We've made it through a wonderful 3.5 weeks in Cambodia and are back at Faasai Resort near the city of Chanthaburi at the Thai/Cambodian border. We couldn't be happier to be here at in this little slice of heaven working in the garden and hanging out with our favorite Kiwi, Bronwen. Today, both she and her husband, Surin, took us to Wat Kongdin "The last temple of Rayong province's." It is centered around a Buddha statue built in 1499 by Pracho Prom Maharaj on his 24th birthday and two Bodhi trees planted 245 years ago by King Taksin. There is a popular story Thai children learn of the battle that ensued (the Burmese had taken the capital of Ayuttaya and the Thai's were going to recapture, although heavily outnumbered) where King Taksin told his army "We are going to attack Chantaburi tonight. Destroy all the food and utensils we have, for we will have our food in Chantaburi tomorrow morning, or we will die." The Thais succeeded in battle and he became the first commoner King of Thailand. Reminds of us of a popular battle all Texas children are taught concerning a Colonel Travis, a sword and a line in the sand... except the obvious opposite outcome of the battle (but not the war! Republic of Texas, est. 1836, yeehaw.)
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