North Eastern Thailand 2012

North Eastern Thailand Ban Rai Temple

Wat Ban Rai is out of our iternery and we arranged with our tour guide Mr Boo for this additional programme. Our group of six compensated his company 1 500 baht. It's not the money but the Revered monk Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho. We were told that he has reached the level of a living Saint.

Though we reached there at 10 am and waited for an hour to have his blessing. He is 89 years old come 4 October 2012 and continues to bless the devotees twice a day at 11 am and 4 pm. Sadly, no photograph and video are allowed during his service.

I can feel the chill when he stepped into the prayer hall and no words can describe my seeing him in person. Old and frail but definitely larger than life. I cannot bargain for more than to recieve blessing from Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho himself.

I believe in fate and going there was like a calling. Still, I have to thank Mr Boo, our Thai driver, my wife and the 4 buddies for making my wish came true.

More photographs below:

Our offerings to the monk on duty and prayers to the departed souls.

Holy water to wash your face and hands.

Waiting for Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho at the Prayer Hall.

Double happiness

Good things come in pairs. Happy birthday and many happy returns to Anna (age 76) and Clement (age 18). The children are grown up and it's a rare occasion for the family to gather on this occasion. I believe this elderly couple is more than happy to welcome everyone back. Let's have more celebrations.

Me and Margaret are flying off to Bangkok prior to Isan tomorrow. We shall be return on 9 April 2012. The theme for this trip is 'Go Green'. Will take lot of pictures to post on this blog. Look out for it. Meantime, all of you stay healthy and be happy. God bless.

Tips on Isan trip

I contacted my Thai friend Uthit regarding my coming Isan trip and he advised me not to miss Khao Yai National Park and Baan Rai Temple. Sadly, these two places are not included in our iternary.
I am not so interested in the former for we are going there in their hotest month of the year. 36 degrees Celcius. Definitely no. We are not going hiking or trekking.
Somewhere January 2011, my Thai master gave me a amulet of the Revered monk Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho to place in my former office. As told by Uthit, this well known monk resides at Baan Rai Temple which is about 60 km away from the city of Nakon Ratchasima. I am not confident of a chance to visit the temple, let alone be blessed by LP Khoon. Let's leave it to fate. Om...

Brothers

Guess who we met at the travel fair at Suntec City on Saturday? No big superstar but my 3rd brother Francis and his wife Rose. Didn't see them after CNY 2012 and they are looking good. Needless to say, they were there to look out for places to travel. Anyway, me and Margaret has booked our North East Thailand tour leaving on 4 April 2012. OMG! Tom yam soup, mango salad....... yummy yummy!

We together with my younger brother Patrick and his wife, went to pay respect to our late parents at Bright Hill temple yesterday. Though Qing Ming festival falls on 4 April 2012, it is celebrated 2 weeks before and after the day itself. Blessed are the departed souls....... om...............

Prior to the praying session, we had lunch with our 2nd brother Roger at Old Airport Road Market. You do not need to know what is good. Just simply follow the long queue at various stalls and I bet you won't regret. Check it out!!!!

What's the buzz.... 17 March 2012

Lazy me............... no doubt my work keeps me busy and at the end of the day I sleep like a dead pig.If I want, I can still update this blog. Gosh! Simply too lazy. But one thing for sure, this blog shall never cease operation.

Okay, football update. Arsenal is in comfortable fourth position in the league table with a point behind arch-rival Spur. 10 more league matches to go. Keep firing!!!

If time permits, me and Margaret intend to take a short holiday in North East Thailanda next month. Yes, Land of the Smiles. Well, the plan may change depending on our leave applications. Vietnam is another good place we are considering or we may end up in China again. Oh no!!!!!!

Shopping fever returns. The big departmental stores are taking turn to have Member Sales. Isetan, Robinson, Metro and the latest OG Orchard. For the record, just bought a Panasonic rice cooker to replace the old one. Other household products include floor towels, table cloth, etc. The visa bill will come next month. $$$ money money money.......

Wait and see

I didn't like their project and declined their offer. But they came back with another project which is half way through. At the same time they knew I wasn't happy with my present job. Finally I signed the agreement and will be going over next month. I worry I am unable to meet their high expection of me. Like what my friend said, the most they can do is to give me the boot. Let's wait and see and hopefully something good comes out of this mess. The best is yet to be.

Hoping for the best

It doesn't seem right from the start. I was given a few projects to choose from in the first place. The thought of landing the best choice got me carried away, now I realise what was right is wrong. How long more would I have to stay I won't know. But all I know is to hope for the best and there is a good chance that I may call it a day. Only and hopefully the good news arrives in due course.....