Delineating Des

Almost every morning, I turn on my computer half-asleep. Friday was the same mood. When my home page appeared, I read the news title, and continued clicking to open other sites. Suddenly I paused, fully awake now and asked, "what was that?!" I clicked back, dread creeping in and with head starting to throb defiantly at the headline, I thought, "of course, it's just Michael's namesake." That's how my weekend kicked off. As far as I can remember, this is my only second time to feel bad about a celebrity passing away. The first was Lady Di in 1997. Like many others, I focused on work to forget that something upsetting was going on. I reeled through business travel topics the entire Sunday. Stech held another Teacher's Day ceremony for the weekend classes. Several bouquets, all beautiful, arrived in the faculty office. As soon as I was handed this bloom, Elton John's voice boomed in my mind, "Goodbye, England's rose..." Memory associati...

It's Father's Day and in my case, it's remembering-Papa day. Sweet things that remind me of him have a place in my heart, and in my palate. My father had a sweet tooth. When I was little Mama lectured the two of us about the hazards of too much sweets. Papa did the opposite and secretly allowed me to eat all the sweets I wanted. Sometimes he would take me out to eat ice cream until the tip of my nose was cold. When he passed away in 2005, I lost my 'partner in crime.' I made sure there was enough ice cream for everyone at the funeral reception. It has been four years of collecting memories of him, and the list now includes a weekend self treat that has become rather indulgent. Macadamia choco cheese cake and durian ice cream - my old man would have loved these. This is my imperfect shot of a perfect indulgence: Papa would have spoiled my boys just as he spoiled me. I just know he would have. History has a sweet way of repeating itself, doesn't it? The eldest...

Quick Facts: Ayutthya was founded in 1350 and is Thailand's second ancient capital (after Sukhothai); It was named after Ayodhya, a city in India, the birthplace of Rama It was once a sprawling metropolis and a famous hub of international trade It was destroyed by the Burmese army in the 18th century It is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Look at these chedis. I can't figure out exactly if the base of each pinnacle is either a square or a bell. I stood far away waiting for other tourists to clear the view when I took this shot. If it's a bell-shape then it's of Ceylonese influence. If it's a square, it's disctinctly Thai style. I would say the base on the right looks like a bell, but the left one is what I'm not sure of. How does it look to you? Prang are huge and high reliquary towers dotting the city. These are the tiny versions. The corn cob-shaped and rounder stupa shows Cambodian influence. This time I drew nearer as I suspect my SPF 50 wa...

Something exciting kept me busy this weekend. It's getting overwhelming. I have been procrastinating, and like I commented on a co-blogger's post, 'I must need a little electric shock on my butt to get cracking. ' Since yesterday all I have mustered was reviewing my shots of one of the world's most notable landmarks and praying that when the go signal is on, I'll be ready to face this city again: Unwillingly going back to work after a very hyped series of holidays must have made me in need of prodding. I'm battling to topple at least 30% of necessary research by tomorrow. There are calls to make, banks to visit and a kicking urge to rise from lethargy. But blimey! I can't even remember which part of London is this: The desire to be back in England mixes with major hurdles in front of me. At least blimey is british so that's a start. For the first time in three years I don't mind the thought of going groggy with jet lag. Have a great week, every...

After several weekends of non-stop out-of-town trips and sightseeings, I finally stayed put in Bangkok this weekend. I have used up my holidays for April and May, and it's time to get back to normal routine. Wet season begins. With it come things yummy: markets are abundant with fruits, and they are very cheap. Mangosteens are sold for 20 baht a kilo, gala apples 5 baht each, mangoes for 25 baht a kilo, papaya for 10 baht a kilo and Monthong durian for 40 baht a kilo. Aung San Suu Kyi was on my mind when I ate mangoes this week. It's not her predicament on the news these days; nor that framed picture resting askew on the wall, which I remember I bought in Myanmar. I am reminded of an article I read around the time before her husband died. It mentions that she likes Thai mangoes, this variety: The article also describes something I have never read anywhere else and at any time - a rare moment in which the nobel laureate burst into tears when her strictly monitored, very limi...

