tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34445954366933793982024-03-13T20:34:41.501-07:00Thailand - Mamuang, Saparot, Mangkut!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-78674327730461434142010-03-22T17:19:00.000-07:002010-03-25T06:09:48.278-07:00Our Last Day in ThailandToday is our last day in Thailand. Our plane back to the US leaves very early tomorrow morning (5:30am) and the plan is to simply stay up all night in order to catch a cab to the airport at 3:00am. I am not really convinced of the merits of this plan - but I have to admit it sounds better than trying to sleep for only a few hours. In anticipation of the very long day ahead we tried to sleep late this morning. Of course, we were awake by 7.<br /><br />The one thing we were really looking forward to in returning to Bangkok was "old woman" coffee. Rich and I head out from Janel's house down the street to find our lady. Yeah! She is there! She gives us a warm smile and we order 3 cafe yen mai wan (iced coffee - not sweet). As she is working on them, we are eyeing the chicken that is grilling next to her. I ask her "alloy, alloy?" (delicious?) She answers "alloy mak mak" (very delicious, of course!) Ok - we'll take a couple of skewers of chicken. The skewers are each a quarter chicken (including feet) which she removes from the skewer and chops into pieces. We also stop at the fruit cart and grab some saparote (pineapple) to round out our breakfast.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurUhzdhhYRGyaZqRq7eakuUwbAO0NkJlnb_hHRPRz5ZxlsuTYv_Sxh10QvonurivwUYWGhztD_oMqG_XHRvEHyku2o9IjQxUrd4UF_ySKnhK4WFSLGI8d8RyI-Nd6E1BbIv8ezhmzsE7I/s1600/IMG_6906.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurUhzdhhYRGyaZqRq7eakuUwbAO0NkJlnb_hHRPRz5ZxlsuTYv_Sxh10QvonurivwUYWGhztD_oMqG_XHRvEHyku2o9IjQxUrd4UF_ySKnhK4WFSLGI8d8RyI-Nd6E1BbIv8ezhmzsE7I/s400/IMG_6906.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452361378364783778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mmmmm chicken feet</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfH9Les3YPg642tGM7vVgVY3jc-A-KeqK6DI8sCWQc11eH6P4qvYhFmRCvnixO60n5WF7rg1NZeLVoX_hnRphUbLZqRNr_D7TIwRpfTre4HOLZTUYiC-twCWE5JwBOog86DG1dxJHwxJ3/s1600/IMG_6908.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfH9Les3YPg642tGM7vVgVY3jc-A-KeqK6DI8sCWQc11eH6P4qvYhFmRCvnixO60n5WF7rg1NZeLVoX_hnRphUbLZqRNr_D7TIwRpfTre4HOLZTUYiC-twCWE5JwBOog86DG1dxJHwxJ3/s400/IMG_6908.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452361384956062834" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">The "hub" of the house</span><br /></div><br />Back at the house we feast on our finds and discuss plans for the day. The only thing we actually NEED to do is to secure airport transportation for our early flight tomorrow. I am already a bit concerned about making sure we can get a ride at that time of day. I want to double check our flight time, but the house internet is on the fritz so we decide we will find an internet cafe somewhere during our wandering today.<br /><br />Janel and Carlos want to take us to one of the places that they went to for a LookEast article - Patara Thai. It is in an interesting area of town and we plan to do some walking around. We head down the street and easily catch a taxi. We zoom into the Thonglor area and hop out onto a busy street close to the restaurant. We want to explore the area before lunch and make a valiant effort to do so. However, the heat is so oppressive (we had conveniently forgotten that about Bangkok) that we are dripping with sweat after about 15 minutes. Plan B comes into play and we decide to have lunch and then head to an indoor shopping area that Janel and Carlos like.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8FXMIQL3GAy-iNMr2B6wOuUBc8Yd-kQdKzBXCJnahV7nwoFA_pMR92SNpKaPv5Prym_vCw8SL8y9EHsAJBQwOHFLhAGD9ZT9GTABF9nXI21DBU1PZkbIA6rsvjJ5guI-3FMxA3Je4pop/s1600/IMG_6910.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8FXMIQL3GAy-iNMr2B6wOuUBc8Yd-kQdKzBXCJnahV7nwoFA_pMR92SNpKaPv5Prym_vCw8SL8y9EHsAJBQwOHFLhAGD9ZT9GTABF9nXI21DBU1PZkbIA6rsvjJ5guI-3FMxA3Je4pop/s400/IMG_6910.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452361396512940930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Rich admires the electrical engineering marvel that is Bangkok</span><br /></div><br />When we get in sight of the restaurant, an attendant comes running from the parking lot with a huge umbrella in which to shade us for the rest of the way. Awesome!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZnuARUp4zsN504yQMsleA3H-Iiwk64eWWnsA7ptMgHjuk14fzFSDEbiLVlFJycgsOspepv4Y28ynGBeIzO9MjTTDOSivbzTX5EadvVEquW4aGXl0NAwwjeJ177jpVYwQm9b4Pi-lS0YG/s1600/IMG_6915.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZnuARUp4zsN504yQMsleA3H-Iiwk64eWWnsA7ptMgHjuk14fzFSDEbiLVlFJycgsOspepv4Y28ynGBeIzO9MjTTDOSivbzTX5EadvVEquW4aGXl0NAwwjeJ177jpVYwQm9b4Pi-lS0YG/s400/IMG_6915.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452366436667404226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Need some sun protection??