My New Friend Ann

1.5.16

I broke a cardinal rule on my train from Kanchanaburi back to Bangkok – I took candy from a stranger.  It was actually a cough drop.  But this adorable little Thai couple wanted to be friends and I couldn’t say no.  We were on a very packed train for three hours across from each other.  She bought some train food (balls on a stick and lettuce served in a bag) and also tried sharing that with me.  Adorable but I declined this offer.  Once in Bangkok, a cab insisted on taking me to my apt (even though he didn’t understand the address), it was exciting when we had to pull over to use a payphone to get directions.  But the highlight was when Roy made it to Thailand!!!!  We met at our airbnb which had a lovely lobby, roof deck and library.  

taxi driver using the pay phone to get directions

ROY!!!!

grocery cart parking in the lobby of our apt

view of bangkok from our roof deck

We ventured to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), wandered around the markets and got some delicious noodles.  We ended up at this tiny little restaurant that had all of 3 tables and it looked like we were in someones living room, it was very sweet.  We took a tuk tuk ride around the city and then went home to bed.

Wat Arun

steep stairs

Wat Arun

Buddha

rules on proper Buddha usage

Wat Arun

dinner

tuk tuk driver

from our tuk tuk

The morning of the 3rd we woke up ready to see Kerry’s friend Ann who is from a small farm town in central Thailand called Phetchabun.  Ann told us the buses leave every half hour and it is a local route (no foreign tourists generally visit this area) but we couldn’t find the timetable anywhere so we hired her friend M to drive us to Phetchabun.  We met Ann and her friend Aue at a road side restaurant for some lunch.  She quickly introduced us to many new flavors. 

lunch location

tamarinds – famous in the Phetchabun region

inside of a tamarind – almost a sweet and sour banana with a pit

monkey apple (so they say)

bag of friend bananas

fried banana

boiled peanuts

This region is predominately mountains and farming, we passed fields of crops (currently growing tobacco and corn) and anytime we needed to know which way to turn we’d pull up to a roadside restaurant, stand, man in a hammock, and ask for directions.  We were told this is their GPS system.  After lunch we visited a beautiful sunflower field that went on for miles, it was perfect for frolicking among the bees and flowers.  Next stop was a local temple where Ann,Aue & M gave us a little education on Buddhism, they taught us the proper way to offer gifts and ring the bell.  We had a lovely dinner at House 66, Ann ordered an assortment of food and we shared everything.  

M, Ann & Aue

sunflowers!!!

Aue 🙂

the girls and the sunflowers

temple

Ann ringing the bell – 3 times each

offering gifts

making wishes

feeding the fish

Monday we woke up and visited Wat Pa Son Kaow.  This was truly breathtaking.  A little secret sanctuary in the mountains.  After wandering around in awe we tried some incredible coconut ice cream.  While this area does not attract foreign tourists, it has become a hot spot for Thais.   

so beautiful

ahhh

heavan

peace

zen

my girls – Aue, Kerry, Ann

a moment

coconut ice cream – yum!

We had lunch in the most beautiful, peaceful place – Raichanram.  Again, Ann ordered a variety of food for us all to share.  Things we’d never order alone but incredibly flavorful and delicious.  

coconut custard

fried fish

ahhh

We stopped at another cut little hillside location for some coffee and tea on our way back to town and finished our day with some massages.  The massages are incredible and cheap, more of a social event as you lie next to your friends.  We cruised by the market so Ann could get some ingredients for tonight’s dinner.

Ann and Kerry

somehow we got stuck on the men’s side

Ann grew up in a charming farm house where her mama still lives and manages the farm (with her brother’s help).  While Ann was preparing our Thai dinner and Mama was busy preparing the dessert, Kerry, Aue and I walked to the market (which was one door down, out of someone’s house) to grab some beer.  Dinner was the best meal we had yet – curry noodles, papaya salad and sticky rice.  Not only was it made with love, but it tasted delicious and we got to watch the preparation.  

thai kitchen

ann doing delicious things

Roy and Aue at sunset

sticky rice

mama’s handywork – sticky rice

cutting the sticky rice

prepping the sticky rice

watching mama

yum

the best

delicious noodle curry

Aue climbing the papaya tree

papaya salad

Aue preparing papaya salad

After dinner we went down the street to a local party.  It is tradition that one year after someone dies you throw a big party with all the neighbors – a stage with live music, flashy dancers, food, drinks, etc.  We sadly had to say goodbye to Mama and us 4 girls went into town to Z bar where we saw a live band, dj and did some dancing. 

fab dj

Kerry, Ann, Aue

boy band

It was sad to say goodbye to our Thai friends and Phetchabun.  They brought us into their home, taught us their language, fed us their food and treated us like family.  We will always remember this magical place filled with new colors, new flavors, farms, breathtaking views, friends, family and our number one teacher..  Korp Kuhn Ka doesn’t do it justice. 

We are headed off to Chiang Mai!