Trip Lucerne (Luzern), Switzerland

   This trip was easy because we came here with tour bus which is nice. It probably takes less than 5 hours to drive from Ramstein, Germany. After seeing the Alps and the same scenery for hours, I was so in trance and slept most of the time (Note: My wife kept interrupting my peaceful time by snapping/pinching my ears). This is my second time crossing the Alps. Don’t get me wrong, crossing the Alps is very rare opportunity for us and beauty of the Alps is second to none in my book. We stayed in the hotel near the lake but far from city center.

   First you can’t miss the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke). This is perhaps Lucerne's most famous icon and is said to be the oldest woodbridge of Europe. Spanning the river at the lake end, this covered bridge was built in 1333. Much of the bridge had to be renovated following a destructive fire in 1993 that destroyed several of its paintings. The few paintings that survived are worth seeing.

   Lucerne has long been one of Europe’s most heavily tourist towns. River banks on both sides are clustered with medieval squares, frescoed houses, ancient guildhalls, churches and chapels.

   Next we walk up the hill to old city wall (Museggmauer), that is the wall or fortress of the city built 500 years ago and it haven’t changed much since then. We didn’t go all the way up. We preserve our feet to explore the city.

    The Lion Monument or the Lion of Lucerne. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris, France. We walk around the city and enjoy window shopping but my feet don’t agree with me.

    Boat cruise around the lake Lucerne is recommended but we took a city bus around the lake and out to the hillside. The bus driver was very nice and the local was very polite and very helpful.    

    You can’t see them all in two days but we managed the best we can. We got back to the hotel pretty late and missed the group dinning out in the city. Don’t worry we never miss a meal and we travel with bag full of food/snack and we are ready to continue our journey to another city.

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Trip Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany

My first trip Cologne was early December with friends and it was cold. Christmas shopping was their main purpose and I just tack along for a ride. We found free parking space but a long walk across the bridge over the Rhine River. The trip was purely shopping trip and I’d like to break off and explore on my own but too risky, I might have to walk home by myself. I have to come back again later when the weather get warmer. Köln is German name for Cologne. First I think of Cologne is a perfumed liquid. For person with perfume enthusiasm, the traditional house in Glockengasse is the birthplace and home of the world famous brand 4711 Cologne is a city of western Germany on the Rhine River north of Bonn. It took us less than three hours to drive from Ramstein. I don’t have the latest navigation system but I have old fashion map and good navigator with good eye sight. My better half is well qualified for the job. I always ask her to perform the navigation task and it is my strategy to avoid being blame when we get lost. (Note: Don’t try this at home, very risky strategy and probability of succeed is almost zero). This 2000 years old city has a lot to offer and you need more than one day to see. Our destination is the Cologne Cathedral; it is a Gothic church, started in 1248, and completed in 1880. It houses the Shrine of the Three Kings that supposedly contains the relics of the Three Magi. We walk around the old town after the church and walk along the Rhine. There are plenty of restaurants if you feel hungry. Please don't forget to bring your photo camera with you! Web site should provide additional information of these historical site and artifact.

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Trip Panama City Beach, Florida USA

We make an excursion trip to panhandle Florida when we are on our way home. We left Warner Robins, GA late in the afternoon and we should be in Panama City before dark according to our navigation system which never been updated for few years. No worry, we have a backup system if we get lost, a tradition folding map. We made it to Tallahassee and we went back in time!! We cross the time zone and the clock move back one hour (also one hour younger). We rolled in Panama City and Panama City Beach before dark just in time to drive around the cities and search for food. We did walk along the beach after dinner and watch a beautiful sunset. Panama City Beach Florida offers 27 miles of stunning white sand, emerald green waters of one of the most beautiful of all Florida beaches. The soft sand is actually quartz crystals, which over time has been broken down, bleached, polished and deposited on the shoreline There are plenty to do and see along the road. At least the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico does not affect the beauty of the Florida beaches. A car is a must to get you around the beaches and visit all attractions. We are too busy walking on the beach and forgot to take pictures. We will be back again that is a promise but now we have to move on further west.

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Trip Neuschwanstein Castle,Bavaria Germany

     King Ludwig II had built the castle in order to withdraw from public life. The famous German castle overlooks the pictures Hohenschwangau valley and is located only a short distance from the popular tourist town, Fussen. The best view of this castle, and the waterfall, is from the nearby Marienbruecke (Mary"s Bridge). Be sure to bring your camera.

