Our "new" car

In October we decided that our gas-guzzling car had to go. It was great but too expensive to run. And there's mostly just the 2 of us, after all.

So we found another smaller, cuter, (older) car to replace it. We can convert this car to LPG and it will be much cheaper to run. It's a great car with that wonderful old-car vinyl smell.

We intended to then sell the bigger car but found someone who wanted to rent it for a couple of months. Then today we've just handed it over to another visiting family to rent for 2 more months. How great!

Baan Song Sawan Orphanage

Last week Victor and I took the children from Baan Song Sawan ("Shining House", or something close to that) Orphanage to visit the dentist.
The orphanage was begun about a year ago by a couple from our church for 25 Hmong children (one of the hilltribes), all primary school aged.
So 25 children and the 2 of us headed off in the church's 12-seater van! Victor led them in songs all the way - more than an hour by the time we found the place. Thankfully they are delightful children and sing beautifully!
They were a bit more subdued coming home 4 hours later, several having had tooth extractions done...
We didn't take any pictures (as we no longer have a camera), but this is one I took at the orphanage one evening when we visited.

A Lucy's visit

Aunty Lucy was the first of Rachel's family to come and visit us here in Chiang Mai. It was great to be able to share our life with her, visit Victor's family, and play tourists again.

Here we are in Victor's village: Roman (V's Dad), A Lucy, Ranee (V's Mum), Bee (our wonderful Aussie friend in CM who is now back in Aus), Rachel and James (V's nephew who was his groomsman at our wedding.)


We took A Lucy to see the land we're hoping to buy to build a house on. (To see it on googleearth go to: 18deg54'o4.33''N 98deg58'07.33''E)


Victor's brother Somnuk came to visit (with his new work vehicle.)


Then on the final night before A Lucy flew out she took us to dinner at the Golf Club. A Lucy had the opportunity to give Victor his first ever golf lesson.


And we had a wonderful Thai meal. Victor's friend B was also there. (You've met him before on this blog.)
This was the last photo taken on our camera before it was irrepairably damaged... (but don't worry, we have plenty more material for future blog-posts.)

Here are the rice fields next to my school. Two of the photos were taken 7 weeks ago when they had just planted the rice.

Now it's all lush and green. It's so beautiful, especially on a day like today when the air is clear from the rain last night.

I can write in Thai!!

I've just finished my Thai lesson. Here is my work from today.
Are you impressed? (I am!)

Mae Sa Elephant Camp

Last month John and Michelle Bell (from Wauchope) came to visit us here in Chiang Mai. It was really great to see them and have some Australian company for a couple of days!

We took them to the Mae Sa Elephant Camp, north of Chiang Mai. It's one of my favourite places (and when you come to visit us we can get you in for free!)

The highlight of the visit is the elephant show where you get to see the elephants parading...

...painting...

...playing soccer...

and much more! (come and you will see...)

The mahouts are mostly Karen (and therefore mostly Victor's cousins.) It's one mahout and one elephant for life. Their relationship is beautiful.

More of the elephant camp...

Here are some pictures of us after the show posing with the elephants. They are so gorgeous.




And this is all the paintings that were done during our show, all set up for sale.


Finally, the elephants bathing in the river. Aren't they beautiful?! They obviously love bathing.