Danger at Muang Boran

Once upon a time when Grandpa John was visiting Muang Boran he saw some lions. Well, they were actually statues of singhas which are a magic type of lion that often guards temples. Some kids wanted to climb on the statues and the Mum who was with them called out 'Don't climb on the lions. It's dangerous.' Actually she said it in Thai but my friends told me what it meant in English.

The kids called back, 'Don't be silly Mum. They're only statues.' This is very unlike Thai kids because they are usually very obedient towards their parents and don't answer back.

One started to climb on the singha's back. 'No don't!' The mother called, 'You'll turn into...'

But she didn't finish because the kid became a statue too.

I don't know what happened after that. I took the photo and then I left. I wonder if the statue kid turned back into a real kid again.

The end

Anondha fish

Once upon a time when Grandpa John was visiting Muang Boran in Thailand he decided to to to Sumeru Mountain which is the pillar of the world and the centre of the universe. The mountain is supported by the giant Anondha fish. If you look at the left of the first picture, you can see the tail of the Anondha fish. The fish goes right around the mountain. Your Grandpa knew that it would not be smart to mess with the Anondha fish. But not everyone is so clever as your Grandpa.

The Anondha fish lies with its mouth open and out of the water. Because it's a magic fish it doesn't need to stay underwater. Because it lies so still some people think it is a statue. They think it is safe to climb on it and some are even silly enough to walk inside its mouth.

This man was looking pretty smart inside the fish's mouth. But he didn't stay there long. Grandpa took this photo then looked away.









When he looked back the man was gone. The Anondha fish had swallowed him.

If you ever visit Sumeru Mountain, take your Grandpa's warning. Look at how big the Anondha fish is. It didn't get this big just lying there and holding up the mountain. Don't mess with the Anondha fish.

The End

PS: If you click on the pictures, you'll see them a little bigger.

Who is this?

with love from your Grandad in Thailand

Where am I?

Hello, I've left Cambodia and moved to another country. Can you guess where I am now?

Here are some clues to help you guess:

I've been here many times before.

If you look on a map of South-east Asia you will see that this country is next to Cambodia.

Here are three photos I took yesterday to show you what it looks like here.



So now can you guess where I am? I'll tell you the answer in my next blog.

love from your Grandpa