Garner Report

2010-03-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Here is Blakely (support) having a chat with Renu (one of our regular translators and help, with the blue hair) having a relaxing moment near the end of the day. This was another great day with lots of stories of how our Lord is working...involving so many lives. God is truly great and marvelous.

Tomorrow….a day of distribution at RICD….pediatrics cases only…a 1st.

2010-03-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

This little lady is Daenj (pronounced Dang). She was born normal then developed hydrocephalic condition. The doctors gave her parents a 50/50 chance of survival to operate and stop the swelling. Her parents chose to not operate. When she became of school age, all she wanted to do was go to school. Her parents wanted her to go to school but her grandmother didn’t, fearing she would tip over and tumble with her big head. So Grandma attended school with her for 4 month until she was satisfied that Daenj could do well. Daenj speaks Thai, English and French…prefers speaking and reading French. She worked as a literature translator and now lives at the McKean Center.

2010-03-01T08:01:00.001-08:00

This guy has cerebral palsy. He was fitted last year with a chair that I helped prepare with neck, trunk and leg support. Through hard work, therapy, and great persistence he now only needs a standard chair. He still just as happy and fun as we found him last year.

2010-03-01T07:56:00.000-08:00

These are Hansen’s disease (as leprosy is now appropriately called) patients. The man in blue didn’t mind talking to Annie about it and showed his hands and how he uses them in daily life. The man in gold with no legs did not like to talk about it. This wasn’t his 1st wheelchair but his 1st fitted wheelchair.

2010-03-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

Awmae read Joni’s book while waiting for her chair; Thai bible and other goodies at her side.

2010-03-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

This is 19 year old Awmae. She was shot and paralyzed waist down. She lived with her father in a small village for 3 years afterwards, never leaving the house. She was sponsored about 6 weeks ago and sent here to the McKean Center for help. She has found new friends and blossomed here at the center. She’s learning how to become self sufficient, and her 1st wheelchair will help greatly. In the end picture with Awmae is Theresa Morita (therapist), Annie Garner (support), Vincent (Pioneer, perennial help), Greg Bierre (Mechanic).

2010-03-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

Monday 29th
A distribution at the McKean Center. It used to be a leper colony run by Presbyterians. Some still live there but it is now a disability center supported still by U.S Presbies. Unlike the southern (previous) distributions, most if not all recipients were Christian.

2010-03-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday 28th

We attended church services at the Chiang Mai 1st Church…another home away from home…greeting our Thai friends. After services we held a chair repair session for some of the church members. Some were beyond repair and were given new chairs.

2010-03-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

Saturday 27th
We did the unpacking, preliminary repair and organizing of the wheelchairs just off the over-seas shipping container at RICD. These included the new Regency pediatric chairs (in the forground) manufactured at Taft prison in California for Joni and Friends. They are equipped with lots of adjustments and are very cool.

2010-02-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

After the distribution, we packed up and said goodbye to our wonderful hosts and interpreters there in Uttaraditt. Then bussed back to Chiang Mai and our home (it seems now after so many trips) at Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel.

2010-02-28T09:22:00.001-08:00

This guy was our 2nd recipient. He was paralyzed from waist down, and so had lots of upper body strength. He wanted a regular wheelchair. Luc, our in-country leader who is in a sports wheelchair had to be called in to help therapist Jackie convince him the sports wheelchair she picked for him was appropriate. He had to wait almost the whole day for repairs and revision to chair. I am following close behind him to keep him from falling backwards while he got used to moving it. Luc and John in the blue shirt had to instruct him on how to fall properly and get back in the chair. And also to convince him falling backwards is expected and not to be afraid. Being a part of that was new and impressive.
1, 2, 3 This is layout of the distribution, before recipients and dignitaries for the ceremony. There is always a ceremony at each distribution.

2010-02-28T09:20:00.001-08:00

He was another of Annie’s recipients who had CP. This was his 1st wheelchair and once he relaxed in it his face lit up and he was having a ball facing a whole new world.4481 This was the 1st patient of the day for my team. He was a stroke victim. After we were all done and took this picture he smiled and gave us a thumbs up. His wife loved to smile and laugh, except when we took her picture.

2010-02-28T09:18:00.000-08:00

Jasmine is calming this boy while he awaits his chair.

