Phetchaburi adventures

Phetchaburi, Thailand
Wednesday, December 31, 2013

On the return drive to Bangkok this time we WISELY broke the trip into two parts and stayed over in Phetchaburi for two nights. This gave us time to explore this fun city--and not go crazy from driving 8+ hours in one day. A famous Buddhist cave with hoards of aggressive monkeys and a lovely temple from the Khymer period were the two sites we visited. It was fun to see something new--especially the cave.

Sunday market

Saphli, Thailand
Sunday, December 29, 2013

Tonight we enjoyed another trip to Saphli's Sunday market. All manner of food for sale: fruit, spices, vegetables--even fried bugs. We bought some treats and headed home...

Beach pursuits

A's inland empire

Outside Chumphon, Thailand
Sunday, December 29, 2013

Over the past week or so, we have spent many, many hours on the beach here at Chumphon Cabana. Our favorite activities have included looking for shells (me), picking up garbage (Frank) and building sandcastles (A). The wind and waves are strong this time of year so we haven't spent too much time in the water--except for jumping in the waves as they crash in...

Here's what I found on the beach...

Jungle roses

Outside Chumphon, Thailand
Saturday, December 28, 2013

We have returned to Chumphon Cabana for a few more days at the beach--and the festivities surrounding the New Year. This morning the staff were making these wonderful flower arrangements out of newly cut palm fronds. It's like origami with plant leaves. Wonderful creations.

A "tree house" at last

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Frank had eventually given up trying to find the guest house he really wanted near Khao Sok National Park--Art's Riverview Lodge. They have no web site and all the phone numbers listed for them on the web didn't work. Then, by accident, Frank happened upon the Lodge once we were already staying somewhere else near the park. So, for our last night in Khao Sok, Frank booked a cabin at Art's Riverview Lodge. It is located at the bend in a small river with a nice swimming hole, complete with rope swing.

Being in the cabin is like being in a (low) rain forest canopy--well, sort of anyhow. It's on brick stilts about 15 feet up in the air. Last night we sat on the porch and watched the bats come out and listened to the cries of the far-off gibbon monkeys. As the bats came out, A got inspiration to draw some more of the creatures we've seen on this trip. As the light faded, Frank got out the headlamp and A kept drawing--well-coated with bug spray, of course. But actually, the mosquitoes weren't too bad here.

And the mosquito net "tents" inside the cabins glow magically in the dark...

IF you can find the place, it's well worth the effort.

Into the park

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Wednesday, December 25, 2013

We made a brief foray into Khao Sok National Park today. We were ready to explore some of the nature trails and see some waterfalls, etc., but the youngest member of our party was a bit too tired to get much out of this experience.

We did, however, get to walk a ways among the stunning bamboo, watch a bunch of monkeys do their monkey thing, and get startled by the buzzing of an enormous beetle that Frank was inspecting at close quarters. There's lots, lots more to see here, but for us it will have to wait for another time...

Khao Sok super beetle

"goi, goi"

The elephant in question

Outside Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Great was my reluctance to get on that elephant. I wasn't sure if I should be relieved or worried to see that an actual seat belt was part of the contraption that we were supposed to ride on. But get on I did. This elephant ride was too-long awaited for me to turn back.

Thai coffee beans

To simulate the experience of "trekking in the jungle", our elephant handler led the elephant up, down, and around the mountainside near the camp where the elephants live. I had some doubts about how well the elephants here are treated, but I hardly know WHAT a 40 year-old elephant is SUPPOSED to look like.

In addition to learning what a coffee beans look like "on the branch", I have now learned one important phrase in elephant-handler talk. "Goi, goi", I learned, means "carefully, carefully" which, I am happy to say, brought us back safely to the elephant dismounting station in about one hour's time...

To see the view from "up top," click below...

At the edge of the rain forest

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand  
Monday, December 23, 2013

After motoring south and west for about 4.5 hours today, we are now staying just outside the entrance to Khao Sok National Park. They say Khao Sok is one of the world's oldest rain forests at 160 million years old. Tomorrow, it's adventures in the park--but this afternoon it was a stroll in the secondary forest and down to a small river. The limestone cliffs are amazing and the flowers, too...

Bouncy castle, the Thai version

Saphli, Thailand
Sunday, December 22, 2013

This afternoon we headed into the very small town near where we are staying in Chumphon province to go to the weekly market. Lots of great fruit and food stalls but not much to interest a six year-old. Until we found the bouncy castle. The best 66 cents we spent all day!

Breakfast salad

Outside Chumphon, Thailand
Sunday, December 22, 2013

The concept of a salad for breakfast is about as foreign to most Americans as pancakes or bacon is to the rest of the world. But give it a try (you mix all the ingredients together), and you really might find it as wonderfully interesting as I did. Really good stuff!