</span><br /><br /></div><br />The restaurant is kind of an upscale Thai place. Very pretty and the staff is quite attentive. We alreay know that we want the crab curry. Janel says she has been dreaming about it since she wrote her article in January. We also order a salad with Chinese bengets (?), lemon grass/lime and a lamb satay to start. Janel has a lemongrass iced tea, Rich and I have a delicious lime iced tea and Carlos goes out on a limb and orders the Rosella drink. When it comes it is a beautiful rosy color and is served with a little pot of honey to add to it. He says it is very similar to Mexican Jamaica (hibiscus tea).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE-6NODGQhkqi0vmpBa61dq5AQhqyv5uwKHz5w3kbhWsEvEvy7k9OFIu9OYv6e5x0ihrZbGGTsmBBbiDDxJR-mYO_4Ynkr3pDmmO8jZ8FTuj_e3HpaZydgHRzoLqlA8C_F3e0MwuLOdtj/s1600/IMG_6911.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE-6NODGQhkqi0vmpBa61dq5AQhqyv5uwKHz5w3kbhWsEvEvy7k9OFIu9OYv6e5x0ihrZbGGTsmBBbiDDxJR-mYO_4Ynkr3pDmmO8jZ8FTuj_e3HpaZydgHRzoLqlA8C_F3e0MwuLOdtj/s400/IMG_6911.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452361816710741970" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Janel's lemongrass drink</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR1RsRDULBeKXjVNJNJgGGuZy1YLPaAePgVlFMcuNKyt2Hxf08L-AM0wv0R1yPZ0UXV1UhMn5kllChIx9DXxuyJL2d9I3SXXlbLAB4U0e-UlOOcjngMIHuVpeMNPuZ6xuPBXymMPmDsnx/s1600/IMG_6912.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR1RsRDULBeKXjVNJNJgGGuZy1YLPaAePgVlFMcuNKyt2Hxf08L-AM0wv0R1yPZ0UXV1UhMn5kllChIx9DXxuyJL2d9I3SXXlbLAB4U0e-UlOOcjngMIHuVpeMNPuZ6xuPBXymMPmDsnx/s400/IMG_6912.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452365397051446818" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Carlos' Rosella (clearly the star of the show)</span><br /></div><br />All of the dishes are delicious, but the suprise frontrunner is the salad. It has many different textures and tastes and we can't get enough of it. Janel is intrigued and vows to try more Thai salads in the future. The crab curry is, indeed delectable. We almost lick the bowl.<br /><br />In order to get to Platinum (the wholesale, indoor mall) Carlos suggests that we take the Klong boat. He says it is much quicker than a taxi and it also sounds like it could be fun. We walk a few blocks to the river and wait at one of the stops for a boat to come by. When it arrives, it only stops long enough for passengers to disembark and others to get on - kind of. You have to be quick and step off the dock onto the side of the boat while holding on to a little rope all whilst trying to keep your balance and make it into the boat before it roars off. It really is a great way to travel and the scenery is interesting along the way. It is also shaded and much cooler than being in the street. (Have I mentioned the heat yet???)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy7zEhGcZmZw3v9GrYT13rQo91DCA3r6nJZ9JbrvZAdVxExo5qJIrK_G1YZqLby7qVqNZLIw_qlhNjL6fi9a-dUwHYWBEkm8odiaYgwdBurFGilkIJ2frt9LnELt94Qovzn9caoUqodvW/s1600/IMG_6916.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy7zEhGcZmZw3v9GrYT13rQo91DCA3r6nJZ9JbrvZAdVxExo5qJIrK_G1YZqLby7qVqNZLIw_qlhNjL6fi9a-dUwHYWBEkm8odiaYgwdBurFGilkIJ2frt9LnELt94Qovzn9caoUqodvW/s400/IMG_6916.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452361837207242786" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Heading to the boat</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30KdcMn7mKYa8jeMvY6Q2i8l-7SMZguUv8ljv4o_n_NR8vaVyoKe7j9BITB5PdeOSImWnq7iH40n-gSmOt3jaRdEPHBGHQfm45-MuSgQnjqbGRgdhy_IYsRmpAsBbbVSuTu4u0gTn7Tsv/s1600/IMG_6920.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30KdcMn7mKYa8jeMvY6Q2i8l-7SMZguUv8ljv4o_n_NR8vaVyoKe7j9BITB5PdeOSImWnq7iH40n-gSmOt3jaRdEPHBGHQfm45-MuSgQnjqbGRgdhy_IYsRmpAsBbbVSuTu4u0gTn7Tsv/s400/IMG_6920.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452361843348804050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Typical side street scene</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqo1hrgislCrkGXkEZeysUolU0Ypk0ZTjOpoIrV63EVWe8GG52D16Mz4yWDOWSBJjLGRNt32tHh-LO-R3d_1tsFqev0mwFZJ6doy6-yZud2azo3xRDq9yfglu0UkWDwPphoqVi43ER0So_/s1600/IMG_6921.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqo1hrgislCrkGXkEZeysUolU0Ypk0ZTjOpoIrV63EVWe8GG52D16Mz4yWDOWSBJjLGRNt32tHh-LO-R3d_1tsFqev0mwFZJ6doy6-yZud2azo3xRDq9yfglu0UkWDwPphoqVi43ER0So_/s400/IMG_6921.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452362423364067426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here comes the Klong Boat!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcvMl4IKqyTMxybmKtiGVM7wv_h2aPuSG-7COfospwpZ6sN_E5XSWfZy5EKoxPS0HKWPzoqgqJhou-LwdqEGUpjfeJqn89j8ZdpWojfBzHJwhQTxZevRIye92d0NOZhS4VtHyjUSZj7eA/s1600/IMG_6922.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcvMl4IKqyTMxybmKtiGVM7wv_h2aPuSG-7COfospwpZ6sN_E5XSWfZy5EKoxPS0HKWPzoqgqJhou-LwdqEGUpjfeJqn89j8ZdpWojfBzHJwhQTxZevRIye92d0NOZhS4VtHyjUSZj7eA/s400/IMG_6922.