Thailand

March 15-19, 2009 Thailand
Picture us speeding along the river and canals in Bangkok. We rode in a longboat, a narrow craft with a huge V8 engine mounted in the stern and a long shaft hanging behind into the water propelling us forward. We passed temples glittering with gold and gray rot-wood pilings holding up homes with flowers and many chimes in their windows. We saw children jumping into the canal and mothers bathing their babies in big clay pots. Catfish bubbled at the surface beside a temple, and we were given bread to feed their frenzy. A small boat pulled up to ours. A lady in a straw hat had it heaped with souvenirs for sale, and we bought a little model of her boat. Our longboat driver honked at canal corners, turning into another canal with floating lotus flowers. Back on the choppy, boat-busy river, we stopped at Wat Arun and climbed steep steps to the top of its pyramid shape. It was decorated with stone statues, tiles, and pieces of china from a shipment the king had once received damaged.
We stayed at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel in Bangkok for one night. Les and I were on the 38th floor, but Matthew & Aniseh were up on the 61st. Barrett loved the turquoise blue outdoor swimming pool on the 20th floor. We ate at a fruit bar: durian (which smells horrible and tastes delicious), dragon fruit, yellow watermelon, coconuts with straws, marina plums, pomelo, rambutan, mangos, assorted juices and candied fruits and more! Les and Matthew bought suits and shirts that were made to order in one day. We went to Suan Lum Night Market. Different kinds of colored lights for sale enchanted the evening! Our birthday dinner for Matthew was at the fancy Shangri-la, overlooking the river. We were entertained by Thai dancers in glittering costumes of birds, fish, or crowns of gold.
March and April are the summer season in Thailand. The air is steamy. Our port, Laem Chabang, is located away from towns in an industrial area. The port is amazingly neat with huge cranes loading ships efficiently, one container every thirty seconds!
Les and I went to Sriracha Tiger Farm one day. There were circus shows with tigers, crocodiles, and pigs , but it was also a place where the Thais are breeding and saving the tigers. In one room there were at least 20 baby tigers in separate cages. We paid extra to hold a baby tiger briefly. Baby tiger fur defines soft!
Finally we visited Pattaya Elephant Village. Here the Thai people keep some working elephants that are not used for work any more. They also have breeding programs. The elephants come right up to people, and we fed them bunches of bananas. Their trunks have a slightly slimy tip or finger. A dozen of us were allowed to ride the elephants into the water for a bath. The elephants’ heads are whiskery, and their ears are rubbery. It was amazing – I was laughing all the way! Les, Barrett and Wendy also got to ride the elephants. Climbing up on an elephant is somewhat tricky!
Matthew gave a talk at Bangkok University and performed some of his music with a few students. The Thai students participated in the MICE Squeak piece.