The light at the end of the tunnel pt1 a 6 week adventure story

Todd Duncan Tennyson

Todd Duncan Tennyson

Well-known member
Ok you guys,
I've been slacking on writing anything for the last couple of duck seasons.

Anya and I moved to So Oregon to be closer to my mom.

She and I have worked our tails off to set up and run a mom and pop restaurant (Thai) in the rogue valley.


Business has been good, and the time has come for us to take a vacation.


We've decided to head back to her hometown along the delta of the Chao Phraya for a a bit, and then down to damned nearly Malaysia.

After that, We are flying down to New Zealand and will be exploring.
Going to rent a car and spend most of our time on the South Island.



I rounded up 3 fly reels and one spinning reel.
I am going to get a couple of rods once I get there.

Going to fish and hike and explore. Eat lamb and recreate.

After that, we are headed back to Northern Thailand (up between Burma and Laos.)

I thought it might be a good project to make a story and post to it daily (like Yukon Mike did a while back.)
Since i know your waterfowling adventures are about done for the year.


So stay tuned. Leaving on the big jet on monday.

Best,

Todd
 
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I will be one who will look forward to reading and seeing pictures of your adventure. Good luck, Todd.
Al
 
Todd~

My son has traveled through that country - so I will be anxiously awaiting your posts. Have a great time!

SJS
 
Todd,


Missed your posts lately, I'll be awaiting tales and photos of you latest journey with baited breath!


Wishing you and your Good Luck and health on your adventure!


Jon
 
Last day of work for about 6 weeks, and me and Anya were packing up the restaurant and unplugging the freezers and refers, and dumping all of the trash for the last time in a long time.

We were both excited to leave for our big adventure from Medford Or in the morning.



Our last client said that she'd been stuck in MFR for the past 3 days due to the fog, and the airlines just stopping the flights all together.

We took her advice and checked the flight, and sure enough it was cancelled just as we closed up the restaurant.


Thee Rogue Valley is legendary for having really bad fog. So bad that as a kid, our schools would cancel and I recall many times that it was so thick that we'd drive past our own street getting around.

Anya and I decided to rent a car at the MFR airport and then drive up over the cascades to the booming metropolis of Klamath Falls.

It took about half an hour to find the car in the lot due to the fog, finally I just had anya drive our car slowly and I stuck the car alarm clicker out the window and clicked away until we got a signal.



We had to make it in time for a 5am slot, and did the best with our rental car up over Greensprings hwy.

Greensprings hwy would be my choice of roads if I had a summer day and a sporty motorbike.

There was a lot of frost on the road and in all the areas that are shaded during the day, a good bit of ice.
We were both dog tired after working a 12 hour day.

Somehow we managed to get there.


The tsa guys were pleasant and seemed a little surprised to find my big Gerber Machete in my checked luggage.
I told them about it ahead of time, so all was cool.

I am going to use that knife to hack back the overgrowth around the back part of Anya's property on the Chao Phraya. We'd like to get things looking a bit better there.


Soon we were on our way to San Francisco with a bunch of folks that had to rent cars and drive the route we did. A tired lot of folks they were.


In san Francisco, Anya realized that when the ticket agent found us the alternate route to s..f. from K falls, he had completely changed everything downstream from there. now we were going on some different airline, and the seats we reserved 6 months ago were cancelled and we were assigned seats in totally different parts of the plane.

Worst of all, our return trip from Bkk to Narita was completely missing from the new itinerary.



The next 3 hours were spent in frenzied phonecalls to call centers that "care very much about you call" to the extent that they flat out refuse to ever answer.


Ultimately, we contacted our original booking agent at united and he got us some results after an hour or so.


Anya has a real temper, and I have come from about 25 years in customer service. I know how these c.s. jobs go, and that generally, being really appreciative, and saying things like "thank you" and "Good work" it is very much appreciated can get you miles farther than being an asshaat and whiner.


We got a stroke of divine intervention (Anya prayed to her mother for help and a clear path home.)

About 2 minutes later, the ticket guy paged us on the overhead and we walked up to him . He had 2 new tickets for us to sit together, and they were in the part of the plane has better food, better radio/tv, and much much more comfortable seats.

