Our Last Night in Bangkok

During our last day in Bangkok the street where our hotel was set itself up as a large night market. We had already reserved a restaurant for dinner but we did have a look at what was on offer. There was also entertainment which we saw before and after dinner. Herewith a few pictures. 

These two musicians were playing together facing each other. 

Nibbles. 

Sushi. You can't escape it. 

When was the last time you had quail eggs?

We ate at the same restaurant that we had on Christmas Day. Our first course was an appetizer of shrimp toasts. 

Our main course dishes were delicious too. 

This is beef 

Stir-fried vegetables with shrimp. 

Chicken with cashews - always a favourite. It's our fall back if nothing else appeals. 

The shrimp dish had butterfly shaped carrots.

We didn't have fish, but walked by a small pool with these koi.

And then we found more entertainment at the fort near our hotel - a demonstration of martial arts. These were incredibly well choreographed which was a good thing. Otherwise I'm sure there would have been blood. These fights were fast and furious. Everyone survived. 

These young women were fighting with sickles. 

And of course there was Muay Thai - Thai style kick-boxing. 

We were exhausted after watching such energetic fighting. Time to go back to our hotel

Phitsanulok

We arrived in Ph... yesterday after 6 hours on the road with only one night booked at our chosen hotel. We had expected we could book another night so skipped any touring for the day. This morning we discovered the hotel was fully booked so we trudged off with our packs and found another hotel for this evening. That meant we could go see the wats (temple complexes) along the banks of the Nan River 

These little buildings were on the far side of the river. No idea if they were of significance. 

This Buddha (considered to be the second most revered Buddha image in Thailand) is the reason people come to Phitsanulok.  It is housed in Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat. It was forged here in 1357 during the reign of King Li Thai. (Our hotel tonight is the Li Thai but I doubt the King would have chosen it.)

The temple complex is far from quiet.  There are loud, blaring, competing loudspeakers shouting exhortations and the temple is deluged with visitors, many of them bringing flowers or other objects that allow them to "make merit".

There are many other Buddha images in the temple and in other buildings in the complex. 

The walls of the main temple are decorated with very beautiful detailed paintings. 

Outside are areas where you can also make merit by bringing offerings or lighting incense. The first image here is somewhat macabre and there were many of them on display.  The second image may help erase the first from your mind if you meditate on it. 

There were peaceful areas in the temple complex though. 

He's green because he was under a sheltering canopy. 

These are chedis - towers which often house relics. 

These round balls are only two of a long line to which people were affixing thin gold leaf sheets.

We went to a second Wat next door to the large one. These people were sitting in meditation while several monks chanted. Each had a string tied to his/her head.

These decorations were purchased by rhe devout and then money was slotted into the stem attached and left for merit making. 

And more merit. These banners were purchased empty then filled with money. Sticks were provided to help hang them from the strings strung across the temple. The red bills are 100's, about $3.00. The green are 20's about 65 cents. The ceiling was festooned with them and there were lots of people adding more. 

This Buddha image is probably 700 years old and is housed in the second Wat we visited. 

This is one of the old wooden buildings in the second temple complex. 

And here's a fine specimen that Geordie had a chat with. 

And a final shot from our walk home. 

Upriver to Nonthaburi

This morning we took a trip up to the last Express Boat stop in the Chao Phraya River, the town of Nonthaburi. A trip anywhere on the boat costs 15 baht, about 50 cents, so quite affordable. Here are a few pictures of that journey. 

The express boat arriving. 

A house on the river 

A small pier at the river which belongs to the Wat and the Teak Museum we saw the day before. There are vendors there selling fish food which people toss to the waiting catfish which are smart enough to hang around the area. Our friend Judy Abel reminded us of this phenomena. River plus temple equals catfish feeding. (See next picture)

On the boat it can get crowded. 

A temple complex along the route 

And a Chinese temple too 

The market in Nonthaburi. That's Geordie on the left. 

Crabs for sale

And vegetables

How much ?

The flower seller 

A temple on the other side of the river on our return trip

Love the angles one can get from a boat on the river. This is the Rama VII bridge which we drove over on our way into Bangkok. 

Over-the-top light fixture at our favourite dessert stop where we had blueberry cheesecake tarts after our trip up river. I cheated and used the star widget on my camera. 

Around Bangkok

We've been wandering in Bangkok for four days now. We haven't hit many of the highlights because we've been here several times. We've enjoyed our time though. And I thought a few pictures would suffice to give you a flavour of our wanderings. And here they are. 

The King and Queen are everywhere. December 5 was his birthday, which Thailand also celebrates as Father's Day. Mother 's Day fittingly is on the Queen's birthday. Our friend Margaret stayed at this hotel so we won't looking for it to remind her of her trip. 

