PocketWeather V2.0.8 code names "Doi Mae Salong" has finally been release - the day before we fly back to the UK, and in the middle of packing and moving house...oh what fun!

Full details of the new release can be found here.

The moving of all our stuff was entertaining. We hired a company, who provided 6 Thai guys who were fantastic. The loading of the lorry was straight forward. However the unloading was a bit problomatic...

and we had to get everything into this room...

The quickest and by far easiest was via the outside - straight up and over the balcony!

The only item that got damaged was a crack in the corner of our large mirror - which I did...

Adrian

Never a dull moment when we visit Hoay Maw!!!

Paul, having skilfully despatched the monster with his handy knife and butchering it like a well seasoned professional, he passed the beast's flesh around...some eating more than others...

...and others eating a lot less than others...

As usual, I was holding the camera, so was limited in the amount I could consume...but its blood still stained my hands...

Just in case you cannot make it out in the top photograph...

Yes - the King of Fruits - taste of Heaven, and the smell of hell!

Finally, we have arrived in Asia!

Update: a long-time friend of Jenny reminder her of a visit to Asia a some time ago - while walking through a market, Jenny's comment was "Has something died here?"...

We are aware that the many organisations based here in Chiang Mai and in the border areas are cooperating together in order to get aid and relief to those who urgently need it.

Thailand is an open country that welcomes and gives freedom to "development workers". Thailand itself benefited greatly from their hospitality to NGOs during their own time of need in the 2004 tsunami when there was an immediate and effective response. Thailand in turn acts as a sending base to help other countries in the surrounding region.

Two organisations that we can commend to you are Partners World and Haven Foundation.

If anyone would like to be informed of more specific local details then either contact us here or email direct.

Warning

"tropical Cyclone NARGIS"

No. 9 (59/2551) Time Issued : May 03, 2008

At 10.00 a.m. today, tropical Cyclone “NARGIS” in Myanmar was centered at latitude 17.0 °N and longitude 96.0 °E or about 300 km southwest of Mae Hong Son province with maximum sustained wind of 120 km/hr. The cyclone is moving east-northeast with wind speed of 15 km/hr along areas of Mae Hong Son tonight and is going to be downgraded. During 3-5 May, a succession of rain will be likely with heavy to very heavy rainfall in many places over the North, the Central and the East. People in the west part of Thailand, especially in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Kamphaengphet, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ranong, Chanthaburi and Trat should beware of flooding conditions. High sea is likely in the Andaman Sea. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore during 3-5 May.

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The above warning was published on the Thai Meteorological Department.

PocketWeather reported this morning that winds in Yangon were reaching 120 km/hr, gusting at 240km/hr - however I did have to fix a bug in processing the gust data - was only parsing 2 digit wind speeds - the gusting required 3 digit wind speed - now fixed...

Current is here

Current is here

Current is here

Judging from the above maps, it looks like the storm will pass to the North West of us. It has been raining a lot in the last week, although nothing to do with this storm, but apparently as a result of rain making...

Winds is picking up a little (compared to the normally very calm/no wind conditions). Unlike the UK which is constantly battered by strong winds all the time, trees and most peoples homes in the country are not designed to survive anything more than a strong breeze...

When it comes to towns and cities, although not regulated, constructions techniques use concrete, more concrete, and to be on the safe side, still more concrete...all hand mixed - and will survive just about anything...apart from...

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Update: Sunday Evening 4th May 2008 - well, other than a bit of rain on, we could have been completely unaware of what had recently happened on the coast where reportedly over 300 have been killed and 75% of the buildings destroyed - see here for more information.

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There seems to be a trend within our circle of friends to get pet dogs. This started happening a couple of years ago, first in the UK, and now here in Thailand.

Being allergic to dogs (I tend to bleed and come up with bruises when they bit me - as well as sneeze, wheeze etc), I have never been too fond of dogs. Cats are okay, as long as they belong to someone else. Worms are fine - easy to look after...in the garden.

With the world wide increase of food prices, I have finally understood the wisdom of all our friends in getting their four-legged pets. And with the predicted major climate change in Northern Europe resulting from the impending failure of the Gulf Stream - temperatures drop - snow - ice - (Skiing!). They are really "Man's Best Friend"!

While visiting Hoay Maw yesterday, we first heard, then observed a neighbour making full use of this untapped resource...

Nothing wasted - and for the Europe, the fur can be used to make warm coats

"We're having dog tonight!"

We had heard that this practice was common in the region. No we did not eat with them that evening, as we had to drive home. A source tells us that their meat tends to make you hot (I guess that means hard to digest) - excellent for cold countries, like the UK once the Gulf Stream fails...

We have heard that Bangkok resolved their stray dog problem in a similar way by exporting them. And for those worried about rabies, Thailand has a good vaccination programme.

So what's for dinner tonight?

We would naturally not make use of this practice ourselves, as we do not have a dog. We cannot judge others if they do so, whether in Thailand, or the UK...however if we were hungry, we might re-evaluate our position and start to visit friends with dogs...

We were really privileged to be able to spend a weeks holiday in Singapore with our friend Agnes and her two children Marissa and Ben. We had a wonderful time.

We stayed at Agnes' apartment and were treated like royalty. Saani (Agnes' maid) prepared wonderful breakfasts with pancakes, muesli and lovely fruits. We also enjoyed a diversity of meals from Indian in Little India to Dim Sum at the club.

We spent quite a bit of time chilling out at the appartment, in the swimming pool, playing games or watching movies.

We also managed to fit in a few interesting activities:

Science Centre

Get a head!	On a plate!
Audience!	Tessla effect demo

Marissa's Prosthetics Exhibition

Dim Sum After Bowling

Water Park

Youth Service

Went to a great gathering of about 400 youth. Was like Cutting Edge and the first song was 'History Maker'!

Ice Skating

Friends!	On the ice!
Weak!	Wet!	Wobbly!

Tree-Top Adventure Trail

Jessica	Go-Ape!
Adrian	Agnes
David	Tom

Thank you Agnes, Marissa & Ben,
You are great company and thanks for a fabulous time. We look forward to next time!