Just singing in the rain!! News letter included, please read!!

Just singing in the rain!! News letter included, please read!!

Greetings and salutations one and all.
Once more I have been rather shy at writing of my tales on my travels and adventures, the reason being that I am busy researching a couple of subjects.
Does not allow me much time to write or upload any photographs.
Tonight I hope to upload a photo or two to accompany my note.
Now for those wondering, I spent a week at Patong Beach Phuket after arriving from Australia.
From there I travelled by taxi to Hua-Hin, my old hunting ground, in fact I spent my first holiday in Hua-Hin Thailand some years ago.
I spent a month there before returning here to Patong and have been here for four weeks so far.
A few days ago I was invited to visit a very interesting family in Hat-Yai, some six hours from here.
As I have never been down, I might take a visit at sometime.
Last night I took a friend to the spectacular Phuket FantaSea Show in the grand temple of the elephants.
Several stories were told in costumes of the period, the most spectacular of all was the legend of the Elephant Prince of Kamara.
Dressed in costumes of the Siam period, he told of the beginning of life, how the oceans, the heavens, plant life, animals and humans all lived as one in total harmony.
The story then goes on to tell of the greed which caused feuding amongst Neighbouring tribes and countries.
Thirty live Elephants were included in the very colourful show.
For a while after that story, I sat pondering how sad it is, that we have done so much damage to this earth through our greed and progress?
For those of you who would like to have a peep @ what the show is all about, here are a couple of links;#

http://www.phuketjettour.com/tour/fantasea.htm

http://www.phuket-tourism.com/where_to_go/phuket_fantasea.htm

We are still having torrential monsoonal rains that are most refreshing, I am at the moment trying to plan a trip to Phi Phi Island, weather pending.
My group of American friends have all gone walk about to the old area once Bangkok, known as Ayutthaya or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
The kingdom of Ayutthaya existed around the period; 1350 to 1767 A.D
Founded by the first ruling King Ramathibodi (1).
Theravada Buddhism became the official religion during that period.
Another interesting area to explore, with its many old temples, I am told that there are 300 temples in that province.
I hope to visit the area in a month or so.
Some news for those who are planning a holiday here, the unrest in Bangkok seems to have affected international tourist, I am totally amazed as to why this should turn folk away from visiting Thailand??
An official report from the Phuket airport says 23 international aircraft have cancelled flights for November.
The unrest does not have any effects on holiday makers at all!!!
What is greatly affecting Thailand at the moment is the crash of the dollar.
Prices here are rising at some rate.
Firstly the exchange rate for the Australian dollar fluctuated between 30-32 baht.
Three days ago, it was 20 baht to the Aussie dollar.
Many items on the shelves at the super market are now more expensive than in Australia, for example, a baguette cost 60 baht that is $2.50 Australian, and it would cost 40cents in Australia.

7 weeks ago in a Thai Restaurant it cost me 25 baht for a bowl of chicken fried rice, a bottle of water and a bowl of chillies.
Last night I paid 40 baht for a bowl of fried chicken rice only.
Well it’s time for me to collect my laundry, so I bid you all health and happiness from the land of smiles!!

j.