A Close (Ice) Shave In Old Chantaburi Town

My Hawaiian friend gently packs the "ice shave" into a cup before adding the flavored syrup(s). In Thailand it's usually served in a bowl.

Having been active all of her working life, a retired friend of mine in Hawaii wasn't ready to simply live out her years in the somewhat remote small town of her childhood without something to do, so she runs a Shave Ice shop. This not only keeps her in touch with the other folks in town, but also the tourists who stop on their way by her place. The picture up top is of her forming what many of us would call a "snow cone," but it's a different animal altogether.

The kid selling shaved ice in the Old Town part of Chantaburi shaved his ice with a hand-cranked device

As a child I'd never heard of shaved ice, just what we knew then as snow cones; very finely crushed ice in a paper cone with flavored syrups poured on it. It was somewhat dense and heavy. Shaved ice in many other parts of the world is like fluffy snow; airy and very light, and there are many variations. For example, sometimes the flavors and additions (cream, etc.) are frozen and the flavored block of ice is then shaved. Naturally, there are different names for it in different countries and different languages.

A close-up of the Thai hand-cranked shaver

The Japanese brought the treat to Hawaii, where it became known in English as shave ice... except on the island of Hawaii itself. If you're "from big island" you know it as ice shave, and not shave ice.

If you're on Kauai or Molokai and order "ice shave" you're bound to hear "Oh - you from Big Island?" Since I have more family from there than any other island I have long known it as ice shave, but feel free to call it whatever you want.

In Thailand it's usually called nam khaeng sai; a chunk of ice is put into a mechanism that presses it down onto a sharp, spinning blade at the bottom that "shaves" the flattened base of the ice and "snows" into the bowl or whatever below it. If you've done any woodworking you could liken this to using a plane on the ice.

In addition to flavorings there are also a variety of preserved fruits, beans and things to add into the bowl, if you wish. That's what the kid in the photo to the above left is doing for me.

Adding cream to the snowy ice

Call it a snow cone, if you must - but the granular crushed ice treat some are more familiar with is really only a cousin to this light snack.  Call it shave ice, ice shave or nam khaeng sai and you'll be closer to the truth, though. You're likely to see it in many areas of Thailand - city and countryside alike.

Two local boys wait for their afternoon cooler at my friend's shop in Hawaii

There's one small caveat to enjoying this snack in a foreign country: if you have a delicate digestive system that tends to revolt at local bacteria other than those you're used to at home, remember that this ice may not be as pure as what comes out of your freezer and be cautious. Personally I've had shaved ice in Thailand many times and never had a problem with my intestinal track. 

I'd say unless they pull a chunk of ice out of a filthy cooler to make your order, go for it!

My friend holds up his dish of shave ice in Chantaburi

Same Same, But Different! Pt 12: Customer Service

Shopping at MBK Mall in Bangkok is much more entertaining than most malls in the USA - even with the occasional fright from one of those bizarre Thai mannequins.

[You'll find more examples of things "Same Same... but different!" by clicking on the link here.]

Sometimes the occasional language barrier is a blessing in disguise while in a country where the native tongue is not our own. In Thailand, for example, there usually isn't a whole lot of chit-chat possible with the person tending a stall or shop unless you speak at least a small (nit noy) amount of Thai, which, to be fair, is all one can expect as the answer to "do you speak English?" when you're there.

I can usually get a point across, but Thai being one of the tonal languages with an alphabet I've yet to find the dedication to master often leaves me doing pantomime and limiting interactions with the clerk to "how much?", "have XL?" and/or punching numbers into their proffered calculator to make a counter offer when haggling.

Two examples of customer interactions, the first here in the USA, the second in Thailand. Both had to do with looking for a specific item I wanted to purchase. We're not actually comparing apples with apples here, but oh... sometimes the frustrations of dealings in Thailand can seem so much simpler, overall...

