Saturday 31 December 2011
Central Festival Mall
Pattaya for New Years!
Since we'd already done the trip to the islands we decided to hit Pattaya for New Years.
We're staying in the South near the beach and it's absolutely bustling with activity. Last night we decided to explore the beach-front market. Though some prices are horribly inflated there are also some really good deals to be found.
At first my claustrophobia was acting up horribly as the streets are absolutely packed. At night everywhere you look you will see fat russian tourists and Thai hookers. During the day, however, it's actually quite pleasant. The town is absolutely dead til about 11am when people start to trickle out onto the streets.
Today is an absolute scorcher so we are currently sitting on the covered deck of Mulligans (an Irish pub) having their All Day Fry-up. A word to the wise: don't bother. The breakfast was horrible. My cappuccino was pretty good though.
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We're staying in the South near the beach and it's absolutely bustling with activity. Last night we decided to explore the beach-front market. Though some prices are horribly inflated there are also some really good deals to be found.
At first my claustrophobia was acting up horribly as the streets are absolutely packed. At night everywhere you look you will see fat russian tourists and Thai hookers. During the day, however, it's actually quite pleasant. The town is absolutely dead til about 11am when people start to trickle out onto the streets.
Today is an absolute scorcher so we are currently sitting on the covered deck of Mulligans (an Irish pub) having their All Day Fry-up. A word to the wise: don't bother. The breakfast was horrible. My cappuccino was pretty good though.
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Wednesday 28 December 2011
Little Santa Competition
Special Needs
In Thailand the special needs kids are not separated from the others, but are in fact integrated into the normal classes.
This can be a very disruptive and sometimes disturbing sight. The biggest problem here seems to be autism. One is often left unsure of how much these kids actually understand, if anything at all.
In one of my high school classes I have one such student. He mostly sits through classes smiling inanely and occasionally laughing at random things. He's not disruptive though so he's not a bother, but as I only see my students once a week I simply don't have the time to give him any special attention.
My colleague Sam is more unfortunate in that his special student is at primary level and can be very disruptive at times. He has random fits of crying and throwing tantrums and often has to be calmed down by Sam's Thai teaching assistant.
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This can be a very disruptive and sometimes disturbing sight. The biggest problem here seems to be autism. One is often left unsure of how much these kids actually understand, if anything at all.
In one of my high school classes I have one such student. He mostly sits through classes smiling inanely and occasionally laughing at random things. He's not disruptive though so he's not a bother, but as I only see my students once a week I simply don't have the time to give him any special attention.
My colleague Sam is more unfortunate in that his special student is at primary level and can be very disruptive at times. He has random fits of crying and throwing tantrums and often has to be calmed down by Sam's Thai teaching assistant.
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Friday 23 December 2011
Wednesday 21 December 2011
The latest addition to our family
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Our local shop for local people
Our Townhouse
An interesting acoustic cover
Friday 16 December 2011
Sunday 11 December 2011
Thai Braai
Altitude Party
Modern Xmas Tree
Friday 9 December 2011
Thursday 8 December 2011
CCF
One thing I have learned when buying shoes in Thailand is that you have to make sure they meet the CCF requirements: Comfortable, Cool and Flood-proof.
Comfortable: Unless you're a lazy bastard, or live in central Bangkok, you're gonna do a lot of walking. If, like me, you weren't born wearing a pair of 6" heels you're gonna need comfortable shoes if you don't want your feet to be as spotted with blisters as a leper is with sores.
Cool: Other than flip-flops, I personally never wore open shoes or sandals UNTIL I came to Thailand. It is simply too hot for closed shoes, unless you're content with squelching around in two of your very own puddles of sweat.
Flood-proof: Within a week my suede pumps had been ruined by the monsoon. Even if your area isn't prone to flooding, when it rains the roads will be slightly flooded and if the rain itself doesn't ruin your shoes, the puddles in the uneven roads will.
Most Thais will wear some sort of flip-flop or sandal and, if you're of a more fashion conscious mind, there is a great variety of rubber pumps and sandals in a variety of different styles to be found.