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452362431552105666" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">inside the boat</span><br /></div><br />We finally end up at Platinum. You have to see this place to believe it. I think it is 6 stories of tiny wholesale-type shops selling mostly clothes and accessories. Tons and tons of stuff. Most of the fashions are for the younger set, but there are great bags, shoes, earrings, etc. at waaay cheap prices. I have no idea where all of this stuff comes from! We have fun just wandering and looking at No major shopping for us - Janel finds a cool pair of earrings, but I don't see anything that I just can't live without.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0IOIPcpJcZ1cjO5tcO_2Vkn3ZcDP4yNGWcrv6vnmKEvzo4dwqP3Rb9mPX9lwkNGhHWElcCuKIvjNYKL1EtT6RUqK3aTCqdruHeN3PvWMCGzBoAe6Xv-0uBzdrGB-fRx8mqLI2IUIX8He/s1600/IMG_6925.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0IOIPcpJcZ1cjO5tcO_2Vkn3ZcDP4yNGWcrv6vnmKEvzo4dwqP3Rb9mPX9lwkNGhHWElcCuKIvjNYKL1EtT6RUqK3aTCqdruHeN3PvWMCGzBoAe6Xv-0uBzdrGB-fRx8mqLI2IUIX8He/s400/IMG_6925.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452362437114173698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Can I live without this dog purse?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIIaAHHs4ZCNyRP3FEb36kvtR0dCz9iJg28KJFDIPoWfGzRn3f_ZjYV3wGr6jK216nCmla6CAZQlxSxpJvRRqFQhe_mH2DSeLOUNjIBY1MJZUI0LzpChuRRGerO93Iz2mPw8exgkZ9w48/s1600/IMG_6926.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIIaAHHs4ZCNyRP3FEb36kvtR0dCz9iJg28KJFDIPoWfGzRn3f_ZjYV3wGr6jK216nCmla6CAZQlxSxpJvRRqFQhe_mH2DSeLOUNjIBY1MJZUI0LzpChuRRGerO93Iz2mPw8exgkZ9w48/s400/IMG_6926.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452362446579626626" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Which one is the "real" girl?</span><br /></div><br />We decide we should head home and maybe take a nap before we go back out for the evening. Carlos has managed to get on Delta.com on his cellphone and has confirmed our flight time so we will try to arrange transportation when we get back to the house. We walk back to catch the boat and Rich spots a chicken vendor. He immediately goes into a "chicken fit" and has to have some. This vendor was just pulling out some whole (and I mean WHOLE - complete with neck/head) chickens out of a vat to hang up and he also had some fresh fried chicken on the side. Rich orders some fried chicken. They are thighs and the vendor quickly bones and chops them for us. He bags them up for "take-away" along with rice and a couple of bags of the broth where he has been cooking his boiled chickens. Our entire meal that served 4 was 90bht (less than $3)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A2sbY3PDad6iDArHDbIWQLIfiEd5QkpabqfH2swJaRYKSnf7ZAvF5z_HEFeH_Eqr66CfZ9yJ4XXjkFs9Ww7rUWZaWkAOoUNjtFVTFtS7YxYPKnqVjSlWjr4-pLMOd7znLlKVlmcwJUw4/s1600/IMG_6927.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A2sbY3PDad6iDArHDbIWQLIfiEd5QkpabqfH2swJaRYKSnf7ZAvF5z_HEFeH_Eqr66CfZ9yJ4XXjkFs9Ww7rUWZaWkAOoUNjtFVTFtS7YxYPKnqVjSlWjr4-pLMOd7znLlKVlmcwJUw4/s400/IMG_6927.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452362458732445090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">street scene</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IPpCzRHCCw-JpzOicccxPRhn4bFjj0ZIBIrDqUyEErKocriDMD8NY27e0DUO_xLnEwdyxn5TUW3dJPLdfE6n9-QxbgtIvszBjyNbwpFmw0SL-YrRFa99tNnpzN-Yb7s0M0K9q_44Grns/s1600/IMG_6929.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IPpCzRHCCw-JpzOicccxPRhn4bFjj0ZIBIrDqUyEErKocriDMD8NY27e0DUO_xLnEwdyxn5TUW3dJPLdfE6n9-QxbgtIvszBjyNbwpFmw0SL-YrRFa99tNnpzN-Yb7s0M0K9q_44Grns/s400/IMG_6929.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452363186818846130" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">chicken vendor (notice the whole hanging boiled chickens)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFhhXOwRNH4PSOkqN6XaaHCEtyvDx119t37Db52eDO8o51wkzQDzvg3yIsQpDfnt0ynifV7IHQwYVl_6B6luZxaECk5VKPPUX2QitMGB_wFM0z-3LNO57xWFQ-4sgcpRLiFOabqYV86D5/s1600/IMG_6931.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFhhXOwRNH4PSOkqN6XaaHCEtyvDx119t37Db52eDO8o51wkzQDzvg3yIsQpDfnt0ynifV7IHQwYVl_6B6luZxaECk5VKPPUX2QitMGB_wFM0z-3LNO57xWFQ-4sgcpRLiFOabqYV86D5/s400/IMG_6931.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452363197982710290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> our food is being prepped</span><br /></div><br />This is a great area of street food and it is hoppin' since many folks are on their way home at this time of day. We enjoy the walk back to the boat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5GNjjLH73w1yu6Fbj_F_dVpbSfoPIxJ9MDgMv7KpVu9qydmbT95ws1HjT4x0ypAzTj1gkPV71n0t5H8Ph7lzSgoPmEFzpcgooPlo8w5fCap2-EYaRcWYDh4sSK5MzV_QptMxRnZindpC/s1600/IMG_6932.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5GNjjLH73w1yu6Fbj_F_dVpbSfoPIxJ9MDgMv7KpVu9qydmbT95ws1HjT4x0ypAzTj1gkPV71n0t5H8Ph7lzSgoPmEFzpcgooPlo8w5fCap2-EYaRcWYDh4sSK5MzV_QptMxRnZindpC/s400/IMG_6932.