United States customer service

First of all, I call the store directly, and nobody in the department answered the phone, so I went to their web site to get a customer service number. This is how the call(s) went:

[I punch numbers to work up a "phone tree", followed by something intended to be music which was interrupted every so often by a disembodied voice saying "All representatives are currently helping other callers. Your call is important to us, and will be answered in the order received".]
Me: I'm looking for a water filter part for the refrigerator I bought at Sears
Sears 1: You'll need to call Parts for that.  Here's the number.
Me: But this is the number you emailed me to call to re-order...
Sears 1: That's not correct. I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

[I punch numbers to work up a "phone tree", followed by something intended to be music which was interrupted every so often by a disembodied voice saying "All representatives are currently helping other callers. Your call is important to us, and will be answered in the order received".]
Me: I was given this number to re-order a water filter
Sears 2: Oh, I'm sorry, this is the Repairs Parts Department. You need to call our regular parts department for individual sales.
Me: Can you please transfer me?
Sears 2: No, sir, I'm sorry - I can't do that.

[I punch numbers to work up a "phone tree", followed by something intended to be music which was interrupted every so often by a disembodied voice saying "All representatives are currently helping other callers. Your call is important to us, and will be answered in the order received".]
Sears 3: May I have your subscriber number for our automatic parts ship service?
Me: I don't have a subscription. I just need a water filter for my refrigerator. The last woman said this is the number I need to call to order one.
Sears 3: I'm very sorry, sir - this is the number for the Sears Automatic Parts Service. Would you like to subscribe to have a new filter shipped every three months?
Me: No, I don't need one that often.
Sears 3: Then I'm afraid I can't help you, sir. You'll need to call our Parts Department.
Me: They already gave me a number for that. They couldn't help me.
Sears 3: Let me give you a direct number for Parts Customer Service.
Me: Direct? Really?  No phone tree, no waiting?
Sears 3: Yes, sir.

[That was not the case. I punch numbers to work up a "phone tree", followed by something intended to be music which was interrupted every so often by a disembodied voice saying "All representatives are currently helping other callers. Your call is important to us, and will be answered in the order received".]
Sears 4: Thank you for waiting. How may I help you?
Me: I need a water filter for my refrigerator. May I have one shipped?
Sears 4: What's the model and part number, please?
Me: (answered)
Sears 4: Please hold while I check the availability of that for you.

Their system hangs up on me while I wait on hold.

[I punch numbers to work up a "phone tree", followed by something intended to be music which was interrupted every so often by a disembodied voice saying "All representatives are currently helping other callers. Your call is important to us, and will be answered in the order received".]
Me: I was cut off while I was waiting for availability of a part to be checked for me.
Sears 5: I'm sorry about that, sir. What was the part number?
Me: (answered)
Sears 5: May I put you on hold while I check that part for you?
Me: (hesitantly) Well... OK. Please try not to drop the call again.
Sears 5: (laughing) Oh, no, sir... I wouldn't do that!
[More bland elevator music]
Sears 5:  Sir? I can't seem to find that part number in our system.  I'm sorry I couldn't help you today, but thank you for calling Sears.
Me: WAIT! I'm not trying to jump and cause trouble, but may I speak to a supervisor, please?
Sears 5: Certainly, sir. Please hold.
[More bland elevator music]
Sears 6: Yes, sir - how may I assist you?
Me: I'm having trouble believing you folks can't find your own part in your system. I've already spoken to five people before you, and I'd like you to please take a moment to double check this for me.
Sears 6: Of course, sir. We're sorry for the inconvenience. What was the number?
Me: (answered)
Sears 6: Please hold a minute.
[More bland elevator music, and an ominous "click" that sounded like a disconnect.]
Me: Oh, they wouldn't DARE...
[More bland elevator music]
Sears 6: Sir?
Me: Yes?
Sears 6: That part is out of stock. It looks like we may have it back in stock in a month. Would you like to call back then and check?

Total time of the above calls: 38 minutes.  Result: none.