It's called "salak"

Saphli, Thailand
Saturday, December 21, 2013

Long time readers of this blog may recall that Frank sees it as a personal challenge to try every tropical fruit that Thailand has to offer. Rose apples, dragon fruit, sapadillos, rambutans--all are old stuff by now. This time he came home from the fruit market with something that neither of us had ever seen before--and which required both persistence and gloves (which we did not have) to open. Various consultations with the hotel staff and Google gave us this answer: it's called "salak" or snakefruit (Salacca zalacca). The spines on the fruit can get in your skin like so many tiny slivers and most of what's inside that dreadful skin is a big pit. But the fruit is interesting and quite tasty nonetheless. Turns out it's the fruit of certain palm trees (just as dates are) and common throughout Southeast Asia. Don't look for it in a supermarket near you--it's way too much work.

Return to Chumphon

One of the cabanas

Outside Chumphon, Thailand
Saturday, December 21, 2013

The view from the cabanas

This is our third stay at Chumphon Cabana in the past four years. It's located about 15 km outside the city of Chumphon along Thailand's southern east coast. In some ways the place continues to get a bit more tired with the passage of time, but there are also signs of some fixing-up as well. The staff continues to be super-friendly and the location lovely: a wonderful beach, nice pool, fun "cabanas" and pleasant hotel rooms. It's a great place for families; there are lots of Thai guests as well as a good dose of Europeans. We are happy to be back.

A root beer float, anyone?

Immediately south of Bangkok, Thailand
Thursday, December 19, 2013

The day started with us watching a "driver safety tips for Thailand" video on Youtube. Then we headed out to the airport for our first Thai car rental. Getting past Bangkok to head south was just as crazy as Frank feared: at one point we accidentally got off the main highway and spent nearly an hour driving back and forth trying to get back ON the highway. About half way to our destination, we stopped at a gas station/convenience store--and there we found an A & W. Honestly, I didn't know A & W still existed. Frank had the first root beer float I've ever seen him drink. Must have been the stress of getting out of Bangkok...

Nine hours after departing the airport, we arrived at our beach cabana in Chumpon--just as a lovely orange moon rose up out of the sea...

Thanks for all the careful driving, Frank.

Indoor fun

Bangkok, Thailand
Tuesday, December 17, 2013

This afternoon we opted for some hours of indoor fun here in Bangkok. If you've got younger kids (up to age 13) and need a big, clean, indoor playplace the Fun*arium is the place to go. A raced about happily for hours, and we enjoyed a nice lunch--and some rather creative Christmas decorations. The things you can do with recycled bottles and clothes hangers...

Girafffes (and other creatures) up close

Bangkok, Thailand
Monday, December 16, 2013

Spent the afternoon at the Bangkok (Dusit) Zoo. The animals on display were pretty nice, but the real hits of the afternoon were the giant monitor lizards and turtles swimming in the zoo lake--and the huge cranes which appeared to be building a nest in one of the higher treetops. And the animal statues for climbing. All in all, a pleasant place to spend an afternoon--

Bangkok street food

Bangkok, Thailand
Sunday, December 15, 2013

Over a period of four years, we have returned to this area of Bangkok four times to stay at the same hotel. And eat at the same street food stalls. Yes, the street vendors are familiar even to my husband who doesn't tend to remember faces. Simple fare that keeps us coming back. Ahhhh...

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

Madaba, Jordan
Thursday, December 12, 2013

School was dismissed a day early for inclement weather and today, indeed, the snow arrived. Wet, heavy stuff that was just perfect for snowmen and snowball fights. Now, it's time for something warmer than this corner of the Middle East: we are off to Thailand!

But, oh, campus was beautiful for a while--before the rain/slush thing began. And it was good to find a home for that last, lonely carrot in the fridge--

Ho ho...uh oh

Madaba, Jordan
Wednesday, December 11, 2013

School was dismissed one day early based on the promise/threat of snow. So I set to work this evening with a happy heart to make some Christmas cookies. I thoroughly enjoyed the process but was a bit dismayed to realize that the finished product looked a lot more like Easter cookies than Christmas cookies. Maybe next year I'll have some proper colored sprinkles to work with!

The smell of home

Virginia's Greek Bread

Madaba, Jordan
Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Amidst the rush of the last few school days, I have had just enough extra energy to bake a few loaves of Mom's Christmas bread to share with friends. Makes the apartment smell like home no matter how far away we are.

Gingerbread season

The finished product

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, December 6, 2013

After last year's initial success at making our own gingerbread house, A and I decided we'd try again this year. I managed to make a structural error in planning the basic pieces of the house, but it wasn't anything that some foil covered cardboard, a rabbit cookie, and lots of frosting (with cream of tartar for thickener) couldn't solve. Particularly popular this year, were the animal-shaped windows--which were then added to the yard for further decoration.

