HAPPY NEW YEAR! Having just returned from a 43-day odyssey to Southeast Asia, I would start off the New Year by sharing with you some random observations (and thoughts) of a traveler

• Be Safe! When storing your monies in the hotel safe, make sure to have an accurate count of your traveler checks and currency before trusting it to the hotel. This is especially true, when all the front desk people have access to the safe. I believe that I was victimized twice in Thailand on my last trip – I was missing the equivalent of $150USD in currency in one instance and $200USD in traveler’s checks in another. Oh well, shit happens!
  
• My favorite city in THAILAND continues to be Nan. At least 4-5 new coffee shops have opened up in the last year – reflective of Nan’s increasing popularity as a tourist destination
• One of the most spectacular views that I have experienced during my travels is from the top of Penang Hill in Malaysia. At an elevation of 800 meters above sea level, the view of Penang Island is absolutely incredible!



• Singapore is FINE! A small island city of about 5 million people, not only is Singapore one of the cleanest cities in the world, but its mass transit system is heads and shoulders above anything I have seen. If all the nations in the world, adopted, Singapore’s laws (and fines) towards littering, this world would be a lot better place.
• Compared to Thailand and Malaysia, Singapore is somewhat on the expensive side!
• Most currency exchange bureaus in Singapore(and Malaysia) will not cash traveler’s checks – you will have to go to the bank. On the other hand, it is very easy to cash traveler’s checks in Thailand as the banks operate most of the many currency exchange bureaus.



• Who let the dogs out? Compared to Singapore and Malaysia, Thailand is overrun by dogs, especially in the rural countryside and in small villages. Most of the dogs are your typical Thai mutts - short, stocky with closely cropped tan or yellow fur. Popular pedigreed dogs include Shiatsus, Lhasa Apsos, Pomeranians, Toy poodles and Pugs!
• In THAILAND, where at least 93% population is Buddhist, you’ll hear Christmas music being played in most of the major department store complexes in Bangkok and in the major tourist centers up until New Years Day. They do this primarily to accommodate the tourists, most of whom are Christians.
• Walking into a Starbucks across from my hotel in Bangkok on Dec. 29, they were playing the traditional Christmas fluff until I aggressively suggested they change the music. LOL

I met Mah Jong and his colleague, Kah Ching at Phu Lang Ka Resort in rural Northern Thailand. They are somewhat typical of dogs of the rural area – average height with short yellow hair and a somewhat stocky build. To be honest with you, the typical Thai dog is somewhat drab in appearance.

Traveling throughout Thailand, I have seen so many look-alikes among the dogs in the countryside – one wonders if they are all related as Thai people don’t believe in getting their dogs fixed and the females have such large litters. As pets, the stereotypical Thai mutt do not cost more than 1 baht – in other words they are free for the asking.

Mah Jong and Kah Ching are not pets of Kevan, the owner of Phu Lang Ka or any of this employees – these Thai pooches belong to some of Kevan’s neighbors. During the height of the tourist seasons which last from November – February, they can be seen hanging around Phu Lang Ka Lodge for most of the day, going from table to table looking for food, eating the many leftovers from the guest’s meals.

Unlike Jah Thep (Kevan’s dog) who is a very civilized, sweet and obedient dog, these mutts are professional freeloaders or moochers. Mah Jong and his cohort do not provide any valuable service to the owner such as extra security i.e.watch dogs nor do they really mingle with the guests like Jah Thep. You’d think that these dogs would at least bark when a stranger approaches – not these mutts!

And when the season is over and the food supply dries up, these pooches disappear and go elsewhere

To be honest with you, I have never seen a better-fed doggie than Mah Jong. On my first night at there, I saw him down the leftovers from a large grilled fish, Thai soup, rice and greens from one table, then he went to another table to devour some more leftovers.

Depending upon how you look at it, I guess Mah Jong and Kah Ching can be considered professional recyclers or seasonal busboys.