Thai Shop Customer Service

[I call a favored music/movie shop in Bangkok and speak with one of the people working there]
Me: Sawatdee... VCD Concert show Thongchai Bird McIntyre?
Clerk: No have. Finit.

Total time of the above interaction: 30 seconds. Result: same same!

Now, they might have been resting their elbow on a stack of the very VCD I was looking for while talking with me, but still...  In both countries the people were most likely working because they needed the money to hold body and soul together, but the overall attitude in Thailand (in general - I know I'm making a blanket statement here) is one of "let's just do the job and get through it" far more often, and I tip my hat to that.  Ex-pat readers and others may have have horror stories of their own, but by and large I'm going to say I'm not all that far off the money here today.

Let me know if you feel differently.  I may be a little slow replying because I'm on "hold", but I'll reply.

New Feature: Book Reports And Reviews

One of many used book seller stalls at the Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok. They're full of undiscovered treasures, if you're willing to dig for them

Somewhere back near the Paleozoic era when I was in elementary school I remember how a collective groan would rise from my classmates whenever the teacher would assign us the task of writing a book report of one form or another. Myself and a couple of others already read on a regular basis, anyway, so it wasn't anywhere near the task it was for those who were unfamiliar with the joys of the printed word.

Once "Real Life" took over, an afternoon with a new book became an almost guilty pleasure; sneaking away from what I ought to have been doing with a book from the stack of new titles waiting by my nightstand became a delicious diversion.  Still is, if I'm to be honest here.

To this day, one of my biggest complaints is not being graced with time often enough to sit with a good book and let my mind wander, be entertained, or soak up something new to activate what's left of my grey matter.  Granted, as the years pass that complaint has lost serious ground to the desire for a nap, but that has a lot to do with my own loss of inertia overall, and we can't really gripe about that, can we?  Well, OK, I do, but I don't put much heart and soul into it.

Before my first trip to Thailand I dutifully did my research about the culture, customs, history and places, afraid I'd be lost in a strange land on my first day, unable to get back to my hotel and at the mercy of strangers I couldn't communicate with.  I soon learned that that apprehension and fear was a complete waste of time.

I've since learned a lot about this country I've become so fond of; nowhere near an expert, of course, and still admittedly ignorant about some aspects of life and ways there, but that's just part of what keeps it interesting, wouldn't you agree?  Frankly, there are some things I'm quite happy to remain ignorant about. There are plenty of other sources if you feel a need to try to illuminate the darker things of Thailand.

That said, I was pulling a guidebook off of my shelves the other day for someone who was planning to venture there next Spring. They may be coming along with me, but if not they'd be going with another friend, so all they were looking for was something that would be a reference with the least amount of bulk to carry along with them.  That got me to thinking of an idea I'd had about two years ago: doing some simple write-ups here about books I've read that are related to Thailand.  This is the introduction to that new series.

As an aside: at this point I don't intend to publicize titles that are unwelcome in Thailand. I have a few of  them that have been shunned in the Kingdom, and I see no need to write about them here - for now, anyway.

However, if you, too, found (or find) yourself early on in your first visit saying to yourself "I'm going to come back here!" - for whatever reason - there are all sorts of places in Thailand selling new and used books to look around in and pick up a book or three to take back home with you. I'll list a few of them that I've found useful as we go along.

Let's start out with a recommendation: the guidebook I purchased before my first trip - the compact Lonely Planet Thai Phrasebook...

1999 4th edition on the left; the very newest, on the right, is due out in October of this year

The version I bought was the (then new) 1999 4th edition, pictured on the left, above. There have been some changes since then, but nothing earthshaking. If you can find the older version, save some money. The edition on the right is the current offering, going for $9 USD on Amazon. You can get a copy of the earlier edition for half that, including shipping. The book is 2/3 the size of a regular paperback, and small enough to slip into your pocket.

