Tents are up and we're ready to go

If you were lucky enough last year to visit Bwana Johns at our Minden location, you will remember the tent market we had set up there.
It was a great success, so this year we took it a step further. Last week we had the amazing Cedric Butz, local contractor, make us a deck to erect the tents on. Now no more long grass or puddles of water lying around, and hopefully the wind won't blow it around so much.

 

 

Here is a shot of it all last year.

 

 

The deck finished and the tents in place.

 

 

Friday, and it is all set up and ready to go for a fabulous weekend.

Hope we see you there.

Have a great long weekend where ever you are.

 

 

Back to Nepal

We've just returned from a quick trip to Kathmandu. We had such a positive response to the things we bought in November, we needed to go back to top up for the summer.
It is always fun to be in Nepal, though at this time of the year it was either hot and dusty or wet and muddy.
Still we had a great time and managed to visit some of the small factories that produce the clothes and bags that we buy.

The woollens are generally made on these low tech knitting machines.

The fun part is choosing the colours of New Zealand  wool to use.

These women were doing some quality control.

Lots and lots of bags to choose from.

Wandering through the markets and checking out the incense sellers.

 

We weren't there nearly long enough. but we'll be back.

Now it is time to wind up our stay in Asia and get back to Canada and Bwana Johns for another season.

 

Safe in the land of smiles...and coups

You may have heard of the recent coup in Thailand.
We are now living in a small town outside of ChiangMai, and here life is going on as usual.
A couple of days ago we went into ChiangMai, and did see a lot of soldiers around town. But they seemed to be only interested in having their pics taken by tourists and locals who wanted selfies with the soldiers.
It sounds like it is a bigger deal in Bangkok. We aren't planning to spend any time there soon.
Hopefully life will get back on track here and it will return to just being the land of smiles.

 

 

The perfect summer dress

 

Summer seems to be just around the corner as the days become longer and warmer. Time to be thinking of that perfect summer dress. Bwana Johns has a great selection once again.

 

 

Perhaps something short and easy to wear that can double as a bathing suit coverup. These knit short dresses are perfect for this.

Or maybe a knee length dress with just enough shaping to show off the good bits, and skim over the not so good. The Carla dress in cotton or rayon they will take you through the day in comfort. Or try a Katie dress with easy to wear elastic under the bust.

 

 

Maybe something short with a bare shoulder to show off a tanned shoulder or shapely leg. The Diane dress with elasticised top and frill is comfortable and easy to wear. The shirred strapless dress can also be worn as a skirt for a change. For a strappy little number, this shirred dress works well in both plain colours and in patterned fabric.

 

On those hot humid days nothing beats a loose dress that flows on the body, and captures every cooling breeze. These flared dresses come in tie dye or with embroidery, or sleeveless or with short sleeves. All in great colours.

Long and elegant, these long knit dresses will take you anywhere from day into evening.

 

When the hot weather arrives it will do so quickly. It pays to be ready, so that you can enjoy the great days of summer when they arrive.

http://www.bwanajohns.com/pm-carla

Moving Thai Office

We are moving our headquarters in Thailand. We have been based in ChiangMai now for almost 30 years, but have decided that we would be happier in a smaller town with less traffic and less hustle and bustle.
We have discovered a pretty little town about an hours drive from Chiangmai called Chom Thong.
It is located at the base of Thailand's highest mountain Doi Inthanon, and boasts a temple that is known for its Vipasana meditation courses.
Our plans include opening a café, and mini Bwana Johns.
We move next week so are busy packing and organising.

 

This is where we are moving to. Sook is moving with us and will continue to part of the Bwana Johns team in Thailand.

 

At the same time we continue to keep the coffee processing going. We have just had a shipment of freshly roasted coffee arrive at Bwana Johns in Canada.

 

 

Back in Thailand

We have arrived back in the land of smiles.
It is HOT here. We are all waiting for the rains to appear and cool things down.
Meanwhile in Canada it is finally starting to warm up and show signs of spring.
A few fashion headlines are suggesting that flats are back. No more trying to master the super high heels of previous seasons.
Try a simple flat sandal to take you through the summer.

 

Fortunately at Bwana Johns we have stocked up on these super comfortable sandals. They will look good with whatever you wear, and not slow you down as you run around.

Another fashion must have are culottes. We had a few available last summer and they just flew out the door. So this year we have a larger stock in some fabulous colours.
Coincidentally (I think not) they look perfect worn with our flat sandals shown above.

Last market in New Zealand

We've just finished our last market in New Zealand. It is cooling down here and the days are shorter as autumn arrives.
It is moving into scarf season. Though it is all relative. A cold winter day here is about 12'C. After the last winter in Ontario, that won't generate much sympathy.

 

We head back to Thailand in a few weeks.

We are waiting for Janice to let us know the snow is melting in Ontario before we even think about heading home.