The house on the lake is nearing completion – Just needs the bridge finishing off.
Not much to look at from the outside reasonably comfortable for anybody staying overnight.
Andrew
Beginning of Vassa (Theravada) – Buddhist lent
Today is the first day of Vassa ( “Dharma Day” ) . During Vassa monks remain in their monasteries and intensify their meditation practice and sometimes give up eating meat, smoking. This is why Vassa is sometimes called the “Buddhist Lent.” Laypeople participate by bringing food and other necessities to monks.
Ban Dung – Market Day
The 4th of every month there is a Big open air market in Ban Dung. We went today to get some more papaya plants plus 2 Longan fruit trees . I bought two pairs of jeans and 2 shirts for working in – price 200 bahts.
Fish Farming
The Fish farming project is now progressing . We have just purchased 1,000 fry of “blah nin” ( A species of Tilapia) which was introduced
into Thailand 30 years ago from Japan and has since become Thailands most important cultured fish.
These are currently in a penned of enclosure by the house we are constructing on the lake. When the fish start to mature someone will have to stay overnight here to prevent poachers stealing the mature fish.
In addition we have also purchase some blah dtuk ( Catfish) which are in a separate enclosure.
Snakes – Pit Viper
Went out cutting down the weeds again. When I saw something move in the undergrowth. It was a green White-Lipped pit viper ( As I found out later after I looked it up in my book)
They are usually nocturnal , venemous and dangerous. Apparently their bite is rarely fatal but I wouldn’t like to risk it as the local hospital doesn’t have a stock of anti-venom.
3 Monthy Report
Went for my 3 monthly report yesterday to Nong Khai immigration. I was in and out in 5 minutes. Then Travelled down to Udon to do our monthly shop at “Big C”. Aslo called at Global Home to buy a few Tools.
Weeding Again
Been working cutting down the weeds and scrub in the Larger Rubber plantation today. The weather was hot today with no cloud cover or rain like the past two days. Three hours was enough before I called it a day. Bao and his friend ( with Tim supervising) were working on the new Resort in the Lake. On the way home Saw a BIG snake – maybe 2 meters long crossing the road in Wang Paong village.
Weed Clearing
Started hacking down some of the more persistent weeds again. I managed 5 hours today – The weather is hot and humid so it is hard going.