PJ and William enjoy being taken around town on one of the motorbikes with Na Sa (Auntie Sunisa). The bikes hardly qualify as 'motorbikes', 50-100cc and fully automatic. No pedals, push button to start engine, twist throttle and go! The brakes are the same as for a bicycle. If fact it is just like riding a bicycle but no peddling!

Thailand Holiday - day 4

Past Kings of Thailand
Originally uploaded by Evans-Amsri

Today we visited the Thai equivalent of Madame Tussaud's. It contains famous and historical figures of Thailand. The name in English of the waxworks is "Thai Human Imagery Museum".

We stopped at another floating resturant for lunch. Afterwards, we had a mad dash across Bangkok to Pui's apartment to pick up our bags (we should have taken them with us!) Then we had another dash back across Bangkok to Don Muang airport to catch our flight up to Udon Thani. This was a first for Jeep's mum. She enjoyed the flight. She didn't enjoy the run through departures to board the flight with minutes to spare! 13,300 Baht for 4 adults and 3 children, very reasonable. This was with Nok Air. Later we were to find that Thai Airways had a special offer, which put their fares very close to Nok Air. Thai Airways operates A320 airbuses, while Nok Air operates Boeing 737s. Along with the better service from Thai Airways it would have been the better deal. Next time...

We arrived at Udon at 17:30 to be met by Plai with an aircon vannette for the 40 minute run to Ban Phue - quicker than Pui and Uan's drive back across Bangkok. We got home first!

Pa was pleased to see us, more tears and hugs.

Thailand Holiday - day 3

Monday we drove into Bangkok - usual heavy traffic. We arrived at the Siam Paragon shopping mall for lunch. My Abbey debit card would not work in the ATMs! I tried a bank - no joy. Jeep's Barclays debit card would not work in the ATMs either! In the bank Jeep's card was accepted but mine wasn't. I will transfer my money via the internet to my pre-payment Master Card.

We had a fun time in Ocean World aquarium which is in the basement of the Siam Paragon. As anticipated, Thais 500 Baht but foreigners 900 Baht! We managed to get in with a 1,500 Baht (Thai price) family ticket for four, 3,000 Baht for the same ticket for foreigners. Incidentally, foreigner prices displayed using western numerals, Thai prices displayed in Thai numerals, so most foreigners never know - cheeky!

The aquarium was probably worth the foreigners price as it can easily take over an hour to get through. We had a great time! Included in the family ticket price was a trip around the main tank in a glass bottomed boat with commentary. Later PJ became a stooge for a comic magician performing in front of one of the tanks. Everyone including PJ had a scream! We were crying with laughter. PJ makes a great stooge!

Later we crossed Bangkok, again in heavy traffic, for a delicious evening meal with one of Jeep's neighbours who had moved to Bangkok from Ban Phue. They remember PJ when he was a baby.

Later that evening we had a traffic free run across Bangkok back to Uan and Pui's apartment.

Thailand Holiday - day 1 & 2

Jeep caught a cold two days before we left the Isle of Man. We flew from London Heathrow on Thai Airways TG917 at 21:35 on Saturday 1st November - slight delay due to late arrival of flight crew.

PJ and william were both sick before we boarded - to much rich food? They continued to be sick sparodically throughout the flight! Little sleep for us all. We arrived tired but relieved at 16:30 local time on Sunday. Immigration were friendly and helpful and we passed through baggage reclaim and customs quickly.

Yai, Sunisa, Pui, Uan and Palmy met us at the airport. Everyone was choked with a few tears, including me! We all piled into Uan's car and drove across Bangkok to Uan and Pui's apartment. We drove west into the setting sun and across a river.

Though we were tired we dined out at a local floating resturant at Sam Phuan. A very enjoyable meal. We slept with difficulty that night even though we were very tired - Jet lag?

MBCS CITP

Today I received notification from the British Computer Society of my Chartered IT Professional status within the BCS. I should receive my certificate within the next 7 to 10 days. My late Dad would be pleased. I would also like to congratulate Richard Downing-Green who received his CITP status a few weeks ago. Well done Richard.

VB.NET - passed!

My final result came through last week. I scored 89% for my assignment, and as this carried 70% of the overall mark, my final result was 88%. I am very pleased with that.

VB.NET

I received my marks for my first assessment last week. I was awarded 84%. Quite good I thought. I believed I would get better than 80% and I was right. Reading my examiners comments, I could have done much better. I lost my points by either not saying enough or not using enough comments in my code. This takes me back to my school days - "could do better".

I have completed the second part of the course and I am on schedule for handing in my programming assignment that makes up my final assessment and 70% of my overall marks. This is due in next Monday 12th of May. Again, I am aiming for greater than 80% mark.

Barber Shop

If you have headphones you must listen to this...

VB.NET

My mid-term assesment has been completed and represents 30% of my final marks. I have to complete my last unit and the final assessment. This assessment is a small project and tests most of what was covered in the whole course. This will give me my remaining 70% of my marks. I am quietly confident of passing at a reasonable level. I'm also equally confident that I won't get 100%. I'm not that good!

A final note for this entry... I have another cold along with the usual chest infection. I thought I was done with these for this winter. I really am looking forward to some warmer weather. Even now it is still cold with some wintery blasts from the north. Not a good April, maybe this year promises a great summer.

Life of a Thai Teenager

If you love Thailand then you really must visit Panrit (Gor) Daoruang's website - http://www.gorsworld.com/ . He is serving a 3 year sentence for drug possession. Please purchase his autobiography, by doing so you will be supporting his lovely daughter - Nong Grace. His websites are also a great resource for learning Thai.

VB.NET

Well, I'm about half-way through the course. I now have my first assessment to complete. That's due no later than the 14th April. So far so good. It is a very smooth language to learn.

Visual Basic 2005

I have just started learning VB. I am studying with Exeter University on one of their undergraduate distance learning modules - Programming with Visual Basic .NET. The course started yesterday so I have nothing to report just yet.

I have just noticed how out of date I have let my website get. I must update it!