tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199Fri, 01 Nov 2024 10:34:54 +0000foodpartiesbangkokvillage lifeEvil Mother-In-LawkaraokefuneralsThai FestivalstraditionstravelsThailand Electionsdisturbing things about ThailandmusicHat YaibirthdaybuildingbungalowcurryquirksThai Electricityaddictionsanimalsghostskarmamonksneighboursoff topicrainy seasonDown townLife ChangesNakhon Si ThammaratWork from Homeaustraliachocolategirly thingsjatukarmsinningspasuperstitionsswimming holetempleswaterfall5 baht carAbout MeFast FoodKFCKhao LakKoh LipeKoh SametLoy KratongSEA gamesTale NoiThai Kids NamesThai headlinesThailandThings I won't MissThings I'll Miss about ThailandTsunami Centreangelsbeachesbubbasbusescavesdurianfloodingflower marketfrustrationsfull moonhair cutshome deliveryhome renovationhospitalshot showershot springshow to make coconut oilindian menladyboyslife crisismailmarketorphanageother farangpayperpostphuket plane crashrice fieldsroyal watchrubberschoolscorpionsubscribesunsetsurgerythings I misstransportventingvideosvisitorswildlifewonderwomanhttp://www.southernthai.com/noreply@blogger.com (Mel)Blogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-1049731511018019409Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:17:00 +00002008-10-03T18:34:29.973+07:00Well, hasn't it just been forever and a day! I wonder if anyone still checks in at my lost and lonely blog these days...Just for a one off update...J and I have been back in Australia on the east coast for almost 2 months, J got 2 jobs within the first 2 weeks of being here...both in Thai restaurants. He stopped working at one but is still happily working with other southern Thais in the other.Ihttp://www.southernthai.com/2008/10/in-oz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-5930578789072012648Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:37:00 +00002008-07-24T17:17:37.293+07:00australiaIt's less then a fortnight to go til we leave Thailand. We're planning on coming back for holidays and a friend's wedding in about 8 months time though.. I think without setting firm dates for coming back to the homeland, J would sink into a fit of depression, so we must have a yearly trip back.I'm fantasising about western food like nobody's business!!1. lightly toasted focaccia with sundried http://www.southernthai.com/2008/07/things-im-looking-forward-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-8464381286737996016Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:31:00 +00002008-07-23T20:06:58.992+07:00Yay! Finally got J’s visa to immigrate to Australia! Only 8 weeks and 4 days of waiting. It’s such a relief to finally know what we are doing and be able to move on with our lives now. We’ve been back in the village for over a month now spending ‘quality’ time with the folks before our imminent departure.. rapturous fun as you can imagine. Not much going down in the ville (apart from our http://www.southernthai.com/2008/07/blowin-this-popsicle-stand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-10161185783033077Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:48:00 +00002008-06-24T14:37:37.958+07:00Things I'll Miss about ThailandSince we'll be leaving the country soon (no, still don't know dates!), I've made a couple of lists that I'll potentially continue to build on...The Things I'll Miss about living in Thailand:-Easy going lifestyleSo many smiling, laughing people aroundBeing part of a real communityThe views around my village – mountain ranges, rice paddy fields, rubber tree plantationsMy father-in-lawStreet http://www.southernthai.com/2008/06/things-ill-miss-about-thailand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-1833210751444599365Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:47:00 +00002008-06-24T14:38:50.803+07:00Things I won't MissMIL – goes without saying reallyLiving with the parentsBeing surrounded by so much PORK! (and living next door to pig killers!)Fish Gut Curry and Geng Som (spicy yellow fish curry, a staple at 90% of meals in southern Thailand)Going to funerals and monk parties almost fortnightly and made to eat Fish Gut Curry whilst watching everyone else devour 7 different types of pork http://www.southernthai.com/2008/06/things-i-wont-miss-about-thailand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-9074796471101987540Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:54:00 +00002008-06-08T11:08:38.680+07:00bangkoktravelsWell, about 40 days or so I should say...so, what have us tiddly winks been up to this last month gallivanting around the gorgeous tropics of Thailand.1st: Went to Hua Hin... otherwise thought of as a developing resort area for rich tourists. Us not being in the afore mentioned category, we stayed for free at J's sister's newly purchased 3 bedroom house that was sitting empty waiting for us to http://www.southernthai.com/2008/06/around-thailand-in-80-days.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-2611670115746572437Sat, 31 May 2008 09:10:00 +00002008-05-31T16:22:48.548+07:00bangkokNo, I'm not dead! I just have no computer while in Bangkok and am sustaining my life through a paid internet shop down the street, so don't really have time/dosh to download pics and update the blog for now.We're still in Bangkok, have just had a fab 2 weeks travelling aboot with my ol' buddy and visiting tropical islands (Koh Chang), visiting the village for 3 days and lolling around at http://www.southernthai.com/2008/05/just-pottering-aboot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-8499893432075864985Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:55:00 +00002008-05-02T18:40:06.069+07:00bangkokflower markettemplesI had the most fabulous afternoon the other day with a group of uber lovely ladies from the British Women's Group in Bangkok. We went here there and everywhere but I have to say the highlight was the Flower Market. Absolutely gorgeous and a definite go to place for anyone coming to Bangkok. I can't believe I'd never been there and that my past visitors have missed out on it.. it really is http://www.southernthai.com/2008/04/day-out-in-bangkok.