Bangkok Week 507

March 15, 2018

Doors, doors, and more doors!

A sneak peak at our new front gate - still being built at the contractor's workshop.

And this will be our front door!

Mario made a guest appearance in Bangkok.

They're getting ready for the front door. The upper trim is installed.

The glass team was in, taking laser measurements for the glass in the kitchen.

The door under the stairs has been installed.

The door for the downstairs bathroom is installed (but without doorknob just yet).

The door to the master bathroom is finished, too.

The workers are working on the bedroom doors.

Plugging holes in the master bedroom door.

The downstairs is taking shape.

Two days later: we now have a front door! Isn't it pretty?

After days of sanding, it's time to paint the downstairs walls.

The workers made a dummy table, to help figure out where to install the pendant lights.

The wood on the railings has been installed - but not yet finished.

In the study.

On the balcony.

Mario also made a guest appearance in Manila!

A Thai Airways 777-300ER, eagerly waiting to leave the 5th worst airport in Asia.

This passenger's got it all figured out!

Bangkok Week 506

March 8, 2018

More house updates... and a quick stop in Singapore!

Spotted in the office: the cutest cupcake you'll never eat!

House update #1: they're finishing the insides of the kitchen cupboards.

And sanding the walls before painting them.

Meticulously sanding the walls!

A view from behind the stairs.

The downstairs bathroom - we decided to go with newsprint wall paper.

No shortage of reading material when you're on the toilet!

We wanted the bathrooms to match, so went with the same wallpaper upstairs, too.

Towel bars are installed.

Trim is stained now.

Trim in the guest bedroom.

And our one outdoor light is installed!

Before-and-after 2018!

11.5 inches off to someone else's head!

House update #2: the shelves in the dining room are done.

The cupboard doors have been installed.

As have the bathroom drawers (and doors).

Downstairs bathroom.

Guest bathroom.

Master bathroom.

Master bathroom - doors open.

The master bathroom sink is asleep.

Doors to hide the washing machine.

And the breaker box.

Whoops. Better fix that.

The "piano room" shelves that the contractor has designed (by hand!) for us.

My favorite view in Singapore.

Not sure this is the most appetizing option for veggie sandwiches!

Good night, Changi.

Good night, Suvarnabhumi.

Bangkok Week 505

March 1, 2018

The CNY celebrations continue in Singapore. And 3 house updates, all in one week.

Welcome to Singapore, where CNY festivities are still in full swing.

Apparently mandarin trees are a thing!

Starbucks Singapore can't differentiate between its key cities and country.

A quick Friday house update. The garden floor is in.

The cabinets in the bathrooms are in, and the shelf shaved down to a better size.

The original floors are looking quite nice!

Polishing up the parquet (old and new).

Spot the extension!

The stairs are coming along.

A quick Friday dinner at the newest burger joint in Ari: Paper Butter.

An average veggie burger; but good to have as a fall-back.

House update #2 - the cabinets have been raised 15cm (to increase the clearance above the stove.

The bathroom fittings have been installed.

The ceiling lights are going in.

The workers are finishing the railings.

Lots of reading materials in the bathrooms.

The guest bathroom is coming together.

Finishing the walls in the bedrooms.

The original wooden stairs have been refinished, and look really nice.

Happy Belated 3Nth birthday!

The best Indian in town, hands-down!

An idea for a living room chair?

Meanwhile in Manila: I get mangoes in all form factors, now that I have status with Shangri-La.

Umm... not sure I can bring myself to eat these green-stuffed croissants.

House update #3! They're finishing the insides of the cabinets.

They've put the trim around the rooms on the second floor.

(But it has yet to be polished.)

The glass has gone into the bathrooms.

The shower in the guest bathroom is actually sufficiently spacious.

Almost all the ceiling lights are in now - including these, above the island.

The electrician is finally dealing with the nest of wires.

And closing out the week: another punny headline from Thai Airways.

Bangkok Week 504

February 22, 2018

Happy Chinese New Year! Let's celebrate with lots of house photos!

On CNY Friday, I bumped into a Lion Dance in MBK.

It could be heard miles away. Or at least, aisles away.

Celebrating CNY at Cantina in Ari... haven't been here since Julia was in town.

The egg, lit up (and reflecting) in all its Chinese glory.

The newly-famous product designer, conducting a live radio interview from his "home studio".

Meanwhile at the house: a worker scrubs the interior of our fresh water tank.

All sealed up and ready to be covered. (I hope the worker got out first.)

They've installed the kitchen roof now.

The second bathroom's tiles have been scored - in preparation for the glass.

Sink is in place.

The dropped ceiling and wiring have been covered.

Steel railings are in.

Hole for the skylight.

Sink in the master bathroom is in.

Another view of the railings.

Kitchen roof, from inside. It's got insulation pre-installed.

The downstairs bathroom -- is the ceiling too low?

They've fixed up the downstairs ceilings.

