6 January 2015 - A visit to CCD and Ko Kret

When we visited Christ Church on Sunday we met Bridget and Mike Blackburn  who work with disabled children through an organisation called : Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities or CCD.  Bridget said that we would be welcome to visit their centre and so today we took the opportunity. Tim was most reluctant to go but would agree that it really was a fabulous day and even though he finds people with a disability confronting, he was able to engage with them.

CCD's Rainbow House is based in Pakkred, about an hour's bus ride (on Bus 166 from victory Monument) and a short taxi ride thereafter.  We got a bit lost on the way there as indeed did the taxi driver.  It was a bit of a hoot but we got there in the end and had a fulfilling and wonderful day.

Tim spotted their great in ground trampoline and amused some of the older residents who work in a sheltered workshop with his antics.  We brought some bead kits with us which seemed to be appropriate as one of their residents, Eak, is a talented bead craft maker.  I tried to show him how to make a beaded angel and he was incredibly dextrous and quick.  Hopefully, with a bit of the right wire, he can add to his portfolio.

We saw around the school and work areas which have been largely funded by donations and volunteer workers.  It was an impressive set up.  Tim and Karl spent ages comparing IT notes with Mike whilst Annika and I chatted with Bridget.

Tim entertaining the lads from the sheltered workshop

Luke trying out the fabulous playroom!

 Then Bridget offered to take us to Ko Kret. Ko Kret is an island reached by a barge (2 Baht per passenger!) which was formed when the Chao Praya River was diverted to become a straighter waterway.  There are only bicycles and motor bikes on the island.  It is a small island (1km by 2 kms), prone to flooding and residence for 6000 people.  It is utterly charming!!!

Chao Praya River barge

Kids eating deep fried pork crackling - delicious

Lone boatman on the river

By the time we got to the island, with Bridget's local knowledge guiding us through back streets to the barge pier, we were ready for lunch.  The little cafe served delicious Pad Thai, fried rice and papaya salad - for a total of 320 Baht for the six of us (about $13AUD). Luke was reluctant to eat anything as he knew there were peanuts in the Pad Thai and had to settle for Ovaltine milky drink.  we soon got used to the open drain next to our table and really enjoyed the food.  The once notable smells become just part of the "ambience" and are now "ordinary" in our daily lives.

Pad Thai

 We then hired bikes for 40 Baht each to ride around the island.  After a fairly typical meltdown, Luke agreed to ride on the back of Karl's bike which had a padded seat and absolutely loved it. We travelled slowly led by Bridget through narrow and charming alleyways with cute houses and then broadening out to slightly wider and less treacherous roads. There were many dogs lazing quietly and undisturbed by our presence.

Big Golden Buddha at one of many temples.

 Ko Kret is famous for pottery.  The black clay is dug up locally and made into terracotta colour pots after firing in their huge wood fired kiln.  From what I could glean, the pottery work shop has been in one family for generations. I really could have bought so many wonderful pots and lamps but our luggage limit is restrictive and I had to contend with a small lamp.

So pretty!

Then back on the barge to the old Pakkred market where we fed some enormous catfish and carp much to Luke's delight.

Pakkred old market

Cooking boats

Feeding fish

River view

River boats

From the pontoon

Tim and Bridget

We had a lovely day and all Tim's hestitations were null and void.  We farewelled Bridget and travelled back to Bangkok.  We ate dinner out locally which was a nice break from cooking our very plain rice and veggies.  When Luke's meal didn't arrive after waiting for a polite amount of time knowing Thai service is unhurried, we realised the waitress hadn't put his order in and he happily settled for his first McDonald's Happy Meal of our trip.

Bridget and the crew