So Sad to Leave Thailand

After 3 glorious nights on Ko Samet it was time to head back to Bangkok so we could catch our flight home. We didn't fly out until 6:30 a.m. on November 12th, but if you do the math that means we had to be at the airport at the ungodly hour of 4:30 am - so we said "what the heck!" and stayed up all night long. We headed to the giant MBK mall to shop and eat and meet up with Eric's friend Mike (not pictured in front of "Original Nighty"- that picture is specifically for you Ma) who is a photographer and lives in Bangkok now. He got us on the subway to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, another huge market that is open at night where we proceeded to troll away the rest of the evening through the maze of stalls. I have to say that Thailand was an absolutely filthy and fantastic delight. I was fascinated almost the entire time. I can't wait until I get an opportunity to go back.

We Headed Out - To The Island

On November 8th we all met up at the bus station and started our journey out to spend 3 nights on Ko Samet. The gang included Nut and Ji (2 of the boys who came to California), Ji's g-friend Kor, Nui and Note (our newest adopted sons), C-zar and Groop (inline skaters), Mike, and the two of us. It was about a four hour bus ride to Ban Phe from Bangkok and a half hour ferry ride to the island.

One of my favorite non-beachy sites on the island was this giant Sitting Buddha who was tucked away in a little lot down a side road. The only reason we found it at all was because we had to pass it to get to the Pineapple Resort, where we spent our first night. Unfortunately the "Pineapple Resort" was not as nice as it sounds. "Lemon Resort" is what Eric has dubbed it. "Sketchy-Shacks-without-Hot-Water Resort" could work too.
The next morning, bright and early, we headed down the beach to find more idyllic digs. After a pleasant 20 minute stroll we found what we were looking for; Tub Tim Beach. Powdery white sand, warm clear water, and an adorable little hut with clean white sheets, a real flushing toilet, and hot water! All for about $30 US a night. The stories are true folks. It was perfectly lovely. I even got my thai massage on the beach the next morning. Practically paradise.

In the evenings everyone would gather at one of the beach front lounge/bar areas where they put out mats and little tables and cushions and candles and everyone chills out sort of beach-harem style. Sometimes someone would get up and put on a little Fire Show. This is where you take a pole, dip the two ends in gasoline, light them on fire and twirl it around like a baton to spectacular effect. Or you may choose to swing two flaming balls around on the ends of chains. Super cool looking. Maybe you have a couple drinks first to loosen yourself up. Then, also, it doesn't hurt as much when you accidentally hit yourself in the head or leg with one of the flaming balls. Apparently.

The Grand Palace and Tuba

What's a word that means fancier than fancy? Because that is how fancy the grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha were. We powered through the compound in about an hour because Eric had a meeting with the Sports Authority that afternoon and it was a million degrees Celsius out. There were some amazing murals, a dainty green buddha, and an endless supply of spectacularly ornate buildings covered in jewels. Worth a look (even if you have to hoof it). That evening we went out for dinner with Eric's boss Apichat and feasted on an absolute circus of food. After that we chilled at this really cool bar called Tuba with good-time-guy Mike O (inline coach and regular on Eric's blog), our new french friend Bibi (pictured above seducing the camera - he was the coach for the BMX bikers), and Mr. Snooty McMartini.

Mini bus trip to Suphanburi

We took a mini bus trip to Suphanburi, the town where Eric had been living while coaching the boys. Probably my most authentic Thai experience was waiting in the "bus stop" (a little desk on the sidewalk, a ledger, and a couple of chairs) with these Thai men (my favorite dude is pictured at the top). They even shared their communal bucket of iced coffee with us after Eric helped them load up the van. In Suphanburi we cruised around a half-built temple, ate Pad Thai and drank chocolate beverage at Tesco, visited some of the friends he made at his hotel and internet cafe to say good-bye, and I got my first tuk-tuk ride. We also saw a huge Komodo dragon looking lizard casually crossing the street. We never got a good picture despite Eric's brave attempts while running TOWARDS it (I'm screaming - be careful)! It was so big at first glance we thought it was a dog.

I Heart Thailand!

