the week of the chest drain

It's funny how things come in waves, this week we saw 3 patients with pneumonia and pleural effusions. Our ward is not open yet so these children were admitted to the government hospital.

Loved the covers for their chest drains, pink for a girl, green for a boy

mobile goldfish seller

suddenly goldfish sellers are popping up all over town!

don't go Shayna

don't leave me this way!!!!

Shayna you're great, one of life's special people, bright, witty, warm, quirky, intuitive.

Thanks for helping the guys in the pharmacy, they love you too

Thanks for all the fun and talking in song

Thanks for the talent show, the bike rides, the Nutella and banana chips

Come back to produce the Christmas Pantomime, Les Bos

Sok dee der baby, I'm really missing you

we're gearing up to open the in-patient ward

Busy busy with the lead up to the inpatient ward opening on 11th August. Heaps of training, purchasing equipment and organising going on, it's great working with such a motivated team of expatriates and a happy team of Laotians.

And look how much fun the patients have when they come to the hospital

Vang Vieng, what a hoot

A weekend away with some of the guys from work! headed down to Vang Vieng, now known as Vom Vieng after the 6 hour drive over the windy and beautiful mountain road. The kiosk at the bus station had everything you needed for the journey, I chose  beer Lao and the appropriately named vomina. A few near death experiences later, stops on request for snacks, meals, beers or vomits and we made it to find 3 double beds to be shared by 6 of us, cosy!

stunning scenery, limestone mountians, tropical rainforest, rock climbed, chatted, ate, drank, laughed, sang, thought of ways to avoid the drive home but the journey flew as we planned the Christmas musical, Les Bos. it was a great weekend

house sitting

I've had a lovely time house sitting over the past few months.

First at Chris and John's, loved their light and open house, stunning views of the mountains and the shower which seems to be in Wat Khili, loved being part of the temple, waking to the drums, even those 2 bloody dogs growling every morning, watching the monks head off for Alms, helping sweep the leaves every evening. Yes, I didn't want to leave.

But next stop was Wendy's, she also has a beautiful homeand a cuddly cat, this is the view from her veranda where I spent most of the time, this picture was taken while I was chomping my muesli 

clare, phil and baby mia in bangers

Bangers is a crazy city

Mia is a beautiful baby

Clare and Phil are fabby friends

The bangkok Hilton was glorious, look at the pool and my view!

Let's do it again soon

I love Jo and Ock Pop Tok

Love Ock Pop Tok, their weaving and batik courses, their food, their film nights, love Jo who makes it all look so easy, a very cool lady and loving these new fine dining evenings