     It took less than five hours to drive from Ramstein to Fussen where the castle located near by. If you plan to walk up to the castle, walking shoe will make your feet very happy. There is shuttle bus and horse drawn buggy will drop you off near the castle for small fee.

     If you plan to tour inside the castle, you must purchase a ticket at the ticket office before you get on the shuttle bus or head up hill otherwise you must come back down to purchase ticket.

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Trip Don Wai Floating Market, Thailand

     We're really happy that our home in Thailand located near the Kanchanapisek Outer Ringroad. It's easy to visit tourist attractions around Bangkok.  

So, everytime we went back to Thailand, we usually go to Don Wai Floating Market. It locates on the bank of the Nakhon Chaisi River,Nakhon Pathom Province. This market is different from any Floating Market such as Damnoern Saduak or Amphawa. You don't see many vendors on the boats. But, you will enjoy all sorts of great tasting food. You will see a lot of Thai sweets, Thai dishes, fresh meat,fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, snacks, and ect.

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Trip Stratford-upon-Avon, England

     We took a day trip from the town Banbury which less than an hour drive. We visited the Avon twice because we can’t possibly see them all in one trip. The town story begins in 1196.......very very old city and lot of history if anyone is a history buff. William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) was born at Stratford-upon-Avon in a house in Henley Street. This house is preserved intact.

     Visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon can see all of the original five Shakespeare houses that are carefully restored and managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust so visitors can experience how they lived in the 1600's.

    

More Reading: http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/index.htm

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Trip Great Salt Plains State Park, Jet Oklahoma USA

     We took this trip in winter Dec 26, 2010.

The weather is very cold. The place overall was very clean, relaxing and great staff. Unfortunately, we did not dig for salt or roll on the salt. It closed in winter. However, we got an awesome experience; we had really fun and great memories. We plan to return in the spring or summer.

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Trip Damnoen Saduak floating market, Thailand

  One of the popular Thai floating market is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. It locates at Ratchaburi province of Thailand. The floating market situates 64 miles southwest of Bangkok (the capital of Thailand).    Once you reach the market, recommend to take a long tail boat ride through the canals. The floating market was colorful and different.

     You can see awesome Thai style boat with fruit, vegetable, sweet and all kinds. You'll enjoy the trip of rural Thai culture at its best.

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Thinks young, pass it on

At first, I thought I should start first topic about “How to read English” for my Thai friends. Umm!!! I changed my mind. Valentine’s Day is coming. Maybe, it will be better if I just write as I feel. I got the story from an email sent by my friend a few years ago. Hopefully the story will be inspiring you to do something with the one you love.

       10th Grade, As I sat there in English class, I stared at the girl next to me. She was my so called "best friend". I stared at her long, silky hair, and wished she was mine. But she didn't notice me like that, and I knew it. After class, she walked up to me and asked me for the notes she had missed the day before and handed them to her. She said "thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.



11th Grade, The phone rang. On the other end, it was her. She was in tears, mumbling on and on about how her love had broke her heart. She asked me to come over because she didn't want to be alone, so I did. As I sat next to her on the sofa, I stared at her soft eyes, wishing she was mine. After 2 hours, one Drew Barrymore movie, and three bags of chips, she decided to go to sleep. She looked at me, said "thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.



Senior year, The day before prom she walked to my locker. My date is sick" she said; he's not going to go well, I didn't have a date, and in 7th grade, we made a promise that if neither of us had dates, we would go together just as "best friends". So we did. Prom night, after everything was over, I was standing at her front door step. I stared at her as she smiled at me and stared at me with her crystal eyes. I want her to be mine, but she doesn’t think of me like that, and I know it. Then she said "I had the best time, thanks!" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.



Graduation Day, A day passed, then a week, then a month. Before I could blink, it was graduation day. I watched as her perfect body floated like an angel up on stage to get her diploma. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn't notice me like that, and I knew it. Before everyone went home, she came to me in her smock and hat, and cried as I hugged her. Then she lifted her head from my shoulder and said, "You’re my best friend, thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.



A Few Years Later, Now I sit in the pews of the church. That girl is getting married now. I watched her say "I do" and drive off to her new life, married to another man. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn't see me like that, and I knew it. But before she drove away, she came to me and said "you came!” She said "thanks" and kissed me on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.



