Thanksgiving Dinner in Patong

Once again we celebrated Thanks giving with friends at the Mexican BBQ Hut Restaurant here in Patong, Thailand. We had a traditional Turkey Dinner with, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggies, cranberry sauce, gravy and sweet potato pie along side enchiladas, tacos, smoked ribs, pork chops, mussels, Thai food, fruit and Christmas fruit cake. All this at a restaurant owned by a Japanese-American from San Jose, CA, and the food prepared by his Thai wife. Remember when Thanksgiving was simple. Our friends are from Wales, England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and a few of us were Americans. This gathering was started by us meeting one man on the beach last year. We met John (an American) on Laem Sing Beach last year and we mentioned we were looking for a place to eat Thanksgiving Dinner in Patong. He told us about the Mexican BBQ Hut Restaurant. When we arrived there we met Frank who introduced us to Tom and the Hash House Harriers, where we met Jim and Carol, who introduced us to Kevin and Frances. This year we met two beautiful girls visiting from Seattle, WA. Jill & Katy ( John was certain they were from Sweden due to there blond hair, long legs, and height, they were taller then him ). Boy was he surprised when they spoke with an American accent. If they come back next year they can be part of the traditional gathering. Like always we ate to much. After dinner a few of us headed to a favorite bar the Beach House and ended the night with fun and friendship. P.S. if you have trouble leaving a comment on the blog email us at cruisinjb@aol.com.


The gang

John & girlfriend

Frank & friend

Tom & wife

Carol & Jim

Kevin, Frances & Wat

Jill & Katy

Frances & Wat

Coleen & Carol

Liz, Coleen, Carol & Jim

Kevin, Coleen, Carol, Joe (bar manager) Frances and Jim night cap at the Beach House

Back In Thailand

Well, we are back in Thailand and the pace here is much slower. We arrived back on Oct. 1st. in Bangkok, stayed a day because we had to take care of some visa paperwork at the American Embassy. The next day we flew down to Phuket and our favorite Taxi Driver was there to pick us up and take us home. Haven't done much other then go to the beach, get a massage, get my nails done, go to the gym the usual stuff. In November the Swatch FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08 was held in Karon Beach, Phuket about 15 minutes by motorbike from Patong. It was alot of fun. John and I went down everyday to watch the girls battle for first place. If you are a beach volleyball fan you know the names of Branagh-Turner, Ross-Boss, Ivy-Fendrick and Duffner-Zamparelli. Unfortunately our favorites Walsh and May-Treanor were not there. We American fans were out numbered by the Europeans and Asian fans, but our girls knew we were there to support them. We may be few but boy are we loud!

They have a holiday here called Loy Krathong held on the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, in the western calendar this usually falls sometime in November. "Loy" means to "float" and krathong is a section of banana trunk that is decorated with flowers, candles, incense etc. Then on the night of the full moon you release it out on the river or out to sea. The Thai believe floating a krathong will bring good luck and also to honor and thank the Goddess of Water Phra Mae Khongkha. They also launch a Lanna-style hot air lantern called a khom fai, these are believed to rid you of your troubles. So we particpated and floated our krathong and launched our khom fai. Who couldn't use a bit of good luck and getting rid of some troubles. I had to ask for some help to light my krathong (don't smoke so no lighter), then you have to take it past the wave so I paid a kid 20 baht (65 cents) to take it out (so I wouldn't drown). Then we lite our khom fai and floated our troubles away. All in all it was a fun evening. There were fireworks going off and a beauty contest as well. Afterwards we went to one of our favorite hangouts to people watch. Alot goes on on Bangla Rd.

Our friends Kevin and Frances (he is from So. Africa and she is from Austraila) have 10 snakes that they have bought or rescued. I've included a picture of me and Wacket (he/she?) is a very friendly snake. Never thought I would be such a good snake handler.

