Update - Cha Am

Well I am back from Cha Am (Actually in Cambodia as I am writing this), and had a great time there.  Took the train for the first time which was really interesting as it lets you see all the towns and country side.  Definitely a slow and hot way to travel but was really cheap at 22 Baht ($0.66 CAN).  The local people actually get to ride the train for free if it is only for a short distance. I got there around 12:30 pm and took a walk to take a look around and look for a place to stay.  I ended up rented a Cabin type place across from the beach which cost 2500 Baht ($75).  It was a relaxing time there, went for a couple swims in the sea which was awesome.  Note to self, keep mouth shut when swimming in the Gulf of Thailand.  LOL.  It was surprisingly really warm which was nice.  The beach was much better than Hua Hin as there was nice sand and no rocks.  I'll definitely will be going back again.  Didn't really do anything touristy though but I did take some pics of he beach area.  Just did some relaxation, swimming, and walking around eating at different places along the beach.  I did try squid for the first time and it was actually quite good, but will it taste the same in Canada?  I think not, but I guess I'll have to try it when I get back.  The beach was not busy at all, so it was nice, quiet and relaxing.  We left on Saturday afternoon, and the train was smoking hot.  May have to find a different way back, as on the way there at least you have the sea once you get there. :)  On Sunday I just relax and did some laundry, headed into Damnoen for a bit to get out of the heat.  Nothing too exciting.

The Train Station

Inside the train.  Bad,picture but I didn't want to feel like a creep taking a picture of a train cart.

The cabin I rented.

A little balcony

The inside.

Some flowers outside the cabin.

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The Beach

The Street, it was pretty dead although this picture was taken at 6:00 in the morning

Some statues at the beach.

the sunrise

A wave crashing against the rocks.

Update

Well, last Wednesday didn't go well at the Immigration Office.   It appears since I do not have a work visa that I do have to leave the country in order to get my visa renewed.  But oh well, I guess I just get to travel a bit to some other countries which should be fun.  Nothing much has happened over the last week.  Teaching with kids is going well, getting easier to actually plan some the lessons and it seem they're learning something which is positive.  The weekend was pretty uneventful, just relaxed around the Wat, went to Damnoen a couple of times, and studied Thai a bit more.  During the week the Monks (well 2 Monks because all the others are writing exams) and I finished reading Book 1 on Sunday Dhamma Talks.  If you are interested in learning about Buddhism they have all the books I reading along with MP3 recordings on http://www.dhammacenter.org/  The kids classes went really well and I got a few extra lesson planned so I am not always planning day to day.

This weekend should be exciting.  Tomorrow I am going to Cha Am to the beach and some local attraction there.  Not really sure what is there, but it should be interesting.  On Monday, I head to Cambodia for 5 days because I my visa runs out at the end of February.  Not sure what I'll do there, I guess I'll just wing it.  So my next post probably won't be until after I get back unless I have internet at the hotel I stay in and have some free time.  Well its getting late here and I need to get up early tomorrow as I need to be at the train station at 8:30 am.  Should have some more pics and more to say after.

Animals

Here are some more pictures of some of the animals I see around the Wat.  Quite a few of the puppies as I try to visit them pretty well everyday.  A couple are gone now and I have no idea where they went.  Maybe some people took them home.  But one of them watches for me all the time at lunch to see if I ride my bike by and starts to chase me down for a treat.

Me trying to take a picture of a flying bat. You can see it faintly, this is right beside my cabin.

My toad that always comes back to my place.  I was going to put on my shoes and he thought he would try them on I guess.  I told him this is a good way to get squashed.

These dogs just walk around the roosters.

This is the runt of the litter, he decided to pose for me.

I've tried getting a picture of the bigger lizards here but they don't like to be around people.  This time he was stuck between me and a rooster so I guess I was less of a threat than the rooster.

They are getting bigger, The black on eon the left is the one that really likes me and chases me down.  I have taught him to sit now.

A frog wondering around 

The chickens getting bigger

Mr Toad hanging out.

This guy was crawling across my car port when I got home one night

This spider was hanging out on my roof above me one night.  I had to get him to move with the broom and I actually banged the broom beside him and he didn't move.  Ended up having to touch him with the end of the broom handle to get him to move.