We are home safe and sound from a most excellent adventure. And I absolutely loved Thailand. I could totally live there. I'm going to start throwing up a few snapshots at a time to give a sense of what kinds of shenannies we were up to those 10 days.
Day 1: I spent my birthday (32 y'all!) on the airplane. The flight was 11 hours to Japan and another 7 to Bangkok. I arrived around midnight and when we got back to the hotel we went out looking for something to eat since my internal clock was so screwy (14 hour time difference). We got a huge bowl of seafood soup from a little vendor in the alley behind our hotel. I could already tell this was going to be awesome. In the morning we headed to the gigantic Chatuchak Market (aka JJ Market). It is enormous. Stalls as far as the eye can see. We probably only covered a fraction of it. Such good shopping, eating, and people watching. Complete with the requisite cart piled high with fried bugs on sticks. I even got to feed that baby elephant some bamboo shoots. The guy with the mohawk was barking something into that megaphone and oh man how I wished I could understand Thai!

Thai Fantastic

Ok y'all here I go. Off to explore way way East. I will be joining Eric in Thailand for 10 days. See you suckers and chumps later.

Oh,..why thank you sir....

Quote of the Day: "Needless to say..."

"Needless to say, his declaration was poorly received in court. He was executed in royal fashion: thrown into a velvet sack (so as not to spill any royal blood) and then beaten to death with a sandal wood club."

-referring to General Phraya Taksin, after his suffering from the unfortunate misconception that he was a reincarnation of the Buddha. This was in the Late 1780's.
The passage comes from my 'Let's Go - Thailand' travel guide History section, and I find - is quite nicely put.

People in the olden days were so crazy.

Silver and Gold

Well they did it. Eric's boys kicked ass in Macau and won 2 Silver medals (and 1 Gold in the prelims) at this years Asian Indoor Games. All their hard work payed off big-time.
I am quite sure Eric will give a detailed account as soon as they are done celebrating.
Side note: who knew that Chess, Billiards, and 'Dragon and Lion Dance' were also events at this years games....?
And a word about the mascot: "The concept of "Mei Mei" derives from the wild migratory black-faced spoonbills which come and perch in Macao every year. "Mei Mei" soars high into the sky, symbolizing that Macao opens new paths with endless innovative spirit, and also represent the youthful, boundless and ground-breaking force of the Asian Indoor Games." wow.
Congratulations you guys! (And as Sveen would say) You truly, truly rock.

Invasion

What we have here are a few snaps from The Visit. Three of Eric's skaters joined him on a trip to California earlier this month and many shenanigans ensued.
Top is the boys doing what they do best at the Alameda skate park.
Middle is a bit of down time camped out in our living room watching vintage skate videos.
Bottom is Wolfie and Nut Guevara hamming it up on Telegraph.
The boys; Jirawat Paoin (Ji), Weerayut Eksirasuwan (Nut), and Sutat Siriwat (Es) were sterling house guests. I couldn't get over their lightning fast showers. And Es prepared his delectable Coke-Chicken recipe (well it was actually turkey this time, but it was literally simmered in a pot of Coca-cola). They skated and shopped at Ross and skated some more. Eventually they were referring to me as "Mom"- I made them wear their little seat belts when we were driving around and did their laundry. Generally I doted on them like they were our 3 adopted Thai sons. What a cute family we made. Good times.

Training Regiment

I got a hold of some video from Eric's training regiment for the Thai Skaters. Here he is demonstrating some exercises. As you will see he is a dedicated and inspirational coach:



By the way - who the heck is that blonde chick rubbing salad on his hands? I'm not usually the jealous type but....she's pretty "made up" for a medical technician.....

Thai Ripper

Here is a sequence I nabbed off Eric's Blog of him tearing up Thailand (Chachoengsao to be more specific). He can be seen here launching over a wide, patchy gap - Awesome! And ending up in the gutter on one attempt - maybe not as awesome....



Show them how it's done Honey!

Charmed, I'M SURE!

Here Eric can be seen Wednesday - taking his banana and leaving.

He is off to Thailand (Suphan Buri to be exact) for 3 whole months.
He will be coaching the Thai National Skateboard Team for an Olympic sanctioned event to be held in China in November.
Not too shabby - I'm so dang proud! I miss him like crazy already however. I'm like a sad old hound dog moping from room to room looking for him, whimpering softly. Then I sigh and lie down for a while with one of his t-shirts from the laundry.
Then I get up and look again. Sniffing at the air...
I'll have to throw myself into my blogging...
Purely coincidentally he also just started a blog and will be chronicling his fierce adventures HERE.