Thanksgiving is next Thursday and we will have a real down home Thanksgiving dinner. Last year we found the BBQ Hut Mexican Restaurant. It is owned by a Japanese guy from San Jose, CA married to a Thai girl. Mike taught May how to prepare a traditional dinner. It was great, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy and pumkin pie. We look forward to it again this year. Joining us this year will be our friends Carol (Wales) her husband Jim ( England), Frank and Ela (Germany) and Vince (Canada) our apartment manager. This will be their first American Thanksgiving Dinner. Christmas is not so far off so John will be decorating our tree again this year. It's not very big but it does the trick.

The Patong Festival is Dec. 15th to 20th. I hear that it is a fun time to be had by all. We will take our camera and tell you all about it. Till then eat well, laugh often and love much.
Life is Good!

The rest of the story!

After our visit to Texas we went back to Phoenix, AZ to visit our 3rd. daughter Angie. She was in the process of moving to Phoenix from Flagstaff to start her new job as a speech therapist. We were so busy running around helping her find an apartment that we just didn't get any pics of that visit. However, when we returned back to Tahoe we did get some pics of my niece's wedding reception in Davis, CA. It was a fun time had by all. Jessica and her new husband Greg went all out. They barbecued a whole pig, had an Asian noodle dish, lots of fruit, and lots more food that I can't remember it all. I do remember it was all delicious. They had numerous libations, a DJ and we ate, drank and danced the night away. The family all helped to make this a great event. Greg's mom, (Jessie's mom )Annette, my sisters Alice and Corrine worked very hard in the kitchen. My brother Frank (Jessie's dad), did what he did best meet and greet and keep everyone happy. Angie flew in from Phoenix for the occasion and we made sure you all got to see her smiling face.



While home we also got to visit with Jamie and Maddie. Jamie helped us with some work around the house and I got to play with Maddie.

While back home John got to get visit with his cousin Chris and his wife. He had not seen Chris for 50 years. He also met up with his old high school buddies. It was a great reunion.


We are now back in Thailand and the weather is great.


Until next time.


Life is Good!

Angie, Greg's Mom, Corrine, Annette & Alice

The cook, the pig and Greg (the groom)

Angie, Frank & John

Angie, Frank & Coleen

Wyatt, Deborah, Jen, Angie, Coleen & Jen

Angie & Jessica ( the bride)

Jamie and Maddie in the treehouse out back of the house in Tahoe

Chris, Connie & John

Ken, John, Bob & Tom (The Peanut Butter Butt Gang, you know who you are)

Our visit back in the States

Our trip back home was short but sweet. The weather in Tahoe was great. On our arrival in the USA our first stop was to eat, and where else but In and Out Burger. John and been dreaming of that burger. It tasted great! Nothing like that in Thailand. Once we got settled, we jumped in the car and headed to Arizona and Texas. Travelling in a car was a real luxury after going everywhere on a motorbike. We stopped in Peoria, AZ to see our best friends Bruce and Stephanie Jones for a couple of days. Then set out for San Antonio, TX to visit Pam, Ryan, Jaida, Maya and Noah. We had a wonderful visit, Pam took us to the River Walk, John got to feed Noah, Maya was her silly self and Pam and I just wore the kids out.

We hated to leave but it was time to head to Ft. Worth and meet our new son-in-law and his family. Somewhere between leaving San Antonio and arriving in Ft. Worth I picked up a nasty bug and was sick the whole time we visited Stephanie, Terry and the kids. We stayed with Amie and Wayne in Dallas. I missed the Mexican Dinner (everyone said it was awesome) I was in bed at Amie and Wayne's. Wayne was wonderful he made me the best tomato soup, ( I'm sure that's what put me on the road to recovery). We had a great visit inspite of my illness. We met our new son-in-law Terry, our new grandson Boston and Terry's mom, brother and his family. Our last day there we had breakfast with the group at Mary's hotel and I got my last hugs and kisses.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story.