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452363205788116146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">street food scene</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">- We will miss this a lot</span>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mCvRfz9mCTo0-jNDtNPTuYjawy4wepQT27IY-6M9NydHTun8YtH9j8-oa1FBoso71pLSDb9txOmA677DDqH1Bmyvod8posPXJxQYAY1RjHyvU7ekh-eUg3sJBsaR9xeB70F8dfJ-9kTH/s1600/IMG_6933.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mCvRfz9mCTo0-jNDtNPTuYjawy4wepQT27IY-6M9NydHTun8YtH9j8-oa1FBoso71pLSDb9txOmA677DDqH1Bmyvod8posPXJxQYAY1RjHyvU7ekh-eUg3sJBsaR9xeB70F8dfJ-9kTH/s400/IMG_6933.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452363213622812690" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">wires and people</span><br /></div><br />When we get back home I insist that we try to arrange our airport transfer. One possibility is a random taxi driver named Tony that we had once when we were here at the beginning of our trip. We had an especially long ride that day due to traffic and after he figured out that we spoke Enlish he put on American music for us and then gave us his card. He told us if we needed a ride to call him 3 hours in advance - his English was pretty good. Ok - this seems like a shot in the dark to me to expect him to come to our house at 3 in the morning, but it can't hurt to call. Carlos is tasked with making the call. Tony answers his cell phone, but tells Carlos that today is a holiday for him. Carlos tells him that's ok - we really need you for tomorrow, but in the early, early morning. Tony agrees (!) and takes our information. Carlos asks him to call when he is on his way (so we will know he is coming).<br /><br />We agree that the possibility of this guy actually showing up at 3am is about 30% and make an alternate plan. We figure that at that time of night, there will not be many (if any) taxis just randomly coming down Janel's soi (street). It is a pretty quiet area. So, if Tony hasn't called by 3, Carlos will get on his motorbike and zoom down to the area around Victoria (a well-known massage parlor!). He can snag a cab from there and lead him back to the house. Sounds like a plan (sounds like a shaky plan to me, but what else can we do?)<br /><br />As a side note: During this entire trip EVERYTHING has gone so smoothly. All of our transport, hotels, tours, everything has worked beautifully. There literally has been no stress. I can't remember another trip where it has all gone completely as planned. There is only this one last little snag left and it could potentially cause a HUGE amount of stress.<br /><br />Ok - naptime. It is about 6:30 and we plan to head out for dinner, etc around 8-8:30. Rich and I try to nap, but can't quite manage it. We end up downstairs reading and trying to make sure we have everything in order for our trip back home.<br /><br />We all reconnect around 8:30 and venture out for the evening. (We forgot the camera, so if you only read this for the pics you are out of luck. . .) Our plans are to go to an area called "Na Na" (seriously) and hang out, eat, people watch etc. until very late. Then return home and take off for the airport. NaNa is a weird corner of Bangkok. It is quite Arab in influence. There are many restaurants, food stalls selling all kinds of Arab food (no liquour in the restaurants). Mixed in with that are lots of vendors selling knock-off watches, bags, clothing, etc. Added to that you have your sleaze factor (which is one of the reasons we came here to people watch). There are probably more prostitutes and ladyboys soliciting in this area than anywhere we have seen. However, it doesn't really feel sleazy or dangerous at all. You have Arab women wearning traditional garments covering them head to toe and then you have "ladies" wearing next to nothing right beside them. Very strange vibe.<br /><br />We pop in a 7-11 (where else?) and grab a couple of beers for strolling. (it is ok to have alcohol on the street - just not in these particular Arab restaurants). We get a kick out of watching to see what happens with Rich. If we walk ahead of him a few paces he gets accosted by scores of "ladies." I asked him what they say to him and he says "nothing - they don't have to." It seems that if he makes even the slightest eye contact they are all over him, petting, grabing his arm, etc. Doesn't bother me - I told him that I figure at least 50% of the "ladies" approaching him are boys!<br /><br />We stopped on the street and had a couple of kebabs that were great and then wind up meeting Janel's roomates - Penny/Chris - at one of their favorite Arab restaurants. It is really cool inside with gilded mirros and patrons smoking hookahs. We order baba ganough, hummus, nan (bread), a salad and a plate of lamb kebabs all to share. The food is delicious and we devour it. I can see why Janel and Carlos like this place. The food is awesome and cheap! Dinner for 6 persons was 600bht (about $18).