Back at it ... Bangkok and Beyond: January 2012

We have returned ... well Ted, never really left but I on the other hand went home for a few months. Flooding in Bangkok in the months of October, November and December was a tragedy for the Thai people. Many lifes were lost, homes destroyed, crops ruined and some industries out of work for months. The people are resilient, smiles are still on many faces. Our neighbourhood was spared, but others areas of Bangkok are still affected.

Preparing for floods in our area.

We lost a very special member of our family in the Fall, Uncle Rod Wright. Uncle Rod will always be remembered for that little tinkle in his eye. The farm won't be the same without him, but for all he has taught Ted over the years the farms will prosper. His favourite oak tree will be well taken care of. He always spoke of the times he spent under that tree as a youngster, relaxing after a hard day's work. He will be missed!

We also gained a wonderful bundle of joy to our family, Benjamin James Bowman. Ben was born a little early (3.5 weeks) on November 15, 2011. He is a beautiful little boy, who is currently keeping his parents awake at night, that too will pass. His Uncle Tyler and Aunt Kimberly are watching over this little guy!

Ben and his beautiful Mom, Bethany.

We arrived back in Bangkok after Christmas 2011. Spent New Year's Eve watching the fireworks in Bangkok, what a display.

We are lucky enough to have visited Singapore and Bali since our return. We attended a beautiful wedding here in Bangkok and had dinner with retired U.S. Senator, Kit Bond, of Missouri. I guess if I had a bucket list, I could strike that one out! Senator Bond, even though a Republican, is a humanitarian (I would call him a socialist, but that might be pushing it a bit). He has worked with the people of Indonesia for the past 30 years, encouraging trade and interaction with the U.S. The Canadian government could learn a lot from this gentleman.

Beautfil bride, Primporn and her Groom, Natee

Senator Kit Bond

Singapore `The Lion City`` is a beautiful, clean City State approximately 1800 km south of Thailand. It is very different from any other place I have visited in Southeast Asia. It is very advanced, however, very strict with their citizens. Imagine a $70,000 Cdn. charge just for the pleasure of driving ... expiring every 10 years. This isn't your registration for a license, it a certificate for the privilege of driving! 4,900 skyscrapers in a city of 2.5 million people. I did enjoy my very first Singapore Sling, where they were invented The Raffles Hotel.

Bali, Indonesia is 3,000 km south of Thailand and very close to the equator, the furthest south I have ever been in the world. With a population of 245 million people, Indonesia is growing at 5% per year! Indonesia has been ruled by the Portugese, the Dutch, the Japanese, the Dutch again, communists and then came Suharto. The people are wonderful, caring and very sincere. The poverty is astonishing, with an average income of $3,000 (for a family of four), the luxuries in life are not available to most Balinese people. On the island of Bali, we stayed in the capital city, Denpasar, in a community called Nusa Dua. We travelled the island with a private tour guide, thank you Wholley (Ted's country manager in Indonesia). We visited an area called Kintamani, a volcanic area which last erupted in 1976. We also visited Ubud (the movie Eat, Pray, Love was filmed here) and an area called Kuta. It was interesting when we stopped at a local coffee shop. It was a quick walk through a forested area, where cocco beans, coffee beans and vanilla beans were growing. Luwak coffee is their specialty. What is Luwak coffee you ask? Well a Luwak is a nocturnal animal (somewhat like a raccoon), they feed this animal coffee beans. The Luwak poops out the beans, they are washed and roasted .... there you have Luwak coffee. Did not try ... thanks!

Luwak enjoying some coffee beans ....

Chinese New Year is upon us. The year of the dragon is one of prosperity and wealth for all. With the rain in Bali, it only added to the luck of the dragon year. Bangkok hospital maternity wards are booked solid through to September with all the 2012 babys due this lucky year.