Funeral Years passed; I looked down at the coffin of a girl who used to be my "best friend". At the service, they read a diary entry she had wrote in her high school years. This is what it read: I stare at him wishing he was mine, but he doesn't notice me like that, and I know it. I want to tell him, I want him to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love him but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why. I wish he would tell me he loved me! `I wish I did too...` I thought to myself, and I cried.



เริ่มเรื่องแรก ของการอ่าน ด้วยเรื่องน่ารัก ๆ กันดีกว่าเนอะ ตอนแรกว่าจะว่าด้วยหลักการ เกี่ยวกับการอ่าน ไม่เอาดีกว่า ไว้วันหน้า ป้ามาเล่าให้ฟัง อิอิ ไม่ใช่อะไร ป้าลงเรียนออนไลน์ไว้ พึ่งเริ่มไปได้บทเดียว ยังเอามาเขียนให้แฟนๆอ่านไม่ได้นั่นเอง ป้าว่าไม่ต้องอะไรมาก สไตล์ป้านะ อะไรก็ได้เห็นก็อ่านไปเถอะ เอ้อ..อ่านออกเสียงด้วยนะ ผิดถูกไม่เป็นไร ฝึกๆไปเดี๋ยวดีเอง นี่ก็ใกล้วันแห่งความรักแล้ว ทำให้ป้านึกถึงเมล์เก่าๆที่เพื่อนส่งมาให้ เรื่องไหนที่ป้าชอบป้าก็จะเก็บเอาไว้ วันนี้ป้าเลยเอาเมล์ที่เพื่อนส่งมาให้ นานแล้วหละ มาอ่าน อ่านแล้วหัวใจเต้นดิ๊บๆ อมยิ้มเล็ก อมยิ้มใหญ่ ไปตามๆ แล้วก็เลยนึกถึงโฆษณาทางทีวี เจ้าหนึ่ง ที่คนแก่ฉลองวันเกิด 90 ปี แต่อารมณ์ดีกลับหัวเลข9 ที่วางอยู่บนเค็กวันเกิดเป็นเลข6 แทน ป้าเลยเอามาตั้งหัวเรื่องซะเลย มามะลองอ่านดู จะได้มีความสุขไปด้วยกัน เห็นมะเรื่องเขาน่ารักอะนะ อยากขับ Time machine ย้อนกลับไปเป็นวัยรุ่นจริงๆ

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Greeting

I am trying to write English in a theme of education for English beginner for Thais.  So do not surprise if some foreign characters appear on this page.  I am struggling with English as of today and understand the difficulty because English is not my native language.  I am not trying to teach English because I am not an expert and I am learning new stuff everyday.  I am never too old to learn and I think an old dog like me can learn new tricks. I can provide a small tidbit of what I know.  If I made mistake please do not hesitate, I’d like to hear from you.                .

มาดื่มชาร้อน นมร้อน โกโก้ร้อน คุยรู้จักกันก่อนจ๊ะ

ป้าขึ้นเมนูไว้เป็น English แต่ความเป็นจริง คือ English as a Second Language นะ เรียกง่ายๆ ว่า ESL แปลง่ายๆของป้าว่า อังกฤษเป็นภาษาที่สอง ..อึมตรงตัวและได้ใจความเลยเนอะ เพราะเราคงคุยกันเป็นภาษาไทยอันดับแรก และ แทรกความรู้ด้วยภาษาอังกฤษ เป็นภาษาที่สอง ฮะฮ้า ป้าก็ลื่นของป้าไปได้ ป้าว่าจะคุยกันไปเรื่อยๆ ตามหัวข้อที่แยกไว้เป็นเมนูย่อยนะ กันหลงป่านะ จัดๆเรียงๆให้เป็นหมวดหมู่ เพื่อจะได้หาง่ายและคุยเรื่องเดียวกันได้อย่างต่อเนื่อง หน้าแรกนี้ ป้าจะหาเว็ปที่เขาสอนภาษาอังกฤษฟรีๆ มาแปะไว้ ใครสนใจเรื่องไหนก็คลิ๊กลิ้งค์ไปเลย เข้าไปแล้วพบเจออะไร ก็มาเล่าสู่กันฟังนะ ป้าชอบมีคนมาคุยด้วย คุยคนเดียวมันเหงาจริงๆ แรกๆก็มีน้อยหน่อยนะ ต่อไปป้าก็จะหามาอัฟ เพิ่มขึ้นเรื่อยๆ หรือใครเจอะเจออะไรที่เห็นว่าใช่เลย อย่าลืมมาแนะนำ แบ่งปันๆความรุ้กันเนอะ ทำดีไม่ต้องอายจ๊ะ อีกอย่าง ต้องขอบคุณอากู๋ (Google) และ เจ้ยาฮู (Yahoo) รวมทั้งน้องอื่น ที่เป็นเว็ปบริการค้นหาข้อมูล ที่ช่วยให้ป้าค้นหาข้อมูลได้ดังใจ เพิ่มน้ำอีกนิดก่อนเข้าเนื้อ เว็ปส่วนใหญ่ที่เจอมา หรือเรื่องที่คุยกันเน้นเป็นAmerican English นะ เดี๋ยวจะงง ปนเปกับBritish English ไม่ใช่ใครหรอก ก็ป้านั่นเอง เลยเขียนเตือนไว้ก่อนนะจ๊ะ เริ่มจากเว็ปที่ป้าใช้ประจำก่อนละกันแบบง่ายๆ ตามมาเลยจ๊ะ



