Letter 6 (Dave)

Hi All,



This should be interesting. Mom is typing on the computer next to me writing to you, and now I will do the same. Who knows, there could be conflicting stories. 



Near the city of Phitsanulok, we enjoyed another farm visit where we experienced catfish farming, pumpkin, morning glory, and egg plant. And, of course, rice fields. Now that that sounds familiar, I may be going back a bit too far in time trying to catch up stuff with you. Rice planting is certainly labor intensive though as the women stand in the water all day and transplant each one individually.



Of course, we visit many temples. Wat Mhathat in Sukothai was visited by Tut Tut's, a motorized bike.



On Jan 28 we visited a school and got into almost every. We also took part in their opening exercises as they raised the flag, sang the national anthem and then were led in physical exercises by other kids. Mom enjoyed the kindergarten. Some brought some school supplies. They were enjoying out visit yet were always polite and respectful. The Buddhist culture does have influence on nation.



Mom had a Thai dish for lunch that included jumping shrimp. Yes, they were very much alive, jumping for their lives just before she took her first bite. I chickened out, not because of the shrimp, but rather because of her jumping around like one of the shrimp from the dish because of the spiciness. Plus that, they were simply taken out of a basin of lake water and who knows what was in it.



Riding trucks, we traveled to visit some of the hill people of the area, that is, some of the more primitive tribes. Interesting, and they were certainly ready to sell us things as well.



Hotel tonight was a neat cabin unit. But there was a swimming pool available as well.



On the 29th, we walked across the border and spent the a.m. in Myanmar. Visited more temples, walked markets, and got a brief feel for this nation. It is only now that some persons are able to cross into the nation as its recent history has been very closed. We traveled by rickshaw around the area.



Lunch followed back in Thailand by having a meal at a distant restaurant. Distant enough that we transferred to a farm truck that had to be started by a hand crank. It sounded like it had two cylinders, but that was probably not the case. The roads were fun and rough.



After returning, we took a boat trip around the Golden Triangle, historically names because of gold and opium that traveled on the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos. The boat then landed Laos and we spent some of the afternoon walking around a very small part of the shoreline.



So now, I've added to my 47 countries visited with Thailand, Japan, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. Vietnam will make a total of 53 visited.



A poppy museum was visited giving some background to that crop. It is pretty much controlled in Thailand but not in the neighboring countries.



While under construction today, the 30th, we did visit an awesome Buddhist temple. Pictures will only fully tell the story, but it glowed with many reflections in the sun.



Spent some of the afternoon shopping, but I bet Mom brought you up to date on that event as she seemed to gain an early birthday present. 



So, now to walk the streets some as we have some time on our own.



Love dad