With a modicum of practice the pronunciation guide will allow you to make yourself understood (more or less), and provide some entertainment for the locals as you try. It also lists things in Thai, so you can point to a word or phrase to get something across if you aren't comfortable being the cause of raucous laughter. 

There are more than a few other books like this one, but this is the reference I find myself bringing trip after trip, while the others - especially the larger/heavier ones - wait on the shelf for my return.

So, there's your simple start. In the interest of time I lifted the book cover images for today off of the internet, but I expect as we go along I'll need to scan some unusual titles to give the adventurous folks something to look for if they wander into a used book seller like the Jatujak stall up top.

If there's a title you're curious about, leave a comment or send me an email. If I've got it - and I have several shelves of appropriate books to cover - I'll bump it up the list.

Trip Report, Part 19: The Grass Weaving Workshop

Woven mats await trimming and finishing in a small local plant outside of Chantaburi

[This is part 19 of a series that may or may not ever find its way to a proper conclusion. It has to do with my latest trip to Thailand, and the people, places and things I encountered along the way. You can find the rest of the series by clicking here on Trip Reports.]

You've probably seen items made from different reeds and grasses in import stores in your home country - Cost Plus and Pier 1 Imports are big here on the West Coast of the USA - and you probably even have examples of some woven items in your own home.

A finished set of place mats and coasters that many might buy to bring home on a first or second visit. 

The grass as it looks while alive

We're not talking wicker or woven bamboo here, although naturally the idea is the same; the materials used in these are finer in size and texture, and tend to be much more pliable.

Something along the lines of a grass or reed, if you will, and not wood-like like grape vine, wicker or, again, bamboo. Heavier baskets are made throughout Asia, of course, and are quite common in Thailand, too; baskets for carrying heavier items, such as produce, crops and the likes, but what we're talking about today are made from reeds or grasses.

While my friend called them "kog" (in a short, low tone, sounding almost like "gog") the closest I can find for them after doing some research is that they're a part of the wide Cyperaceae family of grasses, which includes sedge. Being bog plants they're a natural for the wetlands that also grow rice, the staple of both the Thai diet and economy. It's a self-seeding weed, actually, and about as easy to grow as one could ask for.

Drying rods at the small plant we visited near Chantaburi

My private showroom: I was
the sole customer that day

There are areas in the Southern part of Thailand where almost every family has a field of it growing, and casual cooperatives aren't uncommon; dried grasses brought in to one central location to be turned into souvenirs and more commonly used mats and items for local use. Not just for local Asian use, either: a couple of weeks ago I saw rolled up beach mats of a similar reed being carried to the beaches of Hawaii by people going to roast themselves in the sun, but that's off topic, slightly.

When we were in Chantaburi it wasn't anywhere near harvest season for the raw materials, and I was sort of sorry it wasn't. My friend said that when it is, folks dye the dried bundles of grass and hang them along their fences to dry, making a ride through the area a rather colorful sight.

When I mentioned how "You wouldn't dare do that back home," my friend (who has studied a few years here in the USA) agreed they might disappear in the night in some parts of my homeland. "Here it's your neighbors, friends and many times family doing the same thing," he said, "it's rare to hear of stealing." "Same-same, but different!" I joked, and he again agreed.

Dried, bundled and ready to be woven

He stopped to ask a girl on a bicycle where we might find a place that was actively in operation at this time of year, and she directed us to a small factory where we were able to see a bit of how the things were made. There was only one family there, rolling and wrapping floor mats in plastic wrap at a leisurely pace, but it was too nice a day to rush, I suppose. Might have taken all the sanuk out of it.

There were four people we saw there that day: a father, mother and their small son, and who I figured was the grandmother.  While the grandmother sat in the small shop selling purses, place mat sets, tissue box holders, sandals, floor mats and the likes, the other three were rolling floor mats up, tying them up and wrapping them with plastic film, sealing them with tape into items ready to ship for sale.

