Merry Christmas!

First of all, I would like to wish Merry Christmas and lots of happiness to all who read my blog!

Thanks for taking the time and stop by to read it.

This Xmas is a little different then the previous few was for me. Due to my work, the last 4 Xmas I was spending far away from my family, working, somewhere in the mid of the Caribbean Sea, in most case just north of the Dominican Republic, what i really love, but not that time of the year ( and without work).

So, lucky me, this isn't the 5th year in the row working far away, but celebration with my small family. Since Thailand is not a Christian majority country (Buddhism is the main religion) Xmas here is more a shoppers holiday than the real thing. The weather help to reinforce this feeling too; no, it isn't a white Xmas here. However, i tried to make it memorable, for my son especially, of course, after all I wasn't with him the last 4 occasion, and before he was too small to really understand much about it.

We bought a smaller Xmas tree, at least the plastic version of it, and some decorating things and lights to hang on. Being a responsible adult ( sometimes) all was bought around 2 weeks ago. Should you plan next year to do like me, don't. There was not a single day my son wouldn't ask when will we decorate the tree. A few times a day. OK, there is a good in the bad, he could practise math, by deducting current date from 24...

Anyway, we got here, and for much of his happiness, we all decorated our little 3 feet imitation tree together; a few times, as once the lights were on the wrong place, once the garlands, or my son hang too many little boxes and bells to one side, and not much on the other. But being a small tree, even this didn't take so long, not for what i remember from my early years, when i was kid.

After we finished, my son went to bicycle with the friends, and we could bring out his presents from the bottom of the cabinets. You have to know, that most time ( also due that many times I work far away) buying presents used to be a whole family activity, when I am at home, get them to the mall, and buy many things to make up for those missed birthdays, Xmases, etc.

But this time it was different a bit, for my son we bought everything when he was in the kindergarten, so, he didn't suspect a thing. He thought, obviously from his experience, that today we are finished with the tree, and tomorrow I will take them to shop toys, the most important aspect of all events.

There was big surprise, when he came home!! He could not imagined that how we got all that presents for him, kept asking my wife how they came, and was so happy for "all this free toys". I think in a way he believes Santa Claus now, not even for a tiny second suspecting that we bought this toys, and presents. And we leave him there, child mind is best when imagination has free reign. Merry Christmas everyone!

Snake attack!!

I don't know, but December looks like a month of the snakes this year. Early in the month I encountered one, which I unfortunately forget to photo with its head still on...

Yes, apologises to all snake lovers, I am sure they are cute animals, and all, but not in my garden, thank you! BTW, that was said to be a poisonous one.

But yesterday, for my surprise my wife woke me up in the morning that there is 2 snakes in the garden. This time I didn't miss to photo them, but they were fast to "run", I think they knew they running for their lives. I found that they probably leave under the roof of my neighbor. They usually stay only for the weekends here, so, probably good place for the snakes to set up their home there. I don't mind if they do, as long as they don't visit me often, or they will run into the machete like their cousin.

The photos not outstanding, as these snakes wasn't there to model for me, remember, they were on the move for their life. The background is courtesy of my neighbor, I believe he could tidy up things a bit, but can I say that loud? Nah...

Laptop to desktop

Recently I encountered a new problem with my laptop, but this time was even less fun than the last with the virus.
It was my LCD.
Most people with laptops fear this the most, at least after the warranty expires. Mine did expire a half year or so ago, so you can imagine my happiness when I had my LCD go black in the middle of an otherwise beautiful sunny day. First confusion, then a bit anger, and finally followed the fear about the cost of the needed action.
Although not mentioned, I am a rather tight budget right now, and the upcoming Xmas not helping to expand it much.
My local repairman could just confirm my fears, that it might be an LCD change. So off I went to Asus ( my laptop's brand) service. They initially gave me a slight hope, but that turned out nothing more. They mentioned that it might cost around 60$ to repair it in good case, and around 300$ if they need to change LCD.
Cut it short, when I called them next day with inquire about the finding, the price went up magically to a sky-high 450$!! No, there was no particular explanation how or why. Same time in the nearby mall they sell new laptops, even Asus, for an entry price level of 500-550$. Did some math and some fuming, came to the conclusion that i don't want to spend this much for the repair. But nor want to throw. After all just made some upgrade and suffered with the system reinstall not so long ago...
Then got the idea, that we need a home computer anyway, so, with an external monitor I just convert it to desktop. That way the cost is bearable for the time being, as I got a perfectly nice 19' LCD monitor from Samsung for a reasonable 120$, my local repairman did the install of it along taking of the useless LCD from the laptop, living me with the keyboard, and the rest, a real compact looking desktop.
I know it is not the best looking maybe, but hey, I just didn't get that extra cash right now to buy a similar laptop. The winner is my wife, as now this will replace our old computer on the desk, which is real slow, with its 7+ years already, though I was very thankful even for that when this broke down.

