We started out with a quiet morning while some went to church. At noon we boarded the vans for a trip to the Pimai Palace. From there we went to a local village that is famous for its pottery. Curtis tried his hand at spinning a pot, and it looked great, but it did not meet the approval of the expert behind the wheel. Dinner was at a great restaurant near the night market. Special talents were revealed all around the table, and it was unanimously decided that Kevin won the prize, as well as the chili pepper eating contest, even though Emma and Curtis were a close second. Another highlight was the tuk-tuk ride back to the hotel.
On the 31st we got back in the vans for the ride to Khoa Yai National Park, we stopped for some shopping deals and snacks along the highway. The park was beyond crowded as New Years is a busy time all around. After a brief hike, we visited a waterfall (with about two thousand others!) then headed to lunch. After lunch, we lined up to go for elephant rides. The amazing creatures ranged in age from 14 to 54, and two at a time we climbed up. The riders took turns moving up onto the necks of the animals to become mahouts. It should just be mentioned that while David and Jennifer were the last to leave, they were the first ones back! At the Tonnam hotel for New Years, we had a table for 24 with the Habitat staff that have been working so hard to entertain us. Karaoke was mostly Carrie and David, but there were many requests and lots of fun. We even had fireworks at midnight.
The New Year began with a visit to the Khorat Railway Project where 165 families live in a shanty town along the railway tracks. There is a group that has gotten together and is working to build affordable houses for them all. Habitat has been instrumental in having training and equipment purchased so that the group can build their own houses on land leased from the railway, We took turns pressing bricks and playing with the children, many of whom are orphans being raised by the mission. Then we were off for Thai cooking lessons, and even a chance to learn to give a proper Thai massage, so be sure to ask your family member to practice on you when they get back to Canada.
We have been very lucky to have been so well looked after, and have had lots of R and R before we head into four more long days of work.
David
2 comments:
Happy New Year to you all! Sounds like it's been incredible so far! Continue to enjoy, stay safe and have fun! Lots of love, Nicole
Happy New Year! You guys are awesome! Keep up the good work. Know that as we sit here in all this snow (at least in the Toronto area and east) we offer you our encouragement, good wishes and love. Take care of each other! Love Jen (Coats)
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