Jean Francois and Roong Ozoux

The final paragraph of yesterday's Blog should have read like this,
but it was decided to hold it over for today as the only part of
this post that has anything to do with me, me, me, me - ME!

 Déjà vu

 as yet another Highway Chile takes to the road!

THREE-TOED SLOTH

this time well waterlogged but hell bent on getting a lift.

I know the feeling Kid!

Before wandering off to pastures new, I really feel the need to tell you a little more about these 2 'most remarkable' people who I am proud to have met and gotten along with so very well over the past couple of days.

ROONG is the 43 year old daughter of a Chinese mother and Indian father who believes China to be the greatest nation on earth. Now a resident of Thailand she has lived in many parts of the world and often visits Paris and Cayenne. Born in Phuket she began traveling and photography with Jean Francois for ten years

in south east Asia, Europe Guyane and Brazil  and is now a passionate and talented nature photographer.

JEAN FRANCOIS is ostensibly a Frenchman who's grandfather was half Chinese but born in Saigon, while his grandmother, an Anamite/Vietnamese, born in France and still lives enjoying an independent 105th year on earth. He however was born in Morocco. When I mentioned to him that I rarely, if ever, utter the word 'old' he replied:- "the only way I've found of live a long time is to grow old".

When one of their friends in Thailand was struck by a natural disaster (flood) Jean and Roong immediately decide to do something positive about it. They struck on the idea of designing and producing bespoke and unique Kimonos to sell in order to start rebuilding the house. They only made a Limited Number but word got out and caused such a sensation that before long they were able to make a contribution towards the house. For all of this project, I'm sure you'll agree Roong make the perfect model.

 A selection of both of their Photographic Works
birds I have little or no idea of identification.
 

 
Extracts from their Field Sketch Books.

 

Snakes in the Grass, I won't attempt these!
 A few more birds from around the World which I will venture
a go at identifying.

 Orange-bellied Sunbird - South Africa

 Great and ?Snowy Egrets - The Americas

 'dark morph' Asian Paradise Flycatcher

 Racket-tailed Drongo - Asia

 Hoopoe - Euro/Asia unless it's African?

 Wanted to say Ring-necked Parakeet
but think it's something else South American?

 and Artwork doodlings.
 I love the assimilation between Ballerinas and
flying Black-winged Stilts!

 Front
 
and Back of
the House that Jean Francois Built

 
having designed every centimeter,

and between them they decorated and formed a home.

Nice to know an 'open invitation' has been extended,

I can already feel a flight to Phuket, Thailand coming on!
 I'm wondering WHO 'should' be doing The Blog?

Rocky Mountain Way - Joe Walsh (Eagles)

Historically, the Mountain Villager's of North Eastern Thailand, Laos and elsewhere in Indo-China, the The HMONG_PEOPLE, have had a strong allegiance with France throughout many years and conflicts. So, when that country found many thousands of them 'displaced' they set-aside a fertile region in French Guyana (similar in so many ways to that they knew 'at home') to continue living a peaceful life. They brought with them many of their historical agricultural techniques and now continue a decent existence growing produce and catering to the tourist trade. The Market, I was told, should not be missed.

 

Along with Jean Francois and Roong again

we drove through lush Rain Forest, recording

WING-BARRED SEEDEATER on the way

to the village of CACOA.

My breakfast, lunch and dinner were all supplied by this lady

selling the most delicious 'nibbles'.

Most of the older generation still use their native tongue, so Roong was able to communicate.

so much so, she managed to coax a huge bag of these

Lychee-like fruits for free!

YES! we have No Bananas.

This young lad deftly chopped away the copra from this Coconut

making a lovely drink for this little girl

who wouldn't share it with her sister.

Roong also discovered the total age of these 3 ladies - 252 years!

The 'specialty of the house'

LAO SOUP

 

That's the Tab-Nabs now

here comes the coffee.

BLACK-HEADED PARAKEET

While I am opposed to any wild creature in a cage
this did give an opportunity to see a beautifully marked
bird at close quarters, previously only seen in flight.

It had been ON and OFF all day

but then the rain started in earnest

sending all the punters

scurrying for the 'undercover' food stalls,
much to the delight of the stall-holders.

 FLOWER HMONG PEOPLE

in traditional dress, Vietnam.

 picture thanks to Wiki.