The Most Beautiful Thai Girl. In My Eyes.

Spago Italian Restaurant Ubon Ratchathani Thailand.

The other night we made our way to Spago, Ubon Ratchathani’s genuine Italian restaurant owned and run by Franco and his wife. I hadn’t been for too long and had been craving a good feed. I had planned on going alone but the girls returned home early and decided to join me.

The girls, the older girls were frustrating being Noot and Ben. They looked over the menu too long and I waited as I wanted to get something different from what they chose. Then they changed their minds and so on. Noot wanted a Hawaiian pizza and Ben a lasagne but then the lasagne changed to above.

A spinach and mozzarella dish that I loved but Thais are not huge fans of melted cheese and I tried to change their minds back to the lasagne but to no avail. They did enjoy it but the lasagne would have been much better for them with the fresh pane bread to dip into it.

I had bruschetta, loaded with capers, olives and parmesan.

We ordered some French Fries for Ja.

Ja munched on some of the fresh pane bread and a few French fries waiting for the pizza. She was very keen for pizza.


And here it is. A half Hawaiian and half Italian sausage with chicken (love this sausage and especially the pasta dish Franco does). It was very good.

So Ja got busy with Knife and fork.

I had two pieces of my half a pizza and Franco finally had enough time to sit down for a glass of beer and a chat. So we chatted away while the girls tucked in.

In no time Ja had demolised two full pieces of pizza and the other girls polished off the rest. Soon Ja was reminding me we had to go to Big C to buy milk and we were on our way.

Again great food from Spago and was great to catch up with Franco. Spago is now open all day on weekends. If you want an excellent feed be it pizza or pasta give Spago a try as you will not be disappointed.

Brunty

Christmas Is Not Over in Isaan Thailand.

Well Christmas in Isaan Thailand just cannot finish yet.

Nong Ja has decided that the top part our Christmas tree must stay up for Santa. Noot had pulled the tree down when Ja was at school but it wasn’t put away. After asking why the tree had been pulled down she decided to put it back up by herself.

So out with the box of tinsel and decorations and Ja went to work.

Ja is a laugh, Jay take a picture and then she does this with her eyes.

And Ja thinks Santa is coming back soon as she keeps putting biscuits, sweets and other things in containers under the tree. When you ask her who they are for, she tells you Santa.

I tried to explain Santa will come next year but was met with a “no” and he was coming at night.

So Christmas isn’t quiet over here in Isaan Thailand.

Brunty

Am I Getting Too Old?

I hope everyone’s New Year celebrations went off well and you all had a good time. And if you made a resolution that you can achieve it.

Picture was taken by Wolter Peeters.

I didn’t make any as I am not sure if I have ever kept one I did make for longer than a few months anyway. New year’s eve is really just another day for me and as my father said to me on new year’s eve when chatting to him on Skype, “Are you getting too old?” when I said I was staying home even though there were many different gatherings happening about the place.

Maybe I am! The last few years I have happily sat home and watched TV, DVD’s or surfed around on the internet. This year I watched the Premier League Football and then watched what I will call the best TV series ever made (more on that in a minute).

I had breakfast at Pepper’s Bakery with a mate New Year’s morning, bloody good food as well, eggs benedict and we shared an omlette (No pics forgot camera but here is a link to an old post I did). If you want an excellent breakfast, lunch or dinner and great coffee get on down to Pepper’s and jump on the sofa and have a good chat to the Aussie owner John who is a top guy. (Sorry I got carried away and turned it into a plug) Oh! And try the meat pies as they are delicious as well.

Anyway, where was I? Right having breakfast with my mate and he asked, “Have you watched Breaking Bad, the one I emailed and told you about?”

I thought, emailed me. Geez that could have been in one of the hundreds few we exchange. Must have skipped it or maybe my brain was in neutral as I couldn’t remember. But when the plot or outline of the show was again explained to me I did remember reading about it.

Spike over at Pattaya Days had mentioned it back in September 2010 and that is where my mate had picked up on it from another post Spike had written called The Scourge Of Man Flu. If you haven’t read Pattaya Days head across for a great read, often funny and tongue in cheek and excellent pictures of horses can often been seen.

So by that evening I had acquired the complete first 4 series of the show and sat absolutely glued to the television. Until somewhere around 4.30am into New Year ’s Day.

If you haven’t seen Breaking Bad, do yourself a favour and go out and buy it or rent it. I wouldn’t suggest downloading it from online as this is illegal.

Nong Ja’s mother was back just before Christmas for a week from Malaysia and when she is here it is like a nonstop tornado. One day I arrived home Joom was setting up what you see above.

