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Hi,

The Perth weather was very similar to Chiang Rai today.  Cloudy morning sky with bright, hot afternoon sunshine.  

There were two responses to the ‘Zany Day’ song.  Surely someone else remembers this song:  “Buying bread from a man from Brussels.  He was six-foot and full of muscles.  I said, ‘Do you speak-a my language?’  He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich, and he said, ‘I come from a land __ __…”  Clue:  There is a vast world below the equator.  Hmm.

Today was our last full day in Perth.  After breakfast and the gym, Stephen drove us to a bus stop for our trip to the coastal town of Fremantle.  Our destination was a big market.  Let’s just say we learned a lot about the Perth bus system today.  When we got to Fremantle, there was a free ‘Blue’ bus that would take us into the center of the town.  We saw some familiar things on our ride.  There was a Target, a 7-11, and a restaurant chain that uses the Burger King logo with their name on it.  Hunger hit so we got off the bus and searched for food.  There was mostly food on the street where we were.  We settled in a place called ‘Heathy Burger’.  The food was good, but the thing I’ll always remember was the donation chips they gave us after we paid.  Two gold bottle caps that were to be placed in jars by the door.  They were to support three projects that Hungry Burger donates two each year.  My first cap went to the jar for ‘Story Dogs’.  The reading project has young kids read stories to dogs.  I would love to see this one in action.  The second cap went to support a tree planting project along the beach area.

We passed a restaurant that’s part of a chain called Zombrero, ‘Mexican on a Mission’.  They donate a meal for every meal sold.  That’s a noble effort in the fight against hunger.

In a bakery/coffee shop we asked about where to top-up our bus cards and the server told us about an app that would tell us what was left.  I got the app and we could check our balance.  At the bus terminal, we were able to add money for the ride ‘home’.  

This photo of the interior of the bus will give you an idea of how the seats are staggered in height.  Makes sight-seeing more fun.

On the bank by the harbor where container ships anchor, this ‘Container Rainbow’ makes an interesting landmark.

We’re getting used to some things and baffled by others.  The phrase ‘No Worries’ is very common here.  It’s English that is spoken, but in truth, it’s Australian.  There are regional dialects like in other countries, which makes it hard to determine what some folks are saying.  

Tomorrow we head out on the highway.  It’s a 5 hour drive to Pemberton and the Karri Valley, where we’ll stay over the weekend, where we’ll watch Stephen race in a triatholon.  We’re going to see lots of kangaroos on our trip.  Pics tomorrow.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“One who deceives will always

find those who allow themselves

to be deceived.”

~Niccolo Machiavelli

Life

Hi,

The temperature in Perth was cooler than yesterday.  It was definitely hotter downtown than at the hotel, by the river.  It rained lightly in the morning, but the afternoon was clear.  It also rained in Chiang Rai according to our ‘field reporters’.

The ‘Easy Monday’ tune was, as some of you know, “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & Papas.  Next up is a ‘Zany Day’ song from some locals.  “Traveling in a fried-out combie, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie, I met a strange lady, she made me nervous.  She took me in and gave me breakfast and she said, ‘Do you come from the land __ __?  Where the women glow and men plunder?  Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the thunder?  You better run, you better take cover.”  Hint:  It’s from the early 80s and was an international hit.  

Before we set out into the day we visited the hotel gym.  Stephen had told us how great it was and now we understand.  All of the equipment is brand new and I guess one might call it ‘state of the art’.  On the treadmill you can watch sports, TV, or Youtube.  I can walk a long way watching Youtube (555).  After a light workout, we decided that when we return home we need to check out the newer gyms in Chiang Rai.

Today we rode the city bus into the downtown area on our adventure to the art galleries.  It’s the first time we’ve been on a bus in very long time, except for the Green Bus to Chiang Mai.  The buses here are rather special in that the seats are like theater seating.  At about mid-bus, they start to rise so you can see what’s ahead.  The seats were very comfortable and were covered in a beautiful print.  Another unique thing was the tall windows, allowing for a good view of trees and buildings.  At the center of town, at the bus terminal, we got directions to the Cultural Center.  A taxi later and we were there.  Two exhibits dealt specifically with indigenous art and a third had some strong examples.  The work was quite moving and we learned a lot about aspects of life and being displaced in one’s own country.  I wish I could tell you to get down to the Cultural Center and check out these exhibits but, well, I understand if you don’t (555).