<br /><br />After diner we head into an area of bars where the people watching is ripe. We find a balcony seating at "The Cathouse" (yes) and we are literally in the catbird seat for viewing the goings on. You see it all here and it is quite a study. Not necessarily a place I would want to come to often, but it is an interesting side of the city.<br /><br />It is about 1am and we grab a taxi and head home. We have some time to kill and need to stay awake so we decide to play a game. We play Apples to Apples for a while and have a nice chilled out time. As 2:30 approaches I am starting to get antsy about our ride. Then at 2:50 Carlos' phone rings and it is Tony! He says he will be here by 3:15. I still can't believe it. Sure enough he shows up right on time. He packs up the taxi and we prepare to say our goodbyes.<br /><br />This is the hard part. We have had such a fantastic time traveling with Janel and have gotten so used to her being around. It truly breaks my heart to leave her. But, I know that we must go and we hug like there is no tomorrow. Thank you Janel and Carlos for showing us your Bangkok.<br /><br />We tear ourselves away and drive away. It is a melancholy ride to the airport. When we arrive, Tony gets all our bags out. He thanks us for the business and then actually gives us a hug! It was very touching and a fitting way to say goodbye to the friendly people of thailand.<br /><br />We have a long, long way to go today. Bangkok to Tokyo - 6 hours. Tokyo to Detroit - 12 hours. Detroit to Phoenix - 4.5 hours (and thos are just the in flight times). We are right now on the plane from Tokyo to Detroit and are probably at least halfway there. I think it is going to feel very strange to be back home.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-76002046468384512102010-03-21T11:07:00.000-07:002010-03-25T06:11:26.907-07:00Sparkling Sunday at Layana / Back to Bangkok(Rich's 7th post)<br /><br />Last night we spotted dozens of geckos perched on the exterior of the Layana buildings, more than usual maybe. On one building we spied a really big one, our friend the tokay, so Janel and I took some effort to snag a photo of it. Difficult to tell the scale in this photo, but his head is almost 2" wide. He's the size of a baby croc. I read that these guys have a nasty disposition, and if they ever bite you, they will not let go except by submergence in water. Kept my distance with the camera.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKbi4ReKRWtwJYuJRdpv2HzvdWMF0K3Hfe0x2o2p49QIgvtYBT0NlexEgh9Rz1C0wGqaxImSR6YfKpSCvNGYrM4lE3ecnYPPNc0DePZm_kABGaov5oE0UXpEvy848gddU8XZVcHjAmNGC/s1600/IMG_6877r1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKbi4ReKRWtwJYuJRdpv2HzvdWMF0K3Hfe0x2o2p49QIgvtYBT0NlexEgh9Rz1C0wGqaxImSR6YfKpSCvNGYrM4lE3ecnYPPNc0DePZm_kABGaov5oE0UXpEvy848gddU8XZVcHjAmNGC/s400/IMG_6877r1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452309396278646882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Our 'friend,' a big tokay</span></span><br /></div><br />It's sparkling Sunday at Layana, and champagne is served with breakfast. We take a glorious beachside table and try to enjoy the meal, but the weight of leaving Layana today is undeniable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdsNk24d0xsRXIvDdokTwUXekPSpFqTwzv4AiwoDo2oX3kUHAj86CXYCh_QksPCVuXAq-zyuAeCDlzx0795LtWMPMgEjsBd42rqqGGN8UiOsTb4104lB6RrvElfHE_ldGN7C4vex5A7gp/s1600/IMG_6881.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdsNk24d0xsRXIvDdokTwUXekPSpFqTwzv4AiwoDo2oX3kUHAj86CXYCh_QksPCVuXAq-zyuAeCDlzx0795LtWMPMgEjsBd42rqqGGN8UiOsTb4104lB6RrvElfHE_ldGN7C4vex5A7gp/s400/IMG_6881.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452271082007245938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Paradise with a champagne kicker<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>We need some provisions from the 7Eleven, and I'm the chosen one. Grabbing the camera, I head out to the street, and ask a Layana staffer which direction the closest one is. She indicates to turn south - cool - I haven't been down that direction yet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzfRqjfOXUv0cGh0XBTjjKFd_05ts4LFcBl1W50VQnrn0NywWZJXoQ4vmJw6rNHTqxc-j5T7asv_rm1Ty4Mx5m8D5r8U-XBvFixjtwmqNhFmY0gRxcXALVi4sYxdc32_owkjdg8FROnU9/s1600/IMG_6883.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzfRqjfOXUv0cGh0XBTjjKFd_05ts4LFcBl1W50VQnrn0NywWZJXoQ4vmJw6rNHTqxc-j5T7asv_rm1Ty4Mx5m8D5r8U-XBvFixjtwmqNhFmY0gRxcXALVi4sYxdc32_owkjdg8FROnU9/s400/IMG_6883.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452265293424275522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A view out the Layana entrance to the street<br /><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7XaCGaCbQXZe_SWwPdeHpwUcrYSs9qQDA1XmDvgLQaPNb-tkSjlHZwT6jQg2VDR_mGoALcbRUKlveguCwu4CegEEhz0ugvsxRD4QNa6XAjNrxT1iXJY5TLq1oqFmtVq2iGUMX4190DEC/s1600/IMG_6885.