And are preparing the garden floor.

Looking inside from the driveway.

Gate is about to be moved outside!

One of the neighbor's dogs wonders what all the fuss is about.

Checking out the new mini-community-mall back in Ari. A neighborhood cat hangs out at the new burger joint.

The new Mexican restaurant is pretty punny.

All the CNY zodiac signs on display at Paragon. My rat looks pretty inquisitive.

We bumped into a second Lion Dance - this time at Paragon.

House Update #2 for the week. The kitchen cabinets have been installed.

The bookshelf which fits into the alcove there.

Underneath the island. (Whoops, the cabinet comes out in anticipation of the washing machine that's no longer there.)

Cupboard for the washing machine - and other storage.

Cabinets over the hobs.

Downstairs sink covered in saw dust.

Master bathroom sink - before the wooden shelf was shortened.

Second bathroom - again, before the shelf was shortened.

The study's floor has been polished.

The floor in the master bedroom.

The floor in the second bedroom. You can see the different color of the extension.

The stairs are work-in-progress.

Stairs from below.

The kitchen roof has been cut-to-size.

Bangkok Week 503

February 15, 2018

Lots of house updates, with a special guest mixed in.

A four-legged commuter on his way to work on Friday morning.

Unclear why there's an adult ball pit in the middle of Siam Center.

Friday night burger and fries chez Jamie Oliver.

Getting into the Valentine's Day spirit a week early.

Saturday afternoon visit to the house. The new front wall is looking good.

The kitchen is taking shape -- but they can't install the cabinets until the roof is closed.

Still lots of clutter in the living room; but the ceiling is being finished.

The railings are taking shape.

The ceiling - from the 'piano room'.

The downstairs bathroom is taking shape.

Master bathroom: sink will go roughly there.

From the second bedroom looking out.

An up-close look at the wooden door frames.

Putting the finishing touches on the new parquet flooring.

Fan overload: time to buy our ceiling fans.

We got 4 of this model (except that they will be flush with the ceiling).

Dinner with Richard at Emquartier.

Another house update: adding details to the downstairs bathroom.

The stone is being put on the downstairs bathroom counter.

The stone has also been installed in the guest bathroom.

And in the master bathroom (although it appears they mis-measured the sink).

They will leave crawl space access in the master bathroom.

Up-close of the wooden trim off the study.

The stair railing is almost complete.

Finishing the ground floor ceilings.

Meanwhile in Manila: this is a nice way to show off your condos at night.

A word of inspiration on Valentine's Day. Ponder that!

Bangkok Week 502

February 8, 2018

Taiwan: the (rainy) heart of Asia.

Leaving Manila. Wait, shouldn't I be on that plane?

Friday night in Manila.

This dessert is vegetarian, vegan, low fat, low sugar, kosher, and tasteless!

The dinner feast that was waiting for me in Taipei!

Enjoying a real Taiwanese breakfast the next morning.

Veggie dumplings at the breakfast buffet!

View from our hotel room: looking east.

Another view from our hotel room: looking North.

Smart idea, by the Taipei MRT.

Heading out for an adventure, despite the rain.

Our first stop: Taipei International Airport.. or Songshan airport.

Destination: observatory!

They're very enthusiastic about their observation deck, even from the ground floor.

Follow the runway!

Nice display.

They're even prepared for the rain!

Nice view of the FAT MD-80.

They have an arrivals and departures board on the observation deck, for eager spotters.

Well, at least it's nice and dry in here.

It takes a team to push back this ATR-72.

A wet but picturesque observatory.

I think they see a lot of enthusiasts here.

A proper souvenir shop for plane spotters at the base of the observation deck.

Found all the taxis in Taipei!

Next stop: Fujin street.

It's a residential street with lots of hip little shops.

Umbrella still required.

We spotted a giant moose.

The cute shop where we found Petunia.

A nice neighborhood - have never seen so many cafes in such a small space.

Blending right in with the locals.

Hip to be cool.

Despite the hip-ness, a reminder that we're still in ROC!

Rain break at a convenience store. Look at the cute little milk!!

Beautifully-designed Taiwanese teas and coffees.

Out for a walk, despite the rain.

Delicious desserts - with unprocessed fillings.

Handmade with care - delish!

Police motorbikes. Looks like no one is out on patrol today!

How to ride in the rain.

Stumbled upon another veggie restaurant for lunch. Tasty!

Hope your dog's not claustrophobic!

Petunia made it home in one piece.

The 1914 creative park - in the rain!

It's much more lively than when we were there a few years ago.

Lots of DIY shops for various types of crafters.

These were wooden Snoopy figurines, for people who do woodworking.

Continuing our wet journey.

Feels a bit like Japan!

We've come to Taipei 101 with a mission.

But first: check out this novel dessert / drink at Starbucks.

Roots! They had Roots stores all over the city.

It's the year of the Dog! Get ready!

Finally! The real reason we came here today!

