Saturday, Jan. 31. Ahya's birthday party preparations

People were up early to continue preparing for the big birthday party.  Food is being prepared, decorations put up.

Fruit kebobs

Balloons inside princess chair

For the birthday princess

Jan 30- Feb. 1 Khao Yai

Jan 30- Feb. 1 Khao Yai

Khao Yai  (birthday celebrations for Dainty and Ahya)



Jan. 30

Jan. 31

Feb. 1

Friday, Jan. 30

We were up early but slow to get moving. I walked to school and thought I would upload my pics to Mixbook and start on the Asia book.  When I got to Dainty's office she said the principal wanted to see me. After a bit of a wait, the Assistant principal called me into his office.  He interviewed me for an hour or so and then said he would discuss with the principal.  The interview went very well and he liked the programs and projects that I said I vision for RIS.  However, Sudha, who is the head of hiring is still in the U.S. at hiring fairs. So I doubt I will hear before she gets back.

We are packed and soon will be off to Khao Yai.  We left at 4:30 and did the usual stop at A & W for root beer and snacks.  The menu has a Mozzarella burger but that is all that is the same.  Curly fries no onion rings. Chicken waffle sandwich, pork and rice. Interesting but goes with the slogan here- same - same - different.

We were unpacking, drinking wine, blowing up balloons and eating.  There were five loaded cars here last night, so about 25 people. The house has three floors. Each floor has a kitchen, three bedrooms each with their own ensuite, AC unit, and TV.  All the rooms exit onto the balcony.  So, in total nine bedrooms, three kitchens, three living rooms and three huge open spaces.  They have about 20 large tables and fifty chairs, perfect for large gatherings.  The owner said we may use it at any time, just like her know!  There is a staff house behind that the guy who looks after it lives.  He made the beds, cleans up etc.  pretty awesome set-up!

Thursday, Jan. 29 Final Post

Our flight was delayed 1.5 hrs., thank goodness for the lounge. We landed and Dainty picked us up with her new car, impressive! It is a Honda - SUV type (Mobilio).

She took us to a great restaurant, huge , lots of different areas, water with geese, ducks, and fish.

Thursday, Jan. 29

We were up early and packing..... Back to BKK this afternoon.

We headed out for breakfast to our fav Better than Butter Bakery.  We had banana and blueberry pancakes, Canadian bacon, and drip coffee.  Mmmm

Next we took a tuk tuk to the market to stock up on pork rind and green chili dip for Ahya's birthday party this weekend in Khaw Yai.

We passed this shop where I had been admiring these dresses so had to stop and buy one - the lime green one of course.

Check out this sign at the fabric store.... In English even !

Then we returned home and packed the rest of our goodies and took a taxi to the airport.  As I mentioned before, Bangkok Airways has a lounge for all passengers.  It has free beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, comfy chairs, and wifi.  Love it!

Today's snacks: chicken pie, ham croissant, brownie, tuna sandwich, sticky rice and red bean paste, and popcorn and a couple other snacks I don't know.

Sites along the way

These bushes are in bloom everywhere .... Called the Orange bush in Thai 

The old city wall

Wednesday, Jan 28. Part 2

At 3:00 Ray and Bonnie picked us up and took us to Nuu Rain.  They are from Nipawin and ten years ago they started a place for women who were infected with HIV and their children.  My former students  in Star City have had them in to speak and then last year at our Mini WE Day they did a presentation.  They invited us out for supper and to visit with the women who are currently living there.

When she arrived she could not walk, now she loves to garden and has a beautiful smile thanks to having a sponsor pay for her to have teeth.

They feed their dog just like we do. :). We had pad Thai with shrimp, papaya salad, pineapple and papaya. Delicious

Blowing bubbles

A gorgeous sunset

We had a great visit with all at Nuu Rain.  It is a great place full of awesome people starting a new life.  Kudos to Bonnie and Ray.

Wednesday, Jan. 28

We started our day by sleeping in ..... We didn't get up until 9.

Our original plan was to get up early and head to the Immigration Office to get our visa extended.  However, I figured out that it would be impossible to do it now. We must wait until we come back from Vietnam because then we will the right date stamp in our passport.

So, we lazed around and decided that today was the day we would have kheow soy

So we lazed around and then decided this would be the day to have Chiang Mai's signature dish, Khao soi for lunch.  This is a coconut milk curry based soup with egg noodles. On top are fried egg noodles.  It is also served with pickled mustard, shallots, and chili paste. OMG, it really was delicious.

You can almost smell the spices,nit was so flavourful, it made your nose run but not so spicy, just right!

We each had a bowl of the Khao soi, an order of spring rolls, a bottle of water, and then Bruce had an order of fried pork (his new fav).  Total cost $170 baht (6.50)

Bruce has gone for a massage and I am going to catch up on the blog and enjoy a little sun on our balcony.

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Today we had a light breakfast at home before we got picked up for our cooking class.

I didn't realize that the chef/owner of this cooking school has taught Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver.  She has her own cooking show in Thailand.  She is full of fun and loves to experiment. She is very particular of making the dishes authentic.

We had a great day.... Proof is in the pics

The outside cooking stations

Pad Thai. Crushed peanuts and chilis on top

Bruce's red chicken curry

My green chicken curry

Tom Yum Soup

Chicken and cashew nut

Sticky rice with mango

Spring rolls

The best fish sauce and available in Canada

Her magic sauce - she says can use it on everything

After we finished the cooking class we came home and gathered up our laundry.  There is a place at the corner that washes and dries laundry for 40 baht a kg.  We have almost 3 kg.

Then we came back to the hotel and at the office they photocopied our departure cards, passport photo page, entry stamp page and printed off the forms we need to get our visa extension.

Then we went in search of a place to get our photos taken - we need one for the visa extension and two for our Vietnam visa.  We found a place about 10 min walk from our hotel.  They did it in 15 min.  We went for a drink- I had my first watermelon juice of the trip and Bruce had a Chang beer.

We are home and resting.  We need to be at the Immigration office tomorrow morning by 8.