A Double Birthday Celebration, Isaan Thailand.

Yesterday, being Monday I was invited to my mate’s house to attend his birthday and his daughter’s birthday, his birthday is the 3rd and his daughter's is the 4th, so it was a double celebration.

He started the party for the kids at 4pm; he had a spare room in his apartments so made this a playroom for the kids. This room was proving popular.

We were looking after our niece Nong Ja, she was playing with Ben and also having a great time with all the other kids in the room.

The birthday boy was hard at work on the BBQ. No rest for the hungry children.

Here some Thai sausages are grilling away and some chicken that is cooked at the back of the grill.

The time came for some pictures of the birthday girl receiving presents from her friends. Chelsea is on the left in the front.

It was then time to blow the candles out on one of the many cakes and make a wish.

As the time ticked away some of the older guests arrived for the adults’ party.

The coals were fired up again and the grill on the BBQ was full of sizzling meat. It was a great sight and smelt good.

The birthday boy was busy grilling food but was happy as he had a drink ion his hand. He had a sidekick to help him, refill his glass when needed.

The birthday boy got this big and very heavy statue for a present. His wife is on the left and the lady on the right gave the present to him. I have no idea what the present is, as in the meaning of the statue. That is if there is one.

As per usual, the boys were all sitting together, talking crap of course. There was story after story with each one bigger than the last. Actually most of the discussion was around music and bands and artists from the past. With today’s technology there was a guess that tune from years gone by.

This cute little dog was brought by a family. When they walked in I told Keith that it was his daughter’s birthday present. I think his exact words were “Like fu%% it is. It is going on the BBQ if it is.”

His family has pestered him about getting a dog before but he knows that after a few weeks it would be him looking after it. He went away once and when he came back he had rabbits, after a month he had to look after and care for them. Last time he went away, when he came back gerbils had appeared. Only a few but they have since turned into a small army. They breed like nothing you have seen before. And they smell. He has nothing to do with them though.

And here some of the girls were enjoying the evening. Miss Noot, Ben and Ja were in the kid’s room playing.

Then it was time for the big guy to cut his cake. His wife offered him some support. There were 3 cakes to choose from. The problem is I know what he wished for, his team Chelsea to win the Champions League Title. This won’t happen now that I know his secret.

The evening was a lot of fun. I thought we would be home by around 10pm but this wasn’t even close. I walked in the door to home at 1.30am; this was just in time to watch the Premier League game starting at 2am. I watched the game and got to bed just before 4am.

The next two nights will be the same. Tonight there is the Champion League game between Arsenal and Manchester United. Then tomorrow night Chelsea plays Barcelona. So this means two more nights of not getting to bed till around 4am.

I am glad I am still on holidays. Sadly though, these are quickly coming to an end. I will have to become an honest working man again.

Brunty