 |
| Our current private vacation home in Rawai, Phuket, Thailand. |
Over these past few days since our arrival, I’ve since discovered that rest seems to be the best treatment to improve my condition. This doesn’t mean lying in bed immobile. But it does mean two things; one, not a lot of walking and two, not bending at the waist over short countertops and sinks.
 |
| We’ve yet to use the pool with rain these past few days but will soon. Interior photos will follow over the next few days. |
As a result, there’s been no point in sightseeing or even taking a walk in the neighborhood. As yet, we haven’t taken any photos in Phuket or, in the house. We’ll make every effort to take photos soon.
 |
| We’d love to be able to dine outdoors, but the masses are fierce at dusk. |
Unpacking in a less tidy manner than usual, the house in now a little cluttered with our stuff since I can’t bend over to organize and it doesn’t make sense for Tom to move everything to enable me to take the photos.
 |
| Examples of clothing worn by the Viet Cong. |
As a result, today we’ve added a few photos of the property from the listing as shown and we’ll add more as we go along. In several days, we’ll be getting out to take photos of the area and a few of exquisite beaches in this area. Phuket is known for its beautiful beaches, clear blue waters with hundreds of smaller islands.
 |
| Map of the vast coverage of the Cu Chi Tunnel. In the basket in front of the map is a hand tool used to dig the miles of tunnels. |
Actually, we’re enjoying it here considering our circumstances. We’ve figured out which fans to use to keep us comfortable in the rooms where we don’t use the air con. Plus, having screens has made a huge difference in keeping us from feeling closed in.
 |
| Booby trap. Scary. |
With two English speaking news channels we’re able to remain up-to-date on US and world affairs and with a flat screen TV we can plug in the HDMI cable to watch a movie or favorite TV show at night after dinner, not unlike evening activities of many citizens throughout the world.
 |
| Tom tasted a ration used by the Viet Cong made of coconut, seeds and sugar, compressed into a crispy stick. He said it was surprisingly palatable. |
Sure, I’m chomping at the bit to get out but having angst or frustration over our current circumstances would only add stress. As always, we’re making the best of our situation, smiling and laughing throughout the day in our usual playful lighthearted manner.
 |
| The vent for the underground kitchen within the tunnel emitting smoke a distance from the location of the kitchen to prevent enemy attack. |
We have no doubt that within a month, I’ll be fully recovered as it improves a little each day, especially now with this new less active plan. Tom helps me with chopping, dicing and cooking along with all household tasks.
 |
| This was actually a live person in a slightly below ground bunker making uniforms and other gear used in the tourist center which also served as an example of how clothing and gear was made during the war. |
We’d hope to process the Indonesian passport while here sending our passport to the US by registered mail for processing and return. It was a flippant thought. There’s no way we’re willing to be a foreign country without our passports in our possession, even if only for a week. If we had an emergency and had to leave suddenly, we’d be in big trouble.
 |
| At first glance we wondered why these tired were cut into piece. Kong explained how the old tires were used to make sandals for the Viet Cong. See photo below. |
Instead, once in Bali after the 24th day, again we’ll do the three day Lovina run (two hours of driving each way, each day) to the immigration office. There’s simply no other option than this bothersome task other than to leave the country and re-enter. That would require airfare for two and a round trip of the four or five hour harrowing drive to Denpasar and back. The Lovina option is the more logical decision.
 |
| These are the sandals that were made from old tires worn by the Viet Cong. |
 |
| Underground area for making bombs and booby traps. |
 |
| Kong illustrated a booby traps that targeted a soldier opening a door in two ways. Horrible. |
 |
| More items used in booby traps, made on site by the Viet Cong. |
 |
| The Australian Brushturkey, also called the Scrub Turkey or Bush Turkey freely roamed the Cairns Botanical Garden which we visited one year ago today.These turkeys are not closely related to American turkeys. Click here for more details. For more of our photos from the botanical garden tour, please click here. |