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-845210279615192285Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:37:00 +00002008-04-23T20:58:28.588+07:00bangkokbusesfloodingI love storms. Especially electrical storms where you can just sit outside and watch the lightning. Of course it's not so much fun when you're actually stuck outside in the middle of one. Although on my adventurous walk home, I had a rather enormous grin on my face and kept guffawing about my crazy life....J and I have pretty much decided to go back to Australia for a few years to live. Very easyhttp://www.southernthai.com/2008/04/mish-mash-tales.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-4160997072076573582Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:18:00 +00002008-04-19T19:44:48.567+07:00bangkokLord it's hot in Thailand at the mo. Advice to all the lovely people who stumble on my humble bumble blog.... don't come to Thailand in April. It's disgusting. The heat sucks out all the oxygen so you're left to breathe a mixture of moist air particles with carbon monoxide fumes, while the rivers of sweat cascade down your neck and between your bosoms if you are so lucky to have them. Thank god Ihttp://www.southernthai.com/2008/04/bangkok-weather-brings-enlightenment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-4112984981261793243Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:32:00 +00002008-04-18T23:10:15.406+07:00bangkokorphanageJ (lovely husband) and I spent a couple of hours playing with iddy biddy babies today! My dear friend Carol, whom I seem to mention every post (she's over here), because she is a shining beacon in the mass of nasty city fumes and is the one who introduced me to Pakkred Orphanage. This place really brings home the heartbreaking reality of where so many unwanted children end up in Bangkok... http://www.southernthai.com/2008/04/bangkok-orphanage-pakkred.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-2942134085088994767Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:55:00 +00002008-04-17T12:18:22.904+07:00life crisisIt's official... I am in the middle of a quarter life crisis (yes, I'm going to live to 120, that's a certainty). Life is quite the roller coaster.Who would've thought I'd fall in love on my short holiday to Thailand...Who would've thought I'd end up living in a rice paddy village for 3 years...Who would've thought I'd have homicidal thoughts about my husband's closest relative...Who would've http://www.southernthai.com/2008/04/im-buying-convertible-porsche.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-694264419006833503Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:18:00 +00002008-04-14T18:16:58.112+07:00bangkokFast Foodhome deliveryKFCI have sunk to new depths of disgustingness. Never before in my meaningful existence have I sunk to such abysmal depths. I ordered home delivered food today. Not just any home delivery.. gulp ..fast food take-away delivery. Now, in Australia, it's only really normal to get pizza or Chinese delivered, but it's generally just different variations of pizza Italiano food stuffs. Today I ordered KFC http://www.southernthai.com/2008/04/i-must-be-possessed-by-devil.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-5803103680236351465Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:27:00 +00002008-04-14T12:27:52.485+07:00beachesKoh SametWe spent a very lovely 4 days on Koh Samet island that's just a hop, skip and a jump from Bangkok. Incredibly easy to get to, you just jump in a mini-van that depart whenever full at Victory Monument. The van ride is around 2.5 to 3 hours and they drop you at the pier where you can either catch the ferry that departs hourly for 50 baht or get a speed boat that costs around 200 baht, I think. The http://www.southernthai.com/2008/04/koh-samet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-3752277739199821566Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:18:00 +00002008-04-11T22:16:28.109+07:00bangkokTadaaa! I have resurfaced! First things first... I didn't get the job...sob sob....over it!! Was apparently a close call between me and the other dude but O.D. had the whole IT life experience thang and trumpsed me in the end. Sun is still shining, world still spinning, still have all my limbs.. surprisingly perhaps!! So, since we said if I didn't get the job, that was fate telling us to go back http://www.southernthai.com/2008/04/bangkok-apartmentvillage-gal-turning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-1793401664176759457Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:19:00 +00002008-03-18T21:39:21.742+07:00I'm going away for a while. No set date to come back. Need to clear the cobwebs, get some sun, get some exercise, lay on a beach, walk in the forest, visit friends, eat non-curry dishes, go to the movies. Live. Life.No need to worry, J is coming with.. just need to escape the folks, you know!Probably will have some interesting tales when I come back :-Dhttp://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/breaker-breaker-im-outta-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-1594083635139892101Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:08:00 +00002008-03-15T20:06:51.188+07:00foodkaraokepartiesIt's been a bit quiet for a few days with a lull in parties but got to go to another Chinese style 8 course wedding one again today at lunch time.... but with a twist. We weren't exactly invited. J's uncle owns the restaurant and the guy getting married was a Vietnamese-Aussie dude marrying a village girl, so he thought I'd like a gander.Just as we arrived the wedded couple were singing a karaokehttp://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/no-inviteno-problem.