Banos Beware.

Aaahhhhh Banos, what we thought was an uneventful bus ride, turns out later to find out that both Steve and I's backpacks were slashed while at our feet and they got my wallet! In there was a few hundred dollars my bank card and mastercards! F@K! Thankful we still have Steve's bankcards! :-) These guys were very swift and professional. Upon discussion with Cody he said he noticed a man come on the bus and sit behind Steve, he placed his jacket over the back of my seat and used that as his cloaking buffer!  Besides "the incident", the trip was so beautiful as we descended  through the Andes mountain range. The highways have been undergoing many upgrades, once having a reputation of some of the worst roads in the world to some of the best! Checked into our little hostel, Cody booked the Hostel Mariane online, nice big rooms, two big beds, with lush courtyard, and a kitty cat to boot! Funny thing when you book with booking.com sometimes the deal is better and sometime not? Had a bevy on our shared deck and then the Russians came! They loved Steve, which turned into a few shots and headbutts! Niet niet soviet. Out to dinner and a good nights sleep!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Our One to do thing was to check out a local waterfalls, the Pailon Del Diablo. We scoped out the rental shops and scooped two dune buggies, one for us and the other Cody and Lindsay! I did the paperwork, used Steve's passport, and signed it. The man in charge said okay. Meanwhile I've just signed a contract in Spanish, oh well. They hooked us up with helmets and big plastico ponchos! Off we went, leaving the little town of Banos and down the highway in our 150 cc dune buggies getting passed by every kind of vehicle, from motorbikes to large trucks! Drove for a bit then checked out the Puntzan canopy zipline where we watched a couple do the superman pose as they glided across this massive ravine over a river. Then back in the buggies to find the waterfalls. We went through 3  significant tunnels. One was quite huge! Quite the impressive blasting work! We drove for about an hour and half and decided to turn around, we knew our rides were slow and without an odometer it was anyone's guess. On our return still no sign of the great falls! At times they passed us and we'd pass them.  Steve and I were in the lead one time and we had a car pass us with the passenger waving and pointing back so we knew they had had problems. It took a few miles to safely turn around on this windy climbing roadway short on shoulders and no reverse! As we came around a climbing corner, the next sight was Cody running his unit up the hill while Lindsay was driving the puttering unit! LOL The buggy starting smoking and they found a good spot to push the buggy off the roadway in front a gentle old mans home to leave it! We decided that Steve could get back faster without my  extra weight in the gutless buggy, so off he went and the 3 of us started thumbing for a ride. It didn't take long for a family of four to pull over and in we jump into the back of their pickup truck! Part way on our ride they pulled over so mama and daughter could jump in the with us. The daughter, guessing 20ish had been studying English and this was the perfect opportunity for her to practice! Once in town Cody gave them $10.00, they refused but he just placed it on their dash! We walked to the rental place and across the street the famalia pulls up and gets out and wants a picture with us! Such kindness! Then we went from such a nice gesture to the rental owner being pissed when we showed up without his buggy. Knowing that Steve will be here soon, we all just waited. Then I see Steve walking up the street! OH NO what's wrong with his buggy? Fortunately he only ran out of gas! Then he informs us he had to pull over in one of the tunnels! Yikes! Not a lot of room! Oh well we are all back and safe! Well then the next part of the story begins! The owner is pissed and wants to charge us for the engine repair. He refuses to give Steve back his drivers licence unless we pay $400.00 for a new motor. A few of the staff were eye rolling knowing the boss and his wife can be quite the shysters. We go back to our rooms and shower up for the dune buggy conclusion and dinner. Back at the shop, things are heating up, the owners are mad and we are trying to reason with them. I wanted to call the policia from their place of business and they wouldn't let me, so Lindsay and I walked out to the streets to find one. Now the policia are everywhere in full force in all the places we have been and then when you need one you can't find one, so it's taxi to the station. They had us type the story into a translator and next both Lindsay and I were in the truck with 3 policemen heading back to the rental shop! There's more heated words as each side told their story, We overheard and were able to comprehend that regardless of the situation because I had signed the contract and it was with Steve's passport info the contract is null and void! Yipeee for a screw up in our favour! We spent 5 hours in heated discussion with owners, various policia, or anyone around who tried to mediate. The group of policia then gave Steve and I the address of the facilitator to go to the morning. So that we did, there we met with a facilitator and wrote our story on the computer translater. We were also joined by two representatives from the ministry of tourism. The man about 60 sharp dressed with no understanding of English and his beautiful chakita assistant who was able to translate. We all walked to the rental spot (small town) and waited for the owners to arrive. The policia were again present! Six in total! They where mad that the owner wasn't there! Then he pulls up driving a full sized city bus,  drops off his lawyer and drives away! Many words were spoken with many points of view. We got he jist that the shop owner is a scammer and bonus again me signing the contract makes it VOID! Mui Bueno! Hot Yolanda from the tourism office says we should report this in Quito at the consulate as the owner still has Steve's license. The lawyer calls in a mechanic and they do a report saying that we owe 250 for Cody's machine and 150 for ours! Bullshit we are not paying for his lack of maintenance! The policia say to us "don't pay" and so to walk away from your drivers license! To complete the story in a shortish version, we walked around with Yolanda as she took us to various official buildings to make our reports! Then getting paperwork authorized and having copies made, signed, and stamped at various agencies! What a days work! As in so many developing countries, "things" always take a bit longer! Dropped off chocolates (thank-you Anne and Lucy) to Yolanda and the policia along with a card of thanks! Anyways we are safe and nobody lost an eye.