2010-02-28T09:16:00.001-08:00

Here is one of Annie’s recipients with rheumatoid arthritis. Her daughter cared for her. She remained very stoic through pain and all.

2010-02-28T09:15:00.000-08:00

Friday 26th distribution at Uttaraditt.

2010-02-28T09:14:00.001-08:00

After the dam visit we went to see the oldest and biggest teak tree in the world. Yes, it’s alive.

2010-02-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

Here we were feeding the fish just after we ate some of their cousins for lunch.

2010-02-28T09:09:00.002-08:00

We went to the largest earthen hydroelectric dam in Thailand, the Sirikit Dam of the Nan River. Beautiful countryside even though it is the dry season.

2010-02-28T09:09:00.001-08:00

Thursday 25th sightseeing day.

2010-02-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 24th Flew to Chiang Mai in the North then bussed south to Uttaraditt.

2010-02-25T07:34:00.001-08:00

After crossing the bay after dusk, in the dark, we got back home around 10:15. Tired but satisfied. The remaining team at the facility fit 42 wheelchairs with 4 fitting teams. Whew. Everybody rocked.

2010-02-25T07:31:00.000-08:00

Mr. Cool was a little shy about Annie taking his picture but Annie was persistent.

2010-02-25T07:26:00.000-08:00

2nd stop, Koh Yao where we fit 10 patients in about 2 ½ hours. The recipients (in a Muslim community) had been waiting since morning until we arrived at about 3:15. Still, lots of smiles and happiness though we worked feverishly.

2010-02-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

Here is a 15 year old boy with cerebral palsey, has parents still together and caring well for him. And eager learn more care; such as a rolled cloth to enclose in his hand to keep his fingernails from cutting into his hand. The boy in his wheelchair will now be the greeter for the family store.

2010-02-25T07:19:00.001-08:00

Meghan caring for a lovely Muslim lady happy to be mobile again after a broken hip 8 months ago.

2010-02-25T07:16:00.000-08:00

1st stop, Koh Yai Island where we fit 4 patients.

2010-02-25T07:13:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, 23rd. This was another day of distribution at the same regional health facility as yesterday. But one fitting team split from the group to distribute on 2 islands. Annie (support), myself (mechanic) and Meghan Lyndsay (therapist) were accompanied by Country Leaders, Judy and Gordon Soares with Joey and others from RICD team. Gordon and Joey served as additional mechanics.

2010-02-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

We love the happy faces of the Thai recipients and family members. We fit about 43 chairs.

2010-02-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

This is Joey along with me lowering the wheels on a chair. His father is one of the Pioneers missionary that we have partnered with from the very beginning 2005. Thailand is his home.

2010-02-25T07:03:00.001-08:00

These are sisters, Muslim. The recipient (without the hat) was born with underdeveloped and weak legs. She lives in the house with her family, five siblings. As her siblings marry they add onto the house. She takes care of the household duties by crawling around. Her sister (with the hat) sobbed for joy when she was placed in the wheelchair because now her sister won’t be left behind and is now mobile, on her own.

2010-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is Mat, the pastor’s son. He’s a translator for us. He is studying English in Bangkok University.

2010-02-25T06:59:00.000-08:00

Monday, 22nd
1st day of distribution in Phang Nga at a regional health care facility.

2010-02-21T07:53:00.000-08:00

Dinner was with some dignitary Thai physicians along with Dr. Samai, director of the disabilities ministry in Thailand. Stay away from the chicken curry.…it’s a really hot dish. Tomorrow....distribution....it's what we do.

2010-02-21T07:50:00.001-08:00

This is the very famous stack at James Bond Island where “Man with the Golden Gun” (I think that was the one) was filmed.

2010-02-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

One island with a pass through.

2010-02-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

This sign made me genuinely curious. All the dwellings are on stilts and piers. Since all the islands were little more than sheer cliffs all around, how does one actually get to higher ground?4321 One island with a pass through.

2010-02-21T07:44:00.001-08:00

These glyphs are over 3000 years old.

2010-02-21T07:42:00.000-08:00

The rock is worn at the waterline giving many the floating look.

2010-02-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

After lunch, we went on a boat ride in Phang Nga Bay where they have all those floating islands and sea stacks.

