Back Home in Bendagolia

Outside the Man Shed Bendigo

Recreation of Som Tum at home (Green Papaya Salad)

Sticky Rice fried Rice Cakes.

Thailand 2026

Post my 70th birthday I went to Thailand (a gift from my wife and daughter) to visit my old friend Rick Gamble. He runs a successful surf shop and business and I was a grateful guest of his hospitality.

Saltwater Dreaming Surin Beach Phuket.

108/3 Srisoonthorn Rd, Choengtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand.

Mango the shop manager cat.

Mango hard at work. He copies Rick.

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad), Laarb (pork meat salad) and bbq chicken.

Small restaurant across the road from my accommodation.

Beach market Surin Beach.

Surin beach sunset.

Laab, chicken and other salads.

Wat Chalong (Buddhist Temple)

Saweede Kup

Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong

My Temple fortune. Basically I was going to have bad luck but bad luck has run out so I get good luck. :-)

The  Hah Chet Phet Sak Yant tattoo

Symbolises an impenetrable spiritual armour that is believed to provide the wearer with protection from physical harm, danger and negative energy. 

It also represents and bears Kindness, Compassion and Good Fortune to the wearer.

Five Lines Sak Yant Tattoo

1. The first row prevents unjust punishment and leans in your favour when the area is grey, cleans out unwanted spirits and protects the place you live in.

2. The second row reverses and protects against bad horoscope constellations and bad fortune.

3. The third row protects you from black magic and anyone who tries to put a curse on you.

4. The fourth row energises your good luck, success and fortune in your future and life style.

5.The fifth row is to gain charisma and attraction to the opposite sex. It is also is a boost to the fourth row.

Breakfast of champions. 95 Baht ($4)

Night market.

Surin Beach.

Smokes 75 Baht a pack ($3.30)

Not mine and you can't bring more than 1 pack home.

More Som Tum and Laarb with Rick.

Happy Birthday to Me

More Sourdough Bread

Poppy Seed Loaf from last week.

Cheddar Cheese and my Garden's Green Chilli's.

Yum

Double Yum.

Stormaggedon Bendigo then Serenity

The storm Tue evening 24th February 2026 Bendigo Cemetary

The next day at home

Peaceful Buddha

Chilli's

Laughing Buddha

Chilli's

Chilli's again.

Riverina Camping Fishing and Hunting

Lachlan River Camp

Lachlan River

Piggy

Mud Marlin

Piggy Schnitzels

Piggy Kabana

Smoked Piggy Kabana