NYE 2014

Happy New Year

From Sydney Harbour Bridge

All the best for 2014.

Christmas Party and Road Race in Ayutthaya

Dressed up for Christmas party

  Vince, myself and 5 others headed to Ayutthaya (ancient capital of Siam) for the weekend just before Christmas break. Three of us ran the half-marathon and 3 ran the 10km. It was a beautiful run which went by many of the ancient temples.

Our guest house, Promtong Mansion which was fantastic accommodation with friendly owners....but not a mansion.

A common shower/toilet combo.

At the market. The vendor insisted I take a picture with one of her purses.

The furniture section.

Temple

Temple

They are not sure how this buddha head became part of the tree...but it did.

One of many buddhas. Most were in pieces.

A mock up of what the temples looked like in their day. Incredible.

Elephant rides through the city.

Pink elephant. We couldn't decide if they were painted or albino.

The running gang.

Couldn't resist a picture in the post-race mist.

Tuk-tuk ride.

 Tuk-tuks look all have an encased front in this city and some have themes....like this Batmobile.

This was the one we rode in....very small especially for 6 full-grown adults. To give you an idea of the size Dan (on the left) is 5 ft 8 in.

This happens often and has to do with the fact that locals pay taxes to support the program. We sometime we get the foreigner rate if I show my work permit card but not usually.

We were lucky enough to be in Ayutthaya for the annual light and sound show which was a re-enactment of their history.

The stars of the show.

The pre-show market which was set up as a traditional ancient market.

Payment was with shells, which you purchase here. The translation is often a little awkwardly done.

The "money shells" which was enough for a three coconut ice-creams.

The show with the main temple as a backdrop. It was not easy to understand the history through the show but it was extremely well done.

The grande finale.

The Kongs They Are a Changin'

We might not be having winter but there has definitely been a shift in seasons. Gone are the rainy days and I really was getting a little tired of battling the floodwater. We went away for October break and when we came back the rain was all but over. I took the first picture of the klong beside our house when we first got here....the caption said that I would never ride/run on it. Oh, how things have changed. 

The same klong 4 1/2 months later. I think we just had the "growing season" and the klong is clogged. I am anxious to see how they clear it.

I am still in discovery mode and ventured off on a 20 km run last weekend which gave me 10 km out and 10 km back....a good distance to discover more territory. This hose was pumping furiously from a new development and I'm not sure what it is but it can't be good.

Same bubbles floating down the klong.

The pathway often runs on both sides of the water but I did notice the side I was on was a little overgrown and had debris on it, then it stopped. Just like that-no warning. 

I couldn't remember where the last bridge was so I headed back anyway....and suddenly the "boats" I saw a various intervals made sense. Ah, they were ferries.

Not a chance I would try this.

Went for a nice swim on Friday....until I saw this......and got out. I have since learned that it's not a problem to swim when the sign is there. I could see the undiluted chlorine in the bottom of the pool but I think it's because it is so chilly lately.

Hmm I never really thought about washing my feet in the toilet.

Welcome to Beijing

I was lucky enough to visit Beijing this week.  I wrote the post while in Beijing but could not upload till I got home...blocked.

A student asks why she cannot access YouTube today. Teacher replies that this week it is blocked. Such is life for students in Beijing that are behind the great china firewall. Although censorship is normally controlled by the Office of Business and Commerce, when the business leaders meet the Office of National Security takes precedence and thus YouTube is shut down for the country. It will be on again on  Dec 15 at 3 pm it will be on again, when the meetings are over.. such is life in China where Internet access is simply hit and miss.

One of the reasons China has the great firewall is that they tend to build their own. Google is not a company they allow access to but instead use Baidu.com. Have you ever seen a Made in China sticker!!

I went to visit a new school now located in the GTC. Next year they have a new campus in Shunyi to open with around 350 students.  The new campus was built for 1800 students and they expect to fill in a couple of years. 

I also went to visit the old traditional American school in Beijing, all of 1900 students here…

Across the street is a sample of  the housing it seems that most people live in these type of apartment blocks…. although there was single housing as well but far fewer.

I enjoyed  being able to visit Beijing… but too grey for me… and I wasn’t just talking about the air! 

Well, I flew in one day and left the next and had one local meal.  Just thought I would show you the menu.

 

Then I decided to hit Starbucks...

Need a Use for a Bungee Cord

If you are a travelling salesman and you need to tie all your items to the truck panels you will need a few Bungee cords. Shoes, shirts, pants and more, this mobile shop can be set up anywhere. Note all in plastic bags in case it rains… Well great to know that I can likely get  a Bungee cord if I need one to tie my clubs on the bike. Just had to take this shot as I was heading home from the practice range.

Shoes anyone… and I missed the items on top of the truck!

Santa Run

Vince and I and about 10 other friends took an early morning taxi (6:30 am) to head down to Lumphini Park in the city for the first annual Santa Run. I was supposed to do one in Vermont but seeing as that didn't happen I searched for one nearby and got lucky. We decided to do the 2.5 km wlak.

We were kneeling behind bushes to try and look like elves but don't think it worked.

The aerobics instructors running the warmup. It was full on class time.

The warmup. Our gang is front right.

Relaxed atmosphere...ready, set, go!

Vince looks a little disheveled after the walk.

Friends, Kay and Megan who are always keen to do pretty much anything.

This little one was completely adorable.

Post run/walk. We won the largest group...yeah!!!!

After a great brunch we headed off to do some shopping and check out the Christmas sights of which there were very few.

Tired legs = coffee stop in the mall and a fabulous view.

Five lanes of traffic one way and one in the other. We watched busses gunning down the empty lane and swerving back in...scary. The boats heading out under the bridge head towards where we live and we actually took one back so that we could see how to get to the pier from our end. It's probably faster if there is traffic but would also be a lot more crowded. The choice of mode of transportation involves many variables. 

Headed back to the park for The Bangkok Street Show which was essentially a busker festival. Having been to the Halifax one a few times, I expected cheering crowds but these were quiet spectators and although there a few shows going on and lots of people watching it wasn't what we expected. It may have gotten better later in the evening.

Balloons for sale!

Near the park.

Swan boats in the park.

I was just saying to Vince that I had heard about the big monitor lizards in the park and I had yet to see one...when this guy showed up.

...and here he is in action.

Different view of the traffic....6 vs 1.

The last leg of our days adventure...the klong boat. The map.....didn't help us much but we knew what direction to go. It all ends being one more piece of the puzzle that is Bangkok. It was fun to take the boat because it was also our first adventure from the hotel where we stayed for 5 days. We are still friends with those 6 people and still find adventurous things to do. 

The final pier is called Wat Sri Bunruang Pier...Wat meaning temple where we found a huge pig roaming the street (missed the photo op) and these cows. Well, they are cow-like anyway.

Part of Wat Sri Bunruang

Took the bus to our bikes...then home.