2010-02-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

2010-02-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 21st
Went to church. It turns out this church didn’t have services until 7:00pm. This wasn’t the church we wanted – it was catholic with a school on the grounds. We found our intended church a few blocks away in a commercial shop space. It was a wonderful and intimate time. A number of the musicians and service helpers spoke English. The pastor was a woman and her teenager son interpreted the sermon for us. Many of the songs were familiar as we usually find. About six of these church people will help us tomorrow at distribution as interpreters.

2010-02-20T06:25:00.000-08:00

No noteworthy pictures. After nearly 24 hours on flights, we landed in Phuket late afternoon on Friday. We met our dear in-country friends and jumped in vans for a short trip to Phang Nga. It's hot and humid but not real unpleasant. We checked into our rooms at the Phunga Hotel and then went to see where we will be distributing Monday and Tuesday. It's the regional health center, and a nice roomy facility. We had dinner about 7:00, followed by a short meeting, and released to our rooms. Annie and I fell asleep at 9:30pm but awoke about 4:00am.....to just chat until we went down for breakfast at 6:30. We can see the tops of the sea stacks over the hotel and green canopy. Annie and I recently saw Avatar and the sea stacks look like the floating mountains. Today, Saturday was orientation. We consolidated tools and materials, sorted and organized wheelchair gifts (toothbrushes, toothpaste, candy, crayons, etc.), and commissioned the seating teams with prayer. A wonderful day getting to know each other and preparing ourselves for our work here, for our mission ministering to the people in Thailand in His name. Church tomorrow and sightseeing.

2010-02-15T23:53:00.000-08:00

Now it's time for another Wheels for the World trip. We leave in 2 days. Annie and I are packed and ready to go back to see friends and minister to the wonderful people of Thailand. Stay tuned.

2010-02-15T23:49:00.001-08:00

And God be with Egypt

2010-02-15T23:47:00.000-08:00

2010-02-15T23:45:00.001-08:00

We leave Egypt along with new friends.

2010-02-15T23:43:00.000-08:00

We left Heny with many tools to use after we left.

2010-02-15T23:41:00.000-08:00

Heny’s staff helped out. Couldn’t have done the 30 wheelchair fittings without them.

2010-02-15T23:38:00.000-08:00

Monday after ½ the team left for home in the morning, the other ½ that were going to remain to relax and site-see did another distribution day at White Angel.

2010-02-15T23:37:00.000-08:00

Lunch had to be very quick.

2010-02-15T23:33:00.000-08:00

We were having fun though. As busy as it was, it was a joy.

2010-02-15T23:31:00.001-08:00

Even busier than Abu Hennis

2010-02-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

Sunday, November 8. Remember, we were suppose to have distributed wheelchairs in Cairo in the beginning of the trip. This Sunday was suppose to be our last and relaxing day in Egypt before our flights home on Monday. To catch up and not leave disappointed people we made this a distribution day at White Angel with Heny (sp), the man in charge of this day school for the disabled.

2010-02-15T23:15:00.000-08:00

2010-02-15T23:11:00.000-08:00

We were here for 2 days. As always, fun and exhausting, and so many stories. We traveled back to Cairo late into the evening after the distribution on Saturday.

2010-02-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

Prayer before we start.

2010-02-15T23:05:00.001-08:00

The mechanics set up outside, with all patients and seating activities inside. Busy, hectic and crowded.

2010-02-15T23:02:00.000-08:00

Friday and Saturday November 6 & 7, we traveled by bus to Abu Hennis, the distribution site. We had to cross the Nile by ferry. This was the first time for the bus driver. The bus fit nicely crosswise.

2010-02-15T22:58:00.000-08:00

Here’s my buddy and master mechanic Jim Cowart with the Nile in the background.

2010-02-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

Thursday November 5 - Ok, here’s the rest of the story. Wednesday night the wheelchairs were finally released from Customs and trucked to a nearby location in Cairo. Many on the team stayed up late to sort out about 50 chairs to be trucked ahead of us to Abu Hennis. We traveled by bus to El Minya where our hotel was right on the Nile.

2009-11-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

2009-11-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

This is the outdoor amphitheater that seats 20,000. All seats are filled on any given service.

2009-11-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

2009-11-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

2009-11-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

Many bible stories and figures are carved into the cliffs.

2009-11-10T13:21:00.000-08:00

Crosses were everywhere, subtil at first, until you began to look for them. Negotiating the big tourist bus we were traveling in was truly remarkable. Some places only afforded inches, several point turns to get through. We headed to the top of the city where 2 amphitheaters have been carved out of the cliffs.