Full Moon: the biggest and brightest of the decade

Tonight, 12th December, it is full Moon. And it is not only a 'regular' full Moon, but a very special one: the Moon tonight is closer than any other time in the past 15 years, and because of that it looks 14% larger, and 30% brighter than usual. For the next time to see this close, we have to wait another 8 years! Should you care a bit more, can check it here: http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/52812/closest-and-largest-full-moon-since-march-93

After they mentioned this is local news too, I sure got curious, and went out to have a look. The results: it sure is full Moon, and nice and bright and big, but my eyes might be not the same, or just cant recall that last full Moon to compare the two. And my second finding was that my compact camera usually does well on photos, but night photos aren't the strong side of it. Thus the above Moon photo is not a perfect one.

The Laos trip: Kruang Si Waterfall, Day 6

Nearing to the end of the Laos story. I hope most of you liked it. I know I did!

After a day and a half of watching temples, and walking around Luang Prabang, we decided that on our last afternoon we will visit the nearby Kruang Si Waterfall. After a little research we found that it is the best we go with a travel agency, where they organised a shared transportation but offered all to freely enjoy the waterfalls in their own pace.

The waterfall is not one tall fall, but a series of smaller falls, and little ponds between them, where you can enjoy a swim if you wish. Since my son really wanted ( at least until he found out that this "sea" is very cold) we tried. But just for a short time; it was fun.

Instead more talk, have a look on some photos, and decide, what you think. I know we liked there.

Mikulás Nap - Saint Nicholas Day

Today is Saint Nicholas day. Or as in my native Hungary they call it: Mikulás Napja.

Maybe you wonder why your Santa Claus picture is here today then. Let me give a little explanation, as Hungarian customs differ from those of US, and many others around the World (yes, there is few similar to ours as well).

Saint Nicholas was a living person, in fact a Catholic bishop in the 3rd century. He was famous of helping and giving to everyone. Should you want to know more about him, a search on the net would come up with near 4 million results just for Saint Nicholas alone.

But how this whole thing has do anything with today. First, today is the nameday of Nicholas (Miklós in Hungary), and the previous night just before is the night when parents leave presents in for the kids, in the windows, or in their boots. Unlike in many other countries, in Hungary Santa Claus (Mikulás) not coming on Christmas Day, but kids "meet Him" on the 6th of December. These presents they get is mostly chocolate Santa figurines, and candies, for the good kids, or "virgács" for the bad kids; this later is a bunch of thin wood brunches, serves to hit the bad ones! Anyway, it is maybe a playful reminder there only, chocolate is the winner.

And then what about the present and Christmas?

In Hungary, not Santa Clause the one who brings them! We get the presents from the Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve, on the 24th December. Maybe in this it is better for Hungarian kids, having 2 special days in December.

Father's Day in Thailand

As mentioned, today is King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 81th birthday, but also this they in Thailand marked as Father's Day ( just as Queen's birthday is Mother's Day here).


For this occasion I got a little present from my son, what they made in the kindergarten. Honestly I forgot all about this Father's Day aspect till I saw him coming, and trying to hide something behind the back, what I had no idea what it might be, until with a big smile he gave me the present he was making me. Surprise!

Thai King's Birthday

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej is celebrating today his 81th birthday. With 62 years on the throne, he is the World's longest reigning monarch, and he is highly beloved by Thai people. Unfortunately this year due to health reasons the King could not address his usual birthday speech, instead this year he assigned his son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to make the speech to the audience of selected representatives of government officials and ordinary citizens. We all wish a long life and good health to King Bhumibol Adulyadej!