Getting a birthday song with his Apple Watch.

The man, and his (belated) birthday gift!

Aww. These Bao are too cute to eat!

Lunch leftovers for dinner, back at the hotel.

Taipei's version of Singapore's Bag-down Benny campaign. How expressive!

Spending Sunday morning at a weekend flower market - to take advantage of the shelter.

The market is held underneath a highway.

Oranges.

What shiny red root balls!

Many of the plants were decorated for CNY.

Fresh sprouts!

And colorful cacti.

Unique orchids.

Also for sale: flowers of the sea. A.k.a. fish.

Sweeping trees in the middle of a road.

Umbrellas briefly down for a photo.

The rain puts a damper on the crowds at Ximending.

Too wet to be shopping!

Poke cakes!

A comically graphic warning at an arcade.

Our final lunch at a delicious veggie place just behind the hotel.

My gate!

Unfortunately, we didn't have a matching plane :(

Thrilled to be back in Manila and spending midnight in this queue.

Updates from the house!

The new front wall is going up.

As is the banister for the stairs. (Being assembled on-site because the stairs are irregular.)

The door frames have gone in.

From inside the master bathroom.

Working on the parquet flooring to match the existing floor in the study.

Banister going in.

From the ground floor.

Pouring the concrete floor.

The bench and enclosure for the water pump.

The front door is starting to materialize, too.

View over Ortigas from my 18th-story room.

Birthday dinner for one of our teammates.

Back at the house: preparing to drop the ceiling.

Gingerly pouring the floor.

Preparing the driveway to be poured.

Uber-thick insulation under the roof on the second floor.

This better be warm. I mean, cool.

They've closed up the master bedroom.

Ceiling is still plenty tall.

And soon they'll close up the hallway!

Bangkok Week 501

February 1, 2018

The extended canine and feline family... and more house updates than you know what to do with!

Spotted on the way to Trat: one of these donuts is too cute to eat.

A giant Maruay burrito!

He knows how to dry off post-bath.

Trying out his new dollar store massage mitt.

Meanwhile, on top of the pickup, Namtan spends a chill afternoon.

Another great home-cooked meal!

Happy 3_th birthday!

What better way to celebrate than with a sweet birthday fruit cake for breakfast!

Maruay opted to forgo the celebrations.

Who's there?

It's never too late in life to develop your snout-eye coordination.

Everything is in bloom!

Meanwhile, back at the house in Ekamai: the grease trap in the driveway is being built.

They're prepping the downstairs to have the floor poured.

They segment the floor to make the pouring more controlled.

The concrete will be another 5-8cm thick.

And the kitchen counters are coming along!

The "island" is being poured as we speak.

The railing for the balcony has been delivered.

And they've painted the outside wall behind the compressors (which had to happen before lying the roof tiles over the kitchen).

Noted in Manila: that PHP 10 looks awfully similar to THB 10!

House update #2 for the week: the bench and water pump housing are being constructed.

Should be nice.

Pouring a nice frame for the (clean) water tank in the front.

And fixing up the edges of the 'yard'.

The 'island' is taking shape.

A water pipe, which drains from the gutter above, has been enclosed.

And they've shored up the structure of the roof.

Bangkok Week 500

January 25, 2018

500 weeks in Bangkok! How much has changed in the last 100 weeks?

The "L" at the front door is taking shape.

The compressors hiding behind the house.

Wiring for a potential future AC in the study. So it'll just look like this...

Every day, new wiring and plumbing!

Casting the counter in the master bathroom.

The tiniest bit of counter space in the guest bathroom.

And the downstairs bathroom is starting to take shape, too.

Friday night dinner at a famous Thai restaurant we stumbled upon.

Up close and personal with a Google Streetview car. Watch for us!

Feeling overwhelmed?

Shoot, we should've gotten this tap.

Not a bad couch, right?

Taken while sitting on the couch!

500 weeks in Bangkok? Yowza!

Celebrating with a Japanese ice cream and Coco.

Traveling like a VIP now!

The first-class lounge. Its single biggest selling feature: it's empty on a Monday morning!

Premium snacks...

...but otherwise you order from a menu, and they serve you at the table. (A bit much!)

Back at the house: the downstairs bathroom is taking shape.

You know what this nest means?

We have internet! Fiber, no less!

Exterior signs of internet, too.

The stairs are taking shape, too.

Under the stairs.

The master bathroom counter.

It's either 26 degrees, or 1 degree. Take your pick.

The downstairs walls are looking more and more finished every day.

They're also finishing off the main beams.

Looking good.

Preparing for the kitchen counter.

One small step back upstairs: the cement kept cracking, so they're redoing it.

See you later, Philippines.

Great view of the city as we depart.

We'll end this week on a humorous note. Don't forget your Coat of Arms!

Bangkok Week 499

January 18, 2018

Primarily house updates this week. Plus the fiercest guard dog in Bangkok.

