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Published: June 19th 2006
Hello everyone. Hope you are all well.
On Friday morning we left Nan at 7.45 am and ended up at Udon Thani at 11.30pm where we were told that there were no more buses to Nong Khai where we had arranged to meet Som (Yvonnes Dad) at 12am. We tried ringing him but the phone number did not work and so we got a tuk tuk to an internet cafe and emailed Yvonne who luckily replied quickly saying that her dad would pick us up there which was great. Despite a fall out with the tuk tuk driver over fees and a Fred Elliot lookalike and his thai bride kindly sorting it out, we finally found Som. Although it was very early in the morning - Som, his wife and her son all came out to greet us (in their big flash pick up truck with dvd screens inside) which was very kind. When we arrived at their house, she laid on a big spread of food for us. As you as you ate anything she would top it up so there was an endless flow of food. We tried the infamous dragon fruit which was nice and fruit in spikey
shells etc.
The next day we went to a chinese market and saw the Mekong River which was great. We then went to a Thai/Japanese restaurant (see picture) where we ate many things which we didnt want to know what they were (e.g squid & duck). But we were not brave enough for the octopus! We then went to Tescos! In the evening we went to eat again along the Mekong River (Chinese Chicken and Green Curry) followed by Pepsi's at a Thai Country Bar with great live music and a huge screen with a world cup match on (Portugal won).
Yesterday we spent all morning playing card games with the son who won them all! (Wink Wink). We then had an all day barbeque with Som's family who all tried very hard to speak English. They had much fun saying our names too which was sweet. We again tried some more food (King prawns, pork ribs, sticky rice etc). Then we went to some temples with the women and children which was nice followed by another meal! Despite being full up from the Barbeque only a few hours before we tired our best to gulp down some
Vietnameese food. We dont really know what we ate as the women spoke little english - but it looked like nothing we have ever eaten before! Mum you would be very proud indeed. We dont understand how they keep so thin and yet they eat so much! We then headed home passing a huge male mob at a house which we then found out we were going to. We were the guests of honour and we were pushed up to a raised platform on special chairs and we were passed a microphone to intoduce ourselfs in front of a good 25/30 people and everyone cheered and came and shook our hands. One by one everyone came up and had an individual photo with us on our camera!?!? We luckily managed to get out of the karaoke all evening but dancing was another matter!! We had to do Thai style dancing on the raised platform in front of everyone but thankfully Thai people tend not to be very good dancers and so even Bobby looked quite good!
Today we got up and Som's workforce of three were already busy working. The woman however does not get paid as much as
the men and only receives 1.50 instead of 1.70 a day. We went and had a nice big meal (10/11am) in a near by restaurant. We went on Som's moped but because we are all quite heavy it wouldnt go very fast and it collapsed half way home! We therefore rented a car and Som dropped us off in Nong Khai town. It is Som's birthday today so we think there may be some more eating and partying in store for us tonight?!?
We think that Keiths comment is genious and needs to be applauded. So well done!
Yes Cousin John you know our secret! But as you can see we have hired a few extras this week.
We are glad that you (Grannie) had a great time in Scotland and yes Chiang Mai was lovely although slightly touristy now.
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Aunty J
non-member comment
Food glorious food!
Glad you are sampling the local cuisine big time. Aren't you glad you have the expandable waist on your Jeans!! Tanya looks tanned. Glad to see lots of people in the photos at last!