Friday, April 29, 2011

As seen on the web


On the Road Khao Yai and Sakon Nakhonat the Banana Times 


Moving To Sakon Nakhon. Need Info at THAI VISA Forum

video by




...and the feature of the day, not for the queasy
click on continue reading... if you dare

The fields come alive to the sound of....

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Woke up this morning to the sound an apparent buffalo herd
 

Took a few moments to realize it wasn't a roundup... ...it was frogs. Bullfrog came to mind.

These critters are up all night and seem to go to sleep around 6 AM.
Reminds me of a few locals.


A second day of rain yesterday, this one was a tropical downpour that started mid afternoon.  

My visitors departed for a football game as part of the Phu Phan Youth Games.  Ten minutes after their departure, the skies opened.  Pretty sure their game was cancelled.


From the looks of things, I'd say the rainy season has started very early this year.  
Forecast calls for clouds and possible thunderstorms.

Animated Asia satellite at weather com 

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Thunderstorm, First direct hit of the season

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It wasn't a torrential rain typical in this area during the rainy season.
Then of course it's too early for that season.
My 6,000 liter ( 1,585 US gal) capacity water tanks filled in an hour.
During the torrential rains my water tanks overflow in less than ten minutes.


The advance party of heavy winds arrived around 8 PM. 
Plenty of leaves, plastic bags and assorted trash were using the street as a runway.  
Laundry on the line also seemed ready for takeoff.  Their flight plans were terminated.


Thunder and lightening in the accompaniment of rain joined the party.
(accompaniment part in a composition designed to serve as background and support for more important parts)

Within moments after the arrival, at 9:15 PM the lights went out.
Muang Sakon was in the dark.
Most folk in the neighborhood sat outdoors under protective awnings.
Indoors without fans was just too muggy (humid).
Electric service resumed shortly after 11 PM.


Battle wounds Incurred
Expecting an overflow on my water tanks I changed pipes.
Forgetting appropriate procedures, I cracked and broke a window, which I then had to remove from various locations on my foot.

Sitting at my outdoor bar, waiting for the lights to come back on, I exchanged stares with a young frog for some time.  When I moved to get my camera, he/she decided it was time to depart.  With frogs making their appearance, snakes should be on the scene shortly.


9:24 A.M April 27
This morning an increase of Mosquitoes is very apparent.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Youth Council Phu Phan Games

They are working late into the night preparing for the event at the stadium on I.T.U.
I know because they have come a number of times to borrow tools. Hammer, saw... and then the ladder. 8 PM and they are still working.


The first day, April 26, is mostly meetings. At least that's the explanation I got instead of a translated schedule.


April 27 starts off with a talk show, followed by boys and girls volleyball competitions all afternoon.
The games include participants from provinces throughout the northern Isaan area including Khon Kean, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan Chaiyaphun


April 28 Parade from Municipal offices (across the street from the night market) to the stadium starts at 6:30 AM (I have to factor in Thai time on that one.
Volleyball championship games start at 10:30.
The real fun starts at 1 PM. 

Bear with me while I 'guess translate.'

Eat fruit: Possibly a competition of which team finishes eating fruit first
land skiing - 2007 games

Ski land: A race with wooden planks on their feet

Run sack: Sack race

Boat land:  ???

Relay race:


Stroke mine:  Tug of war






8 PM Dinner  (our table is reserved)

Promoting Thailand Tourism

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Two recent uploads to you tube, promoting tourism caught my eye.

The first video the  picture quality is poor, 
however the historical commentary and the camera work is excellent.

The second is a high quality scenery show with music. 
Personally I'm not that enthused over song and dance tourism promotion.  
I prefer facts and information

Video by jrexbkk
 


Video by tourismthailand

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Tha Rae Easter Parade

Generally held on Saturday before Easter Sunday



สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Tha Rae Easter Parade


..

Not a pleasant Sakon Football day

I had left the Easter parade abruptly and arrived just before the the Y.FC shootout began.
Quite a few shots where made, till finally the next goal would be the winner.  It wasn't Y.FC.



Still no reason not to have a party and listen to the internet broadcast of Sakon FC at Roi Et.
Sakon had no chance against the league top contender.  
It was only a matter of how bad a whupping they'd get 4:0.

Took me almost two hours to prepare 3 kilo beef.  
Think the team beat a three minute egg timer devouring it (6.6lb)