Happy Halloween

Halloween, and again I was on the road. This time in the Czech Republic.  Not a bad place to be if you are interested in monsters, ghosts and history.  So I decided to wake up early and travel to the city of Kutna Hora.  Why?

To visit the Sedlec Ossuary (a building made for housing people's remains).  This one goes back to 1278 AD, when a local abbot was sent to the holy land as part of the crusades. When he retuned he brought soil from Golgotha, and scattered it over the church cemetery. 

Soon, word of his deed spread, as it often does, and this little church became  one of 'THE' places to be buried in Central Europe. Every bit of help to improve your odds of going to heaven I suppose. Creative marketing!

It is estimated that between 40,000 and 70,000 people were buried here. The Black Death and Hussite wars in the 14th and 15th centuries were a boon for business.  Before long, there was no more room in the cemetery, and the remains had to be exhumed and placed inside the newly built Ossuary.

It is said a half blind monk was given the task of digging up the bodies and stacking them (in 1511).  Then, in 1870 a local woodcarver was hired for the job. Apparently he was more of the creative type. 

Not only did he leave his name in bones above (J. Rint), but he came up with the idea of Skeleton chandeliers, candle holders, a family coat of arms (and legs, shoulders hands...)and other decorations. 

Needless to say, it was an interesting place. I wonder what his house looked like?

People like to put money around the bones.  Does that bring good luck?  Or is it like some ancient carnival game, where you try to bounce the coin into an eye socket?

I have no idea. 

But it was a great place to spend a brisk Halloween morning. 

And then, by the magic of modern air travel, I made it back just in time to spend a wet rainy night out on the town with this crew. Happy Halloween indeed! What a bizarre holiday. 

Bangkok

Back in Bangkok!  We always have a good time. This was no exception. There is so much going on with no shortage of things to do, see, eat and of course - purchase!

The kids enjoyed travelling the city by river taxi. 

Well..most of the time. It was still pretty hot and humid. 

Weston spent some more time talking to the local monks...

...And trying to find a way to talk to the cotton candy vendors

With School season in full swing, and new uniforms in order, we dropped by a trusted tailor. 

Everyone had some things made (despite protests by Shayne, who would rather wear sweats and flip flops everyday). Weston was especially keen and made sure to negotiate a free matching handkerchief for the front pocket of his new suit. Funny kid. 

We made time to tour the backstreets and alleyways in a Tuk Tuk.  The kids decided we needed one of these for home. 

When the heat was too much, we popped in for a massage, or relaxed in our hotel room while the afternoon thunderstorms hit. We had a prime view of the Chao Phraya river.

But to be honest, we usually just powered through the heat and rain, stopping from some fresh coconut ice cream, Thai pancake or fruit shake (I prefer watermelon).  That way our shopping could continue unabated.  

I suppose we made some time for a few cultural outings. No trip is complete with out a stop by the Grand Palace (not sure how many times I have been now).  Weston made sure to point out the replica of Angkor Wat (the subject of his school report).

We all enjoyed trying to decipher the color wall paintings.  We are pretty sure the monkey people were fighting the demon people on behalf of the giant demi gods for control of the golden temple. We may be wrong.  Regardless, it was a bloody hard fought engagement. 

However, there was gold and brilliant sparkling colors everywhere you looked.

I have a picture just like the one below from when I was 12. Some politically incorrect jokes never get old. Too bad he was not ticklish then or now.

We made sure to spend some time with the Emerald Buddah (also known as the Jade Buddah, but actually made of green jasper),  pondering the statues significance,  long history and many travels.  At least until sitting cross legged grew too painful for my poor old knee and I had to stand up.

We stopped by the red cross snake farm (second oldest in the world) to watch and learn about milking venomous snakes for anti venom. 

And then watched them introduce and handle a few specimens in the outside arena. Weston was terrified for much of the show.  And with good reason, giant King Cobra's and aggressive rat snakes were placed on the ground a few meters from where we were sitting, desperately trying to escape by the exit next to us. One handler was bitten by a non venomous snake on the arm, drawing blood.  Weston scrambled for higher ground and begged to leave. 

And then, at the end of the show, they asked for a volunteer. For some reason Weston was the first person to raise his hand. He was asked to come to the front and close his eyes, while two handlers hauled a gigantic albino constrictor up behind him, and draped it over his shoulders. He was all smiles and loved the attention and applause.  A natural showman milking the crowd. Like I said, funny kid. 