Epic In Ecuador

After a few delays and great visits with family and friends it's off to Quito by way of Vancouver/ Houston. By coincidence our nephew Cody and his girlfriend Lindsay, not sister Lindsay. Flights were easy, arrived around midnight, hopped in a taxi and checked into the hotel Inca Imperial. The room was a bit warm but well supplied with thick, heavy comforters and woolen blankets.  No wonder we have an eskimo type image in hot / hotter countries. Woke up to a sprawling Quito, 45 miles long, population of 2.2 million,  2'nd highest capital city at an elevation of 9,300' Sasl. Better known as San Francisco de Quito. The mountain valley cityscape has a blend of skyscaper, churches, low rises, and shanties. We couldn't help notice the effects of altitude while on our hilly walk about to old town, a unesco world heritage sight. The 17'th century buildings and cobblestone streets were impressive. Meanwhile art nuevo graffiti is everywhere, even a funky part of town is dedicated to the art.

With typical canadian culture one may witness the odd pubic display of affection better known as pda. These Latin Americans have taken the language of love in publico to a level which could only be described as super caliente! Not necessarily a bad thing. Now we are hungry, to the local diner for
traditional soup with avacado and potato, and the typical rice, fried plantain, and chicken dish. Later we hooked up with Cody and Lindsay for cervesas and vino tinto at the hip and happening Foch Plaza in the Mariscal district. Heavy rain barely dampened the mood of  locals, tourists, or hustlers. Next day more
urban trekking and a ride up to the statue of virgin mary know as       . A great 360 degree view of the city
with the andes mountains in the backround. The following day Cody joined us for a gondola ride to telerico which is another 4,000' above the city. This too was breathtaking!

Quickly, their version of 7/11 is Oki Doki, McDonalds, Subway, and KFC, no Starbucks and the coffee most served is instant Nescafe. Sheri, Cody, and Lindsay head off to 000 Latitude while Steve goes into time zone adjustment mode. The tradition line and new official line made for a fun game of hemisphere hopscotch. Next stop Banos.

The missus and I hittin the selfy in front of the virgin mary

Just tryin to blend in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gondi smiles :)

Mango Maddness

So I've been told I had a little mango madness, in the ole days back home we called it cabin fever. Rain like I have never seen before! So much of it blasting at ya that ya can't even go for a bike ride. Pity the peeps that have to ride in it regardless. Went back to Phuket for a week and it was good to be home. Thob our security dog was so happy to see us! We had gone out for baby back ribs and brought the long bones home for her. Gave her one that night and then next morning gave her another and it was so funny to watch her tail a wagging and her talk, she wined on and on and then went to bury her treasure. We have never heard her do this before and we have given her many treats. Ribs are obviously her fave! Lucky dog for sure! So back at the homestead..... what a funky smell going on in our place. Kinda like rancid ammonia- hockey equipment bag! Yuck! We have been away for over a month and with all the wet weather our place was mighty ripe. This time out we left our little bathroom window open for air exchange, hope it works! So much to learn while living in the tropics! Cousin Colleen why didn't you warn us? LOL . Went and had a little visit with out old landlords Anders and Tip, always entertaining. Later, dinner with our Canadian friend Theo at Capannina's for yummy brick oven pizza, red wine, and stories to share of our trips to B.C. this past summer. Hit up our favorite illegal pirated movie vendor and bought a whopping 15 movies to keep us going for those "rainy days". Next day checked out one of the big malls for some farrang food staples and the movie Johnny English. We love Mr. Bean! Now at the mall in their big underground parking it is not the same same and definitely different when parking. When all the regular spots are taken you just leave your vehicle in neutral, straighten out your wheels and park horizontally behind who ever and then when they need to get out they can just push your vehicle a few feet! I know this sounds funny but it works! Back home we know that the little hoodlum buggers would take that opportunity to push yours into a wall, another vehicle, or a concrete pillar. But not here, so much trust! Well packed up and back to Krabi. We have seen some flooding in Phuket but nothing like what is happening around Bangkok and north of the capital. The news reported over 300 people dead, most from drowning, so very sad! This has been the worst flooding in over 50 years with 8.8 million people effected. 10 of the 77 provinces are at critical risk while 61 provinces have been effected. We thankfully are high and dry. Had some family and friends send messages of concern but like the media around the world, it makes it sound like every ones afloat. I relate it to the Okanogan fire when it sounded like the whole valley was lit up. Once again lucky us! Getting to know the area here in Ao Nang (Krabi). Found a sweet little bakery with tasty bread, muffins, and they make these yummy little single serving apple pies! Have our little cheapy delicious lunch spot and they remember us already. Found our local beer selling joint as with a lot of the Muslims in the area, not all sell alcohol. It is hard to find wine around here. Gotta stock up when we are in Krabi or pay big bucks for stuff that's bottled in Thailand. Some stores sell Australian reds but I'm too cheap to pay what they want for it! Making good use from the wine aerator that my sister Tami bought me! Cheers!

