Our 11 Hour Train Ride from Trang to Hua Hin

Kim and I hung out writing in our journals and reading. We did not make our seats into sleeping quarters. I enjoyed the time to talk with Kim and catch up on my journal.

Our 11 Hour Train Ride from Trang to Hua Hin

Lee spent most of the trip talking with a fellow German traveler. Lee finally retired around 10:30pm into his sleeping bunk.

Our 11 Hour Train Ride from Trang to Hua Hin

Our 11 hour train ride went by extremely fast. Though our train ride started around 5:40pm and was to arrive in 3am at Hua Hin, we were dreading how long the trip was going to feel. Nicole and Eileen (pictured here) were the first two to embark on sleep time around 9pm.

Le Khaokob Cave

At Le Khaokob cave in Trang, we experienced something totally incredible. We went on a small boat, through a narrow canal before heading into caves filled with crevices flowing in every direction. There were times in our excursion that we actually had to lay down in order to get through the passages. One area was very dark, which added suspense to our excitement. I was most thankful for the 2 knowledgeable guides we had. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be the one leading the way. If I was, we would still be there.

The rock formations seemed to be growing from above and below. The air was cool, yet warm. It wis very difficult to explain but it was a most unusual experience.

By the time we left the cave, we were happy to see we survived it and somehow we felt "closer" ... not to mention the fact that we were literally laying on each other. Yet antoehr unforgettable day in Thailand.

Farewell to Trang

Farewell to Trang.
This is my hostess, Pannee and her 2 daughters.

My Trip to the Salon

After returning from the cave and touring through the grounds of the ex-Prime Minister's property, my hostess, Pannee, wanted to treat me to a Thai salon shampoo, massage and style. Here I am relaxing, soaking (or should I say "soaping") it all in. Pannee was right. The shampoo felt wonderful after a long busy day. With the realization that the 11 hour train ride was just an hour or so away, she knew I would appreciate feeling clean and refreshed before boarding the train.

Smiling Fish Factory

Today we went to the Smiling Fish canning factory in Trang, where we observed cans being made that will contain fish products to be used in Thailand or shipped to other areas. A Rotarian from Trang (seen in the picture), gave us the grand tour. In this picture, the ladies are checking the lids for any imperfections. It was quite an amazing process watching how quickly the machines cut, bent and assembled each can.

Water Projects

While in Trang, the Rotarians took us to several water projects that they helped to sponsor since the tsunami. This is a picture of a water retention container that they provided for Muk Island.

Travel Breakdown between Phuket and Trang

After relaxing at our mid-trip break hotel at the Dusit Laguna on Phuket Island, Thailand, we are off to Trang. Destination number 7 of 10 in this month long journey. As we have learned along the way, the plans can be altered at any time and any place depending on what is presented.

About 1 hour from our destination (approximately 3-4 hour trip), our tour van started to overheat. The driver quickly pulled to the side of the road. We hung out on the side of the road in the limited shade. As a team, we have been able to handle the changes or situations stress free. Much different for some of our lives back in North America. Yes... at home, I like to be on time and ready.

We waited as the driver tried to cool the engine down. We were back on the road about a half hour later to find ... that we needed to pull over the van for good (or at least longer). The Rotarians with us, called ahead to Trang to find some help for us. We were able to relax, read our books, write in our journals and laugh that the schedule is a merely a guideline and things happen.

About an hour later, reinforcement had arrived and we were off to Trang.
(As soon as we can, we will add some pictures of this adventure.)

Rotary Meetings

We are about to give our 7th presentation and have seen many kinds of Rotary meetings both big and small. We attended the Club Charter Presentation for the new Rotary Club of Laguna in Phucket and danced at the conclusion of the meeting in NakornSrithammaraj. It is fun to see the differences and similarities in the meetings.

Horseback Riding on the Beach (Nicole)

I spent my 36 hours of "free time" here in Phuket on the beach, horseback riding, and exploring sea caves by canoe! As far as "fun stuff" goes, the amazing horseback riding on the beach was my favorite experience here!!! It was just me out there (and the guide) and I was able to really go all out and ride as hard as I wanted all up and down the crescent beach.... it was a mile or two stretch and I rode all up and down the bay from one point to the other for 2.5 hours. It was also a great tour of the seaside resorts and a chance to get a look at all the tourists up and down the beach. All of the kids on the beach waved to me, and it was fun to say hi to them!

Tsunami in Phuket.

I have had some people ask about Phuket being the area hit by the Tsunami. As Brandon has already said, Patong Beach was hit much harder than Phuket town. She also mentioned how the people picked up and started a new life once again. This picture shows a part of Patong Beach that was completely wiped out. As you can see, they have reconstructed everything. It is hard to believe that such a short time ago, there was nothing here. Although the construction seems more primative than ours, they have done an incredible job getting back on their feet. Kudos to the Thais for showing us how to start again.