Kanchanaburi is rich with World War II history. I was there a few weekends ago and visited several tourist spots. The photos I'm posting for now are those of the River Kwai. This was taken very early in the morning on the bank of the River Kwai : Floating guesthouses on the River Kwai taken from a train window . That structure in the middle is the restaurant. The upper level is usually used at night by guests who want natural air conditioning while dining. It also serves as a dance floor: The ' Bridge on the River Kwai ' (taken late in the afternoon). You may be familiar with this caption as also a title of a novel. The film of the same title is, according to the link, "deemed 'culturally, historically or aesthetically' siginifcant and selected for preservation in the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry." An old train crossing the bridge over the River Kwai : Have a great week, everyone!

If you want something 'fishy,' Thailand's Namtophliu National Park in Chantaburi is the place to be. The stream is thickly populated with catfish. I can't believe how tame they are. They sense it when people approach, they come near where they know they are going to be admired, fed, or photographed : They're not afraid of humans. No wonder my friend wants to pet them :-) ~ Crowd near the waterfall - feeding, swimming, chatting, some were just watching the activity, and I was wondering how to wade in without stepping on them because they swish through people's feet freely: ~ Friends throwing them a string beans party : ~ Delicate pink - I saw this while hiking deeper into the forest. It's growing on fissures between the rocks. Does anyone know the name of this flower? ~ A moss-covered chedi made from laterite, built to commemorate King Rama and Queen Sunantha's visit to the park in 1876. Queen Sunantha drowned when the royal boat capsized in the Chao Phr...

When my sightseeing buddies (former college roommate and son) and I visited Pattaya two weekends ago, we didn't know there was something else going on besides it's reputation as Sin City . TAT or Tourism Authority of Thailand launched the 5 Region Thai Travel Fest. The fest is held in a major city of each region and the venue for May 1st to 3rd was coincidentally Pattaya where we were. It was a relief to witness something other than whore-filled bars that line the long street opposite the beachfront. This travel fest was organized in an effort to stimulate the economy by trying to attract tourist to experience the country. The five regions show the best of what they got. Fruit carvings: a watermelon-turned-rose Thai ladies at work Thai musicians - can anyone help me name these instruments? It's cooking.... Many of you may be aware that Thailand is famous for its Thai silk. See the silk threads ascending from the silk worms . 'S unken treasures' at the Underwater...

Lopburi is very old ; has been around for many hundreds of years. Traces of its past mingle with new buildings right in the middle of town. When we alighted from the train on our arrival, the first thing that met my eye from a very short distance is something that told me we were in for a weekend of historical charm. And I wasn't disappointed. This is our breakfast view: Friendly locals who noticed us circling the ruins and snapping through barbed wires told us to walk a few meters ahead and turn right to get a good shot. The place was open but we didn't venture in. It was mainly King Narai's palace we wanted to see, but couldn't as it was closed for the Songkran holidays. Our hotel stands opposite the palace, but all our curious selves could do was imagine what wonders lie behind the huge, ancient gate. Ah well, next time then. Coming back from the AIDS Temple , we hurriedly proceeded to the ruins of the french ambassador's mansion. We bask in the charm and charact...

It is sometimes referred to as the AIDS Museum, I tend to call it AIDS Temple. Descriptively it is a buddhist hospice for AIDS patients, the largest one in Thailand. Three of us, a friend, my son and I paid Wat (temple) Phrabat Nampu in Lopburi a visit last weekend. As it is where people with AIDS go to to die, most of what we saw are not exactly the ones I'm in a hurry to show off. But if you are curious, you may want to click on a post I did days ago. Anyway, on with shots that I don't think will give anyone a coronary: 100 steps to the wat After the climb this is where you arrive at "View from the top" - those are bare cornfields visitors pass by on their way to the temple Side view of the Life Museum which ironically displays mummies A usual sight around Thai temples Bone sculptures The temple bell Life is beautiful. Most of us would prefer that of course. AIDS is also real.