Another of the BTS's security detail, hard at work.

The BTS is a safer place because of him.

Red pork noodle soup. My first Thai food in weeks!

Checking in on the house; trying out the shower.

Even the small bathroom shower should comfortably accommodate adults.

New kitchen roof: work-in-progress.

The ground floor doesn't look quite as far along as the upstairs!

Finishing the new wall between the living room and driveway.

Finishing the new wall between the 'piano room' and downstairs bathroom.

One of the workers' bedrooms.

Working on the downstairs bathroom.

It's still winter in Bangkok!

Last day to see Santa at Central Embassy!

Santa's eaten too many Thai desserts. (Mika shown for scale.)

He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake.

Inside the mall, they also had a themed play area for kids. Slide down Santa's belly? A bit creepy.

The latest addition to Ari. Umm...

My warm welcome to Manila on Monday morning. Perfect.

Progress: finishing the new wall at the back of the driveway.

Putting in the door frame for the sliding doors at the front of the living room.

The "L" at the entrance is being built.

The back wall in the kitchen has been finished off.

The downstairs bathroom is coming along; even the shower tap is installed.

That wall in the "piano room" is finished now, too.

Finishing off the "L".

The study frames are finished and ready for (1) the sliding door tracks, and (2) the railings.

Ground floor wiring is going in.

Bending the wiring tubes around the beams.

Bangkok Week 498

January 11, 2018

Back to reality! And the first house updates in weeks.

The benches on the balcony have been tiled to match the floor.

Wiring and new walls all done upstairs.

All squared off.

The new driveway view is taking shape.

New wall at the end of the driveway.

New walls for the ground floor bathroom.

One wall too many in the downstairs! The back segment will have to be removed.

Meanwhile in Manila: the breakfast restaurant has an hourly forecast!

If almond croissants are made with almonds, what are Filipino croissants made with?

Ortigas, with Quezon City in the background.

Back to the house update: stone shelves in place in the second bedroom.

New roof going up over the kitchen.

The workers' TV satellite!

Ground floor bathroom is taking shape.

As is the storage under the stairs.

Christmas 2017 last few days

January 8, 2018

Two last days, and a long journey home.

Final family photo at Granny's interment.

Preparing the pouch.

Into the earth.

Reunited at last.

Appropriately enough, lunch at a Japanese restaurant afterward.

Pretty good veggie ramen!

Bring your own winter coat.

The last supper: framed with full menu.

Solid block of snacks from Bangkok.

Good bye, room.

Good buy, street.

Good bye, fine blue sky and -20 degree temperatures.

Can't resist one last lunch at Vesuvio's.

She's happy to see us go!

Exercising my mind before the flight.

Someone's not very happy to be in the lounge.

Toronto looking east.

I'm sure this would be a great view of the downtown skyline... in the daylight.

Going down, before going back up.

The difference between Indian and Oriental veg.

Beer of the month!

Who let a body bag fly in business class?

Enjoying a nice breakfast in Brussels.

Someone else opted for lunch instead.

Getting ready for the final leg of the journey.

I've got a nice comfortable window view.

Brussels looks cute.

See the city down below?

Inside a cloud sandwich.

Bangkok, here we come.

Made it back in 1 piece. 5 pieces, actually.

Christmas 2017 Week 2

January 4, 2018

Happy New Year to all - and all the best for 2018. May the days get warmer, and remain bright.

Preparing for Granny's memorial service - 1 board done.

Working on the other 10 boards.

Braving the snow squalls to do our annual Queen Street shopping.

Lots of fresh snow on the road.

Very visible on the streetcar backdrop.

Trying to collect as much snow on my hair as possible.

Fresh footprints heading north.

Fresh snow at the Euclid-College intersection.

Fresh powder! Can we bring it back with us?

Our annual Pakistani dinner.

One of Toronto's tallest trees - at the Eaton Centre.

Delicious (albeit a bit slow) lunch at Mom's.

What a photogenic bibimbap.

Soon tofu!

Grandpa's onion grass - for sale!

Generic "Asian dinner".

What resolve! We made it to the gym on a sub-zero day.

Someone's been waiting all year for his Hogtown!

Delicious chicken wings!

Happy New Year's Eve!

What a colorful spread!

New Year's Day waffles a la Mike.

Beautifully-perfect shape.

Picturesque Toronto.

This ice sculpture at the ROM is not going to melt anytime soon.

Honest Ed's is going down!

A Christmas miracle: we found mum's lost house keys! Thanks, tile!

New Year's Day check-in with Grandma.

Testing our minds with some cards.

Grandma's table was the one warm place in Toronto.

Chez Robert & Henry, puppy Maple enjoys the cold. Nevermind the cone.

Playing the sympathy card.

Husky in a bowl.

My new BFF. I'll take her home!

"Please, Uncle Henry? May I please have some dinner?"

Living with dignity.

Enjoying ourselves with The Illusionists, courtesy of Robert and Henry.