He was also able to add back the 1st leg of the return voyage from where it had vanished.


So it took some legwork, and some divine intervention. But we got to Bangkok tonight at about midnight.


we hired a man at the airport to drive us the 40 miles or so to anya's hometown. temp was low 70's and quite hazy... almost like fog here.

when we got there, anyas sisters 3 dogs greeted us and scared away the local hoods that hang out doing stuff I probably did when I was 16 and bored and had no clue.


Part of it is that they saw me pull out that big machete and gift it to my big sister Pee Gao. She's good with a blade, everyone in the village knows it. She might be as good as anya with cutting and sharpening.

So, tomorrow I am off to Tesco Lotus (like a giant fred meyer. you can get sporting goods, beers and jewelry, auto parts , bikes and amd food... shoot, I believe that they have a kids funland there (which I will videotape and share) It is the closest thing to a seizure inducing scenario .... you guys wont believe the noise and lights and total sensory overload.


I am going to try to track down a berkely ugly stick, some hooks and some ssplit shot. probably a few bobbers too,


I have a date with a snakehead and a catfish out back. Hope to share pictures of my Thailand fish conquest shortly.


Going to hit the hay til then.

best,

Todd


I have a few photos that I am ging to start incorporating into these stories, but tonight, I should probably get a few hours sleep...
 
Well,
Me and anya are having a fine time in Thailand.
We took her 3 sisters to the Hotpot restaurant at the Samut Sakhon center mall and had "hotpot" where you throw a bunch of different stuff into a boiling pot of broth and cook it up and eat it.

Lots of good things, Liver, vegies, octopus, fish.



I've spent the last 4 hours trying to figure out how to upload the videos and photos and it has been very difficult and frustrating, but I am figuring it out slowly.

Today we are going to the BIG market in Samut Sakhon. I am going to look for a fishing rod and we're going to eat some food and get supplies.

Here are a few photos of Anya's homestead. There are all kinds of trees in her yard.

This one is a Lime Leaf tree, it has the leaves that we use in our curries.


[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/12094096874/]DSC_3571 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


Here is me with the Mango Grabber, call me old fashioned, but I've always just grabbed em with my own two hands.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/12094095184/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/12094095184/]DSC_3572 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr

Anya's trees are loaded with them this year, there are so many, that sometimes her sisters sell them at the market.

Here is one of several banana trees at the homestead. It is also loaded with fruit.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/12094099274/]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaduck/12094099274/]DSC_3570 (1) by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/seaduck/]Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


This morning we were up early, it was downright chilly here, and I was glad I had my flannel and a winter jacket. Never in my life did I think I'd need them here, but I was glad I had them.



The monks were here at 0600 and Me and Anya and Her big sister all paid our respects and they blessed us. Then we walked to the neighbors place and bought enough food to feed all 5 of us for breakfast for about 90 cents (US).


I am going to try and do more photos and hope to be able to share them with you folks, this place is a long long ways from "home" and as strange and out of my original element as I am here, it is really starting to grow on me.


It is great to not have a funeral to go to this time. (6 weeks ago, anya's mom crossed over and it was a rough gig.

So we are looking forward to a happier visit this time.


I'll keep you guys in the loop on this thread if your interested.

No duck related stuff, but I hope to have some cool fishing stuff on here soon.
 
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Sounds like your having a great trip and enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Looking forward to reading more about your trip.
Have fun and lets see some of the fish you catch
 
Sounds like a fantastic trip Todd! Have a blast and if nothing else, save the pictures onto a flash drive so you can share them when you get back!

It's going to be in the single digits here in the middle part of the US tonight, so hearing about "chilly" weather sounds pretty good!

Scott
 
Todd,

I've always enjoyed your writing, thanks for keeping us up on your travels. Thailand is on/in my bucket list for 'someday' and your travelog will certainly push me along on that trail.
 
I decided to take a walk through the neighborhood,

Today I went downriver (Tha Chin river.)

I took the camera to show you how the place looks.



I am not certain what kind these are, but they had a bunch of them.




DSC_3580 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



The folks that have businesses and homesteads make walls to protect them, some of them are more "secure" than others.

This one looks like they want to keep you out for sure.


