Phuket: Honeymoon destination? I think not

So... our two week vacation ended in Phuket. The beaches were lovely; there was tons to do. It was a hopping place. Now, I'm hardly planning a honeymoon anytime in the near future... but this is hardly a place for honeymooners. I'm tempted to tell mom and dad not to read this blog entry, but they will anyway... so here it goes.

Phuket...

how do I love thee?

Let me count the ways.

I love thee for thy beaches, white and sandy.

I love thee for thy calm welcoming sea.

I love thee for thy Irish Pub... that welcomed us with open arms.

I love thee for thy lady boys... everywhere you turn

I love thee for the invitations to Ping Pong shows... everywhere you turn

I love thee for the invitations to Gay Go-Go Dancing Shows

I love the for having a bar called, "Big Bob's Ago-Go.

I love thee for the desperate men who huddle in the corners of bars, seeking out a willing female.

I love thee for not being interested in three lovely single girls.

I love thee for just letting us have a good time.

I love thee for this bar (Lime Bar) that was none of the above and just let us have fun and dance and not be disturbed. (uncless you count the distubances by the highly intoxicated Australians sitting at the table beside us).

Anyway, that's my story on Phuket. Bought some lovely jewellery, had a shot of cranberry vodka in an ice bar. It felt just like home. I walked in saying, "Bienvenue a Canada," while everyone else was begging to get out.
I hope you have all taken notice of the lovely tan that I have developed. AHHH.. Thailand. How do I love thee?

Songkran

So, I've had the past two weeks off of work. A blessing really. It was either going to be me or one of the children who wouldn't make it out safely. But all is well; I'm alive and so are all the kids - last time I checked anyway.

Anyway, the reason for the two week holiday was for Songkran; aka. Thai new year; aka The water festival. Emphasis on the water festival. We left our hotel in lovely Koh Lanta and had a ride in the back of a truck to the pier to head off to our next island destination. We were primped and pretty, ready to enjoy a lovely boat ride. Little did we know what was coming our way. Yes - we were armed. With ultimate super soaker water pistols..... but our defence was nothing compared to army that faced us. Buckets upon buckets of water were poured over our heads... by complete strangers saying, "Happy New Year, Happy Songkran." Absolutely insane. Then there are the people waiting to through powder on your wet clothing which is meant to be a sign of good luck. And some of the powder was red... we were a real mess. Drenched... passports, phones, and ipods included.

Upon arrival in Koh Phi Phi, we were met with much the same madness. However here, I think they were waiting for white people.... and pure ice water was thrown in our path. We finally made it to our room, where we had to completely unpack our bags and hang everything we owned out to dry.

We went out that night... armed and dangerous. Songran shirts, water pistols, and aviator sunglasses to complete the look. Nobody was getting in our way.

More on our fabulous vacation to come...

Family

When you are so far away from home and phone calls seem to be near impossible, and the only means of communication is email - it just plain stinks. It's not so easy to jump on a plane and fly to Vancouver. You don't get to click your heals and say "there's no place like home" and just arrive there. There are times when you just wish you could be with your family, not just for you but for them too.

I constantly ask myself, "What am I gaining by living here?"
The answers are many. I could go on and on. I am gaining so much by living here. Personally, mentally, spiritually. The list would go on and on. I'm learning so much and am experiencing things I never would have dreamed of.

But at the same time as asking the above question, you also ask "what am I missing by living here?"
Again, the answers are many. One can't even make a pros and cons list to look at the two questions. They are incomparable.

For all of those reading this, please say a prayer for my Uncle Lawson, who now lies in peace. And say a prayer for our family.

There's no place like home.
There's no place like home.
There's no place like home.

Holidays are Here

So... today was the last day of the second term of school. One more term to go!!! But before all of that must commence... two weeks vacation. Beach - here I come.

Today was actually a really fun day at school. It was the Songkran festival celebration. Songkran holiday is around April 13th, but we celebrated today. It is the Thai New Year, the hottest time of year, and what follows is the much anticipated rainy season. We started the day off with a somewhat solemn ceremony where the children each, one by one, wished us luck and a Happy Songkran. Then the fun began.

The rest of the day was pure fun. Water games, swimming, throwing flour. All in good fun. And for some reason I was constantly hearing, "Get Miss Teresa," where I would then be chased by classes of children with water pistols, or another group trying to throw me in the pool. It was good fun - exhausting, but good.

So, as of tomorrow, I will be at the beach, working on my tan, and enjoying every second of rest. I am going to Koh Chang, where I went in October. Then to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. I'm really looking forward to the vacation... and I'm not even thinking of the fact that it only lasts for two weeks.

hot hot hot

So, yes, I know. It has been a long time since my last post. That's not to say that nothing has happened in the past month; believe me, there are many adventures which have been had. I suppose I have just become lazy.

I apologize to all of you, especially those of you who have been waking up to snow on the ground. It is hot here. I mean REALLY hot. I had to do playground duty today - and would have enjoyed jumping in our pool... although the pool isn't built yet. It's hot. Blistering may be a good word. My upcoming vacation (2 more sleeps) is forecasted for temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees.

Speaking of hot - we had a fire drill at school the other day. First one of the year. Now... only in Thailand would a fire drill proceed as follows:

• an alarm that can only be heard if you are in the hallway, and people in the hallways, running into classrooms to inform the teachers of what is happening
• children taking the time to put on their shoes as shoes aren't allowed inside.... but we had to wait while 12 three year olds put their shoes on.... and many other small children
• having personal nannies walking with their children with umbrellas to protect them from the sun.
• school maids holding large beach umbrellas to shade the children from the sun.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but if the school was on fire - one would think getting the children out quickly would be more important than them putting their shoes on. It would also be important to actually hear the fire alarm. And one would hope that the top priority would not be shading the children from the sun. Maybe that's only my opinion.

Sometimes I have to shake my head and say "only in Thailand."