Frogs and Snails and...

puppy-dogs' tails that's what little boys are made of.

Bryce, just being one of the boys.

Loy Krathong Festival

Loy Krathong is held on the full moon in the twelfth lunar month of the traditional Thai calender, by western calender it generally occurs in November. Every year thousands of people gather to celebrate and float their krathong down water ways.
In Thai "Loy" means to float and "Krathong" means a circular floating object with decoration of banana leaves, flowers, a candle and incense sticks. Some people also light lanterns and float them into the sky, similar to a hot air balloon. Flying or floating away misfortune and bad things in the past and asking for good luck in the future.

Here is to luck,

and floating away misfortune!

South of Bangkok

Since it was Veteran's Day we decided to get out and see the outskirts of Bangkok. Not too far south there is a Crocodile Farm and Zoo. We saw man vs. the man eating crocodile show. The sound of the jaws slapping shut is amazing, it is a hollow roar.After the show we rode a train through the zoo seeing lions and tigers and peacocks oh my. We then saw an elephant show, where the elephants painted, peddled a tuk-tuk, and even danced on a tight rope. After we walked over to the largest crocodile farm where Bonnie was brave enough to feed them chicken carcases. There were different types of crocs, we never knew there was such a variety, long tail, no tail, albino, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, no eyes,and humpback to name a few. Ramiro deemed it "The Croc Freak Show".
A short drive down the road to The Ancient Siam Museum. It is a drive through park that is the shape of Thailand. There are replicas of statues, Wats, Palaces and so much more. We really enjoyed this park and are eager to return and enjoy the park more thoroughly and at a slower pace.We had lunch at a pier and saw hundreds maybe even thousands of sea birds (aka seagulls). This pier attracts people from all around to eat at the seafood restaurant on the end of the pier. The other attraction are the seasonal sea birds we just happened to be here at the right time, or might I say the wrong time. People were paying to feed the seagulls. We took a few pix with Bryce and then headed for cover.Our final destination was the Erawan Museum to see the three headed elephant monument. This was so much larger than I ever imagined it would be. It is a monument to Buddha and his elephant, Erawan. It is good luck to wai to the statue, so we did, Bryce even followed our lead.

Nodding Off

After trying to get him down for a nap... then as soon as dinner was served.

Bryce was so exhausted by the time dinner came he could hardly hold his head up. It was hard not to laugh and catch him in the act. It seems that in order to catch him on V.D.O. (a Thai-English word) It is best when he is in the high chair, otherwise he just wants to watch the video of himself, he chases the camera until he can look.

Wai Kisses

Here is a video of Bryce doing two of my favorite things, he started to do them this past week. The Thai wai and blowing kisses.

At Play

Having a snack.

Slide again!!

Peek a boo!!

U. S. Election Overseas

I voted!!
The United States Embassy in Bangkok hosted an election watch. Originally I had volunteered for the event in hopes of watching the results as they rolled in. After attending a briefing on how the event was planned I felt a little overwhelmed. There were thousands of Thai's invited to attend. The majority of the people in attendance were students. I had a great time interacting with the students helping them find out about democracy and American History. The students seemed eager to learn, or at least get the right answers, as they received a prize after completing a scavenger hunt.
Special events included Voice of America live interaction with the United States, Voting in a mock election, live interviews, CNN/ CNBC broadcast live.
Special aperances were made by Prime Minister Somchai Wongswat he spoke shortly after CNN declared Obama our new President. Later the Mayor of Bangkok attended. Here he is with Ambasador John and his wife Sofia.
Obama and Mc Cain also showed up, they were both a bit stiff, especially since they were made of cardboard.