DSC_3582 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



There are many buildings that stand empty.

I guess that the Asian economic crash of the 1990's left lots of these places in stages of partial completion.

I tried to line up the telephone poles with the edges of the building... for better composition and all.


Here is an example.


DSC_3583 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



There is a fish operation about a mile from anya's place.

They have a pet dog that keeps an eye on the joint.



DSC_3584 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



there are a ton of temple dogs... they roam at large and a lot of them are pretty beat up.

I tried to see what kind of fish they were raising in there, I saw a few and they looked like tilapia, but about double the size.


This guy was out and paddling around, he waved and seemed like he was having a good day out there.


DSC_3585 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


I approached the temple at the delta of the Tha Chin. There is a huge one across the river, and a medium sized on on our side.
Lots of these little doves were hanging about, I am not certain what kind they are, but, they are about 1/2 the size of a mourning dove



DSC_3587 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr

I took a self photo t the delta, to prove I was there and not hanging out at a bar or something.






DSC_3592 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


Here is the giant temple across the river.


DSC_3593 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


As I walked back, I saw that some shop keepers had a pig in their place, so I asked them if I could take a photo, they got the pig to stand up and yawn for me.


DSC_3595 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr

looks like the neighbors had a good night at sea,
Lots more fish on racks.


I am looking to get a fishing rod today, so maybe I can put some meat on the table here.

Wish me luck
 
We had one hell of a day today.

It is refreshing and good to not have to run a restaurant and serve food for a change.

Work has been very good and our customers are the best, but we were tired out and needed this break, so I am glad.



Today, we decided to hit the city markets in Samut Sakhon. Anya's little sister dropped us off in town and went off to the training she was attending for her new smoothy franchise (like an orange Julius.)


The market was quiet, the last time I visited here, it was the Kings birthday, and a day off for everyone that works regular jobs.

Self employed folks hit it hard an never pull the nets out of the water when the water is full of fish.



Lots of mopeds to see.



DSC_3602 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr





The locals here are making thai iced tea, It is very sweet and will probably kick your blood pressure up, so watch it.



DSC_3604 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



Me and Anya decided to have a bowl of noodle soup at a place that we like, It is not anything fancy, just great soup. We got a couple of bowls.

DSC_3606 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



Each bowl was about $1


DSC_3607 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


this time of the year,

The weather is very pleasant. It was so damned hot a few years back when we were here that it was nearly incapacitating for me. It was a record hot year then, Even Anya's mom who had lived here nearly 80 years had never experienced heat like that.

The cooler weather makes people smile more.

I like that


DSC_3609 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


The market is like something from a kung fu movie, Long and dark and kind of mysterious.


DSC_3615 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



There are dogs and cats and kids,

there are people in a hurry, and people flat passed out from getting set up at 0200 hrs.


Some of the folks smile, some stare, and some are not certain and appear almost disengaged.

I was lucky that most of my encounters were the smiling kind.


DSC_3612 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



DSC_3618 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



DSC_3621 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr




it was just after noon, and the meat hooks were nearly stripped clean.



DSC_3623 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


you can get a kilo of good sweet clams here for about 50 cents, and these clams were still wiggling.


DSC_3626 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr




Green mussels that are like emeralds.

You know that the lady has had her share.



DSC_3627 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr




Here are some good fish for dinner.




DSC_3629 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



Anya knows how to cook these.

They didn't mind having their photos taken.


DSC_3630 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


You will not find these baby squid at safeway.



DSC_3631 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr




Anya said that these little guys are cousins of shrimp. They looked a little like something from a science fiction movie.








DSC_3632 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



Anya said these are called "Ocean Crab". She said the other kind they have are called "Blue Crab"


They were still trying to break free of their ties, and the crab wrangler showed one to a customer and it tried to get her!


DSC_3635 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr





DSC_3636 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


These gals seemed to like having their pictures taken.





DSC_3639 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


Anya said that the lady on the left yelled out "why are you taking their pictures when I am the best looking one here?"

So I circled back and said "Yim"
It means "Smile"


She did


DSC_3640 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


She blew an air kiss to me.



More good snacks
They are called Kah-nom


I don't really like them, but boy do anya's sisters.