Not too crabby in Krabi

Well here we are in Krabi getting Steve set up to build his big resort pool. Spent a day searching in Krabi town for the few hardware stores and watch Steve and the various salesmen communicate through sign language and pictionary to procure the needed equipment on his shopping list. It is quite funny and entertaining to watch this process. It's part of his daily going on's , being patient and inventive while adapting. There's quite a few laughs in this world of creative translation. Now don't get me wrong he has learned a lot more Thai than I have. Steve knows few words and some construction lingo. Each day a new challenge! For most the biggest of battles is monsoon weather. Even then someone will come along and unplug an invaluable sump pump to help fill the pool prematurely. I get to enjoy driving around with him in his brand spankin new diesel powered silver Ford Ranger. When I first met Steve he had the same model of truck. Talk about full circle. Again he is working with very eager crews that want to learn new things and put in as much overtime as possible. Now my brother Bart works out of town and I totally understand where they're all coming from, if your away from home and loved ones to do a job you might as well be putting in the long days with no time off cause what else is there to do but make some money. This crew is also two couples. They are about 30-ish. Woot is a funny man and has a contagious laugh, his wife has one of the nicest smiles I have ever seen, with bright eyes to match her personality. Chang is a more serious type and the mechanic Mr fixit kinda guy in the crew. His wife is the quiet one in the group and they are all great workers. One day after work we took them to Big C. It is our back home version of Walmart Superstore. When we picked them up they all said hello Saw wa dee kaw and after that I was lost in their conversation. They just kept repeating phrases louder and faster hoping I would get what they were saying. I kept shrugging my shoulders and saying I don't know???? This is hard to explain but it was so funny. And to think this is what Steve goes through every day! Laughter goes a long way and it beats the band over yelling! We have noticed that there are very few dogs in our area but lots of cats. Stephan the owner of the resort that Steve is working for told us the other day that the Buddhist Thai's like their dogs while the Muslim Thais don't, as they pack and can become mean and a nuisance. While out riding my bike I have encountered on two separate occasions "the big monitor lizards". These guys are huge! The first one I saw was only a couple feet between me and trying to cross the road. I stopped and waited for him but he stopped too. Yikes! It was only a few seconds but it freaked me out. Then a Thai man on his motorcycle came up the road and smiled as he new what I was freaked out about. I say smiling but I know he was holding in his laughter, (scaredy cat farrang) Oh ya I am! They're about three feet long and wide as my calf, for those that know me I have big calfs!
With all the rain at night the frogs are happily croaking or whatever you would call that sound and then we had a few sunny days and then we just hear crickets doing their thing. Unfortunately we have heard more frogs than crickets. We've made a few trips to Krabi for some much needed supplies (wine) and the rule here in Thailand while buying alcohol is you are not allowed to buy between 2-5 p.m. unless you buy over 10 liters! We have been told this rule so that people are not drunk and on the streets when the kids are getting out from school. So how much sense does that make? We had a National holiday and were told the crew must have a day off. Steve and I went to find the hot springs. After about an hour drive we ended up at the local watering hole (not the drinking kind). This was not the one on the map and was where the local Thais go. The one we were trying to find was somewhere else but as when things like this happen it is usually for the best. We enjoyed our time being the only foreigners there and like most in the world the kids are so funny. A few boys kept coming around us and saying hello, hello and then they would run away. This hot spring had 7 different pools with varying degrees in temperatures. It was a good soak while being blasted periodically with rain. On the way home we stopped at Tesco Lotus Superstore. And that it was as I finally found a basket for my bike! The things that excite me now, go figure? So now I am hooked up and will be able to carry the many treats from my trips to the market. Yeah! Had dinner with Max, a salesman from Steve's job and his wife Goon. In Thailand the people here have a formal name but are also given a slang name and goon means prawn and she is a cute little thing. We went to their hotel, Beach Terrace and had a yummy dinner with good conversation. Shared 4 appies, 2 soups, 2 stirfries along with 4 mojitos and 4 beers all with fantastic service ocean side and the bill came to under 60 dollars including tip. Gotta love it. A few days later Moose, the owner of Mod-Com Pools came and took us out for dinner after just returning from the South East Asian swimming pool convention in Bangkok and was pumped to tell us all the great reviews they received on his revolutionary new fiberglass pool construction system. There was a lot of interest from many countries including India, The Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Burma (Miramar) and Vietnam to name a few! So who knows what the future might have in store for us, we are definitely readily willing and Steve is very capable. And I'm able, tee hee. The other day at our place I noticed a group of ants trying to get a piece of breadcrumb the size of my baby fingernail into the wall to their home, so rather them watch them continue their struggle I sliced it into smaller sections and poof it was gone. Becoming more Buddhist like all the time? Or as our friend Anne said, a little weird. I think perhaps a bit of both!