Thailand .... the King of the Fruits

Someone said to me today, "Thailand is the King of  Fruits, actually the Queen and King of the Fruit".  When you are here, you understand what he was talking about.  I like fruit and would prefer it over chocolate or ice cream anytime, unlike Ted who would prefer ice cream over life itself.  We have found some wonderful fruit and some not so wonderful fruit that I would like to share with you.  Fruit is everywhere ... the grocery stores, street side vendor and floating markets traveling up and down the river here in Banglok  It's one thing I do not mind buying from street vendors, take it home, wash it up and enjoy!  We have not been brave enough to buy "street meat", I think I will leave that for the natives and another time!  Here are a few photos of some of the fruit I have found, that I have come to really enjoy.

I was not allowed to bring home a durian.  A durian can only be described as the most disgusting fruit known to man.  It's not allowed in our condo building or in hotels/guests houses.  The smell is pungent ... if you smell it once, you will never forget it.  A friend of ours says "smells like shit, tastes like heaven".  I think I will pass.

I am now going to enjoy the fruit salad I made after taking all these shots!  ENJOY at little taste of Thailand.

Mangosten .... hard shelled, beautiful dark purple little beauties.

Inside the mangosten ... white flesh wedges.

Delicious taste.

Rambutan.

In the lychee family ... but a little different taste.

The little fruit inside, a lot of work, a little bland tasting.

The pomello .... something like a grapefruit, but not at all sour, a bit of a bite but it's fantastic.  Little fact:  1/4 cup is 193% of your daily Vitamin C requirements.  Only 72 calories in one cup! 

Mini pineapple ... just pick it up and eat like an apple, ynmmy!

Kiwi - right?

Yellow fleshed Kiwi ... actually grown in New Zealand imported to Thailand.  Very sweet version of the original kiwi.

Yellow kiwi.

My beloved Dragon Fruit ... simply the best.

Amazing, fresh taste.

All ready for breakfast.

Durian ... the stinky fruit!

Talk about discrimination!!

Vietnam ... not sure where to start!!!

Ted and I visited Vietnam last week, we stayed in Ho Che Minh City, formerly Siagon.  It is a thriving city, even with communism (aka "socialism" as the Vietnamese call it).  People are trying to earn a good living by opening businesses, literally everywhere .... alleys, sidewalks, roadways, you name it, they have a business
set up.

We stayed at the famous Rex Hotel in HOCM.  It was headquarters for the CIA and U.S. army during the Vietnam war.  The army brass and  media would meet at the rooftop restaurant each night for the "5:00 o'clock  follies".  It was named the follies because most of the information was propaganda.

Crossing the street in HOMC is going against everything you learned as a child ... check both ways before you cross the road and when it's clear cross the road, right?  Not here, it's ... okay step out into traffic (four/five lanes) and keep walking ... taxis, motorcycles, bikes, buses will go around you!!!  Only 9,205 traffic deaths a year in Vietnam (about 25 per day ... probably all tourists  trying to cross the street to get the best deal on a straw hat). 

Vietnam is also the home of the best fake merchandise I have seen yet.  They rank it A, B or C and the price goes up according to the quality.  Market stall owners hide the good stuff and if you ask for better quality goods they will dig through their hundreds of bags and find it for you ... it's awesome.  I think some Louis Vitton trucks are missing some cargo!

We went on a dinner cruise on a Vietnamese Junk (traditional wooden boat).  It was a great cruise, traditional dancers, food, etc.  We got talking to the manager, Audrey, who is an expat from Austria.  Audrey invited us to the owner's private bar on the boat, we looked around, took some photos and had a drink with her.

HOCM is divided into 24 districts (12 numbered and 12 named), we went to the Che Chu district where the tunnels were built by Vietchong.  These were tunnels used to transport people, weapons, food, etc. during the Vietnam war.  One section of the tunnel was a medical clinic, set up for treating the wounded.  Part of this tunnel system was built under a U.S. army base.   The tunnel system was 250 km in length, on three different levels.  Guess who crawled through some of the tunnel system?  No, not Ted ... me, it was terrifying.  Something I would never do again ... see the photos.  The traps they had for the U.S. troops were brutal ... what a terrible war that must have been, sad for everyone involved.

All in all it was a nice trip and a real eye opener.  We had a great time and even celebrated our anniversary there.

I have attached photos of the live market and other shots from around HOCM.  The tunnels are fascinating, but like I said before, I will never do again.  We are back in Bangkok now, next trip is to Chang Mai, a city in Northern Thailand, people tell us it's a little cooler than Bangkok, we can only hope!  Enjoy the photos!



Bangkok traffic



Four to a motorcycle (baby under the blanket)

Little ones on the street with their Mom.

This little piggy went to market ... and lost his feet!

This little piggy went to market and lost her boobies.



This little piggy went to market and lost his brain.



Audrey and I in owner's bar on the Junk.



Private bar on the Junk.

Junk Boat



Man entering tunnel system



Swing trap used to kill U.S. soldiers during Vietnam war, filled with bamboo spikes, ouch!

Bamboo spikes




Tunnel system below



Coming out of the tunnels .... oh yeah, forgot to tell you about the scorpions and snakes that like the tunnels to keep cool .. great, thanks!

I think the look says it all ... get me out of here, no more photos!!!

How to feel welcome in a strange land.

Ted and I visited the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok this week.  It was a great learning experience.  I have never felt so unwelcomed by my country.  A country that we have paid taxes in for the past 30 or more years.  A country that is supposed to be known as friendly ... well, just come to Bangkok and see how you are treated.  Ted and I went to get some information for his work, volunteer opportunities, registration with the embassy in case of an emergency ... after being searched, scanned and interviewed we were allowed to enter the sanctuary of the embassy.  Not one person could help us .... "please visit our website" was what we heard over and over again.  If there is a website that can answer our questions, why are we paying salaries of the approximately 20 - 30 people that work there?  I guess if you need a stolen passport replaced then this is the place ... it could be done at a corner shop for a fraction the cost.  The best part was the issue of voting ... voting was cut off 9 days prior to the election because the staff couldn't promise our votes would arrive on time.  Have you ever heard of technology ... you can vote on what your favourite donut from Tim Hortons is but you can't vote in your own election (personally I would rather vote for the donut ... I miss donuts).

I can only imagine now what it's like for people entering our country from other world areas.  It must be scary for them to arrive in a country that insists you visit their webside for service.   I GIVE UP.

P.S.  We haven't seen Jack Layton in any of the massage parlours around the city.  I am sure he would enjoy them ... especially Nice Girls, near our place!

Grand Palace (p.s. don't visit on a Saturday in April .... tourists & hot, hot, hot)

Quiet week (with the exception of Ted's visit to hospital), definitely the hot as heck season.  It rained today and the humidity dropped to 100%!!!  Visited the Grand Palace today, saw the beautiful Jade Budda that is over 700 years old.  Riverboats to Grand Palace where fascinating, but we weren't brave enough to give them a try.  We took a cab to the palace and skytrain home.

For those who complain about their Roger's or any cable/satellite provider ... you should live here.  True Vision is our provider ... they just cut off the satellite for days at a time and no one informs you what is happening.  The headlines in the paper on Friday read  "True Vision satellite unavailable due to coup attempt", surprise to us because we haven't seen anything going on in that way.

Here are some photos from the palace visit today:

All in all, life is good.  We are full of noodles and seafood.  We wish everyone a vey Hoppy Easter!!!