James Bond Island tour

From Phuket, we took a James Bond Island tour that takes you around Phang Nga Bay.

First at a temple with a reclining buddha inside a cave, Monkeys ate peanuts and bananas from our hands ...



Then we explored caves by air raft, bamboo raft, and by foot through knee-high water ...





Then we visited James Bond Island itself, where a missile was concealed in The Man with the Golden Gun ...



Then we visited a Muslim sea gypsy village at the foot of rock-island ...



Where we hugged monkeys, undoubtedly the highlight!

New Years' Eve on Phuket

My cousin Connie came to visit me in Thailand and we had an awesome time in Phuket.
First, by getting some well-deserved lazy tanning time on Karon beach. Then by partying on New Years' Eve ...





We were also joined by friends from Canada, Kyoko and Maria ...



and some of us made new friends ...

Buddha and red Fanta

Another thing in Thailand I haven't quite figured out yet is the offering of red Fanta to Buddha. It is funny how a product from one of the largest multi-national corporations (Coca-cola) in the world has become an integral part of Thai culture. The pictures were taken in Phuket and Bangkok respectively, so I am pretty sure it is not a regional thing.

January 9th: Mystery solved.

The offering of food and drinks is not only for Buddha's, but for spirit houses as well. Each of these spirit houses inhabit a different type of ghost, which have their own likes and dislikes. One such ghost is Goo Man Tong, who is a baby ghost which likes red drinks. About 15 years ago, 7-11's starting popping up in Thailand at seemingly every 100 metres and soon red Fanta became the most easily accessible red drink. (I am not sure what type of juice was typically used before 7-11)

So, the picture on the right is of a spirit house, although my Thai friends say that Goo Man Tong doesn't live in spirit houses like that. On the left is Nanguag, and she is notable for her upright hand which is thought to bring in customers.

My little Christmas miracle in Thailand

For various reasons my housemates could not come to Ko Samet over the break, so I went there prepared to celebrate Christmas in solitude.

On my way however, I stopped in Ban Phe to see how the town has changed and I ended up having Christmas Eve dinner at Su's with the December TEFL International class. Afterwards I went to Kristie's Bar and had drinks with friends (Phil and Ata) from my TEFL Class.



Then on Ko Samet the next day, aka Christmas Day, I soon made friends with three Swedes and we had Christmas dinner together. God Jul och Gott Nytt År!


So all in all, my first Christmas on a beach with no chance of snow turned out to be quite special. I met friends, and made some new ones. Det var underbart.