Sakon Nakhon Visit (Part 2), August 2008

Perhaps I should have split this post sooner, but I realized that the number of images in these blog entries would make the loading time extremely slow.

DAY THREE

A slow start to another very laid back and relaxing day.



Here's Little Nio sitting with his Mommy in another hammock. He's finishing off his post-breakfast bottle of milk and getting another power nap before we go off to visit the farmlands of my wife's family.



Less than ten-minutes away on the back of a motorbike, the rice fields and farmlands of my wife's family are a beautiful shade of green. It will be several more weeks before the harvest, so until then the family has some time to relax and do other things.





Here's Little Nio and his Mom on the dirt road leading up to the bahay-kubo at one end of their property.



With his Dad up on the farm. Little Nio had so much fun splashing about in the puddles of rain water and running all around on the red earth. It was difficult to persuade him that it was time to get back to the house.



On the way back to the house with Mommy.



Back near the house, just a few streets up from where we were staying, we brought Little Nio to meet the other children in the village.



It was truly heartwarming to see how he was welcomed and accepted by the entire community. All the children knew him by name, but sadly I couldn't name them all even if I tried.





Unsure about how the neighborhood games are played, Little Nio puts on his curious face and watches how things are done. His Mommy and a watchful village elder both look on to supervise the children at play.



We all take turns having our photograph taken with Little Nio at a bridge that spans a small stream, just a short walk away from the house. First with his Daddy.



Then another picture with his Mommy.



And then another one with Mommy, but this time joined by his cousins, Pi Toon and Pi Aey.



The flags and the signpost in this picture mark the geographical end of the village. My wife's family home is right behind the sign and their house is literally the last house at the very end of the village.



Later that evening after dinner, Little Nio discovers a new play thing. A traditional cylindrical basket containing sticky rice — khao niew makes for a wonderful pull toy.







Here's Little Nio dragging the basket off to one of the rooms inside the house.