ค้นหาคำศัพท์

 http://www.dictionary.com/

 http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dictionary.htm



เรียนรู้แกรมม่า เจ้านี้เขาสอนเป็นระดับชั้น จากง่ายไปยาก

 http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/



หัดฟัง พร้อมทดสอบหูและความจำ

http://www.esl-lab.com/



เอาแค่นี้ก่อน เดี้ยวเอาพวกเกมส์พาเพลินมาแปะเพิ่ม เพื่อคลายเครียดอีกทีนะ

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Thai Sticky rice and Egg custard (khao niaw sangkhaya )

   There are many dessert recipes in Thailand. Most of the Thai desserts are very sweet. "Khao niaw sangkhaya" is one of the popular Thai sweet.  It is made from eggs, coconut, palm sugar and Sticky Rice. The other name is "Thai Sticky rice and Egg custard" or "Thai Sticky rice and coconut custard". Whatever, it is delicious. Satisfaction guaranteed for sweet addict.

 Ingredients Sticky rice : 

2 cups cooked Sticky Rice

2 cups Coconut milk

3/4 cup sugar

1 Teaspoon salt

Ingredients Egg custard :

4 eggs

1.5 cups coconut milk

1.5 cups pure palm sugar

Directions :

For Sticky rice;

1.Add sugar and salt into coconut milk. Mix it together.

2.For sticky rice, we put into microwave bowl. Pour water into the bowl until the water reached 3-5 millimeters above sticky rice.

3.Steam sticky rice by microwave around 6 minutes.

4.If you have done it correctly so far, the rice will expand. (Imagine popcorn). Left a little water in the bowl.

5.Quickly flip the rice. And then, steam it again by microwave around 6 minutes.

6.Take the bowl out. Fill it with mixed coconut milk. Stir it until the coconut milk dissolve into rice and cover it with lid for 5 minutes.

For egg custard;

1.Add eggs, coconut milk and pure palm sugar into the blow.

2.Mix it very well.

3.Steam the mixed eggs for 20-25 minutes. Or until it done.

Cut the Egg custard into a thin layer and put it on sticky rice.


Now, you are ready to serve a delicious Thai dessert.

Bon Appétit!

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Thai crab curry (Poo Pad Pong Karee)

    The Thai crab curry (Poo Pad Pong Karee) appeals to those who like salty food. It was mostly consumed as main dish. You can use swimming crabs or mud crabs. If swimming crab has large cover, it is female. Female crab with egg will have less meat than the one with no egg. Mud crab has better taste than swimming crab because of more meat and sweet taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 large Swimming crab or Mud crab
• 2 fresh red mildly spicy chili, diagonal sliced
• 3 Chinese celery, sliced 1 inch length
• 1 egg
• 1 Tablespoon chopped garlic
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 Tablespoon tapioca flour, dissolved in ¼ cup of water
• 2 Tablespoons coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 Teaspoons oyster sauce
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 2 Tablespoons curry powder
• 1 ½ Teaspoons roasted chili paste (nam prik pao)
• 1 Teaspoon shrimp paste 

Direction :
 1.Clean the crab by removing the shell and chopping into pieces; crack the claws and legs by hitting with the blunt edge of a heavy cleaver.
 2.In a wok, heat vegetable oil over a low heat. When hot, fry garlic until aromatic and golden. Add the crab and stir fry for 3-5 minutes or until cooked through. Mix seasoning sauce ingredients with chicken stock. Put all the ingredients in the wok and stir until it boil  for 3-5 minutes.
 3.Add egg to the wok and stir well until cooked. Add milk, tapioca flour, Chinese celery, red chili. Stir well until cooked. Serve on the serving plate.