Seeing a couple of items I hadn't seen a thousand times before I bought a couple of things inside the shop, along with the table setting set you saw earlier in today's post.  A friend had asked specifically for a set in green, and what better place to buy it for them than right at the source?

The cost there vs here is astounding, of course. Should memory serve the set pictured above was less than five dollars.  Here in the USA they go from a wholesale of $7-$10 per set (if you want to buy 100 sets), up to around $25 per set.  Maybe next time I should use my extended suitcase allowance to bring back 50 sets or so and sell them on Amazon.  Oh, wait... that's most likely already been done!

Hopefully today's post will create a bit of an itch to get out of the city on your first (or next) trip to Thailand.  Ask a Thai friend - old or new - to help you out, or, better yet, accompany you and strike out into the countryside. There's so much to see, and most visitors miss it.

Everyone helps when the family is working

Accomodation, Part 20: Seashell Village, Chantaburi

Seashell Village at dusk, from the elevated walkway out over the water

Seashell Village Resort isn't the type of place you're likely to stumble on by yourself. Once again I was under the wing of a Thai friend who had granted my wish for a quiet evening away from nightlife, traffic and other tourists.

Easy to miss the turn on the winding road there - stay alert!

"If I don't see another 'round eye' the entire getaway I'll be happy," I said when answering his standard "where would you like to go this time" question. In this case, he again hit the target dead on.

My bungalow, with a path to the elevated walkway into the mangrove trees and out over the water

It actually was on a private beach in Tha Mai, quite near the area called Laem Sing you can see labled in the picture below, adjoining a long stretch of beach known as Chao Lao, which is dotted with hotels, resorts, bunches of bungalows, a half dozen restaurants and lots of locals, and precious few foreigners.

Seashell is tucked into one of the tiny coves on the "foot" of this peninsula

There were 22 rooms, suites and bungalows to the resort, some stacked up two high, some in a row, and some, like the ones we'd booked, just by themselves, facing the calm water of the tiny bay, looking East. Basic, but clean and stocked with the necessities.

It had a good sized shower area, Western toilets, air conditioning, a decent refrigerator and - something I didn't expect to see - an actual coffee maker instead of the standard hot water pot.  I travel with grounds and filters, so I was a happy boy.

The free breakfasts (and all other meals on order) were fresh, tasty and cooked to order, and there was acceptable WiFi available in the open dining area.  Quite obviously a family-run operation, and they were most gracious folks.

It's not nearly as cheap as other places - about $70USD per night, and some up to three times that, if you've got the family along - but I feel it's safe to call it a good dollar value. There was nothing I felt was second tier about the place whatsoever.

While there were restaurants and social gathering places in Laem Sing (more about that area soon) there were no bars or other wildlife places, so don't expect them. This is, primarily, a fishing area.

You could do short laps in the pool, if you'd a mind to.  

I have SO many places I'd still like to explore in Thailand, but I hope I get back to this spot again. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a peaceful getaway.  I'll post more about things to see and do in the area next.

Seashell Village Beach Resort 50 Klong-Khud, Khungkabane, Thamai Chanthaburi 22120 Thailand Tel: 039-388090. There wasn't a website available that I could find, but reader Keith was kind enough to provide this one.  Thanks, Keith!

Asleep Near The "In" Box

I saw this orchid near Chantaburi this year.
One of my all time favorites.

My sincere apologies to those of you kind enough to send comments and questions to the blog's email address over the last two weeks. I've been far less than attentive, and normally I have a reply sent out within a day or so.

No good reason - I was just on holiday and got lazy. I'll catch up with all of them by the end of the evening here. If you were waiting for a reply, it should be there when you wake up.

Again, my apologies.  I really do appreciate hearing from you!

Trip Report, Part 18: "Steak" Lunch Near Rayong

"Steak", on Sukhumvit Highway 3 in Rayong

[This is part 18 of a series that may or may not ever find its way to a proper conclusion. It has to do with my latest trip to Thailand, and the people, places and things I encountered along the way. You can find the rest of the series by clicking here on Trip Reports.]

