GOLF DAY @ KRUNG KAVEE in RANGSIT

Friday, June 17, 2016

You will not hear me bragging too much about my day on the links.  I played poorly, but the weather was off and on showers all morning.  My Taxi, chauffeur, picked me up at 7 AM to drive me 40 miles to Rangsit, Thailand, north of the city of Bangkok.  It is the course that Ponsak's family still has a house on.  The course is all Bermuda grass and was in very good shape.  The greens were very undulated and I putted poorly.  There was a heavy dew that was on the greens and then the greens began to puddle with the off and on showers.  My caddie, Gay, kept me dry by holding an umbrella over me throughout the rainstorms.  I had to speak Thai to her the entire round as she knew not a word of English herself.  I was quite impressive according to the other caddie back at the clubhouse who shared that with me after I showered. The clubhouse has a great dinning area and the locker rooms are very nice.

The locker rooms were clean and the showers felt great after being soaked in the rain.  It was a very nice feeling to take a warm shower.  Hot showers do not exist.



Below:  Gay was my caddie today and Roan was the tuna fish sandwich delivery person.  One tuna sandwich ordered before my round began arrived on hole five. That was my breakfast and it was a good one.

Below:  Other years I have gotten closer to the Monitor Lizard that lives on my golf courses and rivers, ponds and lakes in Thailand.  The can grow to over 10 feet long. "Where's Monitor"? He was in the middle of the fairway but ran (They can run 30 MPH) before I have a good picture.

Below:  FYI on the Monitor Lizard,  The owner of the golf course emailed me this picture when I asked about the Monitor Lizards on the course.  They eat birds, cats, dogs, and everything it can get it's mouth around.  I had a golf club in my hand when I started to run after the lizard above.

Water Monitor

20SEP

Varanus salvator

Water Monitor in Lumpani

Scientific name: Varanus salvator
Thai name: Hea

Description: To 3.21 meters long. Snout to base of tail is up to 1.1 meters. A massive, intimidating lizard, one of the largest in the world. The heaviest individuals can weigh over 50 kilograms. Body is grey to black, often with varying spots and chain patterns of yellow-to-tan that fade with age. Neck is long and head is long and somewhat flattened. Has a notably large forked tongue that it often extends to sense its environment. Tail is higher than it is wide and very strong. Underbelly is somewhat lighter than rest of body.

Similar Species: No other lizard in our area has the enormous size or distinct appearance of the Water Monitor.

Habitat: As their name implies, Water Monitors are almost always found near water, including rivers, lakes, swamps, canals, and beaches. As long as water is available they can be seen in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, mangrove swamps, islands, and agricultural areas. They are most common in coastal regions and become increasingly rare the further inland you go. They are very good swimmers and are known to swim long distances in the ocean, which can lead to the colonization of new islands. They are also good climbers and are often seen resting in trees at heights up to 10 meters. The Water Monitor has adapted well to urban environments and can often be seen in Bangkok’s parks, canals, and garbage dumps.

Contribution to the ecosystem: Are an adaptable and prolific predator, helping to control insect, snail, shellfish, crab, fish, frog, snake, turtle, bird, and rodent populations. They are well-known for eating eggs, hunting for the nests of birds, turtles, and crocodiles. Monitors help keep the city clean by feeding on trash and dead meat, especially dead fish and other water animals that wash ashore. Young monitors can provide food for large snakes.

Danger to humans: Water Monitors do not prey upon humans, preferring to eat much smaller animals. However, a Water Monitor that is grabbed or threatened by a human may use its teeth, claws, or tail to defend itself, and all three could inflict significant injury. If you are bitten by a water monitor, it is important to clean the wound and apply antibiotic ointment immediately, as rotting flesh in the monitor’s mouth may lead to inflection. You should seek medical attention in the case of any serious bite in order to prevent infection. It is possible that very serious bites from the largest monitors may lead to fatalities.

Conservation status and threats: Is a widespread and common species in Thailand. Though they are sometimes killed for sport or out of fear, they adapt surprisingly well to urban environments for such a large lizard. They are a protected species in Thailand.

In other countries, Water Monitors face heavy hunting pressure for their meat and skins, and the combination of overhunting and habitat destruction has led to their extermination in some places. They are considered to be nearly extinct in China, and their populations have seen serious declines in India, Bangladesh, and parts of Indonesia.

Interesting facts: The Water Monitor is an inauspicious lizard in Thailand. Its Thai name is an insult referring to an evil thing. Superstitions state that it indicates bad luck, and some Thais will even avoid saying its name. The negative connotations associated with monitors may have to do with their eating of dead animals, their feeding upon household chickens and eggs, or their frightening appearance.

Below:  The ominous clouds led to showers that continued for the entire back nine.  Pictures of the golf course follows.

I am spending the rest of my day reading.  The rain is coming down and walking the streets of Bangkok are no fun in the rain.  The sewers overflow and the streets have 2-3 feet of water.  It is filthy and smelly when you are out in the heavy rain.  When the rain stops, the heat increases along with the dewpoint and humidity.  There is no relief.

On the way home from golfing at Rangsit, Ponsak's hometown, I stopped to drop off a sympathy card for his wife Myuree and here 3 daughters.  It was a short 15 minute visit and conversation.  We talked about why I was in Bangkok and I went on to ask how her girls were taking the loss of Ponsak. She said that the youngest, Bo, was taking it the worst and not sleeping.  I really feel that Myuree was taking it the worst.  When I told her how much I loved and missed Ponsak she broke down crying.  She was at work and I should have said nothing but I did and could not take it back.  We both cried and I wanted to hug her so badly, but that rite belonged to her husband.   I knew that, and I totally respected that aspect of her culture, one that she deeply believes in continuing. I left my hotel phone number and email but I doubt we will be in contact.  It is still too soon.  I have been thinking all day about Ponsak.  I am certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.  They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.  Their love leaves an indelible

imprint in our memories.  I find comfort in knowing that my life has been enriched by having shared their love.  I believe it is an everlasting love!  My emotions today proved this point.

How about a Thai fact or two?

If you have to go to the bathroom (#1), it is referred to as “shooting a rabbit” for a man and “picking a flower” for a woman. If it’s more than that (#2), it’s “shooting a tiger” and “picking avery beautiful flower”, respectively.

There are 4,354 7-Eleven stores in Bangkok. New York City has 200.  The owner is from Thailand.