Volume 9, February, 2010
In this edition...
The Coconut Telegraph
A Better Burnout
It's that time of the year again. The festive season and the holiday makers have come and gone and the island is returning to its natural rhythm. It was wonderful to see old friends over the holidays: Guy Gill; Martin and Eliane; Hans and Jo; Astrid; and others. It is always a pleasure to spend quality time together as there are laughs aplenty. Part of the joy of living on this island is making new friends and I had the special pleasure of getting to know Christophe and Vivienne, a wonderful couple - both chefs - from Switzerland. Perennials like Jim and Sharon showed up recently and Murray and Lei arrive soon.
The cashew flowers are sprouting cashew nuts and soon the jungle will be crawling with people collecting the fallen nuts. In fact, the first nuts are already falling. Burmese laborers are clearing the jungle and the inside of the island is a hive of activity. The Cashew Nut Festival is slated for late February and should prove to be another classic Koh Phayam event.
Ted is leaving early this year to catch the Olympics in Whistler. Thanks to some good friends, he has a place to stay at the bottom of the downhill at Whistler Creek, a ski pass so he can work as a volunteer for Whistler Blackcomb Corporation and perhaps even a paying job. The job as a volunteer looks to be stressful: Ted will work one day a week, skiing on the hill and making sure people are having a good time!
Every day is an adventure. There has been plenty of physical activity around here what with Ted and Astrid training like crazed demons. That and the fact that we have been spending plenty of time in the ocean chasing waves makes for early mornings and early evenings.
K.K. Aow Yai Resort purchased a pair of gorgeous, hand built, wooden sea kayaks and will be offering them as part of his services. I think the island is ready for more water sports as I see more surfboards and even occasional sea kayaks passing through.
Perhaps one of the most significant events to happen on the island this season is that there are now Burmese children attending the local school. Through the dedicated efforts of Linda and Lisa, a fund has been established to help educate these kids. Fundraisers at establishments across the island occur regularly and usually include live music and good food.
A Guest Contributor
lets the dogs out.
Survival Tips for Island Living
Seven tenets to live by....
Waves, women and other observations.
