None of our pictures of the festival turned out because it was too dark out on the pier where the festival was. It was very nice though, lots of colorful lights, music, something that was probably a beauty contest. We had some sticky rice with mango and a fresh pineapple shake. Both were excellent, as is most everything here. It was awfully windy and the wind is actually howling around our little house as I write. I hope it dies down before we leave in the morning. We lit the incense on the krathong, said our prayers and let it go. They are very nice as the tiny lights of the burning incense shine as it floats out to sea. Multiply it by the hundreds and it is a pretty scene. We're back in the room, dad is packing. Somehow we've gotten bitten by something. The mosquitoes are fierce, we're told they don't often carry malaria. Hope not as we're not taking anything. We use repellent and are hoping for the best.
Two nights ago I stayed in while dad went down to the resort restaurant for something to eat. While there the waitress leaned against one of the pillars and let out a terrible scream and flipped off a huge long centipede that was crawling up her arm. Everybody was screaming. Christina was screaming at dad to step on it. She is the Austrian hired to help the westerners! Dad said he was eyeing it when a Thai man ran over and stepped on it and killed it. I suppose dad was trying to figure out which was the head and which was the tail. We have little ones at home but they aren't poisonous like they are here. The woman kept saying how lucky she was because had it stung her she would have had to go to the hospital. There is no hospital on Koh Mak, the closest one is in Trat, 45 minutes away by speedboat. They don't even go at night, but might in an emergency I suppose.
There are three dive shacks on the island and they told dad if a diver gets into trouble the closest decompression chamber is on Koh Chang, the nearest large island. There is helicopter service but by the time they could come and pick up a diver and get to the decompression chamber the diver would be dead. Moral of story, don't dive on Koh Mak. The Germans leave the day after tomorrow. We had dinner with them last night and had a nice time. He has a business of cash registers, selling and renting. Renting is a big part of their business, for street fairs on holidays and weekends. Guess people don't use cigar boxes anymore! This is the slow season so their daughter handles things while they travel.
The Germans have a hut right next to ours. They had a centipede in their bathroom their first day here. So now I've plugged the bathroom drains in our place. Last night they had a hopping spider in their room. Hopped several inches each time they said. With the centipede in the dining room and the squished critters we've seen on the road, I think I'm ready to leave. Some of the dogs here are in terrible shape. Last night at the restaurant the people had a monkey tied up. It just paced frantically. There was no food or water in sight for it. They had a band tied very tightly around its hips connected to a chain so it couldn't escape. The restaurant is owned by a German man and his Thai wife. I would just like to shout at these people for what they do (and don't do) to animals. They don't know how people (read....Sara....has a dog who eats organic and sleeps in her bed) in other places treat animals. I think they need pointers, but as usual, we have to turn a blind eye to a lot of things here.
Good night for tonight. Mom
Monday, November 2, 2009
Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong, November Full Moon
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