2009-11-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

Today we went to Simon's Church in Garbage City. Garbage City had sprung up over people sifting through and sorting usable/recyclable material in the local dump. The people there were generally all maner of unsavory character until 1972 when a Christion man (I forget what he did as a living, I'm working on slim memory here) began to minister to the people there. He began a wholesale change where today, most of the residents are Christian.

2009-11-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wednesday:
Sorry about the delay in postings. A hectic schedule coupled with intestinal problems left no time or inclination. Whew!

2009-11-05T00:32:00.001-08:00

Sorry about the fuzzy pictures. I forgot to turn my flash back on. Had to show you this lady, one of 2 that carried our bags up the stairs to the 2nd floor. This is Steve’s bag which weighs 50 or more pounds.

2009-11-05T00:27:00.000-08:00

Meg with her new girlfriend. She is one of the girls that did her own alterations. Notice the side arms are switched so that this high arm rest is in the front. This aids in her manuvering in and out of the chair.

2009-11-05T00:26:00.000-08:00

This is the girl’s home. We didn’t have too much to do. Some of the women had altered their chairs to fit their own conditions. Quite impressive. And they all we really happy to be with us and fun.

2009-11-05T00:25:00.001-08:00

These are brothers with muscular distrophe. They were quite fun, although Brother Raafat said they were subdued today by our presence, though it’s not the norm.

2009-11-05T00:17:00.000-08:00

These are the boys after we were through. Brother Raafat is standing at the far left.

2009-11-05T00:15:00.000-08:00

Tuesday:
Therapists Diane and Meg and mechanics Steve and myself with Inez as interpreter went back to the coptic care home for boys and another for girls also run by Brother Raafatfor proper seating adjustment and repairs, having wood, vinyl and foam available. Others returned to the White Angel disability center to help out for a few hours. Also, more home visits.

2009-11-04T23:52:00.001-08:00

Monday:
No pictures today. Coptic care home for boys. Nice, large facility that houses 10 boys, 9 of which use wheelchairs. The facility is run by Brother Raafat and is capable of housing up to 70. This day was mostly for assessment of the chairs and training by the therapists for lifting, transferring and etc as there was little time for Brother Raafat to devote to us. We mechanics got to use our tools for the 1st time fixing what we could on the chairs. Yahoo! On the way home, therapist Diane, support Rachel and mechanic me along with another team were dropped off for home visit. Ours was a famous comedian and movie star George who had a stroke about 13 years ago. He was married 3 years prior to that to his lovely wife Linda who has been caring for him since. They are Christian. Linda needed a little training on care but for the most part was doing really well already.

2009-11-04T23:49:00.000-08:00

The women: Diane Sanker, Elyse Cartmell, Meg Mueller, Meghan Lyndsay, Rachel Hetzel, Jenny Lotter, Patsy Lawton, Cindy Fahy, Jasmine Crawford, Eunice Galloway, Inez Joseph, Nivin Joseph, Donna O’Connor, Judy Soares with Blakely Pollock wandering elsewhere.

2009-11-04T23:48:00.001-08:00

The men: Dr. Bill Lawton, Jim Cowart, John O’Connor, Nick Frey, Steve McKenzie, Craig Garner with Gordon Soares wandering elsewhere.

2009-11-04T23:45:00.000-08:00

Elyse and Rachel just as a gust of wind came up.

2009-11-04T23:42:00.000-08:00

Sunday:
This morning we went to the largest evangelical church in Egypt. The service was about 1 1/2 hours long and translation over headphones was provided. The sermon was the wonderful message of Jesus and the Canaanite woman at the well; how she at first misinterpreted his message to mean earthly water rather than the heavenly slaking of thirst through our Messiah and then later to be so excited that she left her bucket at the well to tell the all of her village the good news. A perfect example of how we want to tell, with great excitement, all the people of the world of the good news. Aahhh, we were at home with our brothers and sisters in the land of Moses.

2009-10-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

Saturday and what Rachel Hetzel did:

Today while the rest of the team went to work with disabled children a few of us stayed behind to pray for the trip. This time of waiting for the wheelchairs has really brought us to our knees in prayer. It is funny how if everything had gone as we had planned, prayer, while important, would have been a secondary thought. But during this time of waiting it has become essential. Sometimes it takes a disruption of your plans to really turn your eyes to God and go from there. It was a great time of laying our burdens at the feet of the cross and strengthening and renewing our faith in God. It was also a great time to see each others hearts. Prayer is such an awesome gift! But one that so often I take for granted.