Most of the boats we see on the river have theses flower decorations. This is a long tail boat. They have powerful motors that allow them to speed around on the river with great plumes of spray behind them. 

A friendly creature under a bridge over a klong (canal).

Orchids at the restaurant where we ate salt crusted fish. 

Beauty and barbed wire. (apologies for the soft focus - my camera has a mind of its own. 

The Spirit House at Kalaong Home Kitchen

Bangkok food

Christmas breakfast at an Israeli restaurant. Shakshuka: eggs baked in a zesty tomato sauce 

Christmas Dinner at Aquatini

The view during Christmas dinner

Salt crusted fish at Kalong Home Kitchen 

Ghana Business Names

I spent three weeks travelling in Ghana this spring and found it a challenging difficult wonderful exciting country to travel in. And I was on tour with a great group. We travelled with Explore Travel based in England and travelled by bus throughout the country meeting great people, enjoying the landscape, and even meeting a few elephants along the way.

But, one of my favorite activities for the whole trip was recording the names of the businesses we saw along the highway, in towns and cities. Ghana has a strong religious basis and it uses text from the Bible to create names that we might find jaw dropping, funny, laughable - but which they use without a hint of irony.

Here, in no other order except that in which I saw them and wrote them down, is a very long list of business names. Even though it is a long list, I think you'll find them fascinating and need to read all the way through - hey some of the best are in the middle and then there are the ones at the end.

Feedback is welcome. Drop by and say hi.

Business Names in Ghana

By His Grace Cosmetics and Boutique

Joy Spot Catering

Anointed Fast Food

Work Hard Photos and Video Network

God First Battery Service

Only Believe Floral Works

Riches of Glory Guest House

In His Time Living (Housing estate)

Miracle Child Academy

Bed Time Hotel

All Shall Pass Enterprises

Showers of Blessings Enterprises

God Is Good Electrical

His Mercy Seat Ventures

Pillar of Rock Ventures

Kastic Furniture – In God We Trust

Fear Not Phones

Except God Enterprises

The Lord Is My Shepherd Beauty Salon

Jesus Cares Carpentry Shop

Once Upon a Time Funeral Home

Beloved Child Computer Academy

Seek Ye First (Mat 6:33) Supermarket

Run For Your Life Int. Chapel (international? or interment? which do you think?. I didn't know.)

Pentecostal Church and Herbal Prayer Centre

Stomach Has No Holiday Food Shop

Good Name is Better than Riches Cosmetics

No Jesus No Life Supermarket

Dependable God Store

Up Lord Engineering Shop

God’s Time Is The Best Auto Engineering

Holy Child Circumcision

Prince of Peace Cosmetics

Only Jesus Can Do Fashion

God First Fast Food

God’s Pencil Business Enterprises

God’s Signature No Eraser Enterprises (What Is Written Is Written)

Over To God Enterprises

Patience to All Car Wash

Divine Providence Cosmetic Shop

God Is My Helper Saloon (Beauty Salon – not bar!)

God Is Love Furniture

God’s Gift Dress Making

Let There Be Light Electicals

God Has Done Computer Services

Jesus Is Soon Coming Enterprises

In Him Is Life General Store

Christ In You Barbering Shop

Allah Is The Answer Supermarket

No Way Electricals

Lion of Judea Metal Works

Knock and Ask Shoe Enterprises

Lord Winners Investment

Dr. Jesus Fast Food

Holy Ghost Power (Electrical)

Passover Chop Bar

Fishers of Men Electricals

Jehovah’s Newest Co. Ltd.

God is King Razor Wire and Furniture

My God Key Service

Jesus Power Provision Store

Divine Favor Venture

Romans 8:35 Enterprises

God Peace Electrical and Construction

Holy Ghost Workshop

Papa Yaw Corpse Decoration Services

Let There Be Food Cold Storage

Powerful God Business Centre

Trust God and I African Wear Shop

Don’t Go There Enterprises

Ancient Power Electrical Services

Great Wisdom Book Shop

Blessing and Living Baby Diapers

God’s Way Metal

Jesus Is Evergreen Ltd.