Chantaburi Province rests between the Gulf of Thailand and the Cambodian border; right above Trat, the Southernmost province on the Eastern "leg" of the country.  The name comes from two Sanskrit words: chandra, meaning moon, and buri, meaning town.

While the island of Koh Phangan may host the grand bacchanalia that is the full moon party I was relieved to learn that this area is the polar opposite, thank goodness. In fact, other than areas more commonly visited by foreigners set on raising hell most places are far more normal; something - as television hostess and former convict Martha Stewart would say - is a good thing.

The daughter, working in the open kitchen of "Steak"

After the detour to see my friend's "new" home we pulled out again onto Highway 3/Sukhumvit (yes, the same Sukhumvit that runs through Bangkok) and continued South. I was looking forward to what promised to be a fairly calm and restful weekend, but I couldn't seem to pry any more details about it out of my friend other than our destination was a small, family-owned resort in the Laem Sing area, near Chantaburi. I was satisfied with that, for the time being, and watched the scenery sail by.

Ride 'em, cowboys...

Once again I was slightly surprised at how much of a load some Thai will stack on the back of a pick-up truck; this time it was sections of gate mesh, piled high above a reasonable level, topped with two workers like cherries on a sundae. Those of you old enough to remember the old ticketing system at Disneyland will understand my saying to my friend "Now THERE'S an 'E' ticket ride!", but he didn't get it.

It swayed like the palms along the roadside, and I breathed a quiet sigh of relief when my friend pulled around and left them behind us.

"Are you hungry?" my friend asked, and I had to admit that I was, even though I'd had a large bowl of rice porridge with pork for breakfast. "I've eaten at this place before," he said, already slowing and pulling to the side of the road "I think you'll like it."  "What's it called?" I asked, and he replied "Steak".  "No, I meant what is the name of it, not what do they serve..." I began, but he looked at me as if I'd asked five times already and said "It's called 'Steak'," but they serve many things."

My lunch entree - pork on rice

As it turned out it was what I'd call a typical Mom and Pop place back home; basic, home style food in a casual setting. The same as you're likely to see in any of ten thousand other locations throughout Thailand.  About the only differentiating feature here were the packaged snacks for sale on each table, and the bottles of their own BBQ sauce that were also available for purchase.

Along with the banana chips and crispy crepe-style rolls there was a domed cup of small dumplings that reminded me of deep-fried gnocci. My friend called them what sounded like "gahree" puffs, but I'm unable to find an online reference for them. Filled with fish, peppers and yellow bean they were just slightly sweet, and the crust that held it all was crisp.  You can see the insides below.

I'd already taken a picture of the daughter while the man behind her cooked our meals, but wanted one of him, too, so she called out "Papa!" and he turned and posed.

It was a good break in a good spot, despite the traffic along Sukhumvit.  Drinks, an appetizer, two entrees and the snacks we purchased to take along with us came to less than 150 baht.

The dining area, thankfully in the shade

Our next official stop was said to be our destination.  I dozed a few minutes along the way, and woke up as we pulled off of the highway.  "Almost there," my friend assured me, and I was ready.

Thai Long Beans - Finally

Harvested Long Beans - shortly before dinner today

In the "Planting a Thai Memory" post back on the 4th of April I'd shared pictures of monks feeding the beans to fish at Nam Tok Phlio.  That day at the waterfall got me to wondering if I'd have any luck growing the sweet, crunchy vegetable here in California - assuming I could find the seeds to germinate and plant. I first saw them in Thailand, but they're also known as yard-long beans and Asian beans.  I'll probably always think of them as Thai long beans.

As luck would have it, I found them... and some of the results are up top today.  The newly sprouted seeds are below, and a shot of the plant out on the patio from the follow up post is below that.