The Laos trip: Luang Prabang, Wat Pahouak, Day 5

Wat Pahouak isn't particularly a big Wat, nor a magnificent one. So, why I choose to include it, if I saw many which more beautiful ones, that I skipped? Wat Pahouak merited its own post, and you will see why soon.

The Wat is just a bit offside of the staircase leading up to Pousi Stupa on the top of the hill, but I think they get considerably more visitors. However I am a curious type. What really caught my attention first was the sign by the door. I Include the photo above to read it:

Inside there were these murals, and compare to the small side, it was easy to see that it had been a beautiful small Wat (temple) in the past. Unfortunate, most would need renovation soon, before they can't be restored anymore. After some photos, I realised two more things.

First, that nobody else is there. And that made the second even more strange. There was a big table with different size of little paintings, pictures, and such, with a donation box, and a book to record transactions. I mean by yourself, as nobody was there!! We had a look, and saw they included some recommended donation price on the back of the pictures, by pencil. I don't know, but for some reason I really got touched by the moment, being in a small temple all alone, and having the trust in people not to just take away anything. Not as I would do that, but you might know what i mean. I afraid not all like this.

In the end we ended up two nice pictures, consider it as an entrance fee. The price was really cheap, and now framed (now, that cost 3 times the pictures price!) they are decorating our homes. Not only they look good on the wall, but also a memoir of the Laos trip, and of Wat Pahouak.

Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond movie

My wife's number one choice is still action movie, so, primarily her in mind, today we watched the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.
To be honest James Bond was never my number one action movie favorite, but with the current Bond, Daniel Craig I like it rather less. I could not finish Casino Royale, even though I tried 2 times. Quantum of Solace was better, I could watch it to the end, if that means something as an indicator.
The story was not really clear in most place, but for sure there was some action, namely lots of chasing. I wonder if the director left out any; they chased running, on the top of houses, by car, by boat, by airplane, above ground, underground...
I could see they really tried, maybe not their fault that it was not life-like for me but not that entertaining. I am sure Mr.Craig also try hard to be Bond, and succeed more than the previous sequence, but still some time he looks more the bad guy than the good.
Overall, it is ok, not hit my top list for sure, but one time alright to watch. The next might be fine. Or so I hope.

TOP10 Entrecard droppers of November

I would like to say a big thank you to all the Entrecard members who visited my blog, and dropped their cards.
Here is the TOP10 list from November:


1. Good Life Review
2. My Thai Friend
3. Free HomeBiz World
4. iWalk,U2?
5. Brick For Jade
6. Vacation and Travel Photos
7. English Conversation Online
8. BMWF1Blog
9. My Kawaii LIFE
10. Money Maker Times

Thank you!!

Little person(al): a few photo for my parents

As I may mention, we live very far from my parents ( my son's grandparents), so this is one way to share a few photos. Without much more explanation, these are the latest from Laos. Feel free to have a look, they are not secret!

Saturday Buddha

In Buddhism, for every week of the day they have a different way to depict Buddha. Some standing, other sitting, or reclining. But by coincidence, I always liked the one sitting, and have this 7-headed dragon behind the head. The coolest of all! As later sometimes I came to think of it, I found out that all my wife, my son and me all born on Saturdays. It came as a surprise! And just made me like more the Saturday Buddhas with the 7-headed dragon behind, as it is special for us!

The Laos trip: Luang Prabang, Phou Si Stupa, Day 5

Still Day 5, and still temples. Just thought the whisky will give a little break from temples, and maybe something to wonder, how it would taste the snake whisky. I haven't tried, I don't know.

If you haven't been yet in Luang Prabang, from its geography there is two things to know: the Mekong river hug it around from three sides, kinda looks like a peninsula, and that in the middle of the city there is a hill, called Phou Si. And where else could be the Phou Si Stupa, than on the top.

The really think to motivate tourists, because at the bottom of the hill there is a sign telling you that it is 198 steps to get to the top. Good thing the stairway isnt too steep. On the way there is some frangipani trees and others, and the whole thing was real peaceful.

