Rubber Steamboat

Oct 12 and the start of the school holidays. We both awoke with colds, but hallelujah the sun was shining, no rain for 24 hours! Most of the children who have relatives to go to for the holidays have gone leaving 15 or so behind.

Our trip to the bikeshop to buy some more tools and parts was postponed because the orphanage's Director, Rotjana was needed at short notice at the orphanage's rubber plantation. Everyone packed into the truck and off we went with lunch supplies to be cooked there. The small  rubber plantation is 15-20 minutes drive away and is part of the orphanage's plan for sustainability and for employment opportunities. As well as rubber trees there are newer plantings of palm oil palms, pineapples and bananas. There is also a large pond stocked with an abundance of fish which will be ready for eating in around 6  months time. Ducks and pigs complete the scene.

Later we did some fishing but not for fish. We had managed to lock our keys in our bungalow as we hurriedly departed for the truck. The spare keys  due to a mix up were apparently on their way to Australia with the group being sponsored over there. On our return we removed some louvres and fashioned a hook on a long pole and voila! Not quite as satisfying as battling a kahawai or hauling in a snapper, but egg safely removed from face.

In the evening as a treat  for the remaining children we went to an all you can eat "steamboat" restaurant, the type where you cook your own food on a steamer. 99 baht per head. Great fun. Bargain.