Perth has a lot of water in the form of rivers, running through and around the city.  Some parts are so wide that they look like giant lakes.  I’ve never been somewhere that had so many rivers so close to the ocean.  

This evening we went back downtown with Stephen and Claire for the ‘Open Air Cinema’.  As we arrived we encountered a beautiful sunset.  After finding a spot with four ‘chairs’, we ordered food from a truck and hung out.  Many people brought their dogs, so that was fun.  We met a greyhound and a few others.  Then we settled into our beanbags for the main attraction:  “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, which we hadn’t seen.  There were about 100 people under what began as a starry night.  By the end of the movie there was a very light sprinkle.  The timing couldn’t have been better.  

Tomorrow is our last day at Aloft, then we move to Stephen and Claire’s apartment.  We’ll be on our own again, exploring more of Perth, but probably closer to our ‘base camp’.  Possibly a stroll along the river and maybe another bus ride.  Who knows?  That’s the cool thing about not having a total plan.

It feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“Life would be tragic, 

if it weren't funny.”

~Stephen Hawking

Laugh

Hi,

The weather in Perth was warm/hot today.  The usual afternoon wind didn’t arrive so it was hotter than normal.  

‘Easy Monday’ was easy for a few.  Here’s a little more, to get you in the mood:  “__, __, can’t trust that day.  __, __, sometimes it turns out that way.  Oh, __ __, you gave me no warning of what was to be.  Oh, __, __, how could you leave and not take me?  Clue:  Start your week with repe ition.  This song does just that.

Our flight from Bangkok to Perth was about what we expected.  We arrived at 7:30am sleepy and hungry.  Australia is very protective of it’s plant and animal life, and I suppose the people too.  In order to enter the country one must have a visa, and fill out a declaration regarding what you are bringing and where you’ve been.  The immigration part was fairly digital.  Then we went to an area where they had about 20 people at a time stand at a white line.  A dog was brought out to first sniff around us.  Our carry-on luggage was on a line about 10 feet in front of us and the dog then went down the line checking out the bags.  On average, about 2 bags per line-up got extra attention from the dogs and their owners then had discussions with the officers.  We had no such discussions.  

Claire met us at the airport and took us to the ATM to get Australian dollars and then to the Vodafone shop for SIM cards for our phones.  Before our plane landed I called myself setting the local time to Australian time and pushed the wrong button.  Ooops, ‘we are now resetting your phone’.  Nooooo, I didn’t mean to do that.  Technology doesn’t care what you meant to do.  Push the button, pay the price.  Actually, by this afternoon everything was worked out, but I was sweating it for awhile.  

‘Aloft' is a boutique hotel with a very attentive staff, good food, and comfortable rooms.  We are on the 12th floor, looking out on the Margaret River.  When we arrived, Stephen greeted us and once we got settled in our room, we went down for breakfast.  After breakfast we crashed for a couple of hours.  Even though the flight was ‘only’ 7 hours, the travel day began at 2:30pm on Monday and ended at 7:30am Tuesday.  Lunch was next, followed by a trip via Uber to a beach on the Indian Ocean where there are sculptures on the sand.  Our driver gave us a little tour on the way, explaining the finer points of Perth and it’s history.  At the beach there were lots of locals as well as travelers like us.  

This evening, before dinner, we met Claire and Stephen’s puppy Peggy.  She’s a dachshund who is a rescue.  She was a little shy on the first meeting, but I think we’ll make friends.  We had a fun dinner at the hotel and discussed some of the other activities they planned for us.  Tomorrow we will go to a gallery exhibit of indigenous art in the morning and see a first-run movie at an outdoor theater event.  

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“A good laugh is sunshine

in the house.”

~William Makepeace Thackary

Begin

Hi,

The sky was the same as yesterday and the day before.  Looked like rain in the morning, turned into a sunny afternoon and got very hot.  And so it goes.  Oh, I should have said sunny and smokey.  There’s a strange yellow haze at certain times of the day.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Since I Don’t Have You” by The Skyliners.  (in case you’re wondering, Skyliner was a model of a car made by Ford)  So, it’s time for ‘Easy Monday’.  “Bah-da bah-da-da-da (repeat 2 times) __ __ so good to me.  __ morning, it was ll I hoped it would be.  Oh, __ morning, __ morning couldn’t guarantee, that __ evening you would still be here with me.”  Hint:  Fathers and Mothers singing about a day of the week.