Please Note....

As our trip has been progressing and internet is sometimes scare, as of today, we should be up to date. Please take a moment and look back at the additional entries.

Thank you so much for following and commenting on our trip. We really appreciate it.

Brandon

Life in Thailand.

Kim here with a Thai update. It has been difficult lately to get on a computer. Yesterday and today we have been staying at a hotel in Phuket. The entire team is enjoying our free time here at the resort.I spent my morning walking around, climbing a look-out tower and strolling through a park that is home to 3 elephants. This afternoon, I spent time in the sun.

So, now it is official. As you can see from the photo, I am getting darker. I am no longer the "beautiful farang" (foreigner) that I was when I arrived. The Thai people love white skin so the darker we get, the less attractive we become. I am going to be one sorry sight by the time we leave...... especially after today and even more so if we continue to get sun time. In Thailand,being white is a social status. Those who work outside get darker so they are considered to be of the lower class. Count me in as a worker!!!!!!!!!

We will be meeting with a new Rotary group tonight. They are having an inauguration at our hotel.

Tomorrow we leave for Trang. That is as far south as we will be going before heading back towards Bangkok. We are anticipating a wonderful 11 hour train ride to our next destination, Hua Hin. Yikes !!!!!!!!!!! Let's hope we're in first class like our last train ride.

Well, it's time to get back to chilling out in the oh so hot sun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chow for now !!!

Note re: Blog Posts

I've been writing posts when I don't have internet-- and today I had a chance to post two of them belatedly. They have "belated" in the title, so you can read down and find them easily if you'd like to see what they're about. Thanks to everyone who's been reading and commenting. It's good to have you guys along on the trip!

8 Month Old Elephant

There were other elephants in the area. I had a picture taken with the 8th month old elephant. I am actually taller than the elephant right now.

Elephant Ride

We are currently on our mid-trip break at the Dusit Laguna Beach Resort on the Indian Ocean. There are a total of five resorts locating together that make up the Laguna Beach Resort. This area was an old tin mine that 23 years ago someone had a vision to make this a tourist destination. It is truly beautiful. Today, Saturday, March 10th, I got to ride a 35 year old elephant for 15 minutes. I had to choose to ride on the elephant’s neck or in a chair; I chose the neck. It was very cool.

Giant Catfish and the Falls in Nakorn

Here I am working up the courage to swim with some HUGE catfish at the waterfall near Nakorn SiThammarat... As you can see, I'm wearing shorts and a Tshirt over my bathing suit-- because everyone else was swimming in clothes! I've pretty much given up tank tops and swimsuits here in favor of more modest dress like the native Thais. Even I raise my eyebrows to see spaghetti straps on the street now! No one wore a bathing suit to swim at the falls, for the combined reasons of modesty and not wanting to get too much sun. At first I thought everyone just decided to have an impromptu swim in their clothes, but then I realized it's just normal to swim in shorts and t shirt or even jeans. Just a tidbit of Thai culture! P.S. In Phuket all the falang on holiday wear bathing suits, speedos and skimpy "international standard" resort wear (and FYI there were plenty of topless sunbathers here, even though technically it's frowned upon). (Picture to Come)

The Courts in Phuket

Today I had the honor of visiting both the general court in Phuket and the Juvenile Court. In the photo, you see me and my host family just after I met the Head Judge at the general court. The judges and I compared our respective court system structures, and the criminal procedures governing Thailand's version of a Prosecuting Attorney. At the family court, I learned that there is a basis for dividing property 50/50 in a divorce in Thailand, similar to the US. I also learned that either parent can gain custody of the child--or have shared custody after a divorce, and the child' best interests are the number one factor judge consider.

The keyboard here is different and difficult to use, so I'll keep this short-- but I've been compiling blog entries on my personal computer and I'll update the blog just as soon as I can connect it to the internet!

A school water project in Thailand

The GSE team visited the Watsamakyaram School in NakhonSrithammaraj. Tin mining in the district has left the water undrinkable. The polluted water supply is causing serious health problems for the young students at the school including black spots on their hands. The Rotary Club of Nakhonsri-Veerathai is working to help with this project. They need 300,000 baht ($8,571). The school has already raised one-third of the amount needed. The GSE team has donated $250 USD of their personal funds for the project. The Rotary Club of Troy Michigan in the USA and Rotary Club of Tongkah in Thailand has now matched this. Including a personal donation of $70 USD, we now have $820 USD or 26,945 THB. Anyone interested in donating directly to this project can make their checks payable to The Rotary Club of Nakhonsri-Veerathai and send it to PAG Asa Saligupta, 40 Moo7 T.Srakaew, A. Tasala, NakhonSrithammaraj in Thailand or PE Eileen Heasley, Troy Rotary, 190 Paragon, Troy, MI 48098 in the USA.