An enjoyable pizza dinner with Peter, Olena and Luke.

Hmm. Do we like these "chicken" nuggets or not?

Inspecting Granny's photo collages.

Granny's Celebration of Life.

Beautiful bouquet, from the JCCC.

Putting some last-minute touches on the photo boards.

One of the two beautiful arrangements from the Bloor-Kennedy florist.

Family all together.

Extended family check out the photos.

More catching up at the start of the event.

And more catching up.

Val and Clearley.

Time for some words.

Mum's words about Granny's life.

Dad's three memories about Granny.

Frank Moritsugu's unscripted words.

Putting names to faces on an old school photo.

Identifying the names with Aunt Eileen.

Cousins.

Pano of the room - for Granny.

Christmas 2017 Week 1

December 28, 2017

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Getting into the Christmas spirit on our Thai flight.

Immediate bedtime after our midnight departure.

Welcome to Brussels, where the croissants come in mountains.

Onward and upward: enjoying the relative emptiness of our Brussels Airlines flight.

A flight with a beer menu must be a good flight.

It's a busy day for air travel!

One perk of flying a Belgian airline: Belgian chocolates!

We each got our own before landing. How deluxe.

A grey day in Toronto - but it's still 'green'!

Can't help but take a peak at our freebies on the way home.

Navigating dad's birthday present.

The protein powder from last Christmas is still here!

Watching the Paris video - hot off the press!

SNOW!

Here we are! Still in shock.

Honing my brush skills.

Fresh Costco soup after a cold day.

Mum tries her hand at watercolors for the first time in 60 years.

Now mum tries her hand at the fancy brushwork.

มาม่า noodles for sale at Walmart!

Colby's quite interested in what's cookin'.

Is Colby a lap dog, or does she just have disproportionately long legs?

Diagnosing Chris's iPad -- with a dog in the middle.

Chris's birthday dinner - Chinese food! Yum!

Colby and I have a look around.

Mystery solved: she's neither a lap dog nor a long-legged dog, she's a table dog!

Delicious birthday cake for Chris by Erika.

Here's the professional 24-opener.

Chris isn't sure if the holiday costuming is for her.

A French smile.

Eye on the prize!

Colby has no legs!

Celebrating Christmas Eve chez Grandma.

Cheers to another year in the books.

"Let me water your lap, Mother."

Looking through the new calendar.

It was turning into a white Christmas (Eve) by the time we left.

A white Christmas (Eve) indeed.

Can't stop tradition: sushi for Christmas Eve dinner.

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

A Belgian chocolate Christmas gift for Colby.

Well, she'll settle for a clementine.

Please, Mika?

Trying the Trat cookies.

Cleaning up after the waffles.

Merry Christmas morning!

Colby doesn't seem to thrilled about the Christmas uniform.

Beautiful tree, plump with presents underneath.

"Gifts? What gifts?"

Now Colby gets what's going on.

Dad's new airplane t-shirt.

My great new Peanuts puzzle. 1000 pieces!

Ja, Hallo? iPhone 7 Plus!

What's this? A new home?

Chris takes in the colors on her new Bangkok bag.

Off for a brisk Christmas afternoon run with Colby.

Not sure if she's enjoying these frigid temperatures.

A scrumptious Christmas meal.

Chad and Erika investigate the innards of the Christmas crackers.

Looks like a painful popping exercise!

Throwing their entire bodies into it.

Robert and I got the nice crowns!

Boxing day morning: Colby's got her eye fixed on the butter.

Pristine blue skies overhead - and frozen ground below.

But snow squalls in Orillia!

Look how big the car is! Can comfortably fit 4 in the back seat.

Colby: she's all nose.

Once we reach Bracebridge, it's blue skies once again.

Lunch at Timmy's -- since nothing else is open!

Beautiful sunny skies on the way to the cottage.

Clean shadows on one of the smaller lakes.

Undisturbed skinny trees.

Undisturbed snow on branches.

A real winter wonderland at the cottage.

We haven't seen snow this deep in a few years.

Making good use of the shovel he brought up from Toronto.

Too bad we didn't bring a toboggan!

A very frozen McKay lake.

A self-portrait in the snow - thanks to GoPro.

Two dark blobs on snow.

Nice snowy shelter overhead.

Knee-deep snow - got down our boots! Good thing it was so cold it didn't melt.

A yummy pasta bolognese for dinner once we reached warm Toronto.

Getting a head-start on our New Year's resolution: the Y on the 27th.

Hmm - do we all agree?

Don't we look stuffed! Annual dinner at Tofu Village: check!

Looking through photos of the past few days.

Preparing for Granny's memorial service.

Sorting and choosing photos - the old-fashioned way.

Layouts finalized.

Eccentric LED displays on this house.

And this house had a little bit of everything.

A blurry photo of Christmas at the Toronto Tomczak's.

For us? We're spoiled!

