Khon Kaen -Day 1

 The temple is closed for two weeks for cleaning and we have gone to Khon Kaen to visit. Dennis served his last four months here and in all our trips to Thailand, he has never returned. So here we are!

Don Muaeng airport had this beautiful shrine with the king's portrait. It was also a Thai religious holiday, so a lot of people were traveling.

While waiting for our flight, we watched on YouTube our grandson, Dillon Stapley, walk in his high school graduation. Thank you technology. It was touching and brought tears to my eyes that he has come this far in life and that we could still witness his graduation. He is getting ready to submit mission papers shortly. 

Our trip by air was only an hour. My dozing head bobbed all the way.

We are staying at the hotel Mantra Varee, which is quite nice. The rooms are spacious, the bathroom is ginormous with a separate soaking bathtub. This seven headed serpent is in front of our hotel. We asked about its significance, and a worker said it is a Buddhist symbol. We've seen it around a few places. Notice the altar beside Dennis, and the offering of  flowers and food to the serpent.

After we had fried rice, pork, and watermelon at Halongbay restaurant, we went to the local night market and watched this fellow make crapes. He fills them with chocolate and whatever you order. Then he puts them in a cute cone holder. The market had all types of food, clothing, and goods for sell. We opted for a chocolate covered waffle on a stick.

Yep. They're bugs.

I've talked about fried bugs being a favorite of the people in Thailand. Here is a wide variety to choose from! The woman selling them would not speak or look at me, but didn't object to my taking pictures. 

We took a tuk-tuk home again. They have become our good friend.