In the Eyes of a Kid

At a first glance one would think they are real. At about several minutes of thorough scrutinizing everything will be clear that they are just a painting, at least for a kid. 

There she was, a girl of about two or three years old staring at the painting on the wall. She had a confused look. She was probably contemplating if the fish were real and if they could move. 

I need an answer. I need to be enlightened. So, I went near her and asked her what was she staring at. She responded that the fish weren't moving and that they maybe sleeping. I found her thinking rather cute.

After several minutes of still staring at the painting she gave up. She said they were not real. They did'nt move a bit. The water never had any movements either. And she walked away!

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Khao Kor Greens

I went back to Khao Kho for (I'll keep it as a secret for now) hehe. Of course the trip won't be complete if the view will be ignored. There was a cool resort with a nice landscape that can attract someone's attention located just beside the high-way and we went there.

The resort has a lot of pines that look like a margin of the small road going inside the premises. At the heart of it is a mini lake surrounded by several green thingies. Because of its wonderful scenery many people visit the resort every year. I bet this is one of the famous resorts in Khao Kor. Check out these two fellas taking shots and admiring the beauty of the resort.

Here's the resort's name written in Thai. If you can read it please translate it in English. 

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Stillness

The heavy rain is the reason why the Nan River is overflowing now. It made several schools cancelled their classes and I'm sure that more will follow soon if the rain will not stop. You can see that flood is everywhere in Thailand at the moment (see the news).

It's good to see that despite the heavy rains that causes too much flood - there is a canal at the heart of the city that looks peaceful and calm. It really is good, promise! Although the water seems getting higher as well, it does not look scary like the Nan which has a very strong current. 

These were taken mintues after the rain on that day stopped. I just got back home from work when i came to a halt and took a few shots. Notice the second picture, a man was fishing to satisfy his family's needs that day. Thanks to the canal's stillness - it made his day.

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Southeast Asian Costumes

 

The The Association of South East Asian Nation, or ASEAN, is composed of its founding fathers, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. It was established in Bangkok, Thailand on 8 August 1967. On 7 June 1984, two days before i was born, Brunei became a member. Vietnam joined in July 1995, Laos and Myanmar in July 1997, and Cambodia in April 1999, completing what is today the ASEAN Member States.

I've read somewhere, i think t'was last year, about the ASEAN curriculum being pushed by its officials to be part of each member states school system. I'm not sure  if it already came to effect. But I wish it did. It will be nice to promote Southeast Asian studies to the world. In relation to that, two weeks ago, we had an ASEAN Camp at Bangrakam Wittayasuksa School. The landmarks, culture, traditions, norms, etc, of the ASEAN had been talked and studied about. Students enjoyed each presentation - and so did we. It was fun and I learned something new again.

One of the highlights of the event was the ASEAN parade of costumes. I was really amazed how colorful our region's costumes are. Look! They just turned the dull looking gym into a colorful and rainbow like thingie. Very very colorful indeed.

Let us keep our identity and let us join hands together for peace and stability :)

 Go ASEAN Power! 


* Costumes were arranged in alphabetical order starting from Brunei to Vietnam!

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Just Like Heaven

Disclaimer: The title of the post has nothing to do with the famous movie of the same title in 2005 that starred Reese Witherspoon and Mark Rufallo :)

We were supposed to trek the little rocky and steep like hill to get to one of the famous attraction in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park after we visited the water wheel. The sun, though hidden from the clouds, signals a good weather. Little did we know that a little further from where we were standing, a thick fog was traveling fast towards us.  

We certainly knew that fog has a collection of water droplets or ice crystals that can soak us wet. Seconds later, the whole place turned hazy and we were wet all over. But because it looked as if we were in heaven, we didn't go back yet. The feeling of euphoria and being just like in heaven made us stay a bit longer. Although we were wet, regret was nowhere in sight because we let fun took control of everything. Good thing we did, i say! Because it left me with a smile on my face -  until i got back home safely.

PS: The P'lok Pinoyz, a group of Filipinos in Phitsanulok and other neighboring provinces, will hold its first "Spiritual Survival Camp" on September 3 and 4 at this very site (Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park). You have time? We'll see you there, then!

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Water Wheel

I have seen water wheels especially in a European theme movies and in other cartoon programs when i was a kid. Actually, i never knew what those things were not until i saw one yesterday. We did ocular visit at Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Nakon Thai District yesterday for our upcoming spiritual camp in September. 