One hot afternoon we tried out a new attraction. The Escape Hunt. We were placed in a locked room, and given 90 minutes to try to solve a mystery and unlock different doors and clues. It was actually fun for everyone, and involved puzzels, riddles, secret codes, invisible writing, and misdirection - the whole nine yards.  

We planned to let the kids do all of the work, but Rebekah and I could not help getting caught up in the excitement and rush of the challenge. It literally took all of us to figure it out.  An interesting way way to pass an afternoon as a family (out of the heat and rain).

Despite all the fun (and new purchases), when time came to go home we were ready. It felt like we had been gone a long time. The kids wanted to see the dog. Rebekah wanted to move into our new house, which had been vacated while we were gone.  We arrived to sunshine, a big rainbow and an excited dog. 

Then we settled in and let the moving and unpacking begin... It felt like we were starting a new chapter in Ireland.  We are ready for the challenge. 

Philippines

We made our way to Manila, to enjoy some of the rainy season and local traffic. Sometimes the two combine to create a river of cars. You have to love this megalopolis. 

It was great to be back, and we appreciated the welcome signs. 

Of course the sign is really for Douglas MacArthur, and the American troops. We were in Tacloban, on the Leyte gulf, where MacArthur fulfilled his promise to return after fighting his way back up the Pacific island chain from Australia. MacArthur was one of the 3M's that the kids were studying in conjunction with our trip to the Philippines.    

We took some time to visit the memorial to this event (which was sponsored and dedicated by former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos - also one of the 3 M's).  The statue has seen better days. Of course typhoon Haiyan (one the strongest ever recorded)  in 2013 did not do it any favours.  

We  made sure to stop by and visit a residence of Imelda Marcos. She was from this area, so wanted a place to entertain guests and stay when she was in town (which she never did). It was, as can be imagined, way over the top, and a shrine to her and the family (but mainly her). There is some confusion today over if it was built as a museum or a residence?  I am not sure many museums have 20 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 30 person dinning tables (2 of them), and ball room dance floors.  She is also rumoured (according to two different sources we spoke with) to have build a secret underwater submarine entrance to an island mansion she owns near by (right out of a 007 movie).  I did not see it myself. 

But that is not why we came to Tacloban (although a secret underwater submarine lair would have been cool to see)

We were in town to help out with a shipment of medical equipment, and to assist in the building of some houses for the typhoon victims. 

The damage is still evident. It was a truly massive storm, and almost everyone we spoke with had a story.  Most were horrific. A number of enormous ships were literally thrown out of the water, where they have now been turned into squatters quarters. 

No way (or money at least) to salvage them.

We spent a couple of days working on some houses for the victims. Like Africa a few weeks before, it was hard work.  Lots of cement mixing by hand, and this time it was really hot and humid. Our strength was quickly drained, but with future and hopeful residents standing nearby, we tried to keep working. Even my nephew Sean Reay was on hand to help and lend his muscles. He was a good sport. 

Weston tried his best and did not complain. He was thoping to earn money to buy a toy.  Does that still count as service?

He enjoyed painting the metal beams to stop rust and oxidation much more then mixing cement.  The guy in charge said the paint was toxic, so he should try not to breath. 

Good luck with that buddy. 

Shayne was asked to fill water for the cement mixers with her good friend Elle Morrison. In fact the Morrison's helped arrange the whole event, and were there with us. They are great travel companions.  

Before too long, the girls services were required elsewhere. Namely, watching over s new puppy and teaching the local kids how to make rubber band bracelets (I do not know what they are called, but it was  big hit)

At the end of the day, we supplied soda and chips (by special request of the workers were not as excited about of gift of fresh bananas the day before). 

A few days later in Manila I came across a great new business idea, the first food AND drink in ONE food stall! (..."This is going to put the other pizza-in-a-cup guy out of business"   - Navin R. Johnson) 

It was hard to believe this guy was the first to think of that idea.  Where do I sign up for a franchise. I wish I had been able to apply that method in Tacloban.  Nothing like Coke and soggy chips. 

But I digress.  We had a wonderful time, enjoyed the people, were able to see friends and family.  It was a mini family reunion for us (My Dad, Ellen, Sean Reay, Josh, Nicole and Tate jackson...) we felt right at home. 

oh - and for those keeping score at home, the last  'M' is Ferdinand Magellan. 

"The More you know..."