DSC_3641 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


I bet it would be a bad deal if the train that runs along these tracks comes ripping through.




DSC_3643 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



I finally got a smile out of this lady




DSC_3644 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



This dude was selling taro root.. It is kind of like a potato, but with added sugar.
He really wanted to sell it, so we bought some.


Anya asked him, "Hey, where can my husband get some fishing gear around here?"


He said, "Go to the guys at the hardware place, they will know"



DSC_3646 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



Along the way, the duck lady agreed.. "yes, The hardware store guys know everything."




DSC_3649 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


as we made our way, I found a nice shooter, and I decided to mount it to see how my cheek weld was.



DSC_3651 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr


If there is a duck here in Thailand, I have not seen it.


I realized that after I did the pose, I was in front of a bank.. So we split.


We got to the hardware store, and I bought a bow saw from them, so I could cut down a dead palm tree at Anya's place.

She asked them about the fishing tackle store, and they said, "It is up about 500 meters and hang a left"


So we walked along with our bow saw and looked, but couldn't find it.
It had been shut down about a year ago.




I was getting frustrated and wondered how a fishing town could not have fishing tackle.

I reckon that these folks do it for work, and not for pleasure.




Anya decided to ask a moped taxi if he knew where the tackle store was, he said "Yes, get on"

So me, and Anya and the moped guy got on board.

I had my bow saw in one hand, some snacks and supplies in the other, a pack on my back, and Anya and the driver in front.

he took us on the hiway and it was a bit exhilarating and a little frightening.

Finally, We were there!





Here I am with my bow saw and my little spinning rod I got.

The fishing is secondary, the true sport was just finding the equipment.



DSC_3652 by Duncan Tennyson, on Flickr



I was elated. We finally had a fishing rod......
 
I sure enjoyed those pictures and your comments, Todd. Glad to see you and Anya having such a good time. I will look forward to the next batch.
Al
 
Todd
Thanks for taking the time and effort to share that part of the country with us. Can you handle the language by now or does your wife do the interpretation? No sign of the military?
wis boz
 
Wiz, this language is a toughie, not only is it impossible for me to read, it is tonal, so you could say "Ma" with 5 different intonations and it would mean 5 different things. I am learning the basics, Things like "Thank you, please, numbers, no, yes"


I get out and walk a lot, a lot more than anya really likes to, so I take the walkie talkie with me in case I need assistance. Haven't needed it yet, but It has a range of about 2 miles, and I usually stay within that range on my own.


The military is around. I think they have bigger fish to fry in BKK right now.

Anya's town is about 40 minutes south on the coast, so no rioting going on here.
 
Todd, sounds like a great trip. Like all the US tackle stickers on the store. Looks like it was well stocked. We always check out the tackle shops to see what we don't need and have to buy. Any ducks there???
 
Capt, no,

I have been here 5 times now and never seen a duck.

I have seen some python in the jungle near the temple, and I have seen some 5 ft long Monitor lizards sunning themselves on the roof at anyas place.

One of them ate an entire litter of cats a few years back and the mother cat got in a hell of a fight with it, but had to back down.

Anya's dad used to hunt jungle fowl and deer on his trips to the south. He was a fisherman and would hit places near the small islands in the Gulf of Thailand and stop off on the islands to get supplies and a little r&r.....

That was 40 years ago. I asked anya why people didn't eat the snakes and lizards and she pointed to my hat (has a coiled rattler and the "don't tread on me" on it. So I guess I wont be eating any monitor lizard round here.
 
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Todd,

Thanks for taking the time to post all the photos. It looks like a very colorful place.
The shrimp you photographed look like Mantis shrimp. I have seen them before. Even found one here in NY. They are tasty but watch out when catching them they pack a mean punch. If you have time google them to find out more. There are very interesting creatures.
The wall with the glass on top looks like it would work better than barbed wire or even razor wire.
Enjoy your trip we will be looking forward to some more updates.
 
Capt,

That tackle shop had a lot of lures made in the states, plugs and wiggle wartish things. they were not cheap here. the same wee wart that would run $3.99 back in the U.S. was about $10 here.

So I got some hooks and a loaf of day old bread for doughballs.

If that doesn't work, then chicken livers.
 
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