TRAC team outing to Pran Buri

Several weeks ago, the TRAC team took an extended outing to Pran Buri, near the seashore, just south of the resort town of Hua Hin.  It was a GREAT trip with great folks.

We stopped at a temple along the way that was home to more monkeys than you could count.  Several were carrying their babies with them.

The temple was built into the side of a mountain.

Inside the temple.

A big, home cooked seafood meal!  Fresh fish, shrimp and crabs, hot off the grill!

Afterward, Chut (sporting his North Carolina gear) and Hope provided the music.

Chut was sent to the US by DST last Spring.  I went back to visit while he was there.  The highlight of the trip was traveling to Chapel Hill to visit the University of North Carolina and to watch their first round NCAA tournament games in Greensboro.  I took Jason and his son Jayben, of course, but I happened to have four tickets to the game and a lot of frequent flier miles for free airline tickets, so I invited Chut to go with us. We had a great time and I made a UNC "disciple!"

Not sure what kind of monkey this is, but he (or she) sure is cute.

We went to a local national park and explored for a while.

The water was full of jellyfish.  I was told this kind was not dangerous.  I hope so, because I grabbed one up!

The trip was on the weekend of a big Buddhist holiday.  People came to temples from all around to "make merit" by leaving donations.

On the way home, we stopped at a small amusement park.  Chut and Hope just HAD to try the bungee cord ride.  That is them WAYYYY up there.

Chut on the left, Hope on the right.

With Sert, waiting for the others to join us.

Another popular request is for food photos, as Thai food and American food are so different.  I have grown to love true Thai cooking so much, I don't know how I will survive when I return to the US!

Som tom bpla.  Som tom is one of the most traditional and best loved Thai dishes, a form of papaya salad.  This is a little different.  Som tom bpla is made with fermented fish, and is most popular in the northeast.  It has a very strong smell and taste, and most Thais from Bangkok can't stand it, but I LOVE it.  This dish was ordered especially for me.  You can tell because they know I love extra spicy food, and this is loaded with red hot chillis.

Shredded catfish deep fried and crispy.

Grilled shrimp.  We eat a LOT of shrimp here, and all kinds of sea food is plentiful.

Grilled crab.

On a recent outing, Jib grills pork, a fish, and shrimp for the team.

The TRAC group went to Khao Yai recently also.  A different resort from the one I went to with Full Service, and, of course, a different team, so it was a very different trip and much fun.

Starting the trip well, with a delicious lunch.

Nui relaxes after a big lunch.

The team posing at Smokehouse, a favorite photo taking spot in Khao Yai.

Interesting sculpture at our resort.

When you arrive, the towels are all folded as elephants!

Playing "Slave," a card game I learned on the trip.

Super-Sert shows me how to play.

I have been told I resemble Colonel Sanders.  Remind me not to grow a goatee!

Dinner at a GREAT riverside restaurant.

Nan explores the area near the water wheel at the resort.

Nan, me, and Hope.

Live entertainment at the floating market.

The floating market almost became a REAL floating market after a downpour of rain.  Here, the team waits for the rain to stop so we can get to our van and go home.

Posing with Jo.

Batch Support trip to Ayutthaya

The Batch Support group recently took a day trip to Ayutthaya, taking some visitors to the office from America.  We stopped along the way at the Royal Summer Palace of King 

Rama V and at a floating market, before visiting the ruins of the old capitol city (which was destroyed by the Burmese army long ago.)

Statue in the center of the palace grounds.

Posing with Petch by one of the palace guards.

Inside the main hall of the palace.

Guard dog!

Stopping for lunch at the floating market.  The "farang" there is Jason Quillen, one of the Americans here for three months, sharing their business knowledge with our staff.

Traditional dance routine at the floating market.

I have been to Ayutthaya many times, and never get used to how beautiful and how sad it is.  All of the ruins were once covered with gold and bright colors.

Mic and X, the Dynamic Duo.

Full Service outing to Khao Yai

I get asked a lot for more photos from my travels, so I will add some posts from recent trips.  The Full Service Support team went on a recent outing to Khao Yai (Big Mountain), and area not far from Bangkok with a lot of resorts for this kind of getaway.  Lost of great food and a good time with the activities at the resort, itself.

Off eyes a huge pork chop.

Stopping for photos at the Smokehouse, a local landmark.

Roj with some overeager sheep at Sheepland.

Finishing the day, playing cards in one of our rooms.

Crashing... oops, I mean racing, go karts.

Someone let Sun drive?

The team took their chances on a cable ride over the resort.

Our "Nemo" van!

Grace

This is one of the proudest weeks I have had in a long, long time.  Supparerk Ruckchart is like a son to me.  Rerk maybe the smartest person I have ever known and is just an amazing young man.  He graduates next week with a Master's Degree in Educational Research, and has already begun working on his doctorate.  About two and a half years ago, he was going through a very difficult period in his life.  Desperate for hope and guidance, he called a local information line and asked them to suggest a Christian church he might check out.  Whoever he talked to suggest Immanuel Baptist.  I met him that evening at church.  In time, he became a Christian... and also my friend.  

His recent story is one of the great grace of God.  Just months ago, I was called and raced to the hospital, where Rerk lay unconscious, the result of an intentional overdose.  He barely survived.  The doctors told us that he had stopped breathing just as the ambulance arrived at the hospital.  We were literally moments from losing him.  Today, he stands at the beginning of a new adventure in life, graduating from the top school in Thailand with a Master's Degree, living in his own new apartment, and starting work on his doctorate.  I could not be prouder of him and I will never be able to thank God enough for saving him... physically and spiritually.

Graduation rehearsal day with my kid.

Quite the pose.

A few months back.  A very, very bad day.

Showing off his graduation money.