Dragon Festival Conclusion at the temple

Dragon Festival

Suggested gear: earplugs, smoke mask, helmet

Ya all come on back, ya all hear:

The adventure continues

Bangkok Pundit: Government plan to win back tourists
The picture accompanying this article is worth a good chuckle

Funny holy roller headline
Business Restores Prostitutes
Decent jobs are the real answer, not some deity

Thai Cabinet in action
declares Friday, January 2 as an extra New Years Holiday

Assorted

Hello Houston.... We have a problem
urine to water processor malfuntion

Celestial Lightshow
Hubble Telescope captures star clusters some 25,000 light-years away.
nice slide show

That’s some hot potato
Guinness sized potato nearly 25 pounds (11.34 kg)


Recycle


A ladle for drinking water, still used in many rural areas today.
It was a gift.
One of those things that collects a lot of dust around my house.
Someone else may have use. I’ll just keep the picture.

test

Thai Baht Exchange Rate

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps

Thailand reopens

...with New Rules for Travelers

Thailand airports resume operations on December 5.

New immigration rules have been announced.
The most obvious change affects persons arriving by land. THAIVISA

A discussion of all changes is at www.thaivisa.com/forum

The Dragon and Cobra ritual Practice Session

I have yet to get a correct answer what this festival is called.

Until I get a definite answer I call it the Chinese Dragon Serpent Festival
The ritual is in the belief that it will insure a good year ahead.

The beating of the sticks is to scare away cobras.
I can attest to that this ancient ritual is still effective today:
If you make plenty of noise, snakes tend to avoid confrontation.

Mostly kids, and plenty of adults gather at the temple nightly.
These ceremonies take a bit of practice and safety lessons.
It can really hurt if you don’t pay attention.

The nighty practice sessions are rewarded with a meal donated by temple parishioners.

Geriatrics Meeting

A impromptu Ex-pat Geriatrics meeting was held yesterday.
The Bon Cafe was chosen for the conference.
Previously operated as a coffee shop, the establishment is reincarnated as a restaurant and beer bar.

Purpose of the meeting was a trial run of the reincarnation.
As is typical, all persons attending the function had plenty of suggestions on improving the establishment.

It’s central location (within walking distance to my home) is a plus.


(click on image for larger view)

An english menu features Hambergers and fries, fried eggs and fries, or a side order of fries.
Along with Instant mushroom soup, the menu needs improvement.
I suggest what Thais are great at: THAI FOOD, the type that doesn’t make you run for the garden hose.

Smiles from Above

If you looked at the sky early evening yesterday, it was smiling back.
Hopefully a good omen !



Local media is making the event into a BIG STORY