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7XaCGaCbQXZe_SWwPdeHpwUcrYSs9qQDA1XmDvgLQaPNb-tkSjlHZwT6jQg2VDR_mGoALcbRUKlveguCwu4CegEEhz0ugvsxRD4QNa6XAjNrxT1iXJY5TLq1oqFmtVq2iGUMX4190DEC/s400/IMG_6885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452265280769715698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A great place to stay</span></span><br /></div><br />The walk turns out to be fairly far, at least 2 km or so, and I grab a few photos on the way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhCsygjAV8DX2IZ_-aqBv9XN0bKR1Wuo2arAOBlajlU1z6ffB1nqG0rwI4bujzFjx3o01UCzaUH0sp-8CJ5Y13G1cfK9vKjBwE7LItY_LXsGihQ586dntWymlWEvt5WmIc5d7-TmRWyHy/s1600/IMG_6886.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhCsygjAV8DX2IZ_-aqBv9XN0bKR1Wuo2arAOBlajlU1z6ffB1nqG0rwI4bujzFjx3o01UCzaUH0sp-8CJ5Y13G1cfK9vKjBwE7LItY_LXsGihQ586dntWymlWEvt5WmIc5d7-TmRWyHy/s400/IMG_6886.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452265264137974466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A sign for the beach south of ours (ours is Phra Ae aka Long Beach)</span> </span></div><br />As I walk, tuk-tuks zoom past me constantly and almost all of them give a little toot that means, "Need a ride, farang?" However, as long as I do not raise my hand, they continue on without further fuss.<br /><br />The little motor bikes zip past as well. On my return walk, one of them loaded down with groceries drops 2 bags just as it passes me. At first I think they don't notice but eventually they slow down and stop 1/4 mile in front of me. I walk out into the lane and direct traffic around the bags so they won't get squashed, then retrieve them and hand them over once the motorbike returns. The mom gives me a huge smile and "korp kune ka-a-a-a!"<br /><br />Once back at the room, Linda and Janel start prodding me that it is my blog day and I won't have any material to include in it. Meanwhile Linda works on a previous day's blog. It occurs to me now that it's sort of pathetic to be blogging about writing your blog, but desperate times call for desperate measures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn2uSwivRfrTxUehCeNZKqSNbcpm3IRoIGBYGDL2FYFbGJ86SJ_55Sq-4ExEIPY9ZJTCALc5rI6JmbKMcMgF9PHj9aKA9OPrfs_wpoKxyV-1AlBOkMBp5ODsuFxWMV61D32QJ9cZKecWJ/s1600/IMG_6887.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn2uSwivRfrTxUehCeNZKqSNbcpm3IRoIGBYGDL2FYFbGJ86SJ_55Sq-4ExEIPY9ZJTCALc5rI6JmbKMcMgF9PHj9aKA9OPrfs_wpoKxyV-1AlBOkMBp5ODsuFxWMV61D32QJ9cZKecWJ/s400/IMG_6887.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452265254079184594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Feeling the blog pressure<br /></span></div><br />A simple plan today - take a chartered mini-van to Krabi Airport, about 1-1/2 hours up the road, then fly back to Bangkok and regroup at Janel's house. While we wait, Janel and Linda adjourn to the beach for one final massage. Hello massa-a-a-ah?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NS4lw2bp6ztCDnu8JbyiyaediQI_RkRWm8I9nMSzX0Me02WodSz5bSapzmR9OsZJfEFgE0vm__ZEOcT9zQNvW31JbSesxVCY0_bsptq18bvfTKhLo64a6JXEzwnwjTzEPIo4dwG6AGcu/s1600/IMG_6888.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NS4lw2bp6ztCDnu8JbyiyaediQI_RkRWm8I9nMSzX0Me02WodSz5bSapzmR9OsZJfEFgE0vm__ZEOcT9zQNvW31JbSesxVCY0_bsptq18bvfTKhLo64a6JXEzwnwjTzEPIo4dwG6AGcu/s400/IMG_6888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452264900824448306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Massage in progress<br /><br /></span> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreioJKviWvwnAAq7L7mRFnmdcaFrekaudNPh5RgeGHwTF5Ni74F9PBuN-qfNY7zPASryti831J7oTgz2ZHZ2Yhv8XBMVGL_RUzCxy63k7cTbUfrHCGB9ivBUQem5o_l_OwRURjgaHeFCn/s1600/IMG_6889r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreioJKviWvwnAAq7L7mRFnmdcaFrekaudNPh5RgeGHwTF5Ni74F9PBuN-qfNY7zPASryti831J7oTgz2ZHZ2Yhv8XBMVGL_RUzCxy63k7cTbUfrHCGB9ivBUQem5o_l_OwRURjgaHeFCn/s400/IMG_6889r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452308306796561634" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Massage in paradise<br /><br /><br /></span><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt_mzgae1kkqqfqawJeXChIGJqEuWSKkrk2zpm0AsUAjxX0oi5WcbDrh0-C2EmrbKUOlFN6SM2ftQuVHNJgCx23YWVoT9-Bj5fP4Cf0LF8uCQAIsWrUp_x5RvryfMvxWE-LSLjcHPF4NR/s1600/IMG_6891.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt_mzgae1kkqqfqawJeXChIGJqEuWSKkrk2zpm0AsUAjxX0oi5WcbDrh0-C2EmrbKUOlFN6SM2ftQuVHNJgCx23YWVoT9-Bj5fP4Cf0LF8uCQAIsWrUp_x5RvryfMvxWE-LSLjcHPF4NR/s400/IMG_6891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452264879787252770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Great rates, too (A 1 hour massage on the beach is only $9)</span> </span></div><br />While waiting for the massage-aholics, I adjourn to the bar. Heck, why not. It's afternoon somewhere. And this bar makes a mean caipirihna. They also provide me with a big bowl of crunchy snacks - perfect for whiling away an hour and gazing at the water.<br /><br />We all meet up at the room. Linda is raving about the talents of the male masseuse on the beach. We dive in to repacking our crap, then settle our bill while Layana staff takes stuff to the front entrance. We wait around for a while for our van, and chat with the UK couple there who is also leaving today. This is their 4th visit to Layana, and we're jealous that they're coming back again in only 8 weeks.