Jasmine and Julia model their new Christmas hats!

Another Christmas in the books.

Bangkok Week 495

December 20, 2017

Happy holidays and see you soon!

Picking up where we left off in Manila... you can actually find tasteful Christmas decorations here. I find this tree quite nice!

Egads! It's a Tims in Southeast Asia! (Apparently, the first one opened in Manila this past February.)

Look like the original?

Meanwhile in Ekamai: the tiles are going up in the bathroom.

They are tiling behind the counters, so that it's more flexible if we decide to change the built-in furniture in the future.

The new wall between the living room and driveway is going up as well.

Spotted in Trat: too many mirrors for a single truck.

Also - bargoons on pineapples!

Even Trat has become commercial for Christmas!

Mistook this guy for a tamarind!

All our loot from trimming the tamarind tree.

Namtan knows who's the keeper of the food.

Namtan was mid-attack when I found his sweet spot. He melted instantaneously.

Another home-cooked feast. Lucky us!

A lazy Sunday morning for Namwan.

Maruay is up and about. Morning is the only time to be energetic.

Maruay in the wild. (Actually, he's eating a crab someone had thrown out.)

What the heck is that!?!

The largest bees nest in town!!!

One of the new durian trees in the back yard.

And the ants have made a nest out of another tree's leaves.

Lazy Saturday morning.

Putting up some festive signage at the store.

One person's celebrating the new year, while the others do the chores in the background.

Top, modeling his birthday present.

Posing for the camera.

Looking goofy!

I was walking around for a long time with an extra friend on my shoulder.

Visiting the relatives in Chantaburi.

Checking out the fishing pier right behind the grandma's house.

A giant haul of crabs had just come in - so it's all-hands-on-deck to remove them from the nets.

It's such a labor-intensive process. They use a kind of crochet hook to pick the net off the crab.

Look how blue the poor guy is.

Post-lunch photo with the fam. (In height-order?)

And a quick trip to the shrimp farm, but no one was home.

Check out this "natural" bearing!

Stopping at a really nice nursery on the way back to Trat.

These are all different types of Durian trees!

YOU'RE BACK!!

Just putting the finishing touches on the car. Shine, shine.

Minor house renovations: replacing the tarps.

Steaming the dozen crabs we were given in Chantaburi.

Like brother, like brother.

What a treat! A chilly morning in Trat!!

This chilly morning begs some thick blankets and a soft pillow.

Let's play a game. Dog, or sack of potatoes?

In a sudden burst of energy (surely brought on by the winter air), Maruay takes interest in a whisky box.

What's that?

Big hug for big brother.

Not ready to get up yet!

Just saying hello.

Where's the bus?

Namwan looking pretty again.

She knows how to model for the camera.

Dad's peeling crab for breakfast... and Maruay couldn't stand any closer.

Looking at photos of the house.

Back to bed for the big boy.

Back in Bangkok for a farewell dinner for K. Adil.

And ice cream at a hip new ice cream joint in Ari.

Apparently I looked like a pineapple. What do you think?

The cool weather continues in Bangkok! What a treat!

Last house update for a few weeks!

The master bathroom tiling is almost done.

Just doing the floors now.

I guess they have yet to close the ceiling, too.

And they've made good progress on the second bathroom, as well.

It looks tight, but it shouldn't feel *quite* so tight when done!

Right up to the roof!

They've put an additional layer of brick along the right wall, to buffer us from the neighbors (and their damp wall).

And the new wall next to the driveway is complete as well. (When construction is completed, the view out that small window will not be obstructed by bricks.)

I hadn't realized we'd designed for this innovative veggie hanger, too!

A very modern queue card system at Thanachart.

Mr. Bump plays a central role in Terminal 21's Christmas celebration this year.

Here he is in Paris!

Greetings from the TG lounge, where we enjoy our free ice creams (thanks Citibank) and wait to board our A350. See you soon!

Bangkok Week 494

December 14, 2017

Christmas is really really in the air now.

Friday night at the new Mexican restaurant in Ari. Not bad!

Blending in with the Olympic Club Christmas trees.

These police dogs are eager for a day out in the big city.

Just another passenger on the BTS.

I've heard of chicken nuggets, but not ice buggets.

The Christmas festival at the Goethe Institute was ... popular!

There was a live (Thai) band singing Christmas songs in German.

And both food and gifts for sale.

On the way home, we stumbled upon this Christmas Spectaculaire.

Thailand is learning how to do Christmas the right way!

Bright lights for all.

Talking on her "phone".

House update 1 of 2 this week.

The interior of the small upstairs bathroom is coming along.

They've filled in the back wall of the house (that used to have a window, and will now have the master bathroom).

And they've squared off the wall of the master bathroom (it used to be crooked).

You can see where the shelf in the shower will be.

They've widened, and made taller, the windows going from the second bedroom into the hallway.

This is how thick the hardwood floors are.

Work has yet to start on the downstairs (apart from the piping).