Step 1: Get the walls right...

Thanksgiving bonfire

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, November 29, 2013

This afternoon we enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving meal with friends and friends of friends. As it grew dark, the bonfire was lit and the dry olive branches leaped into flame against the night sky. We drove home with full bellies, smokey clothes, and happy hearts.

The $3 hair cut

Madaba, Jordan
Saturday, November 9, 2013

Perhaps concerned that I was paying too much at my "regular" barber in Madaba, Frank decided to take me to "his" barber down at the bus station. (Actually, I would have gladly gone back to my barber but when we arrived at the shop today, it was totally torn apart as if for renovation.)

In a country where the line between barber shops and women's hair salons is very, very distinct, I was nervous at (once again) trying to find a barber shop to cut my hair. But, accompanied by Frank, I succeeded in finding a fine hair cut--and an even less expensive one at that.

Here's to adventures in hair-cutting--which are made all the more exciting by the fact that I cannot even begin to explain in Arabic how I'd like my hair done...

"you made my day"

Madaba, Jordan
Thursday, November 7, 2013

Written in tiny letters at the top of the page were the words "you made my day"--something one doesn't often find written on a (probably) too-long test at the end of a too-long week. But this student LOVES dinosaurs and does the most wonderful art work in his math copybook. Inspired by his love of dinosaurs, I wrote this test problem for him--and was rewarded by the aforementioned comment--and sketches, too.

He made MY day.

Tree-climbing goats

Near the Dead Sea, Jordan

Friday, October 25, 2013

We spent a lovely afternoon today with friends at their place overlooking the northern end of the Dead Sea. As the sun set, we went on a walk and had the chance to observe a group of voracious goats practically climbing an olive tree--and devouring it. I don't think they were eating olives (possibly they had already been harvested), but all the leaves and small branches were fair game...

The experience puts a new perspective on the tale of the "Three Billy Goats Gruff"... 

Robot candy purse

Madaba, Jordan
Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Halloween arrived on campus a week early so we had to spring into action to finish A's robot costume. A recycled box, some aluminum foil, some duct tape (for the handle), and some shiny stickers--and my little robot was ready to go.

The best part? A is old enough to help make her own costumes!

Down by the sea

Aqaba, Jordan
Tuesday, October 15, 2013

When not furiously beach-combing for sea glass, A spent her time recording her experiences at the beach on paper--in the tradition of other great artists.

Meanwhile, Papa went snorkeling and saw two giant sea turtles and a host of other brilliant sea creatures.

And Mama read a book.

Aqaba lunch

Aqaba, Jordan
Sunday, October 13, 2013

Day Three of our vacation in Aqaba. After a morning spent snorkeling and hanging out by the pool, we headed into Aqaba for lunch. We found a simple restaurant and ordered foul, hummous, and falafel. Food for peasants AND for kings--

Public Beach #4

Aqaba, Jordan
Saturday, October 12, 2013

Up early on our first morning here. Went down to investigate Public Beach #4 which lies just across the highway from our hotel. Families camping in all manner of tents, heating tea on open fires, and sitting by the sea. A constant and fierce wind blowing down the coast. Across the blue, blue water is Egypt and a bit of Israel. I love this time of day...

Arrived: Aqaba's South Coast

Aqaba, Jordan
Friday, October 11, 2013

We arrived late afternoon in Aqaba and found our hotel on the South Coast. Wonderful, funky place with a freezing cold pool and a colorfully decorated facade--clean and pleasant though nothing fancy. Let the relaxing begin...

Royal autos

Amman, Jordan
Saturday, October 5, 2013

Spent a very interesting  hour in the Royal Automobile Museum this afternoon. Not only are there lots of fantastically restored old cars and motorcycles, they are placed in Jordan's historical context with great photos and other artifacts. Don't miss it!

All evening they rustled and twisted...

Madaba, Jordan
Thursday, October 3, 2013

Yep, it's flexagon season once again! Last night I cut up the pieces of mailing tape in preparation for class. All evening as I worked, the rolls of paper rustled and twisted nearby, straining to twist themselves into tighter rolls. By morning, they were long tight sticks, and I had a hard time getting them into a bag to transport to class.

I made a test flexagon with this new type of mailing tape (thank you, SF!), and A kindly decorated it for me as a sample to my students. Stay tuned for the work my students do on this great puzzle...

Here's a link to my favorite hexa-hexa-flexagon numbering system.

Fig season

Madaba, Jordan
Tuesday, September 17, 2013

It's mid-September, and fig season is still going strong here in Jordan. The figs here are truly the "food of the gods". May the season never end!

90 pieces and all finished

Madaba, Jordan
Monday, September 16, 2013

I kept folding all weekend in odd moments--and putting it together with small dabs of glue. The "Buckminsterfullerene" (or truncated icosahedron) is finished!