CHAING MAI, THAILAND

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Hello everyone

Here we are in Chiang Mai with Jaymes and Lauren - more about that later. Now where were we? Oh yes the Puppet Parade - absolutely amazing. Lyn led the parade waving the arms of the Garuda (mythical beast) and Bob was carrying it with a few other people. We walked around the whole of the town and then along the river - very bloody hot and humid! The kids had a marvellous, shouty time and we took loads of photos (see below). After gathering all the Grace House kids together in the park we were relieved of our duties and free to go and drink!! Bob, Russ and I went to The Warehouse - completely empty so on to another bar where we ate and had a couple. We ended up in the Angkor What bar and met everyone else. Bob and I had our first "buckets" which consisted of a large glass of spirit, ice and mixer - in fact we had four buckets between three of us and needless to say we were well and truly maggot (don't ask apparently an Aussie term but you get the picture). Don't really know what time we got back but in the morning both felt hungover. Cycled to the pool and just laid there sleeping. Early night that night. During the week usual teaching although Bob has started teaching children aged 12-15 years and is enjoying it very much. He co-teaches with Russ (Aussie) and apart from English lessons also covered "The Ear" last week. There have been a couple of leaving do's this week and last Tuesday 10 of us went out to eat (none of us really drank that night) and after went to a Karioke (by Mr Rock 'N Roll Tuk Tuk where he had a CD player where you could choose your own music and a microphone to sing a long and a little glittery ball). The Karioke venue was a big modern windowless, soundproofed building with individual rooms to hire. Initially in the restaurant everyone was saying that they didn't do karioke or even sing!!! After being in there for about 10 minutes we were fighting each other for the microphones and we had a great time - even Bob "sang". The following Friday Tim (Khmer Aussie) had his leaving party. We all went out for a great meal, back to the Karioke (this time about 15 of us) and then back to the Ankgor What for another bucket! Not too pissed this time and got back around 2 am.

We flew to Chaing Mai on Sunday and met up with Jaymes and Lauren the following morning. We had a good time walking around the city and in the evening touring the Night Market last night and bought a few bits. Today we went for a walk along the river and then back to the hotel for a swim and sunbathe. Tonight we went for a nice meal of Pad Thai and Bob had another hot curry despite the fact that he has been on and off the toilet most of the day! Go figure?

Back to work on Thursday and then off to Batonbang (a rural town a few hours away) on Friday til Sunday with a bunch of volunteers.

Back soon.

LOL Lyn and Bob x

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Photos

Karioke evening
Lyn with some of the volunteers.

Crab at Puppet Parade
Made by our kids from the project.

Karioke
Bob with volunteers

Bob eating a cricket
Actually quite nice with a little flavouring and a beer.

Comments

[Annie]

Hiya girlfriend
Well, life looks really tough out there and I bet you're begging to come home (not)! It's absolutely freezing here - spent a seriously cold weekend in Brighton with Ian despite brilliant sunshine - froze our nuts off... 5 weeks today until we head off on our trip to St Lucia girlfriend - can't wait. Hope you're not too bored with the beach by then! Back working in Essex until 9th April 3 days per week. You and Bob are invited to a party at Lisa's on the 10th so you can show off your tan before we head off on your next holiday... Love to you both as always xxx

[Gillian Fleming]

Great pictures
Thanks for your recent blog which we found very entertaining. Sounds as if you are continuing to have a great time. I must say, when you first told me you were going to do volunteer work at an orphanage, I imagined it being a very sad, dark place. Obviously it is not what I imagined! Everything is going well here...Bruce is in Toronto for a quick visit, back tomorrow. Colin and Pat are in Palm Springs again this month. Tony and Pat are well and Tony is going to retire at the end of June. Not much new with Maurice but he is keeping well and is enjoying life. Claire is still in training for running in a marathon in May....she has already done a half marathon in 2 hrs. 3 mins. (I may have already told you this, please excuse!). The children are on spring break here right now so we have been busy with them this week. Took Sophie and Rowen to the Vancouver Aquarium on Moday. Looking forward to your next blog!! Lots of Love, Gilly xo

[cris]

Happy Mothers Day
Just a quick note to wish you a happy mothers day! Sounds like you are having a ball over there.......... See you soon, Lots of love Cris