We’re back in Bangkok, at Suvarnibhumi Airport, waiting for our flight to Perth, Australia.  It doesn’t leave until midnight.  We arrived here at 6pm from Chiang Rai and it’s being a long evening.  Our flight will last 7 hours and we’ll touch down in Perth at 8am.  The first couple of days we’ll be staying at Aloft, a hotel that Stephen manages. 

http://www.aloftperth.com/en/gallery  He and Claire will be working so they set us up at the hotel so we can explore on our own for a bit.  Later in the week we’ll drive south to watch Stephen participate in a triathlon and then explore some nature.  

Saturday we checked out Paam Sai-Aua, new restaurant/coffee shop that Somluk designed.  They're just getting started, and the place is beautiful. 

 

I’m off to secure an internet connection.  Airports are rather unforgiving unless you’re willing to join this/pay that. I think that my new VPN settings are messing with my connections away from home.  Hmm.

Have a Great Week.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“To begin, begin.”

~William Wordsworth

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Today it really looked and felt like rain.  This evening it got cold.  We’re hoping for an overnight rain for the usual reasons.  

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Politician” by Cream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJqgk2XAg4k  Now does it makes sense?  ‘Old School Friday’ is now:  “I don’t have plans and schemes, and I don’t have hopes and dreams, I don’t have anything, __ __ __ __ __.”  Clue:  Obviously regretting what has been lost.  The last word of the title was repeated many times at the end of this song.  1959.

Every day we get a little better at keeping the dogs separated when we have specific things to do, especially with Daku.  Chopper went to the kitchen door this morning, so Lisa took Daku to the back door.  Chopper will probably be waiting at the back door tomorrow.  He’s very smart.  Even though Chopper bugs Daku sometimes, he looks for him every time we go downstairs.  This morning Chopper was playing with his big ball and things didn’t go so well.

We traveled north this morning.  Our first stop was the Frame Factory to take two of Lisa’s cast acrylic prints.  The rice fields are bright green and mystical under the cloudy skies.  As we were leaving the factory I noticed some statues out of the corner of my eye.  I had to take a photo to share with you.  Cat told us they were at the flower festival.

After dropping off the print we went to Doi Din Dang, the ceramics studio a short distance away.  We ordered coffee and Lisa went searching for Tamako, wife of the artist Somluk.  Eventually, the four of us had some wonderful conversations and we plan to have dinner when we return from Australia.  One of the interesting things we heard this morning was during our discussion about burning.  Tamako told us that there is an ordinance in place until the 17th of next month, forbidding burning.  She said they would obey, even though the burning they do is to get ashes for use in coloring the ceramics.  They have a collection of leaves they burn for ashes to ‘paint’ designs before firing the pieces in the kiln (a very hot oven).  So for now, they will have to use the ashes they have on hand.  

This evening we had dinner at the Night Bazaar with Cat.  We talked about studying English and how practice is necessary.  We also had fun listening to her excitement about her trip to California in April.  This time it will only be for one week, but she’s already there in her mind.  Mid term exams are over and she was walking on air.  She still has her teaching job, so she’s not really on a total vacation, but there are no classes for awhile.

A big mystery was solved when Cat explained that the Thai spoken in villages, like her’s, is considered unacceptable by those in the city with formal education in Thai language.  Apparently it’s a combination of vocabulary and delivery.  For many, it is the wall that keeps some folks in the village.  Cat was fortunate that she had mentors and teachers who helped her learn past the boundaries of the village.

Tomorrow evening is the opening for the ‘Small Paintings’ exhibit at Art Bridge.  Sunday we’ll probably start packing for our trip to Oz.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.           Time for the ‘Funnies’.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

Risk

Hi,

The Thai version of an Air Quality Management Department told us that today’s air was moderate.  I don’t think I want to see what heavy looks like.  

Only one person (Lisa) named the ‘Zany Day’ song.  There’s still time to join in the fun (55).  Here’s another verse:

“I support the left, tho’ I’m leanin’ to the right.  I support the left, tho’ I’m leanin’ to the right.  But I’m just not there when it comes to a fight.  Hey now baby, get into my big black car…..”  Hint:  One word title describes a profession where some people make lots of money for little work.  Currently, they are always in the news.