<br /><br />We also talk with Michael, the manager. He personally attends every arrival and departure, and we've noticed that he hovers over breakfast and other activities daily. We're surprised to learn that Layana is only about 5 years old, because their operations are so well polished. He seems pleased to receive our accolades of the top notch product offered here.<br /><br />As our more mundane travel commences, I become more desperate for blog fodder.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfZMoGeS7m9POvIn-z4g2L_xXapxR3QZ_hd9vxGqFzqsDZkXAcqsRhSlAgegM73GiwSb7lDoAqTHVgbZeUJ1NPg0NyRO0fH7wbA5NInCPyPk3wZIZum8uKw2jljjaDXD5r1pNnJGClq_P/s1600/IMG_6893.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfZMoGeS7m9POvIn-z4g2L_xXapxR3QZ_hd9vxGqFzqsDZkXAcqsRhSlAgegM73GiwSb7lDoAqTHVgbZeUJ1NPg0NyRO0fH7wbA5NInCPyPk3wZIZum8uKw2jljjaDXD5r1pNnJGClq_P/s400/IMG_6893.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452267705373356626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ending where we started: in the Layana lobby<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeeB7fLWVqOh9U-mx8XJTbsyZxDe4DC2bPZZynX85uvFfACXg5oWsVppDdtx-rd2RaF8q6FcS970VjEK7VxxqWBZfibksGLOO8pjOKp0omKYfhfQreVmhDL3ihicoxZHQLNY6RXk_fkXN/s1600/IMG_6895.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeeB7fLWVqOh9U-mx8XJTbsyZxDe4DC2bPZZynX85uvFfACXg5oWsVppDdtx-rd2RaF8q6FcS970VjEK7VxxqWBZfibksGLOO8pjOKp0omKYfhfQreVmhDL3ihicoxZHQLNY6RXk_fkXN/s400/IMG_6895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452264868371332034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mini van ride to Krabi</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhb5KtkhTZKL4_p6Z0lEYDUvWge_3jcQ30qy9QxP_SP6Od1DgeufBj2ItxnSK_TkGBplauzF4DJifTivlYvHU0HYJ3MdXlFDfFRm4Swnq0a4YScMX2mWyzG2B1ahs8YAPNwuLHX7AFUHr/s1600/IMG_6896.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhb5KtkhTZKL4_p6Z0lEYDUvWge_3jcQ30qy9QxP_SP6Od1DgeufBj2ItxnSK_TkGBplauzF4DJifTivlYvHU0HYJ3MdXlFDfFRm4Swnq0a4YScMX2mWyzG2B1ahs8YAPNwuLHX7AFUHr/s400/IMG_6896.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452264857157958434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Waiting at the Krabi airport</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52NYlRPdkzjXPHifnmKV7uz3ibc0vH2r-Qp1k8At74HZiCUJAeDBE5Ixmk3_dRp3zJFLiwb8V81E0-nKTnncztjk4CnfMmRgQcXxZfBV6M1frZw24pjHzITNh894FoULCZ0jjUNiqbimw/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52NYlRPdkzjXPHifnmKV7uz3ibc0vH2r-Qp1k8At74HZiCUJAeDBE5Ixmk3_dRp3zJFLiwb8V81E0-nKTnncztjk4CnfMmRgQcXxZfBV6M1frZw24pjHzITNh894FoULCZ0jjUNiqbimw/s400/IMG_6897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452264531712605298" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Kindle got a thorough workout this trip<br /><br /></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r7HAgO-4LOrVr4ZOm_Z1kZXIQ7Pwnyzl-dBGgM1MKNU4hExXUOU0CoZEiii3WgGlSDNHWbNE_1pSSmkx4xFoyTHc_UpCITLe7x6tb0FQbtd_lmavRZnUFS1A0UbUbMGXPa5qoHltbBZP/s1600/IMG_6900r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r7HAgO-4LOrVr4ZOm_Z1kZXIQ7Pwnyzl-dBGgM1MKNU4hExXUOU0CoZEiii3WgGlSDNHWbNE_1pSSmkx4xFoyTHc_UpCITLe7x6tb0FQbtd_lmavRZnUFS1A0UbUbMGXPa5qoHltbBZP/s400/IMG_6900r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452307773648519474" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">We had no complaints with Air Aisa, the region's cattle car<br /><br /></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qO1zp7QnxbzQUB37ooDLEiYv4r4EMzlBuDUt3QtVohDhWnzv5WdsBRRVep6f5X9J0rv1T9iMJMpokEXPfu4NoEZMTe1Z7y0Qp6Sy58FZl9pbFHvHQA6PoqpsE2lo26_DAz2jmdFyQF1-/s1600/IMG_6903r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qO1zp7QnxbzQUB37ooDLEiYv4r4EMzlBuDUt3QtVohDhWnzv5WdsBRRVep6f5X9J0rv1T9iMJMpokEXPfu4NoEZMTe1Z7y0Qp6Sy58FZl9pbFHvHQA6PoqpsE2lo26_DAz2jmdFyQF1-/s400/IMG_6903r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452274463120326306" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tall thin guy in a midget seat trying to blog<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">The flight from Krabi to Bangkok was short, barely over an hour. Unfortunately, our bags took almost that long to hit the carousel after we arrived.<br /><br />Still, I must comment on the Bangkok Airport. Very new, only 3 years old, and one of the best laid out airports I've ever seen. Hundreds of check-in desks keep lines short. Very slick baggage handling machinery plumbed to each desk. Great signage everywhere. Massive multi-lane security process to keep lines short. Efficient security rescreening at the gate. No silly protracted boarding processes - everyone just gets on the plane (for goodness sake).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBXNCc4XUNisAYGZ6GiPtttcFSrbUmg6vu2qmHF_Afr7DWXxmDVdcawov2ZJWVSzDmriXEYNkjEsFfhlb6Usf7eHg7xeFJ15E69j0mgNrpv6xccIh0c3cHDjU3_KxkuTWz873Y3sJsysl/s1600/IMG_6904.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBXNCc4XUNisAYGZ6GiPtttcFSrbUmg6vu2qmHF_Afr7DWXxmDVdcawov2ZJWVSzDmriXEYNkjEsFfhlb6Usf7eHg7xeFJ15E69j0mgNrpv6xccIh0c3cHDjU3_KxkuTWz873Y3sJsysl/s400/IMG_6904.