Guesthouse In Thailand

December 2008

It was a lovely December, the weather was a little windy but mainly fine. Those evening where cool but the days just great. We also had wonderful guests including John Louisa and Oliver, Tony and Nat, Steven from Italy, Stefan, Mia, Milla and Isabel.

Tony, Nat, John, Louisa and Oliver who is a friend of "Ben"

We had a great  Christmas day. Thankyou George, for the Cranberry sauce. Thank you Kees for your company. A special thanks to the Turkey that gave its life so we could enjoy lunch.

Today the 19th December Our village performed a culture show at the annual Mukdahan Fair. It was just beautiful. The team did a great job and as always everybody had a great time.

 On Sunday the 8th we had our third monthly BBQ, It was a great day and evryone enjoyed the beautiful weather, drinks companionship and (I hope) the Steak.

Two of our very welcome guests, Thomas and Bow

November 2008

We had a great trip to Australia. Noi and I spent some special time with Daniel and Mia, my kids. Also visited Davids Mum in Queensland.

But its nice to be back home.

From left to right. Daniel (my son) Wilson (our friends son) Mia (my daughter) and Noi (my lovely wife)

September 2008

7/9/2008

We had a  great Aussie BBQ today. The best Sirloin Steaks and lots of beer etc., I want to thank everyone for coming. We shall do it again next month.

The latest news 30/08/2008

What a great weekend here at Ban Kham Phok.  It started on Saturday morning, It was a Buddha day, and our village was having a “Tam boon” (merit making day). This is a day for giving. This act needs to be explained. Merit making, or gift giving, benefits the giver. Unlike the Christian act of giving, the Thai believe that they will be the recipient of that gift in there next life or at least improve there Karma. So give something that you like now, and then you can have what you like next time round. Cool!!. This also explains why the giver will bow or say “Thank you” when they give. It is usually a Monk that is the receiver of the gift, and it’s not necessary for him to acknowledge the present.

As always, a tradition like “Tam boon” will be fun with the Thais, it’s a great excuse for a party. The village of Bhan Kham Phok is not big. We are about 800 residence and many more young people living and working in the big cities. But for a small village they can make big fun. It started at the local corner store that was turned into an Isaan style Karaoke bar. As the only westerner in the village I was the chosen singer of western music, roll out “The Eagles”, “Elvis” and “Bee Gees” and that was my contribution. But for the Thais this was only a warm up. Whilst the modern music was thumping out, a culture many hundreds of years old was being re-enacted in unison. “The Money Tree”. This is how it works. A central pole made from a thick shoot of Bamboo and measuring about 1 meter is cut, then there are branches made again from Bamboo only smaller sprigs. About one hundred in all. These are stuck into the main trunk and having made a small slit in the sprigs we are ready to Tam boon. A finished money tree looks just like its title. We to leave the corner shop being led by “The one eye coconut band”. This is our local group of entertainers and are used for all Festivals. Thai traditional musical instruments are made from Bamboo and are incredibly versatile. The Guitar used is plugged into a battery driven amplifier and two men carry a pole loaded up with drums and a gong. The music starts and off we all head at a walking pace along our small “soi” (street)with the music pounding away. As we pass the tiny timber homes people come out and make there donation (Tam Boon) by folding a 20bht note or bigger and slipping it into the slit on the branch. Then they join the procession and dancing. It seems that a little local “White Whisky” helps with the atmosphere so out come a few bottles that are passed around.  We walk about a kilometer and hit the main road. Traffic politely stops for the dancers and band. Drivers are well acquainted with the custom and respect the passage of our group. We then do a left turn and are in for the home run, which is the “Wat” (Temple). We are met by the Monks at the Temple gates. They cool us off and bless us at the same time with water splashed on us from the branches of some plant, perhaps Bamboo again. We move around the main building to the “Wat” three times and then enter peacefully inside. There is much chanting and prayer and I sit down with everybody to listen. The money tree is handed over to the head Monk who says a prayer and then the food is handed out. The meal consists of mainly sticky rice and coconut cooked in Banana leaf. It is sweet and very tasty. All this food was prepared for this ceremony by the village ladies and is also considered “Tam Boon”. Once the meal is over the party breaks up and we all head home. What a day.      

August 2008

This last weekend my friend Jordan and I visited Surin. Surin is famous for a once a year event called the “Elephant Roundup” 

July 2008

It is now well and truly the rainy season. Not much to report except how beautiful everything looks, so green.

We have been planting the rice and other farming activities. Noi has a new Turnip field that is doing very well. The Australian Euchalyptus is growing like crazy. All these things can make for a very interesting holiday even if its wet. Our rainy season is not so bad, showers of a night and normally dry in the mornings. With an occasional storm in the afternoons.

This month (19th) we will celebrate Peters birthday. Peter is a regular to Thai House Resort. "Happy Birthday" Peter. We are looking forward to the visit of you and your family.

April 2008

The latest big news. Its only a few weeks to Bung Fai, if there's one event not to miss its this one. Imagine 2 ton home made rockets shaped like Catherine wheels on there side, hurling into the day sky, going, going gone. Its three days of crazy excitement like only the Thais can do. Starting in mid May. Come and see this event with David and Noi.

Noi and I are always on the lookout for something or somewhere to show our guest and friends. Yesterday we found a very unusual Temple with its own coffee shop and garden nursery. It was incredible to find this spot only 40 minutes away from the resort.

 We had a very nice couple with us this March. Bertrand and Lucy visited from England. They enjoyed trying REAL Isaan food, inclucing Red Ant Eggs cooked in a Larb. Lucy had a great time foraging with Noi. Infact she went back to the forest for a second attempt. Came back with 50 or so Saccados (tree insects)

 It is foraging heaven in March and April and May. Lots to find in the Forests here. Bugs, herbs, Orchids, lots and lots.

12/4/2008 Letsremember, It was a great "Songkran" Dont forget your water pistol next year.