Durian Fruit

With it's large, distinctive thorny husk and fragrant smell, Durian fruit is known in Asia as the "King of Fruits". The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour, strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Regarded by some as fragrant, others as overpowering and offensive, the smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust. The odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia. This I found out after trying to board the MRT(subway). The attendant would not let Lisa and I board. So Lisa whisked us away to a taxi. As soon the taxi driver noticed the fruit he took it and closed it into his glove box stating "It stinks."
I had heard roamers but I never smelled anything foul, so what was all the commotion about? I sampled a little piece before buying it. It has a sweet nutty taste to it. I actually like the taste. Many people say it taste good if you can get over the smell.
Lisa and I got out of the taxi and headed to the BTS (sky train). We were going opposite directions and it was the most central stop. I placed the fruit into my bag so that there was no stopping us this leg of the trip. We said our goodbyes and I boarded the next train. With in minutes of boarding the train one lady moved to the other end of the car. People were staring around to see who was the offender. I took a seat and smelled a odour. It smells really bad. I was enclosed in a train car with it right under my nose. I may as well have not showered for weeks. The smell made me so self conscious the rest of the way home.
I bumped into my neighbor upon returning home and shared with them. They reported back it tasted like a banana and a sweet onion mixed. They also confirmed the smell.

BAMBI

We made many new friends at Bangkok Mothers and Babies International (BAMBI). It was great to meet new moms and for Bryce to have a playgroup. The Mums were all so nice, and such a variety of International backgrounds. It was held at the British Club, a nice venue. We ordered a nice lunch that Bryce and I were able to share. We are looking forward to meeting at BAMBI playgroups again.

Tonight the local Marines are holding a dinner event that Bryce and I will attend. They seem to have events most Fridays. Tonight has a luau theme.

Baby Gym

Bryce uses the wobbly gym to stand.
Pretty soon he will be saying look ma......... no hands.

City View

Some of you asked for a view of the city from our balcony. I took a few at sunset and then after it was dark so that you could see the lights. I think it is a good view. this is the east side of the building so sunset is not as spectacular.
There is one other thing. There are these black birds with a white stripe that circle and dodge our building every night. They start around 4:30 pm and go till late in the night. It sounds like a choir of chirping birds.
Today, Ramiro left for a two week business trip. Bryce wanted to go with him so he climbed into a suitcase.

To Market, To Market

There are many great open air markets in Bangkok. Friday night we spent browsing the Suam Lum Night Bazaar "Night Market"; even though it officially closed in April of 2007 (I guess the vendors did not get the notice). There was also a cool beer garden that had a stage and a live band. We only caught a glimpse of the band but seemed like fun.
Markets are everywhere. We live above a large market. But none are as grand as Chatuchak, the "Weekend Market", it is 35 acers of shops. The vendors can sell everything from furniture to jewelery, art, clothing, shoes, toys, Thai artifacts and any thing else you might imagine. The scene is swarming with locals and tourists. There are many great buys but you must bargain for them. We ventured there today and saw a small corner of the home goods section before we decided it was too hot and we needed to get in from the heat. But first we needed to find a restroom.
There were to types of toilets in the women's bathroom, that is after you pay 5 Bhat for two squares of tp. One had a hole in the ground and the other was a squat pot. I later found another toilet similar, but cleaner. I do enjoy small luxuries. Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

Some of the future markets we would like to venture to are Chinatown, Flashlight (many vendors can not afford shops with electricity), Wat Sai Floating Market on the Chao Phraya River.

Welcome Home (ออกแขก บ้าน )

We are finally starting to settle into our new home. For those of you who not know, we live on the 24th floor of a place called the Trinity Complex. The building has a lot to offer. There is a setup of shops for clothes, and jewelry, and these types of things. There is a grocery store right across the street as well as a couple of restaurants (they call it a "mall"). There is also a street right out back lined daily with various street venders. This is very convenient for those nights when you are tried and want something quick. But if you are looking to venture out, the sky train (BTS) is a block away) and y0u can get around most of the city that way. In addition, our building has a 25 meter pool on the 9th floor with lap lanes and even a starting block. On the 8th floor is there is a 250 meter jogging track. We put together a quick video of your apartment, but it really does not do the place justice; not to mention from every balcony there are stunning views of he city (especially at night). You simply have to experience it to appreciate it fully (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

All Eyes on Bryce

Bryce is cruising and climbing. He heads B-line for the electrical outlets. It is fun to watch him develop.
Thai's love babies. Everywhere we go Bryce gets so much attention. He eats it up, the big flirt. He likes to play shy...kind of a peek-a-boo. Everyone comments on his smile and happy demeanor.

Bryce trys to do the wash

In am attempt to catch Bryce crawling, we set him down and he made straight for the washing machine. The video would have been longer, but we could not let him actually open the door as we had already started the wash. Anyway he is a crawling fool.

On a Scale of 1 to 10 it Was a 13

Per June's request......

Our first meal out on the town was at a restaurant named Lemongrass. We were getting cabin fever and eager to see nightlife in our new big city. So we walked 2 mini blocks (about an eighth of mile) to a neighborhood joint. Bonnie ordered Green Curry with Duck and Ramiro had Red Seafood Curry (to simplify what they called it) and we shared a Coconut Soup. They use no reservation to kick it up a notch. Spice that gives you not only a bead of sweet on your brow but turns on the faucet in your nose and eyes. There were many red peppers in every dish. A few new veggies and seasonings that we have never seen before, but Ramiro ate them anyway (we'll see how that turn out tomorrow).

All in all the food was quite good (when you could taste the food and not only the spice). Not too bad for a shot in the dark two mini blocks from your bed (and bathroom).

Thailand Address

Bonnie, Ramiro and Bryce Mougey
American Embassy
Box # 13
APO, AP 96546

Sometimes you might have to play with the address electronicly
If you need a number before US use: 1
If you can not select AP for state use: CA but ensure the city has the both the APO and AP

If all these methods fail use super snail mail:
7200 Bangkok Place
Dulles, VA 20189

Our phone number is still: 410-793-1191
Please be mindful of the time change: Eastern Standard Time + 12 hours.
Pacific Standard Time + 15 hours.

We Have Arrived

For those of you wondering, we all (even Morgan) arrived safely in Thailand. If you did not know that we were moving, well we were and now did. We are currently staying in temporary housing, however our permanent housing is ready, we have the keys, but due to the logistics, we are moving in on Monday June 9th (which will actually be the 8th for most of you). We will be living on the 24th floor in Unit E.

In terms of the flight, we all did quite well. We first flew from Maryland (well actually Dulles, Virgina) to Los Angles. On this flight Morgan was in the cabin with us and Bryce was fairly content to eat, sleep and look around (we caught him standing up and looking over the seats at the other passengers (especially the crying two year old directly in front of him). We then spent a relaxing week in San Diego and Santa Barbara before heading out to the far east.

We flew from LA to Tokyo which was an 11 hour flight. Bryce did quite well, as expected he was a bit fussy (especially after about 8 hours, but then again we all were), but never really yelled or cried (thank goodness). Morgan was not able to accompany us in the cabin so we had to send him in a master suite (ok it was a crate with a bed and bath (box) in the front). The airline folks commented on how nicely the crate was packed. Anyway after the long hop to Japan, we took another short hop (7 hours) to Bangkok. Bryce was such a trooper (he slept about 6 hours).

So we arrived, picked up Morgan, and our luggage and got to the hotel. We are still working to adjust to the time change (yes it is 1:30 AM right now).