Once on the top there is a magnificient view over the town, and the weather was clear enough to see the surrounding mountains, and the Mekong to disappear in the distance. And yes, there is the Phou Si Stupa. It is like every stupa, like an upside-down turned bell, though this was more looked like a little tower. All shiny golden, as it is mostly. Maybe you found out, the stupa was the excuse to climb all that 198 steps, what we really went to see was the view. Should you be there, go for the view as well! That is the real attraction.

Lao special: Snake Whisky

Being away for over a week from home is not that simple anymore, since we have the rabbits. Lucky for us, our friend Khun Jazz was kind enough to come over and feed them. In fact as we found later out, she did a very good job, the rabbits seemed to be twice the size we remembered!

For all this help, we certainly wanted to have some gift for them, and in that something Lao.
There is a night market ( maybe evening would be more proper as they finish at 10PM) every day in Luang Prabang, turning a segment of the main street asphalt into stalls, where they sell their crafts and souvenirs. And here we stumbled upon this special present: the Snake Whisky. Look a bit morbid, in a way remind me of those tequila bottles, though the worms are considerable smaller then this snake. They claim it works as a medicine too, but someone have to test that for me to prove.


Anyway, I couldn't pass on it, as I knew they like new things to try; once even tasted my cooking! OK, actually I am a good cook, so, they were not in danger (I cook European, don't do Thai dishes). Later I also see at some restaurant that have enormous bottles with matching big snakes in the whisky, where you could buy by shot.


As it turned out, it was a good choice, they liked the look, and there was the surprise factor too. I don't know if they tasted, yet I always forgot to ask.

Just for a side note: early this week I had almost the chance to try to make my own snake whisky, as we had another snake in our garden. The 3rd times in 4 month. I don't know what happened lately, before we did not have at all. Anyway, was thinking late, I think headless it would not look the same in the bottle. Maybe the next intruder?!

The Laos trip: Luang Prabang, Wat Mai, Day 5

Thinking over, I realised that we saw way more Wat (temples) that most would mind to see, I just try to share some of the more memorable one.

Wat Mai (or Wat May Souvanhnaphoumaram) was the most beautiful of all the Wats we saw in Luang Prabang. It is on the main street of the downtown, and by the street might not look too special for the first sight. But better you have another look! You don't want to miss out on this one! So much, like I didn't have a decent photo of the whole building to show.

For start, the temple's walls by outside by the entrance fully gold plated, they look amazing. I haven't seen anything like this before. But this is not everything!

They have a copy of the Emerald Buddha ( the one from Thailand's Wat Phra Kaew) that you can actually see from really near by, and even photo, unlike the one in Thailand. Inside from around head height to ceiling the walls are covered with small golden Buddha 'amulets', little Buddha images; probably there is a few thousands of them.

Same like before, let the photos talk rather. Enjoy.

The Laos trip: Luang Prabang, Day 5

Since the long bus trip to get here, we woke up a little late, and decided that start out with the temples and city sightseeing.

I heard that Luang Prabang is famous from them, the city itself part of the World Heritage sites.

But without actually doing my reseach homework, didn't have much idea what we will see exactly. Also due to the late arrival, last night we didn't see much were we are, and daylight all looked different then in the dark. So, just started out the first temple we found, and then continued like that toward the downtown.

Walking up from our guest house to the main street, we found ourselves just in front of a nice staircase leading to Wat Hosian Voravihane.

Both side of the stairs has what I call a big crocodile with a 7 headed dragon in its mouth. OK, maybe it is not a crocodile, but a dragon also, as my wife like to think. One head kind, so maybe this is why eat the 7 headed, out of jealousy. Hmm, promise next time I will read after this.

Anyway, all painted shiny silver, sparkling in the morning sunshine, it was very impressive.

And so was the temple too. It is not a really visited one by tourists, still a bit out from downtown, so it was quiet there. I like that.

The usual structures, living quarter for the monks and novices one side, and the Wat on the other side. The Wat itself very pretty, they have painted the wall even outside with pictures, but I think instead of telling more here, just have a look on the photos, they tell more then 100 words.