We were also able to take a couple hours to prepare the bags and gifts we brought for the wheelchair recepients. It was so exciting to pack the bags and think about the people we would be able to share it with. We have been so blessed by being there, I hope that we will be able to bless them in return.

Meanwhile, Craig and the team helped take some disabled children on a field trip. For many of the men, who are normally mechanics, this was far outside their comfort zone. They came expecting for God to use them in the same way He has before but God had other ideas. In this time of stretching and disrupted plans, God is really having to fill in the gaps. And he is faithful to do so!

Rachel Hetzel is the best person I have ever worked with. It is hard to find someone as talented as her in so many ways. She has the looks of Catherine Zeta Jones, the brains of Madeline Albright and the tenacity of Angelina Jolie.

What Craig did:

Rachel wrote the above.....which tells you what a blast it is to be here with her. I went with the group to the disabilities center. As Rachel said...it was a first for me and out of my comfort zone. To help with the center, we accompanied the staff and their charges to a fun park. We arrived in a bus and joined by the staff and kids. I was rather picked by a boy about 8 who sat next to me as he came down the isle. I knew right away we were a good match when he unzipped his backpack, pulled out a bottle of hand cleanser and cleaned his hands. He was, as the staff told me, a talker. He knew some English words but for the most part he talked and I signed. We got along well and held hands whenever we walked. He didn't want to go on most of the rides but l was able to convince him to go on the wheeler dealer bumper cars with me and had a ball. I'm so glad I went. What an experience. The staff of the center are amazing with big loving hearts for this ministry. I could see Gods works and His will up close and personal today and everyday I am here.

All for now. Church tomorrow at an evangelical church just a few blocks from here.

2009-10-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well, that's it for yesterday's posting...it's approaching midnight and I must get to bed. Today was sightseeing at Giza as this picture indicates. I will post more of what we saw today later. Tomorrow, most of us are going again to the disabilities center to do a field trip with the school residents....to give a respite and tea time for the staff. The rest of us will stay at the hotel and have a prayer session.

2009-10-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

This is Jasmine Crawford loving another animated little guy. Jasmine is our Wheels team photographer. You can see a Facebook album she has created for our first days here by going to:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=38210&id=1018050012&l=ac3136c24c

2009-10-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is Meghan Lyndsay helping a youth to calm, using accupressure....or Vulcan mind meld.

2009-10-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

Here is Steve McKenzie helping with crafts in the adult room. The fun really began with blowing bubbles.

2009-10-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

The head of the disabilities center told us his interest in disabilities started when he noticed that all the disabled kids he knew were all of a loving disposition. Long story short...he uses this ministry as a forum to change culture and society to become more aware, caring, loving and helpful not just to disabled but to everyone.

Sorry about yesterday's blog entry. The hotel is having problems with their router. The disabilities center is a couple of stories and this is through the door and leading up to the rooms. I thought the arcitecture and wood work interesting.

2009-10-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Thursday:

Today we went to another part of Cairo to visit a disabilities organization.

2009-10-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

It is nearly 11:00 pm here. No pictures again today. I took some but today was sort of a low key sightseeing day. I have taken a few walks along the Nile and into the surrounding neighborhood. Interesting to look at the architecture, traffic, and people. Fun too!

We are still awaiting the release of the wheelchairs. It's like a Frank Piretti novel. But the Coptics here are powerfully inspiring and loving and hard working people who well know their Father....that mountains can be moved by Him. There is a great need and want for what we have to offer to the wonderful people of Egypt. Please add your prayers toward the release of the wheelchairs and our outreach.

Tomorrow we will be visiting a disabilities organization to see/minister/teach/walk with disabled people of all ages, Muslim, Coptic and other Christians. It's about 2 hours away.

Short but sweet. Love to all.

In Christ,

Craig

2009-10-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

No pictures yet. Didn't even have the camera out. And we may be more reserved with our cameras.We arrived at about 11:15 am in Cairo today Tuesday. After a busride through town and checking into the Shepheard Hotel on the Nile River, we had some time to rest before our initial meeting. We are still awaiting the news that our wheelchairs have been released. Tomorrow our country leaders, Gordon and Judy Soares, and International Ministries director Chip Kingery and others will be meetings with our contacts here to determine alternate ministeries to wheel chair distribution. "Expect change" is the order of the day. We had a great buffet dinner at the hotel and then a short walk along the Nile. Do you remember the old video game "Frogger" where you try to negotiate your frog across a river or a street filled with hazards? Pedestrians here don't have the right of way.