Long Bean seedlings, as they looked the first week of April

One of the potted Long Beans on June 13th

The plants are now about five feet high and are espaliered along a trellis, and I expect them to continue to bear for another month or so.  The larger bunch I'd intended to take a picture of were cooked up and eaten last night.

So, for those of you who wondered if it can be done: it can be.  There are also guava and lilikoi (passion fruit) doing well here, too.  If you live in a temperate zone, give them a try.

Trip Report, Part 17: Re-modeling A Home

The living room at the front of my friend's new home

[This is part 17 of a series that may or may not ever find its way to a proper conclusion. It has to do with my latest trip to Thailand, and the people, places and things I encountered along the way. You can find the rest of the series by clicking here on Trip Reports.]

Technically this is more accurately Part 18 or 19 about my last trip to Thailand, if you include the post about fraternizing with the prisoners and the prison chain gain workers, but that's really here nor there, I suppose.  Let's call this Part 17, if for no other reason than to get on with it.

Having more or less recovered from what seemed to be an ice plunge back into society (such as it is) in the San Francisco Bay Area after a few weeks in the admittedly quirky but far more laid back atmosphere of the Hawaiian Islands I guess I'm ready to begin posting on a more regular basis again.  Thank you to everyone who sent kind wishes - and yes, I'm safely back on the mainland.

Not Tara, but not bad, either.  My friend's new home

Several Thai friends I've had the pleasure of knowing for a long while have well-paying careers, and one of them had asked me to hold some time to take a long weekend away with him this past trip.

Bougainvillea already decorating part of the entryway

Based on my limited suggestions (such as "How about a deserted beach getaway?") he's very good at planning surprises, so I was somewhat taken aback when when seemed to be turning off of the highway into a small residential area on our way to a beach somewhere near Chantaburi.

It turns out he'd bought a second home, and wanted to see what I thought of it. I was quite pleasantly surprised.

It was now empty; the previous owners having left nearly a year before, but friends of his had been displaced by the flooding in Bangkok last year and he'd delayed his remodel and graciously allowed them to "camp out" there while their home dried out.

Now it sat vacant once again, quietly waiting for the contractors to come in and begin transforming it into my friend's new home.

The open front door leads to the living room. The kitchen is off to the right, and the doorway leads to the utility area and hong nam.

He walked me from room to room, explaining which windows he wanted to move, what walls would be knocked out and put into another position and how the bedroom and master bath suite would overlook the green hills nearby.  It sounded wonderful, and I can't wait to see how it's transformed by this talented man and his contractor.

The upstairs master bedroom will be expanded and joined with the bathing area

I took a few sets of photos to stitch together as "before" reference and I'm posting a couple of them today so you can compare them to the "after" shots when it's finished. I'll link back to this article when I post them, naturally.

He already has a smaller but lovely home a little closer to Pattaya, but this new home base will be worth the commute, I think, and much cheaper than building a house from the ground up on the gorgeous plot of land he owns overlooking the bay.  I'm so happy for him - he works very hard at his job, and this will be a fine getaway spot for him.

The kitchen area awaits a do-over

"Now all I need is someone to share it with," he said wistfully, as he locked the door and we drove away down the street.  "You'll find him," I assured him - and there's no doubt in my mind that he will.

Not a bad view from the bedroom balcony

Moon Over Maui

The nearly full moon rises above the ever-shifting clouds over the Haleakala volcano on the Hawaiian island of Maui.  Shaded a muted rose by the sun setting on the opposite horizon the layer moves slowly across the water; a blanket sliding over the tiny crescent of Molokini, tucking itself up under the chin of Kaho'olowe to the South.

I'll be busy with family tomorrow, but I expect to be back on a more regular basis by Monday. Whatever it is that occupies you this weekend I'd suggest taking a moment to show a bit of gratitude for the good in our lives.  It's always there if you look for it.

Me?  I'm very grateful to be here to experience all of it, even if I don't note it the moment I spill my coffee.