Hi Everyone,

Our Thailand trip is just around the corner and we are starting to get excited. I have been to Thailand a couple of times before but feel I have only just scratched the surface of all the sights, sounds, and smells of this amazing and friendly country. We will be spending most of our time in Bangkok but may catch a flight somewhere close like Vietnam or Cambodia for an added adventure if time and funds permit.

My partner was born and raised in Thailand and immigrated to Australia 6 or so years ago however we like to get back and see her family as much as we can afford too.

On our last trip one of her family members was becoming a monk, a tradition that most boys do around their early 20's to honour the family even if it is only short lived, it was a fantastic experience with things that I never thought I would see or do. It was held in a little village but boy do they know how to party. Firstly they shave the hair of the young man and then his eyebrows as well and at any point anyone can go up and help with the shave.

(Pic#1: Sorry borrowed from google as I lost my pics of this)

Once the hair is fully removed the music blasts up and people can offer a donation to the monk by wrapping a piece of string around a baht note.

My partner and I hired an elephant for the ceremony as they are highly respected in Thailand and it was a real honour to have done that for them, however due to our gesture I was then granted the "special" privilege of riding the elephant with the monk.

(The monk and I on our first lap of the village, happier times lol)

I don't know how many of you have ridden an elephant before but I can tell you the first 30 minutes are great. The next 2.5 hours... not so much. At this point it becomes a real pain in the backside... literally. First your back gets sore from the metal bar digging into your back EVERY STEP the elephant takes, then Thailand's savage heat kicks in, oh and don't forget the trees flicking you in the face as you go past the narrow roads.

Upon arrival back at the main house the yard had been transformed into a stage, dancing area, dinning area for the oldies and was completely unrecognisable from when we had left that morning. Food was plentiful and drinks were flowing as the night progressed on and the music, which I didn't think was possible, was getting louder... like really really loud. There's only two types of music in Thailand, silence and loud.

I had snagged myself a seat not too close to the action but also not too far away that I couldn't see everyone dancing and enjoying themselves. Though well thought out, my plan to "blend in" had failed, my girlfriend had caught my eye and motioned for me to get up and dance even though I most certainly wasn't drunk enough for that happen, I reluctantly wandered down into the crowd.

Being one of only a few foreigners there my presence had been a bit of treat for some of the locals and they asked... no demanded I get up on stage much to my protests, they were all in vain.

I had no idea what I was doing or suppose to be doing and at one stage they handed me some sort of flute instrument thing. I never even seen one before let alone played it but I gave it my best. The lead singer would signal me to play and all the other musicians would halt the music and all that exited was this tiny ridiculous excuse of a note.

What I thought I looked liked

What I actually looked liked

The next day we dropped some phat beats and I showed the locals how to break dance

LOL No just a really well timed shot. I was just sitting down

In Thailand they only need one temp setting in their cars...

COLD

A little boy was lighting up a light bulb...still don't know how this wizard could have done this but the source of his magic seemed to come from sort of magical milk.

They got some really weird ideas for kids soft toys over there. These were gifts you could win with tickets at a gaming arcade.

Ummm... whats that

Well anyway, that was our last adventure and the next one is just around the corner.

We are going to go back and visit the little children at the orphanage again and bring some toys, love but more importantly, some money for much needed supplies.

If you would like to help out, whether it be upvotes, donations or just spreading the word so that others maybe be able to help it would be much appreciated.

TIP JAR:
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Sources
Pic source #1: http://tastythailand.com/what-to-expect-at-a-buddhist-monk-ordination-ceremony-in-thailand-most-thai-men-become-monk/
Pic Source #2:http://www.funnyordie.com/articles/6e10fdcdfb/fruit-and-vegetable-gifs