All for now, my shower and bed awaits.

Kyrie eleison,

Craig

2009-10-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is what we did last Sunday at the Ahwhanee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. My daughter Devon was married to Garrett Fitzgerald. This is the really happy couple. Above is me on Devon's left arm and her stepdad Dan Deslauriers on her right, walking her down the aisle. These are the only pictures I have so take my word....what a grand time we had. They are honeymooning in Turks right now.

2009-10-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Well it's been awhile since I've blogged, so, sorry if I'm a little rusty at this.

We are about to head to Egypt for a Wheels for the World trip. I say "we" meaning the team. This mission trip I am without Annie. We are headed for Cairo 1st. And we need prayers for the release of the wheelchairs from customs. The team is going on the hope that all legal hang-ups will be removed very soon....and if not....there is still plenty for us to do there to support our in-country Christian brethren and the disability community of Egypt.

My 2 bags are packed with tools, materials and clothes, both close to the capacity of 50lbs. I may have some rearranging to do if my bathroom scale is off.

Stay tuned dear friends. This is the 1st trip ever for Joni and Friends to go to Egypt. And our Lord will help us with that.

2009-02-24T22:03:00.000-08:00

Well anyway. It’s been another wholly satisfying, wonderful missions trip with Wheels for the World. The heart of it bringing the good news of the gospel and performing Christ’s great edict “go and teach all nations”. The Thai people see that we care about them and care for them. And we get to tell them why we do this. And they do ask. And we tell them we do it because it pleases our God and because he 1st loved us. What a wonderful and powerful ministry Joni has started. There will be more to this blog later. Bye for now. Kyrie elison!

2009-02-24T22:01:00.000-08:00

Friday leaving the hotel. One last picture all together. Meg Mueller in the center in the black shirt and Rachel Hetzel laughing on the far left are both staying in Thailand. Rachel lived in Chiang Mai for 2 years and will be catching up with friends for about 2 weeks. Meg came on last year’s WFTW Thailand trip with us. She was so moved that she inquired and arranged to stay after this trip and work for RICD. She quit her job as therapist and will work with RICD and the Pioneers in the jungles of northern Thailand caring for the hill tribes for about 3 months (I hope I got all that right).

2009-02-24T21:59:00.000-08:00

My bathing beauty, Annie at the Gulf of Thailand. It was difficult leaving. It was beautiful and the people surrounding us were all so friendly.

2009-02-24T21:58:00.000-08:00

This was one of 2 shops where we could change into our bathing suits and then shower (for a fee) afterward. The shower consisted of dipping a plastic bowl into drum of water and dowsing oneself. Crude but effective and refreshing.

2009-02-24T21:57:00.001-08:00

Bathing hotties Sara, Rachel and Jasmine.

2009-02-24T21:56:00.001-08:00

This is Rat Island with the double hump. It is being chased by Cat Island further out in the gulf.

2009-02-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

Country leaders Judy and Gordon Soares in the Gulf of Thailand. We had about and hour and a half to play. It went by way too quickly.

2009-02-24T21:51:00.000-08:00

Oooo, monkeys at a park on our way to the beach. We stopped briefly. We were warned that they like to steal. It’s only a problem if you are trying to eat. We saw one Muslim family eating lunch on the lawn. A monkey had just stolen their watermelon and the lady tried to whack it with a towel.

2009-02-24T21:49:00.001-08:00

Karaoke at lunch. 'Nuff said.

2009-02-24T21:44:00.000-08:00

Thursday, our last day, a fun day. We 1st went to a new state-of-the-art natural history museum on the same island where we had dinner the night before. This is the view from it. One of the things that we apparently did not capture with our camera was the practice by some of the tourists, all Muslim I believe, of using some of us in our party to pose with them in their pictures. I posed a handful of times with little teenage girls. Strange, but not unpleasant. My guess is they knew we were from the States and therefore liked us. And apparently neither one of us remembered to take other pictures so you'll just have to trust us when we say the museum was terrific.