One of the things we visited was the water wheel which was about 5 minute drive from the bungalows. When the driver pulled over and opened the van we heard the heavily gushing water nearby - approaching like thunder. Then, there was a sign that reads "Water Wheel". I was like - huh?

It was one gloomy day when the rain just finished pouring down the night before and we were expecting a caramel colored water. In fact, most Thai rivers in the north are caramel colored. But to our surprise the water was crystal clear and way colder than we thought.My friend said, "Nice water wheel". I was like "oh".

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Kayaking

Kayak was one of the things we tried when we were at the Dos Palmas Isand Resort. The water was not that wavy but we were having difficulty going against the waves. There was also an instance when we were stuck under the bridge for three minutes or so. I was kinda panicking not to the idea of being drifted out to sea but for the embarrassment of asking for help. Hey, the sea wasn't wavy and there were people younger than us who were able to kayak smoothly and without problems at all!

Anyway, that was just a thought - as for the experience, it was superb! It was my first time kayaking and though a bit afraid during the first few minutes it went well at the end of the day. It's one of the resort's activities if your visiting on a day tour including buffet lunch, snorkeling, etc. 

I highly recommend this activity especially for those who haven't tried this yet. If you are out somewhere and like to experience something different with sweat coming out like river hehe, then go and kayak!

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Helping Hand

Having a lot of things doesn't make a person happy. It doesn't even take someone to be rich in order to give and make other people happy. The date was yesterday August 8, 2011. The day that the small community of Filipinos in Phitsanulok, Thailand take some time to share their unused things to give to the poor in Phrom Phiram District. These things might be small for others but definitely not for those who are needy. They consider these gigantic help - they consider these happiness!

The packing started three nights ago at Saint Nicholas Church Hall. Some clothes were still in good condition and can score a fair amount in "ta lat" (Thai word for market). While most people shared their unused clothes, others chose instant noodles and other canned goods for the hungry mouths. Personally, i would prefer the latter if i have some extra to share. Perhaps next time i could.

The sleepless nights of the community paid off upon seeing peoples' faces light up. For some, this might be called HELP but for me, i consider it LOVE -  for they give something without expecting nothing in return.

 KUDOS!

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Underground River - Palawan

Puerto Princesa City the capital city of the province of Palawan is home to the second longest navigable underground river and said to be the most beautiful subterranean river in the world. Inside the cave are stalagmites and stalactites that are probably formed hundreds of years ago. There are also species of bats and birds who take shelter in its vast darkness. 

I've been here three times but its beauty never ceases to amaze me. I never even get tired of traveling a two and a half hour of rough road because once you get there - it will take all the tiredness and the exasperation away.

The park is always jam packed especially during summer when locals and other tourists like Korean give an effort of traveling and falling in line just to see its wonder. If you have time, please do visit. I'm sure you won't regret it!

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Wedding Venue (Dos Palmas)

I must admit that Dos Palmas Island Resort made my day when we were there this year's summer. It may not be as beautiful and luxurious as other island resorts out there but it can technically make your holiday complete.

Dos, as it is popularly called by the locals is an island resort in Palawan, Philippines. The resort's main attractions are guided scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and a tour of the place. You can also make use of other facilities such as billiards, bicycle, etc. More importantly, their scrumptious buffet is superb (yum-yum) and i vouch you wouldn't be disappointed hehe.

There maybe more other things I've overlooked that might ruin the choosing of the venue but I guess Dos is still incomparable with others.So in October this year, Dos Palmas Island Resort will be the venue of a wedding. Whose wedding? MY WEDDING!

 

See you all, then?

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GHOTI means Fish

Let's have a review or perhaps let us learn something new about the English language. Does it make you hate English because of its craziness? One book author stated that "of all languages, English has the largest vocabulary - perhaps as many as two million words - and of course it has one of the noblest bodies of literature.

 However, let's face it! English is a crazy language! Example - if the teacher taught - why isn't it that the preacher praught? If a horsehair mat is made from the hair of horses and a camel hair coat from the hair of camels - what is the name of the animal that gives us mohair? If a vegetarian eats vegetables - what does a humanitarian eat"? HUMAN? That's scary hehe!

Some words are also spelt in ways which bear no resemblance to the way they are pronounced. Say for instance the word GHOTI which according to the article i read, it meant FISH and should be pronounced FISh. What??? Read it HERE

Note: Images were taken at Bueng Boraphet Aquarium in Nakhon Sawan.

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