January 29, 2007
Bangkok
Hello,
I have had a very positive reaction to my letter and photos from the Erawan Museum. So I thought it would be a good idea to send out a few more photos.
The four pillars of the musem are decorated with religious scenes from the major religions. I have sent a few Biblical scenes.
New Delhi
India
February 12, 2007
Each morning my driver Suresh and I agree on an itinerary.
Suresh negotiates his way through the traffic to a stop at Lakshmi Naravan, an unusual Hindu temple . . . unusual for its tones of yellow and red- brown. Another stop at Rajghat, a beautiful park with a simple square platform of black marble that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. A host of schoolchildren smile and wave to me.
Bharatpur, Rajasthan
India
February 17, 2007
Dear Friends and Fellow Bird Watchers,
One chilly, shivering evening last week at the open-air rooftop restaurant of my hotel, the Hotel Sri Nanak Continental (don't let the name fool you), smack in the middle of the incessantly beeping - beeping - honking - honking - beeping - honking - beeping - beeping - beeping and barking! automotive parts supply shop district of New Delhi, I met Penny and John, travelers from England who were pleased to sell me their guidebook Special Places To Stay - India.
My next destination is Bharatpur, just west of Agra. My first "special" choice, The Laxmi Vilas Palace, is fully booked. So here I am at The Bagh.
The guidebook reports:
Nawalgarh
Shekhawati region
Rajasthan
India
February 20, 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
"Jan, why India?" "Why now?" Perhaps you are asking these questions. The obvious answers are: "India is close to Thailand." And, "There's no time like the present." True. Very true.
The real truth is that my friends in Mumbai, Paawan and Sushma, invited me to an auspicious family celebration.
Honey Inn ***
Nang Rong
Buriram Province
Thailand
June 18, 2006
Dearly Beloved,
Just thirty minutes before the required moment, the mistress of ceremonies at Moon’s evening wedding reception, my friend Rose asked me to speak on behalf of Kevin Brown, Moon’s new husband. (Moon and Rose and I have been friends for four years.)
Not unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, I cheerfully agreed.
Except for Kevin's sister, Jan (and acknowledging the excellent English of Peter from Austria and his Indonesian wife, Norma, and a couple from Belgium) I am the only other native English-speaking Westerner at this gathering of one hundred and fifty Thai-speaking guests of all ages.
Rose provided simultaneous translation.
So, here, slightly enhanced, is what I said:
“Normally the Best Man is a loyal friend who has known the groom for a long time. Now, I have known Kevin for a very long time – almost twenty-four hours.
FORGET PHUKET...WELL, NOT YET….
Phuket
Thailand
June 7, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
I am standing on the upper deck of the 27 meter motor craft “Kong Tong” – Golden Mountain – as the young deck hands weigh anchor from the bottom of Phang Nga Bay.
