Monday, December 31, 2007
We arrived in Bangkok after another 20hour travel time from Adelaide. Norman met the Maggie Peter and I at the airport. Norman now drives his large car around Bangkok,a fact that impressive me no end!
Mary's was arriving from Singapore and as her plane was late we headed for the hotel which is situated across the street from Norman and Karen's house. We have now heard Karen reporting from Islamabad. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has urged her to cover stories from the hotel press area, and not to venture too far away from where the foreign press have been placed. I hope so!!
We all had a reunion in the morning and what a lot of laughs we had. Various last minute shopping had to be done, and some serious lounging by the pool side(for Mary).
We then adjourned to their house, to celebrate our Christmas.. stockings to empty, far too many presents to open, and a nice call from Karen who has missed both Adelaide Christmas with the Percy's and now Bangkok Christmas with HErmants, poor kid. And I gather life in Pakistan is not a lot of fun!!
Then with some supervisory help from his sisters a turkey dinner was produced by Norman.. Of course now he knows the great secret about all of this--it is not big deal to cook a turkey!!
We had corn, mashed potatoes, lots of gravy (NO GREEN VEGETABLES!)--well Mary and I had a salad, and Norman muttering "look how much is left" We then all wandered back to the hotel for a nightcap and to show off the Christmas decorations in the hotel. Norm reports Christmas is a big deal now, although most Thais are buddhist they still love the celebration.
This morning we were back at Norm's with lots of "Cannot decide whether we like turkey better hot or cold the next day" devoring the left overs. Peter and I decided to just keep the day quiet so that we will be ready for tonight.
Norm and Karen have a special evening organized for tonight's New Year' Eve. and we will carry on with plans missing Karen all the way.
Bangkok remains a quite fascinating place..
Mary's was arriving from Singapore and as her plane was late we headed for the hotel which is situated across the street from Norman and Karen's house. We have now heard Karen reporting from Islamabad. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has urged her to cover stories from the hotel press area, and not to venture too far away from where the foreign press have been placed. I hope so!!
We all had a reunion in the morning and what a lot of laughs we had. Various last minute shopping had to be done, and some serious lounging by the pool side(for Mary).
We then adjourned to their house, to celebrate our Christmas.. stockings to empty, far too many presents to open, and a nice call from Karen who has missed both Adelaide Christmas with the Percy's and now Bangkok Christmas with HErmants, poor kid. And I gather life in Pakistan is not a lot of fun!!
Then with some supervisory help from his sisters a turkey dinner was produced by Norman.. Of course now he knows the great secret about all of this--it is not big deal to cook a turkey!!
We had corn, mashed potatoes, lots of gravy (NO GREEN VEGETABLES!)--well Mary and I had a salad, and Norman muttering "look how much is left" We then all wandered back to the hotel for a nightcap and to show off the Christmas decorations in the hotel. Norm reports Christmas is a big deal now, although most Thais are buddhist they still love the celebration.
This morning we were back at Norm's with lots of "Cannot decide whether we like turkey better hot or cold the next day" devoring the left overs. Peter and I decided to just keep the day quiet so that we will be ready for tonight.
Norm and Karen have a special evening organized for tonight's New Year' Eve. and we will carry on with plans missing Karen all the way.
Bangkok remains a quite fascinating place..
# posted by katie @ 2:06 AM 
