We arrived back in Bangkok in time for Phek Lin and Looknons' grandson's Brahmin naming cermony. Before the big day, we were invited to a family dinner.
After dinner, we headed out to the famous flower market to collect some for tomorrow's big day.
Stall after stall of beautiful bunches.
In the morning we had plenty of time to explore the local area of Sukhumvit and found a lovely little park.
The park had a small running track dotted with all sorts of exercise equipment, well I had to have a go!
As did Kenny.
This one was my favorite until I overdid it and pulled a muscle.
Crazy one where you push up your own body weight, the seat lifted as you pushed.
At the other end of the park is a large fancy shopping mall called the 'Emporium'. Men in white uniforms salute you after opening the entrance door. The mall is wall to wall with Gucci, Prada, Louis Vitton and a fabulous food court selling all sorts of cuisuine.
Mid afternoon variuos people arrived for the ceremony, where the baby, James, was blessed by a Brahmin priest.
Various symbolic offerings were gathered, food for health and prospertity, silver & gold for wealth etc.
The Brahmin Priest.
Baby James with his mother Lookrai.
The beginning of the cermony took place outside where the gods were called upon by the close members of the family.
A table full of offerings was laid and much incense and chanting called the gods.
As well as variuos other symbolic rituals the baby was bathed in a bowl of water that had been blessed by the priest and all the offerings of good luck.
In addition everyone there also sent their own luck to the baby by circling 3 candles 3 times and wafting the flame in the babies direction. The candles were circulated 3 times (and yes, Kenny managed to wax all over himself!)
After the very well behaved James had done his part, a wonderful spread was enjoyed in the garden.
N,o this is not me back home, or calling for a taxi. The next day we travelled down with the family to their other house, 'Chom Dong Villa', in Hua Hin. A costal town frequented regularly by Bangkok folk.
This incredible house is nestled in its own beautifully landscaped grounds, full of wonderful flowers and wildlife. The villa was erected for Queen Rambi Bharni, wife of King Rama VII in 1975. She spent much time here no doubt to enjoy the wonderful peace and views. The family still keep her bedroom as it was as a tribute to Her Majesty.
The grounds roll on and on to include lakes, a deer park and various, carefully designed gardens. The project is ongoing and plans are a foot for many additions.
In the main town of Hua Hin we were also able to take advantage of the pool at their condo, a welcome, refreshing dip.
The condo complex backs onto the beach. Out for a stroll with Johnnie, Lookrai and, of course, the beautiful James.
Whilst here we took advantage of the local elephant park and booked in on a trek.
After a while we were asked if we wanted to sit up front! Of course we did. It was actually more tricky than I expected as the movement of the elephant was so big. You are sloshed from side to side with every foot step.
Kenny also had a go. His legs reached below the elephants ears.
A little up the road and we went for a walk round a Mangrove, not to be confused with a Mango Grove as I did. I ws very dissapointed as I had expected Mangos ripe for me to pick and eat!
Looking over the young mangrove.
Back at Chom Dong, the wonderful gardens.
Dinosaur topiary.
Colourful.
As the grounds are quite large it is much easier to get around on golf buggies. Looknam, Niki, and their 2 boys (sorry, Super-Boys!)
We were there over the Thai New Year, called 'Songkran'. Historically part of the celebrations entailed pouring scented water over the hands of the elders in each family.
These days it involves soaking each other with hosepipes.
Silly tourists going out in a Tuk Tuk!
Happy New Year!
(Thai's count the years slightly differently from the West. They're around 500 years ahead of the West, this being the year 2554. But then, as Eddie Izzard once said, they didn't have to worry about the BC/AD changeover. - K)
As part of the celebrations the family had arranged a pizza party for all of their family and friends in the grounds of Chom Dong.
A fabulous feast, where I was grateful to be cooked my very own rice based pizza and pasta (Yum Yum).
Relaxing on the veranda.
Boys will be boys!
On guard!
A Chom Dong speciality - Straw Chicken. We had been looking forward to this all week. The raw chicken was hung with a metal boxes placed over it.
The boxes were then covered in straw.............
And lit.............
Once the flames had died down...............
More straw is placed on top and the process is repeated 5 times (only 8 minutes total cooking time).
(All that hay stacking on the farm before we left came in handy at last! - K)
After which the chicken was perfectly cooked and tasted beautiful.
We stayed in a room in the grounds of Chom Dong all week, this was the wonderful view from our balcony.
More garden views.
Walking up to the main house. Once again our huge thanks go out to Phek Lin & Looknon for welcomming us into their fabulous home. We had a wonderful time in Hua Hin.
We caught a lift with some of the other house guests back to Bangkok who took us on a sight seeing tour along the way. Here we stopped at a traditional Thai market.
A big Buddha cave.
Back in Bangkok, enjoying the short walk to the Emporium shopping centre.
And again the fabulous delights of the food court inside!
We had heard about the crazy Sunday market in Bangkok, Chatuchak.
It sold everything from Indian head dresses.........
............ decorative lamps ..............
.............. all sorts of food ............
.............. even puppies!
In looking for some different things to do in Bangkok, Kenny came across this museum. It was based inside a huge 3 headed elephant!!!!
Seriously, it was huge!
Inside on the lower level were all sorts of Thai artifacts. But upstairs, inside the elephant, was a wonderful staircase and stained glass window in the ceiling.
Magnificiant.
Every town should have a 3 headed elephant like this one, in my opinion.
Right up in the belly of the elephant was a beautiful temple with a celestial themed ceiling.
One of Kenny's old room mates, Paul, now lives in Bangkok so we caught up with him for dinner.
He knew all the good cheap places to eat and drink, and we ended up here for late night G&T's.
Where the bar had some very specific rules!
It was finally time for us to head off once again, this time north to Chiang Mai on the sleeper train.
Our comfy air con bunks. It was the best way we have travelled so far.
All tucked in. We closed our eyes in Bangkok and opened them in Chiang Mai.
