Bang Pakong River

This video of Bang Pakong River was taken at the pier of Saint Pauls's Catholic Church Chachoengsao, Thailand , April 19, 2009.

Old Church, New Church

One of the places we dropped by during our visit to Chacheongsao, Thailand is a centuries old church called Saint Paul's Catholic Church. What was left of the church was its facade because the entire structure was demolished. The reason why it was demolished will forever be a mystery to me because the history of the church was written in Thai and I always have a problem reading Thai. Photo above shows my son JM making faces while I took a photo of the facade of the church.

The sign at the church door.

The tower above is a landmark leading to the pier. The end of this alley is a pier located on the banks of the Bang Pakong River where people take a boat ride to cross the other side of the river.

The alley from the old church leads to the pier.

An antique house made of wood where the parish priest lives.

A cart and a statue of an animal show us what kind of transport system people used that time.

The facade of the ancient church (or what was left of it).

The new Saint Paul's Catholic Church.

Earth Day 2009

Go to this link for Earth Day 2009 arts, crafts, projects and fun activities.

City Fort

During last Sunday's trip to Chachoengsao we passed by a place called Chachoengsao City Fort which was built during the reign of King Rama III to protect the city against enemies. During the reign of King Rama V, the fort was used against Chinese opium traders. The front of the fort was developed to a park to enable tourists to get a better view of the Bang Pakong River. At the back of the wall are canons ,which are remnants of the past.

Back to Work

I'm back to work after a week long holiday. I have to face once more the noise in the classroom, the long teaching hours and the summer heat. Thank God for air-conditioning which makes my life comfortable during these hot and humid summer months. I always have second thoughts about going on short trips to 7-Eleven during my free time because the heat in the Land of Smiles is getting more and more unbearable each day. Anyway, I have another two weeks vacation to look forward to, my last this sumer. For the meantime, I have to complete my remaining two weeks of teaching this summer and wait until the weather gets more comfortable next month when the rains come.

Divine Mercy Sunday

"I want this image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, the depths of My Mercy will be open to all. Whoever will go to confession and Holy Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment. Mankind will not enjoy peace until it returns to My Mercy."

- The message of Jesus to Sister Faustina.

Wat Sothon

This Sunday, after morning mass, we decided to take JM for a tour of the nearby province of Chacheongsao. I have to go back to work tomorrow and summer school reopens after our week long holiday.

Wat Sothon is a temple in Chachoengsao province , Thailand situated on the west bank of the Bang Pakong River. Enshrined in a new gigantic hall is Phra Phutthasothon, or "Luang Pho Sothon" regarded as one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. Two annual fairs celebrating the image fall in the 5th and the 12th lunar months (around April and November).

A closer view of the temple's steeple. Note that the entire structure does not resemble the traditional Thai style temple.

One of the two white elephants guarding the entrance to the temple.

The Bang Pakong River as seen at the back of the temple.

The monk's house.

A Chinese temple in the Buddhist Temple grounds.

Bats

A giant bat statue located in a temple ground at the foot of Khao Chong Phran Hill.

Khao Chong Phran hill is located in Tambon Tao Pun, Amphoe Photharam, 17 kms. north of Ratchaburi along the Khao Ngu-Boek Phrai route (Route No. 3089). The roadside hill has 2 interesting caves; Tham Phra Won housing more than 100 Buddha images and Tham Khangkhao or Bat Cave, which is home to some three million bats. As the sun sets over the horizon, they all disperse on their search for food and the mountain looks like a volcano disgorging thick black smoke.

More Photos

I decided to post additional photos of our trip to Ratchaburi, Thailand last Songkran holiday. Enjoy them. The twosome candidly pose with a breathtaking view of the lowlands of Ratchaburi as their background.

JM enjoys the breeze on the terrace of a Chinese temple nestled on top of a mountain.

Father and son on the platform where those who dare cross the cliff on suspended wires start their journey.

After having been fed with bananas and corn, this monkey seeks shelter under a bougainvilla plant from the intense summer heat.

Nature Photos

A view of the lowlands from a Chinese temple on top of a mountain.

JM and dad on top of a cliff located in Khao Ngu (Dwelling of Snakes), Ratchaburi. There are no snakes in this place anymore. The mountain is populated by monkeys.

A view from top of a cliff.

This is what we came here for. They are all over the mountain, waiting for tourists to come for their regular feed of bananas and corn on a cob.

Every visitor loves to take photos of this engraving of Buddha on the side of the mountain which is the entry point to Khao Ngu.

* Photos were taken on Khao Ngu and on a Chinese temple located at the top of a mountain in the province of Ratchaburi, Thailand.

Khaobin Cave

Today we toured the province of Ratchaburi, Thailand and we discovered by accident a magnificent cave called Khaobin. There are lots of beautifully formed stalactites and stalagmites inside and some are broken by foolish tourists. The heat and humidity down the cave gave us a lot of discomfort but the trip was worth it. It was an educational experience for my son JM.

JM and dad at the cave's entrance.

JM surrounded by stalactites.

The dome of the cave brightly illuminated by artificial lights for better viewing.

A huge and magnificent stalactite formation in the cave.

Father and son together at the illuminated part of the cave. The heat and humidity inside the cave caused a lot of discomfort to visiting tourists.

He Is Risen !

But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and what he told her.

John 20:11-18

16th Wedding Anniversary

Peridot

The symbol of our sixteenth wedding anniversary.

Wedding Anniversary Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You from the bottom of our hearts for your continued blessings on our union that have enabled us to reach another anniversary. We thank You for letting our love deepen and for helping us in time of trial. We know that without your assistance we would never have remained so close as we are.We ask You to continue to watch over us, over our homes and families. Help us to renew our vows of love and loyalty and to strive to remain united with You, steadfast in our faith and in your service. Amen.

Nick and Linda were married on April 11, 1993 in Roman Catholic rites at Manila, Philippines.

Good Friday

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Luke 23:46

Songkran Fun Day

Todays Songkran Fun Day activities was held in the school grounds in a truly festive atmosphere. The event was not in any way marred by the unrest happening on the other side of Bangkok. The kids had a lot of fun in this advanced Songkran day celebration.

The main event of the day is shooting one another with water from colorful plastic guns. The kids loved this part of Songkran Fun Day !

A fun and games booth such as the one above is all set to welcome the kids for the day's games.

A kid playing throw the rubber ring in my booth. Prizes for the winners include snacks and toys.

Holy Thursday

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well." Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all."

John 13:5-10

Summer School

What do kids in Thailand do during the summer if they are not travelling or into sports ? They attend summer school ! Learning during the summer is fun and kids get to do a lot of activities that keeps them busy during these hot and humid months. In my science class, students do coloring of worksheets, puzzles, wordsearch, laboratory work, field trips, science crafts and watching of science documentaries. Photo above shows my grade 4 science class.

One thing about the kids that I teach, they love to draw and color. My student in the photo is doing his worksheet on foods and nutrition.

Not everything is focused in the classroom. Kids get to play games and do other activities they are interested in around the school.

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

So they brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks over it. And he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!"

Mark 11: 7-10

The World of Crab Festival

A robotic crab on display at Central Plaza Rama II shopping mall. The World of Crab Festival exhibit was held at the park of the shopping mall. Several world landmarks made of crab shells were on display at the exhibit.

A tuk-tuk decorated with huge crab shells was on display at the festival.

JM poses in front of a huge (cute !) crab statue.

JM and dad pose near the Statue of Liberty.

A model of the Big Ben made with crab shells.