Last day in Krabi - Welcome to Trang

Our last day in Krabi was full of energy. Our first stop was the Laem Pho Mollusk Fossil site. The fossils in this site are believed to be about 75 million years old. Our second stop was the Outdoors Aquarium where we got to see a little bit of everything: small fish, BIG fish, colorful and even ugly fish. After that we visited Wat Tham Seua (aka Tiger Cave temple). Even though this visit presented a challenge, Maggie and Brett made us proud by climbing 1237 steps to the top of the mountain. I only climbed half of the mountain, but Maggie and Brett took amazing pictures for all of us!
After an amazing day we had to say goodbye to our friends in Krabi and move to the province of Trang. We were received with open arms. Our hosts families were very excited and happy to see us. I enjoyed a great dinner with my host family, Manit and Lynn Wongsureerat. They made thai rice noodles and shrimp soup for me. Delicious!

An amazing day awaits tomorrow! It will include a sea trip, snorkelling and visiting an underwater wedding festival.

Krabi

2/26 evening-

Spent the evening at the Krabi Tipa Resort belonging to Rotarian
Kanokwalee Engchuan. The resort was a compound of over 100 very nice
secluded bungalows very close to main street Krabi. Dinner was of
traditional dishes (chicken,rice, octopus, prawn, thai coconut soup
and egg omelette, among other things). Dinner included 7 Rotarians
from various vocations including hotel owners, doctor, insurance sales
and an owner of high end commercial construction company. Pitak
Peanusaha, a Rotarian, engineer and hotel owner was graciuous enough
to give us a tour of his property and treated us to an after dinner
cocktail. Before calling it a night we spent time on main street Krabi
where there were several vendors and a Burger King; I had forgotten
how good Whoppers really are!!!!!

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Updated photo for 226

Here's the correct photo for post 226, sorry! The other picture was in front of the Phuket Marine biological Center. So much fun!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The true meaning of resilency

Earlier this week, we visited Ban Nai Rai, a village in the stages of being rebuilt. The former site was ravaged by the tsunami four years ago. Thanks to local Rotary efforts and those abroad, 300 homes have been constructed. Right now, there are 65 units up in the mostly Muslim community.

There are still shards of its former tenants about - scattered debri, old clothes, toys that were probably loved dearly by some child. It was quite sad and very, very moving to see these people getting on with their lives. Children still being able to smile despite the cards they were dealt. It really makes you wonder about the inner strength that lurks within all of us. I will post photos of the village when I can. Until next time, peace, love and blessings.
~ Natasha

Thai Ocean Venture Co

We've had the pleasure of visiting the Thai Ocean Venture Co Ltd in Phuket which is one of the largest tuna processing plants in Thailand. The owners, Mr Paol Yu and Mrs Kanya Yu received us all and gave us an overview of their business. We had a tour of the very sterile and impressive plant, which included the chill room (-60C), freezing, trimming and cutting of the tuna and of course the packaging. We had a delicious lunch with the freshest tuna, mahi mahi and snapper, so next time you enjoy a delectable yellowfin sushi, know that if it came from TOV Co, you're having the best available in the world! Please feel free to check out their web site at: http://www.thaioceanventure.com/

Warm welcome at Phang Nga

We were welcomed with beautiful traditional Thai dancers by our hosts the Sineenat Jangtatang family and rotary club of Phang Nga. The team is in Krabi preparing to meet the rotary club for dinner. ~ the team
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Vocatioanl day for the team in Phuket

2/23 The team spent the day in Phuket visiting the various vocation
sites individually. I spent the day with Leo and Piopop at a local
credit union and bank.
More to come when internet access is available.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com