We got a lot accomplished today.  Armed with our list, we set out early for Big C, always a joy in the morning (555).  Across the Highway at Central Plaza Mall, it was coffee and suitcase repair.  We have one of those metal jobs and we really like it, but the collapsable handle decided to stay extended and needed fixing.  After racking our brains as to who could do it, we took it to one of the shops that sells them at the mall.  With a big smile, it got fixed while we had lunch and the guy would not take any money.  Sweet.  

Today’s photos were taken at the mall.  The Central Plaza Dinosaurs sounds like a sports team.  Here they are in all their glory.  Kids ride them around the mall and have a ball.  

Little Chopper is developing an interesting personality.  When he’s not being a biting puppy, he has a hobby.  Rather than just chew things, he likes to move them.  This morning I went to take Daku out and only one of my shoes was by the door.  I finally found the other one in front of the other kitchen door.  Natcha had mentioned his ’talent' a few days ago but this was my first experience with the ‘mover’.  Daku has figured out how to signal when he’s done with Chopper.  Knowing that Chopper follows him everywhere he goes, usually hanging onto his ear or neck, Daku goes to the pen where Chopper basically hangs out.  That gives me time to block the little dog while the big dog makes his escape into the house.  Life has changed around here.

This evening we did the most fun thing there is, we went to the dentist for teeth cleaning.  It was one of the quickest yet, no problems.  

Time to contemplate what to take to Oz (Australia) and see what food items are permissible.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                        Peace,

                                  Danny

“Only those who will risk going

too far can possibly find out 

how far one can go.”

~T.S. Eliot

Soul

Hi,

As predicted, it’s March and the dirty air is upon us.  Today it was quite obvious that there was ‘something in the air’.  Fortunately, we didn’t have to be out in it.  When it’s hot and smokey I worry about all the beings who have to breathe it all day.  Hmm

This week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Good Day Sunshine” by The Beatles.  Now you’ll be singing that all day (555),  that is, unless you get stuck with the ‘Zany Day’ song:  “Hey now baby, get into my big black car.  Hey now baby, get into my big black car.  I wanna just show you what my politics are.  I’m a political man and I practice what I preach.  I’m a political man, and I practice what I preach.  So don’t deny me baby, not while you’re in my reach.”  Hint:  It’s by a group from across the pond that was probably the first ‘Power Trio’ in Rock.  The title is the singers ‘profession’.  Timely.

This was the day we went to the DMV to renew our driver licenses. (that’s what they’re called)  It was quite busy, so we were given a number and our paper work and told to wait.  After the wait, we were sent to the third floor for our eye test.  It was really a color recognition test of the most primitive type.  Then came the dreaded training.  It was the same video that we saw the first time we got our licenses, 6 years ago.  There were 3 of us watching in English and one man watching in Chinese.  He went to sleep and I can recall nodding several times.  In the video, it was suggested that if you drive through a puddle and splash people, you should go back and apologize.  What?  We only had to watch 45 minutes of the training and then it was downstairs to pay money.  After that we got our photos taken and our licenses were printed out on the spot.  We have 6 years on this one, with hopes that they get a new video before that.  On our way out we saw Natcha’s sister Fone and her baby boy.  

Neechanon knows how to call both dogs.  It’s so cute hearing here say ‘Chopper come!’.  He doesn’t really respond all the time, but he’s very smart and it won’t be long.  In the morning he knows which door to wait at in order to come in the house with Daku.  Lisa gives them breakfast at the same time so he’s ready.  He has to be blocked from eating from Daku’s bowl, but he’s still a baby.  Their play is changing a bit.  Daku is ‘teaching’ him to back off when he’s had enough.  This morning during exercise time, Daku jumped over one of the hedges.  Last week Chopper tried it and was knocked to the ground.  This morning he went through it, which was funny, seeing him disappear into the foliage.  

Today’s photo shows Chopper investigating something.

We have a lot to do before we leave for Australia on Monday.  The lists have been made and I’m sure it will all get done.  Sometimes it’s easier doing the tasks than ‘thinking’ about them.  Yeah, that’s what he said.

It’s going to be a Wacky Wednesday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul

remains unawakened.”

~Anatole France