O is for: Observations on Oriental, October, Occurences

In case you've forgotten what we look like:

It isn't a romantic hug......I'm stopping her running away from a camera!

We took Lynn and Shelley the the airport this week, but not before they gave us one last day off! We are missing them already, it's nice to meet folks from so far away that you see eye-to-eye with, in so many ways, good, good times, Guy's!

We headed off up to "Sticky Falls" to suss out the lay-of-the-land, ready for the long awaited Staff Picnic on Monday. The water levels are safely down and the ground is less water-logged so it's full steam ahead. Mr Teera will arrange a 14 seater, fully air-con bus (the Staff's one stipulation!) Will post more after the event!
Whilst we were there we did the climb up the water falls just to make sure that we could still make it, before we are there with the staff! 
After this we went to check out the Jade Factory on Doi Suthek Mountain. Many guests go there, but we needed to make a visit for purposes related to jewellery that can't be mentioned here, due to the fact that a certain person is likely to read this and spoil their surprise!

With no Shelly and Lynn, days off are not really viable but with Ruth's help the odd half day have been lovely.
A return trip to the Zoo to try out the mono-rail and give Joan a chance to reacquaint herself with the hippo's was welcome.
The view of Chiang Mai was good from the mono rail and you had a good view of the animals you can't see so well from ground level. We enjoyed the ride but got the giggles when we realized that 5 Thai people could comfortably sit on their side of the car, whilst 4 Europeans were squashed into ours!
Decided to walk a bit further after that.....
We saw the beautiful white Tigers this time, they must have been sleeping somewhere last time we came.
We also enjoyed the special Chair with the attached table they have given the panda.
The orchids are flowering much more now and so the grounds looked wonderful.
As we hold Thai driving licences, we get in for only 70 Baht (£1.40) so we didn't feel obliged to stay all day.
JT will be busy for a while ahead as we have a number of visits ahead of us: Pat and Bob will be here soon as will John and Muriel Davies (Trustees and long term JT workers) and Joachim, a volunteer from Germany. An engineer who we are hoping will get tractor working and the internal phone system back in full working order. (both maybe over optimistic but nothing ventured....)
Only a short blog today; possibly a mammoth one next time!