OD Mortuary

Jesus Cares Multiventures

Noble Character Enterprises

Thank U Jesus Fitting Shop

In Him Is Life Electrical Repairs

Heaven’s Gate Funeral Home and Morgue

God Is Good Concrete

Mercy Love Beauty Hair Care

By His Grace Fashion Centre

I Promise Furniture Works

Ultimate Glory Hardwares

Let Bygone be Bygone Beauty Salon

Welcome to Israel Barbering Shop

Loaf Of Life Bakery

My God is Able Enterprises

Ave Maria Beauty Shop

God Will Provide Fitting Shop

God Is In Machine Shop

Last Hour Washing Bay

Messiah Motors

The Lord’s Casket Furntiure Construction Works

Hotel Messiah – A Glimpse of Heaven

Amen Scientific Herbal Hospital

God Is Alive Tailoring Shop

Jealous Transport Services

By Faith We Make You Look Great

Grace Faith Fashion

Relax Jesus Is In Control Unit Transfer

With God All Things Are Possible Beauty Salon

AWAKE! Internet Café

Try Jesus Digital Photo

Maple Leaf Chemists (this one is just for Canadians)

God Will Do Welding

Thy Heart’s Desire Beauty Salon

Future Ladies Beauty Shop

God’s Time Drums

Seek Jesus Keycutting Service

Peculiar Child Academy (We Are Different)

Virgin Kids and Junior High School

The Blood of Jesus Fitting Shop

God Is Grace Communication Centre

God is Able Enterprise

Excellent Faith Enterprises

Holy Child Forex Bureau

Steps to Christ Enterprises (Annex)

Accra

We got our tour today - the first official event of our Explore trip. We are an older group than I expected - we are used to being elder statesmen on tours but on this one we are about average. There are 15 people, and we have a tour guide named Yao who is local and a local driver named Queikoo. (I really don't know how to spell it, so I'm guessing.)

Geordie also changed more money since the atms and banks on the trip will be few and far between. The currency is the Cedi which is pronounced CD - just like the music storage system. The first time it was mentioned I had this image of being handed a handful of round shiny objects with no way to play them.

The tour seemed to be mostly of things along the Ring Road - Yao appears to be ensely impressed by these modern freeways which certainly make getting places more efficient. But there were highlights - the National Stadium where they play football (soccer, of course). Ghana may well be in the top ten of the world when they start the international football competiton in South Africa this summer.

We also saw Kwame Nkrumah's tomb. He was the man who led Ghana to independence; in fact he became president while he was imprisoned and they had to let him out to take power. He is quite revered now, even though in 1966 he was deposed in a coup d'etat and went to Guinea where he became co-president of that country - no easy feat I would think. Along with the mausoleum there is a museum which preserves his desk from his first office and his furniture which is kept huddled together under plastic behind some ropes with the colours of the National flag - red, yellow and green with a black star in the centre.

We also got to see Fort James Prison which is on the coast above a fisherfolk shanty town. Yao assured us we would be ok, but to watch our cameras. And indeed one of our group was hassled and yelled at by a man that she couldn't take a picture of the lighthouse on the coast. Yao did a little protecting, but Geordie stayed with her too, to make sure he didn't get more aggressive.

We drove by the infamous computer dump with its shanties, and its poor children who die far too young in the service of finding the rare elements in computers that they can resell. It's amazing that we send these away to forget about and they are killing children on the opposite side of the world.

We also got a tour of the National Museum - as museums go it is not on the list of the most well serviced. There are examples of the famous woven Kente cloth which is quite beautiful, as well as a loom - the cloth is woven in quite narrow strips which are then joined. There were also musical instruments, drums, fetish dolls, and other anthropological items of interest - including stone age tools - we've seen thousands of those in our day - it feels like "if you've seen one arrow head you've seen them all.

Our penultimate stop was at one of the famous coffin carving shops of Ghana. These are so popular and so interesting that folk musems come to buy for their collections. We saw coffins in the shape of a Star beer bottle, a flour sack, a Lockheed L1011, a crab, a papaya, a bus and a giant fish. There were also miniature versions for ashes - in the shape of a rooster, a shrimp, a cellphone, and an elephant probably for a baby instead

Our final destination was The Accra Mall. Today being Easter Saturday it was quite busy - getting into the parking lot was a little like getting into a parking lot on Christmas eve in North America, I think. But inside was a little bit of a bomb - there wasn't even a MacDonald's so we could buy our usual ice cream cone. Maybe I should be celebrating that. What was also odd was that the aisles were full of people but the shops, except for the supermarket, were devoid of customers. It was a little strange to see. I think people were there only for the opportunity to see their friends in air-conditioned comfort.

Tomorrow we take off into the country side. We will stop at a place where there will be demonstrations of kente cloth weaving and local dancing - please, please, don't pick us as the stupid tourists to embarass - I'll do my best to stop Geordie from pushing me forward. There's a guy on the tour who was conceived in Accra - we even drove by the place where his mother worked especially - he's the type I think who would love to be our guinea pig, so I may be pushing him forward if they ask.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the tour. Little of it will be in big cities, so that will be better - we are hoping there will be less pollution and we'll start to see the birds and animals which are part of the beauty of this country.