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-6770642305674442125Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:29:00 +00002008-03-15T20:14:03.052+07:00partiesThe 8 course wedding party heartily lived up to expectations last night. It was a relatively small party with about 120 guests. People started arriving around 5pm and when the tables were predominantly full at around 5.20pm the first course rolled out. I was the only woman at my table of 7 drinking men. It turned out to be quite amusing because after I took a photo of the first course they then http://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/thai-wedding-party-gorge-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-8728710458137993167Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:52:00 +00002008-03-07T16:01:01.236+07:00partiesJust in case anyone is interested in the financial side of hard partying Thais - the week long funeral for my neighbour cost just under 100,000 baht (~A$3,500). Whoa, I hear you shreaking. But wait there's more. Every person that comes to eat at the party makes a donation. They made 200,000 baht from donations. Noice, very noice. This is the real reason I think a lot of people hold the big monk http://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/party-profiteering.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-5829773038924335215Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:47:00 +00002008-03-06T19:50:05.958+07:00partiesI'm sure I've mentioned before that there are certain times of the year that are particularly auspicious in Thailand. I believe the days are determined by ancient rituals held by Buddha, his disciples, monks and the particular alignment of the planets. I'm totally being serious here.So, it seems this week is duperliciously auspicious due to the ridiculous number of parties going on in the ville. http://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/parties-galore.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-3199663326527194720Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:18:00 +00002008-03-05T15:36:46.758+07:00funeralsDeath has a way of putting everything into perspective, doesn't it? I mean what is the use in being unhappy, angry, resentful when you're just going to die anyway. What a complete waste of time, of which I have plenty so I am no longer a dweller in da house of doom (so I may need another name for my humble abode!)One of the many things that I love about Thai people is how they deal with death. I http://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/final-day-of-funeral.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-8520655351930467739Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:56:00 +00002008-03-04T20:54:32.906+07:00funeralsI have a new found respect for Manora singers. If you haven't read my post on southern Thai music, either scroll down to the next post or click here to see the post and watch a couple of video clips. The dude started singing at around 8pm and didn't stop til nearly 4 am the next morning... without stopping! I am not joking. It was impossible to sleep with the sound vibrations gently moving the http://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/southern-thai-music.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-6912462610963949795Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:38:00 +00002008-03-02T22:54:31.758+07:00funeralskaraokeToday was a full on day. Thais went to the polls again to vote for their Provincial Senator to represent in parliament. At least I think that's what's going on! We've been on the election campaign trail for a couple of weeks as Hillary, sorry J (my husband) has been one of the organisers gathering people to check off names in 23 areas of a couple of villages and today we had to go round checking http://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/another-election-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-4007920634724527290Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:02:00 +00002008-03-01T20:41:45.755+07:00village lifeYesterday must have been a highly auspicious day in the ville as the Governor of our province did a house call to our lovely friend who is always doing great work in the community and also visited the local temple. Great news as it meant a huge assortment of free food, and I am quite the sucker for a free delishy feed. Check out this buffet of about 15 curries, Thai salads and deserts. Yumola! http://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/important-visitor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454705405825489199.post-6653286967128252852Sat, 01 Mar 2008 07:40:00 +00002008-03-01T15:52:26.442+07:00funeralsSo, my neighbour died on Tuesday..it's now Saturday and I'm a thanking the lord I haven't been subjected to the delightfully raucous sounds of obscenely loud karaoke all week (cos it's all about me, you know). It's gotta be some kind of miracle. Especially since the speakers were delivered on Tuesday. I do believe it may be due to the fact that the entire front yard of our neighbour's house (http://www.southernthai.com/2008/03/village-casino.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mel)0