King

Charin’s performance at the Ikebana International’s New Year Luncheon

on January 29, 2008

Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arranging)

As Mrs. Boontipa wrote to us later, "It was the talk of the town!" Charin performed the Waltz, the Rumba, and the Jive, all of which was done as a solo. She danced beautifully and Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado (who was the guest of honor) was so impressed. The Princess presented my mom with flowers and praised her on her ability and her gracefulness. Her Imperial Highness even clapped to the rhythm of the music along with everyone else in the room when she did the Jive. Charin also had the honor of being seated at the luncheon table with Her Imperial Highness. Also seated at the same table were Mrs. Boontipa, wife of Ambassador Suvidhya Simaskul (Thailand’s Ambassador to Japan), the wife of the Danish Ambassador Lises Frederiksen and Japan’s Foreign Minister’s wife.

After the luncheon was over, so many people lined up to take pictures with Charin. Of course she was glowing and was happily posing with everyone. The princess’ mother even walked over to tell her how much she enjoyed the performance! Everyone was buzzing and speculating about how Charin could dance the way she does at 77 years old! They couldn’t believe that she could do the splits and was so limber when she did her back bend that almost reached the floor! Some thought it was because she lived in America, some said that she must have danced and exercised since she was little, and some thought that it must be her “good diet!“

As most of you know, we were in Japan as guests of H.E. Ambassador Suvidhya and Mrs. Boontipa and stayed with them at the Royal Thai Embassy’s Official Residence in Tokyo. This is a beautiful mansion built in 1932 and bought by the Thai government in 1947. It was once a temporary residence of Prince Fuketsu (the younger brother of the last Emperor of the Ching Dynasty of China who later became the Emperor of Manchuria) and Princess Hiro Aishinkakura. There is also a large traditional Japanese garden in the back of the house which we were told was full of beautiful blossoms during the spring and summer. If you want to see more pictures and read about the history of the building, you can go to the embassy’s website: http://www.thaiembassy.jp/

While sitting at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with our very gracious hosts almost everyday (the meals were so delicious and can definitely hold up to Lek’s cooking!),we all learned so much about the Japanese people and their customs. We also enjoyed the many stories that H.E. Ambassador Suvidhya told us about Japan and other countries that he had been to.

Mrs. Boontipa was also so wonderful to take us shopping and to introduce us to many things that most tourist would not get a chance to experience. Our first introduction was to attend a luncheon that featured an Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arranging) demonstration. It was amazing! The flowers were so beautiful and it was done so quickly and effortlessly. The food was also exquisite... so beautiful to look at as well as being delicious. Next, we were taken to a Traditional Tea Serving Ceremony lesson that I was lucky enough to participate in alongside Japan’s Prime Minister’s wife, Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister’s wife, and wives of ambassadors from Spain, Malaysia, and Brunei. And yes, we took pictures with them all!

We also had a chance to go to Hakone and took a ferry around Lake Ashi. Hakone is one of the places you go to if you want to see Mount Fuji. When we arrived, it was a little cloudy but on our drive back, the weather cleared up and we got a beautiful view of the mountain. It was absolutely breathtaking. We had such a clear view of the mountain and were told that we are one of the lucky ones because not everybody who comes here gets to see Mount Fuji due to the fact that the weather doesn’t always cooperate. They say that if you see Mount Fuji, it means that you will come back to Japan again. I hope that’s true.

email forwarded by Anita (Charin's daughter)

Charin’s performance at the Ikebana International’s New Year Luncheon on January 29, 2008 Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arranging)



As Mrs. Boontipa wrote to us later, "It was the talk of the town!" Charin performed the Waltz, the Rumba, and the Jive, all of which was done as a solo. She danced beautifully and Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado (who was the guest of honor) was so impressed. The Princess presented my mom with flowers and praised her on her ability and her gracefulness. Her Imperial Highness even clapped to the rhythm of the music along with everyone else in the room when she did the Jive. Charin also had the honor of being seated at the luncheon table with Her Imperial Highness. Also seated at the same table were Mrs. Boontipa, wife of Ambassador Suvidhya Simaskul (Thailand’s Ambassador to Japan), the wife of the Danish Ambassador Lises Frederiksen and Japan’s Foreign Minister’s wife. After the luncheon was over, so many people lined up to take pictures with Charin. Of course she was glowing and was happily posing with everyone. The princess’ mother even walked over to tell her how much she enjoyed the performance! Everyone was buzzing and speculating about how Charin could dance the way she does at 77 years old! They couldn’t believe that she could do the splits and was so limber when she did her back bend that almost reached the floor! Some thought it was because she lived in America, some said that she must have danced and exercised since she was little, and some thought that it must be her “good diet!“ As most of you know, we were in Japan as guests of H.E. Ambassador Suvidhya and Mrs. Boontipa and stayed with them at the Royal Thai Embassy’s Official Residence in Tokyo. This is a beautiful mansion built in 1932 and bought by the Thai government in 1947. It was once a temporary residence of Prince Fuketsu (the younger brother of the last Emperor of the Ching Dynasty of China who later became the Emperor of Manchuria) and Princess Hiro Aishinkakura. There is also a large traditional Japanese garden in the back of the house which we were told was full of beautiful blossoms during the spring and summer. If you want to see more pictures and read about the history of the building, you can go to the embassy’s website: http://www.thaiembassy.jp/ While sitting at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with our very gracious hosts almost everyday (the meals were so delicious and can definitely hold up to Lek’s cooking!),we all learned so much about the Japanese people and their customs. We also enjoyed the many stories that H.E. Ambassador Suvidhya told us about Japan and other countries that he had been to. Mrs. Boontipa was also so wonderful to take us shopping and to introduce us to many things that most tourist would not get a chance to experience. Our first introduction was to attend a luncheon that featured an Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arranging) demonstration. It was amazing! The flowers were so beautiful and it was done so quickly and effortlessly. The food was also exquisite... so beautiful to look at as well as being delicious. Next, we were taken to a Traditional Tea Serving Ceremony lesson that I was lucky enough to participate in alongside Japan’s Prime Minister’s wife, Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister’s wife, and wives of ambassadors from Spain, Malaysia, and Brunei. And yes, we took pictures with them all! We also had a chance to go to Hakone and took a ferry around Lake Ashi. Hakone is one of the places you go to if you want to see Mount Fuji. When we arrived, it was a little cloudy but on our drive back, the weather cleared up and we got a beautiful view of the mountain. It was absolutely breathtaking. We had such a clear view of the mountain and were told that we are one of the lucky ones because not everybody who comes here gets to see Mount Fuji due to the fact that the weather doesn’t always cooperate. They say that if you see Mount Fuji, it means that you will come back to Japan again. I hope that’s true. email forwarded by Anita (Charin's daughter)