The downstairs is for supply storage! (You can see the nice wooden floors upstairs.)

Close-up on the wooden floors.

Checking out the water tank in the front.

Back in Ari: the Christmas decorations are up! Better late than never!

The tree is relegated to a stool this year. No more counter-space!

The two trees at my office: one in the building lobby, and a more modest one in the BCG lobby.

Baby Kate, and her proud parents (Vee and Peung).

House update number 2 for the week. The electricity conduits have been installed.

In the master bathroom, for the lighting above the sink.

And in the second bedroom.

They've made a very nice new sill for the sliding doors out to the balcony.

Switches-to-be in the hallway upstairs.

Meanwhile in Manila: have I mentioned that they spare no expense when decorating for Christmas?

Larger-than-life gingerbread men hanging from the ceiling.

View from above of one of Manila's newest business districts.

Bangkok Week 493

December 7, 2017

All sorts of end-of-year activities!

My first-grade costume? Or my nun costume?

A Partner and her EA.

Everyone's gone back to school.

Lots of people had similar school uniforms! (Also, doesn't everyone look like they could still be students?)

Crashing the photo of the support staff.

Who invited the nun to the party?

We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel, Pattaya. It's only been open for 2 months.

They've done the property nicely.

A fun kids area.

Had no idea these waxy red flowers developed further blooms!

View from the infinity pool to the sea.

The sea - from above.

On with the tourism! This is Khao Chi Chan Buddha - carved by laser into the side of the mountain.

Some people, for sense of scale.

Next stop: Wat Phra Yai, or Big Buddha Temple.

Thankfully, not too many stairs to climb.

The eponymous Buddha.

Some wildlife.

The temple, which sits atop a hill, affords a nice view of Pattaya below.

He's looking excited by the money.

Anyone know what plant this is?

Next stop: famous observation point, from another hilltop.

So many boats!

A Japanese man offered to take a photo for us.

Lunch at Pattaya Vegetarian Restaurant.

No points for creativity on the name, but points for the food.

And finally, at our hotel for the night: Pullman G in North Pattaya. Recently renovated.

Mid-afternoon on the beach.

We weren't the only ones going for a walk!

Waiting to greet his friend.

Also on the alert.

Visible rays of sun.

There was an Indian wedding party on the beach.

Don't get tangled in the jellyfish!

Fishing boats lined up and ready to go.

Beach dogs of North Pattaya.

This guy looked especially comfortable.

At home in the sand.

Nice shade from this beach tree.

Found the fishermen's corner.

A precarious work of art.

Enjoying the relatively quiet corner we found.

It was nice and windy! Can you tell?

Just like in the movies: a fruit smoothie shack on the beach.

They offered us some chairs to sit and enjoy our smoothie.

Sunset!

Three in a row: tic-tac-toe.

And one more hiding between the boats.

Kids riding the waves on the giant lane lines.

Whoops! Saw that coming!

An interesting condo overlooking the water.

Sunset and beach-goers.

Not too crazy, despite all we'd heard about Pattaya.

Sunset over the hotel's pool.

And beach bar.

Back to our tried-and-tested meal spot.

Relatively clear skies the next morning, our our window.

Lots of hubbub already, off downtown Pattaya.

Enjoying breakfast with a view.

No trip to the beach is complete without...

... a dip in the water!

Mandatory weekly house update: the bathroom in the second bedroom is almost done.

New window frame in the master bathroom.

New wall is up in the master bathroom.

And the pipe scramble is coming along.

Plumbing coming down from the master bathroom; will mean the ceiling has to be even lower there.

Meanwhile in Singapore, the Westin gave me an extravagant upgrade this week.

Six could have dined comfortably in my suite.

Christmas in Singapore is in full swing!

Bangkok Week 492

November 30, 2017

Christmas is in air! As is dust and dirt from our construction site.

EmQuartier has asked a giant plush bear to be its Christmas centerpiece this year.

And I thought *my* feet were big!

It's officially Christmas Season!

Look what we spotted for sale outside Villa. "Designed in Vancouver. Made in Cambodia."

I got me some Lulu Lemon pants for 8 dolla.

Monday morning at the airport: the remote gates are over-taxed because of apron construction reducing the number of usable gates.

No buses in sight.

Time for a house update! They've poured the concrete for the master bathroom extension.

Same area, as seen from below.

And they've patched the major beams that had started to crumble.

And they're getting ready to lay down the new water pipes.

The septic tank in the kitchen. (Note the temporary bathroom wall, made of closet door, that the workers have put up in the back corner.

Dirt from the septic tank & pipe excavation.

New reinforcement beams above the master bathroom wall.

New door frame in the front of the study, for the new sliding glass doors.

The King looks over the bedroom now.

Preparing for the new frame for the sliding glass doors at the entrance to the study.

Meanwhile in Singapore: a view over the Westin bar.

And I had some lovely orchids in my room this week.

