Back home

Sunday I moved back to my apartment after 43 days (and nights) of living in hotels in Bangkok and China (mainly Foshan) due to the flooding at my building and at my workplace. I wasn't exactly roughing it but it's very, very nice to be home.


But Sunday I go back to China for a couple of weeks - still for work related to the flooding event though the water is down at home and at work.

Friday, September 30

This morning (my morning) I was thrilled to talk to two of my great friends: Orlando and Miguel. Orlando was in Philadelphia, Miguel in Campinas, Brazil and me in Bangkok. Three friends, three continents and a great "bate papo"(fun chat). I miss those guys!

Sunset from my balcony today shortly after a rainstorm:

What you can't tell from the photo is how high the water level of the river is. The is quite a bit of major flooding in the country and many of my low-lying neighbors are at least partially underwater. I'm at no risk on the 9th floor but we have had to move our cars from the underground parking area although right now it's just a precautionary measure. The Chao Phraya river that flows by my building is a tidal river and the high tides keep the water from flowing to the sea and exacerbates the flooding.

Sunset yesterday on the Chao Phraya River next to my building

My building from the dock. The blue flags are in honor of the queen's birthday.

Koong

Nice evening...

The Queen of Thailand comes to Suan Thip

Last Thursday the queen of Thailand came to where I live to visit a famous monk who has lives in a cottage on the property. The venerable monk is 97 years old and can't get around very easily. I was told that in his younger days he would visit the queen on her birthday (which was the previous Friday, Aug. 12). This year she came to see him. I missed the hoopla because I was at work.

Headed to Chicago

I'm on my way to Chicago to attend a trade show for commercial interiors. Then Wednesday to Virginia to see family.
I'm in the airport in Seoul waiting for my flight to Chicago, a long way still to go.
Looking forward to seeing friends and family!

Anniversary

Today marks one year that I've lived in Thailand. I've had an excellent time so far.

Hua Hin

Koong and I took advantage of a rare weekend when she wasn't working and a three day weekend for both of us to boot - Labor Day in Thailand (and many other countries). We went to Hua Hin, a resort town on the  coast of the Bay of Thailand about 3 hours drive South of Bangkok. We booked our room at the last minute and ended up at a staying at a Marriott Resort right on the beach. It was an older property but in good shape and beautifully landscaped. And the best feature: right on the beach!