 BON APPERTIT!

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Thai food

     Thai food is influenced by Chinese cuisine; for example, the form of stir-frying (Phad). Thai uses its own spices, herbs, vegetables, sauces and cooking techniques to incorporate its own taste, which is different and unique. Indian cuisine has also influenced Thai food in the form of curry(Gang). Not all Thai food is spicy.

    Thai cuisine uses a variety of sauces, such as fish, soy, chili, and oyster.  Other ingredients include lime and lemon juices, tamarind juice, coconut milk, garlic, lemon grass, galangal, basil, cilantro, cayenne, and black peppers, bean sprouts, etc. Thai cooking is labor and time consuming.

    Thai desserts are made basically from flour, sugar, coconut cream or milk and to a lesser extent eggs. Fruits and vegetables are used extensively in addition to the basic ingredients.

    When eating, Thais do not combine various foods on their plates, but rather, they sample one dish at a time, always eaten with a mound of Thai fragrant rice on the side. Bowls are used mainly for soup. Thai cutlery generally consists of a fork and large spoon. The spoon is held in the right hand and used in place of a knife.

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Trip Graceland,Tennessee,USA

          January 8 is the King’s birthday so we decided to write about Elvis Presley, the king of Rock ‘n’ Roll. We were on our way to Georgia and decided to make a detour to visit the king of Rock ‘n’ Roll at Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland Mansion, in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1991, Graceland Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2006, Graceland was designated a National Historic Landmark. The city was in the celebration mood of Elvis’ 75th Birthday Celebration. I thought he would be younger if he still alive today.

           The king has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. Elvis has had no less than 149 songs to appear on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top ten, and 18 went to number one. His number one singles spent a total of 80 weeks at number one. He has also had over 90 charted albums with ten of them reaching number one. These figures are only for the pop charts and only in America.

        We ran out of daylight so we didn’t go inside the mansion.

We also accidentally stumbled into his birth place location while stopping to refuel our car.

(Read more about the king at http://www.elvis.com/about-the-king/ )

(Read more his birth place at http://www.tupelo.net/things/detail.aspx?cat=1&id=15 )

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From My Heart

I believe everyone has a dream.  Dream is something that is unique.  For me, having my own story is a goal.  I have waited for so long; my work has taken a time from me.  Right now, I’m old, but still, my dream has never faded away.  My husband urged me to follow my dream.  Thanks to him, courage is the last piece for me to fulfill my wish.  I hope that someone stop by on this blog.  I admit that I am not a good writer.  I appreciate feedbacks.  Positive feedback and negative feedback are available on this blog.   Thank you to be our wonderful friends.

Ps.  If you 50+, maybe we can have some chit chat.

เชื่อว่าทุกคนมีความฝันนะ ฝันอะไรก็แล้วแต่คนฝันหละ ฝันของป้าKC อยากเขียนเล่าเรื่องราว..รอ..รอ..นานมากจนแก่ ในที่สุดป้าได้กำลังใจจากลุงCC ให้ทำฺBlog..ป้าหวังว่าจะมีใครผ่านเข้ามาอ่านเรื่องราวของป้ากับลุง..แล้วเม้นท์อะไรไว้ให้ชื่นใจบ้าง ถ้าดีก็ชมนะ ถ้าไม่ดีบอกอ้อมๆก็พอแหระ อย่าใช้คำไม่สุภาพ ทำร้ายจิตใจป้ากับลุง ก็พอแล้วจ๊ะ อีกอย่างนะ 50 UPๆๆ เข้ามาเม้าส์กันได้นะ วัยเดียวกันจ๊ะ น้องๆ หลานๆ ก็เข้ามาทักบ้างนะ ยินดีรับคำติชมเสมอจ๊ะ..อ้อ..ป้ากับลุงมือใหม่หัดทำBlogค่อยๆเพิ่มเรื่องคุยนะจ๊ะ

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