The view. Reminds me of Sim City!

Construction update #2: they've put up the new brick wall in the master bathroom.

And have removed the old 'glass bricks' in the back wall.

Preparing to pour the concrete for the bathroom extension in the second bedroom.

Same area, from below. Note the new steel beams.

And preparing to lay the new plumbing.

A complex junction!

Bangkok Week 491

November 23, 2017

The house is progressing, the storms are still over Singapore, and Shawn came to Bangkok!

Friday began with a giant rain cloud over Singapore.

Changi has a cutesy-cutesy Christmas tree up in T1.

The house is nice and open-plan right now.

The master bedroom - looks livable, right?

The second bathroom.

No more railings on the stairs!

Found Shawn at Rod Fai Night Market!

The cutest little washing machine, at Paragon.

This will likely be the fridge we pick.

A very odd outfit for sale at H&M.

Notice something missing? Hint: check the balcony.

They've dug up the floor where the new pipe is going to go.

The full width of the living room is on view.

We could park the car in the living room!

Meanwhile, back in Singapore, Christmas is really in full swing.

Cloudy skies over Tanjong Pagar Terminal.

But downpours over the CBD!

A ceiling of clouds on Wednesday.

Blue skies follow.

Mixed clouds, and a clear view of the outer islands.

The Sentosa Merlion stands proud. And very tall.

A clever use for the pillars.

Another perfectly conical Christmas tree. They don't grow 'em like that in Canada.

Bangkok Week 490

November 16, 2017

The construction continues... and we have a nice day on the road with Rachel!!

Finally a sunny view out my window in Singapore!

More construction updates: there's a veil over the house now.

Where did all this debris come from?

The back 'maid's room' -- the column in the middle marks the end of the future kitchen.

How to descend the stairs? (Good thing they put a protective cover on the stairs!)

The second bedroom.

Where the second bedroom's bathroom once stood.

The removal of the bears-with-beach balls continues.

Check out the wallpaper that was under the built-in in the master bedroom!

This is the smallest bedroom, that will be turned into the study. It looks more spacious now that the walls are gone!

Meanwhile, in Singapore... Changi's Christmas celebration continues.

On Saturday, we're up and out early, and off to the train market with Rachel!

Lots of crowds come, even for the 8:30 arrival.

What are these fruit? Never seen them before!

Fruit going up the wall.

At the end of the market.

Here comes the train! Right on cue!

Selfie with the train!

Barely clears the veggies!

Some of these oranges got knocked.

This local pug is not sure what all the commotion is about. Train, shmain.

Someone's still in his PJs.

Next stop: Amphawa floating market!

Rachel bough several snacks to bring back from Uncle Glasses - whose picture is right on the packaging!

Good to be there and beat the crowds.

Another dog still in his pajamas.

Congregation of vendors.

Supporting another ancient uncle, selling is ancient coffee.

How dainty!

Final stop of the outing: the giant Chedi in Nakhon Pathom.

We only made it about 1/3 the way around...

... before it started to rain!

We finally made our escape, down a water fall.

I thought those were supposed to be stairs!

Before heading back to Bangkok, lunch at a small vegetarian restaurant nearby.

My favorite rowing topiary!

And Rachel's farewell / birthday dinner. Bon voyage!

Back to Singapore for another week. They're moving this terminal to elsewhere on the island, to make room for the CBD.

One last construction update for the week.

The front wall is gone now, too.

Lunch time for the workers.

Opening up the area next to the stairs.

This will become the ground floor bathroom. Looks like Africa!

Very open-plan right now.

The driveway - removing those tiles, too.

Bangkok Week 489

November 9, 2017

The renovation has officially begun! And Christmas is officially here!

Friday, November 3rd: an auspicious day to begin house construction!

Feng shui -- specific to our house, on this day -- indicates where precisely the construction should begin.

A zoom-in on how these decisions are made.

Right here: it's best if the construction starts right here.

Meanwhile, in Singapore... they're testing new auto-bag-drop systems.

Looking promising.

Christmas has come to Starbucks Singapore!

And to Changi, more broadly.

Tile shopping fun! Dark grey, or darker grey?

Finally! This is exactly the one we've been looking for!

These tiles would be perfect for the kitchen.

And this is the throne -- I mean toilet -- we've been looking for!

I always knew the hand rails on the BTS were meant for something more.

After delays of over 20 hours, Rachel *finally* made it to Bangkok!

Tuesday morning in Singapore - with a great view of Chinatown.

Veggie bento boxes for lunch in Singapore.

Meanwhile, in Bangkok: the winter coats are out!

House update! The demolition is coming along.

Big changes are (finally) afoot.

Can you guess what used to be here?

This used to be the 'maid's room'.

This used to be the bathroom in the second bedroom.

Not much left in the master bedroom, either. (Note the wallpaper that was under the built-in cabinets.)

A peek behind the house, via a hole in the back wall.

Material removal!

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