Sonnee and Jeff's

Buddhist Meditation

duffins — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:17:29 +0000

On 12 June 2009, I went to Ampawan Temple in Singburi province, Thailand. It is under Lung Por Jarun. He is a master of Vipasana Retreat. I wanted to attend this course for long time but I have no chance. I have planned to stay for 3 days 2 nights. Some people stayed there for 7 days. We have to change to white attire and have taken the 8 precepts such as no kill animal, no lie, no stealing etc., (Everyday’s life we take 5 precepts)

This is me and my cousin. We were at a huge sleeping place where 50-60 people can sleep there. The temple provided us a pillow and a blanket and also you can borrow 2 white attires from the temple. We have to sleep on a floor without mat. It was one of 8 precepts.

The schdule is like this 3.30am – Wake up and prepare yourself.

4.00am – Do a morning chanting and practice meditation until 6.30am

6.30-8.00 – Breakfast and rest

8.00-11.00 – Practice meditation by walking 1 hour and sitting 1 hour

11.00 – Lunch time (I ate alot because this was our last meal of the day, according to the precepts)

13.00-16.00 – Practice medition again then, have a break.

18.00-21.00 – Do an evening chanting and practice meditation again.

The first day was a tough lesson for me since I need to control my meditation and we practiced alot. I have a back pain but then the 2nd and the last day were fine since I get used to. There are 1,200 people attended this meditation at the same time,so, it was little crowded but it was so good and I felt relax after this.

This is the only picture of Lung Por Jarun in my camera. It is not very clear because the staffs do not allow you to have a flash on. Luang Por Jarun allergy to it.

Elephant pee at Ayutthaya, Thailand

duffins — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:47:55 +0000

It was my first time riding on an elephant. I had a trip to Ayutthaya, Thailand with my husband, mom and my aunt. We travelled to many interesting places. Ayutthaya used to be one of a capital of Thailand. It was sacked by the Burmese Army long time ago. The ruin stupas were interesting and also the temples were beautiful. It was a hot day. My husband was so sweat. Poor him! The first time I got on the elephant, I was so nervous. I knew that it was safe but still scare. My husband told me to relax. After 10 minutes passed, I felt better. It was fun to be on an elephant.

The man on the elephant took many pictures of us. He was cool. We bought a banana to feed the elephant while we were riding. My husband feeded him but when he ate the banana, his sliver spreaded all over my face. Little yak but cute! haha!! I didn’t notice until my husband sent me a picture of us riding on the elephant and he pee. haha!! So funny! We got a good shot.

The above is a picture of Elephant pee Below is Me and my husband on the elephant

Hello Krabi, Thailand

duffins — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:45:08 +0000

May 17 was our 1st wedding annivesary. We went to Tourism Thailand Festival at Queen Sirikit Convention Center in Bangkok. They have all kind of accomodations and interesting places in Thailand. We bought a luxury accomodation. Actually, we spent only $us142 for 3days/2nights including 4 islands tour, 2 ABF, 1 dinner, Airport-Hotel Pick up which considerd very very cheap and that for both of us. I thought that was not bad. We reserved standard room (It is o.k) Since we didn’t stay in the room alot,so, why pay more. I told my husband that this is great. We save lots of money. I don’t want him spending too much money on things that is not really important. We flew to Krabi by Air Asia (Low cost Airline) and spent only $us200 for both of us. It took 1.30hrs only. When we arrvied at the airport, there was a brand new van picking us up and took about 45 minutes to the resort. I was exciting to see the beach. I am Thai but I never been there. Strange huh? We stayed at Peace Laguna Resort at Aonang Beach(100metres from beach) I love the view of the mountain behind the resort very much. I love the swimming pool eventhough I didn’t swim. It has been rainning since it is rainny season just started but we love the rain,so, it doesn’t matter to us. The first day, we just looked for something to eat outside. The Thai food and seafood was soooooooo great. I think it was better than some restaurant in bangkok. We decided to eat at this restaurant on the last day,too. We had sweet and sour sea bass, cashew chicken and coconut milk soup. The price was resonable. I don’t remember the name of the restaurant,otherwise, I will recommend. Sorry!

The second day was the day we were waiting for. The car picked us up and sent us to the pier. We waited for a long tail boat. It has been rainning and we have to wait for 30 mins. Finally, we got to go. I was soooooooo excited We went to 4 islands, took pictues, swimming and we realized one thing we missing. We should have bought a waterproof bag. My purse was soooooo wet. I can’t believe how wet it was but I had a great day. OH! We snorkelled,too. I had problem with that and drank lots of salty water. Yak! My husband was a good swimmer. He didn’t want a life jacket but I did haha!! At first, I didn’t wear it but then I felt so tired. We stopped by one island to have lunch. The lunch was included in the package we bought.

Everything is so beautiful when you are with your love one. I love my husband.