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Comfortable: Unless you're a lazy bastard, or live in central Bangkok, you're gonna do a lot of walking. If, like me, you weren't born wearing a pair of 6" heels you're gonna need comfortable shoes if you don't want your feet to be as spotted with blisters as a leper is with sores.
Cool: Other than flip-flops, I personally never wore open shoes or sandals UNTIL I came to Thailand. It is simply too hot for closed shoes, unless you're content with squelching around in two of your very own puddles of sweat.
Flood-proof: Within a week my suede pumps had been ruined by the monsoon. Even if your area isn't prone to flooding, when it rains the roads will be slightly flooded and if the rain itself doesn't ruin your shoes, the puddles in the uneven roads will.
Most Thais will wear some sort of flip-flop or sandal and, if you're of a more fashion conscious mind, there is a great variety of rubber pumps and sandals in a variety of different styles to be found.
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Sunday 27 November 2011
Waiter, there's a Pooh in my noodles...
Saturday 26 November 2011
Home Sweet Home
We've finally moved into our new townhouse in Klong 4. The surrounding areas are still flooded, but Klong 4 and 5 are mostly dry.
The word "klong" means canal. All the neighbourhoods in the Lamlukka district are named after their canal number.
The fridge, washing machine, microwave and couch that was here before is gone (damaged by the flood apparently) and the lounge curtains need to be replaced. We have been promised that some of these items will be replaced soon, although we have no idea when.
The Tesco across the road from our village is still closed so we have to use the Big C in Klong 5 for any shopping. Getting in and out of our area is still a bit difficult as the paranoid taxi drivers are afraid to go where there is the slightest bit of water.
The house is pretty bare at the moment as most of our things are still in the apartment building in Klong 2 which is still inaccessible at this time.
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The word "klong" means canal. All the neighbourhoods in the Lamlukka district are named after their canal number.
The fridge, washing machine, microwave and couch that was here before is gone (damaged by the flood apparently) and the lounge curtains need to be replaced. We have been promised that some of these items will be replaced soon, although we have no idea when.
The Tesco across the road from our village is still closed so we have to use the Big C in Klong 5 for any shopping. Getting in and out of our area is still a bit difficult as the paranoid taxi drivers are afraid to go where there is the slightest bit of water.
The house is pretty bare at the moment as most of our things are still in the apartment building in Klong 2 which is still inaccessible at this time.
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Wednesday 23 November 2011
No pain, no gain...
Saturday 19 November 2011
To the loo
Bridge the gap!
On top of the world
Up up and away!
What time is it in _______?
Arrivals
Friday 18 November 2011
Destinations at Terminal 21
Thursday 17 November 2011
Would you like a bag for that?
Some interesting graffiti
Goodbye again Koh Phangan
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Tuesday 15 November 2011
One shot of happy, two shots of sad
After 4 months of toil and much struggling with visa issues I will finally be getting my workpermit this week so I should be celebrating right?
Wrong...
I am finally leaving Koh Phangan tomorrow morning to head back to Bangkok to get the workpermit. I had to spend the greater part of the last of our meager cash reserves to settle the bill for our bungalow and buy our tickets. We will be arriving in Bangkok homeless and near penniless to stay in a relief centre til the 20th, after which I have no idea where we will go while we await my salary which will only be paid on the 31st.
So yes, for one shot of happy I also have to take 2 shots of sad. It sure has been one hell of an adventure so far. Here's to hoping we'll make it through this leg of the journey in one piece...
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Wrong...
I am finally leaving Koh Phangan tomorrow morning to head back to Bangkok to get the workpermit. I had to spend the greater part of the last of our meager cash reserves to settle the bill for our bungalow and buy our tickets. We will be arriving in Bangkok homeless and near penniless to stay in a relief centre til the 20th, after which I have no idea where we will go while we await my salary which will only be paid on the 31st.
So yes, for one shot of happy I also have to take 2 shots of sad. It sure has been one hell of an adventure so far. Here's to hoping we'll make it through this leg of the journey in one piece...
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Saturday 12 November 2011
Make a wish!
Happy birthday Mike!
Cappucino Shake
Friday 11 November 2011
Monsoon
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