Global Cooling in Thailand

[Dodger]

For 17 years prior to retirement I visited Thailand twice per year - always during the months of April thru June, and again from October thru December. I always looked forward to swimming almost every day which is something unheard of in Chicago during the winter months, which, besides the "Boys" of course, was one of my favorite pastimes.

This year marks the first time in all these years that it's been too cold to swim almost every day since early October, and according to the weather forecast this cold-spell is going to continue until late February. I've never seen this before, and think it's a bit strange - considering the fact that the rest of the World is tackling the effects of global warming. Go figure!

I make the best of it by making short/random visits to the ocean for quick swims during the occasional warm-spells, and convincing myself that the ice-cold water is good for circulation and somehow a health benefit. I have no idea if this is true or not but it helps me cope.

Now they're saying that starting in March, when at last I can start swimming every day, it's forecast to be a SCORCHING HOT season mixed with thunderstorms.

OK...I'm going to stop complaining now. It's bad enough that I'm starting to resemble my grandfather when looking in the mirror. I don't want to start sounding like him too...555

[Gaybutton]

I don't want to start sounding like him too...555

Too late . . .

[Jun]

So I presume Dodger has never been one to cut a hole in the winter ice to go swimming, as some do in the northern hemisphere ?

I don't like swimming in cold water either, but I'm also not that keen on swimming at all.

I ventured in the pool at The Rose on my first trip to Thailand, about 19 years ago. It was just about warm enough in November, but I noticed the building going up in front would probably put the pool in shade eventually.
I think I set foot in the Pool at one of the hotels in Bangkok a couple of years ago.

I have been going to a local gym. Without aircon, that's warm enough.

[AdamKY]

This year marks the first time in all these years that it's been too cold to swim almost every day since early October

Tsk, tsk. The weather outside my abode is clear & sunny. There are two inches of ice on the ground which has been hanging around for 10 days. It’s been two weeks since the temperature was above freezing.

Hot tip: SCUBA divers wear wet suits for swimming in cool waters. A thin one will most likely work for you.

[Gaybutton]

I know what you mean AdamKY. A million years ago I was a student at UK - so long ago Adolph Rupp was the basketball coach and Col. Sanders used to come to the basketball games. I still remember below zero weather and strong winds to go with it. I'm a lot happier with the weather in Thailand, even when it's lousy.

[Dodger]

Tsk, tsk. The weather outside my abode is clear & sunny. There are two inches of ice on the ground which has been hanging around for 10 days. It’s been two weeks since the temperature was above freezing.

Funny you should say that.

During a conversation I was having with my daughter during a video chat last Saturday I started complaining about another day passing without it being warm enough to swim. She gave me the same "tsk - tsk" and went to tell me that at that very moment her husband was outside scraping ice off the windshield of their car - as their two sons labored at removing a foot of freshly-fallen snow off their driveway.

This brought back memories...some good, and some not so good. I grew up loving the winter...couldn't wait to strap on the hockey skates...went skiing at every opportunity...and made a lot of spending money shoveling snow for neighbors after the frequent winter blizzards. Great memories - but let's say my preferences have changed over the years.

[Gaybutton]

This brought back memories...some good

One of my favorite childhood memories was waking up to seeing it had snowed. Every kid had their radio turned on, waiting for the announcement as to whether schools would be open or closed. When it was announced that the schools would be closed you could hear cheering from every kid in town. Minutes later we were all out there with our sleds and preparing for our snowball fights. Neighbors Celia and Daisy were always out there gathering snow, putting it in paper cups, pouring on some kind of flavoring and selling "snow cream" for a nickel.

Those were the days . . .