I asked, “What are you doing?” And a reply of a shrine was made and I enquired to why a Chinese style shrine and this couldn’t be explained.

I asked, “Are you turning Chinese?” This was met with a look of complete disdain before being told I ask too many questions.

So I couldn’t help myself. “Are you part Chinese, now?’ Why are there 5 bits of fruit and 5 incense sticks when there are only 4 people or figurines?”


“What is the figurine of the woman? What about the men. Why tea in the small bowls?

At one stage a small scream came from the girls as I kept on peppering them. I was told to go back into my room and work on the computer. So I did as I was told.

When Joom was heading back to Malaysia she informed me to make sure we lit 5 incense sticks every evening and make fresh tea. I couldn’t help it. “Every day, why? Thais only do 4 times a month.” I exclaimed.

But she did have a good answer, “it is good luck for me, Ja and family.” “What about me,” I asked.

“You too,” with a little bit of stress to it.

So now I am stuck making tea for some invisible beings and offering them fruit each evening. The flowers last about 4 or 5 days, and the fruit is removed and changed every couple of days but it isn’t wasted as we do get to eat it after the beings have had their fill.

Maybe a reader will have a better idea than I about all this Chinese looking shrine. Maybe it isn’t even Chinese but Joom told me it was meant to be.

So new year’s has been very good in Isaan Thailand, peaceful and quiet but this will change when the girls arrive home from visiting family and relatives tomorrow, so I must savour it (A few cold refreshing ales). Tonight is more Premier League Football and then the last couple of episodes of series 3 of Breaking Bad and may even start series 4 somewhere in the wee hours of the morning.

Brunty

Christmas in Isaan Thailand 2011.

Sorry to regular readers as I have lost motivation to write as much as I used to. Many times I have sat in front of the computer with plans to rant and rave or share something about my ordinary life, but end up doing something else.

I wish all readers who read regularly or accidentally stumble upon Isaan Style a happy 2012 and may it be whatever you hope or wish for.

Christmas here in Isaan was great this year as little Nong Ja is so much more aware of everything now. The build up interested her and on Christmas eve we left out some biscuits and a drink for Santa and the reindeers.

Christmas morning I was up early as I put some presents under the tree from Santa and then sat down to get a little work out of the way on the computer. Ja, we usually always have to stir her from her sleep started to toss and turn in bed.

She opened her eyes and then tried to get Noot’s attention but she was cocooned in the duvet. I heard Ja mention Santa and when I asked if she wanted to see if Santa had been, she shot across the bed and jumped into my arms.

Ja was still half asleep as at first she refused to believe Santa had been even though the biscuits had been eaten and there were presents under the tree. After a couple of minutes she warmed up and wanted to open the presents but was told Noot had to get up.

So back into the room and Noot dragged out into the lounge room. Ja started with her presents.

Ja only got some small presents from Santa as she has so many. Toys are cheap here and we probably buy too many but they are given away every now and then when Noot does a clean up. But to a 3yo any present I am sure is great.

Ja had a lot of fun opening the presents and got very excited at times. It was funny seeing her get worked up.

My parents who are bloody champions, Nancy and John sent us all presents and Ja got this music box that had rings and also bangles or bracelets inside as well. It was met with confusion at first and Ja asked many questions about the girl, the music and why she was turning around.

A ten pin bowling set as Ja loves bowling. I have taken her a couple of times to Sunee Mall as they have bowling lanes there. But there are only two bumper lanes and no ramps for little ones to help launch the balls. The other problem is the music being too bloody loud. I had to ask and even get to the point of making sure they knew I was pissed off after a few times that the fool who was being the DJ could turn the music to half of what it was and it would still be more than enough.

Before long bowling was being played.

Noot went to open her present but Ja insisted on helping. She tore into the paper with enthusiasm. Noot had received a lovely makeup bag, brushes and other things. I had told mum to send soap and perfume as Noot stinks loves the products from the Body Shop. (Just kidding mum and don’t tell Noot)

Noot was wrapped in a light blanket as it was as an Aussie would say, “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.” People laugh when they here cold and Thailand but winter can get very cold for us. We have a duvet and the light blanket on the bed and sleep in long PJ’s and socks on.

Ja and her music box and jewellery.

I had to explain to mum that when she thinks of presents for Benjawan that whatever she buys for Ja will suit Ben. Ben was trying to bargain and agreement with Ja for the music box but Ja was having nothing to do with it.

So that was Christmas Day in Isaan Thailand. Bloody fantastic.

Brunty