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452264508985219538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Long wait for bags at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T8bacQhBsfZKNbVrxYzQI3B0pZwti-0WkoMm3-Ju2zjqbAbXiwlwCQoznRElkaCZHS-4fixvMRmK00uXl8hbWmDs1KdKARvBfqnmSDc0zK__5TaxrY1xHNFM0JOqC7hjLga3AHS8wgt-/s1600/IMG_6905.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T8bacQhBsfZKNbVrxYzQI3B0pZwti-0WkoMm3-Ju2zjqbAbXiwlwCQoznRElkaCZHS-4fixvMRmK00uXl8hbWmDs1KdKARvBfqnmSDc0zK__5TaxrY1xHNFM0JOqC7hjLga3AHS8wgt-/s400/IMG_6905.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452264497941987314" border="0" /></a>'First bag' my ass - where's MY bag?<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div><br />Great taxi setup on the ground floor at Suvarnabhumi, too, assuming you are smart enough to avoid the taxi hawkers inside. Just go out to dispatch, grab a driver, and take off. All the taxis enter in one lane, park diagnonally, wait their turn for passengers, then take off forward into another lane. Excellent design - no traffic jams. The fare to Janel's house goes $5 to $6.<br /><br />On the ride back, we make a pitstop at the 7 and score six big Singhas. Back at the house, it's good to see Carlos back on his feet and feeling well again. We also meet another roomie, Penny, and her beau Chris. The six of us dive in to some delicious noodles that Carlos has purchased, and spend a long evening talking stories and checking out our travel photos. The six beers go down nicely and call for another beer run just before midnight. To keep things moving, we set our photo folder on slideshow, but even that takes several hours with over 1,500 photos. Carlos, Penny, and Chris are good sports in being our audience for so long.<br /><br />There is some method in our efforts to stay up late. We've decided to stay up all of tomorrow night before our 5:30am flight, and so we're already trying to stretch things out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-42445664985198562892010-03-20T21:01:00.000-07:002010-03-24T11:06:50.134-07:00Can We Handle One More Day?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><br /></div>SATURDAY, MARCH 20<br /><br />Our last full day at Layana. We are fully into chill mode and start out the day with breakfast on the patio. As usual Rich and Janel linger over coffee and conversation. I head out to stake our claim of beach chairs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJqqTydE0ztt4ZSNs91WgNhaH3QqAVWUNzMzc7RGjpOppWFoussK8FJF3TUG5Lb_w8gV0MQ-PwI2HiDsmgV6DoUco6HrPVzcOHYa8Zb0hUnX20eYpaWc25kY0v4aLsM82njp3BOQ7F3In/s1600-h/IMG_6803.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJqqTydE0ztt4ZSNs91WgNhaH3QqAVWUNzMzc7RGjpOppWFoussK8FJF3TUG5Lb_w8gV0MQ-PwI2HiDsmgV6DoUco6HrPVzcOHYa8Zb0hUnX20eYpaWc25kY0v4aLsM82njp3BOQ7F3In/s400/IMG_6803.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450934759552812706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nibblin' and Chattin'<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I have previously determined my favorite spot under the trees on the beach and see that there are empty chairs. I summon the pool boy and he prepares three of them for us.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjbU7GqnkCDpaWQKY2_YVZXN8g8OeqLJ01e5n1yLDgZHsSW3JPBKg90HwCN3zKT7TYgGojk6Rm8JjJQfZnsXdk4zypN2F51KbxdzD_lkqzxfBVCb5_IlfACWbh_LJf3hM-V5Xy-NUEJDn/s1600-h/IMG_6804.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjbU7GqnkCDpaWQKY2_YVZXN8g8OeqLJ01e5n1yLDgZHsSW3JPBKg90HwCN3zKT7TYgGojk6Rm8JjJQfZnsXdk4zypN2F51KbxdzD_lkqzxfBVCb5_IlfACWbh_LJf3hM-V5Xy-NUEJDn/s400/IMG_6804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450934774704657666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our spot is being prepped<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Janel and Rich wander back to the room for a bit and I get completely set up with my book and stretch out for a long read. Intermittently I look up to see what is going on at the beach and my surroundings. </span>Not much.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DQdJFRMU6D7YQ2sOmWrnl0k8n5Os4lQ0aRrU7vx_WgJGtZcuTL2BYyAJjaRQzrTvy418B9jW82AlzZhVdK8x5EcXyJsQ-Vs89h4d51eTWsyLPjmeQJK2wAVAgv406VccE53X7nIvkgbQ/s1600-h/IMG_6807.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DQdJFRMU6D7YQ2sOmWrnl0k8n5Os4lQ0aRrU7vx_WgJGtZcuTL2BYyAJjaRQzrTvy418B9jW82AlzZhVdK8x5EcXyJsQ-Vs89h4d51eTWsyLPjmeQJK2wAVAgv406VccE53X7nIvkgbQ/s400/IMG_6807.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450934792082581730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">My View (high traffic area)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Occasionally I drag myself out of the chair and take a quip dip in the warm ocean. The silence of my surroundings is broken with the Layana 2 speedboat comes in to shore. The speedboat is the preferred method of arrival/departure for Layana guests and its presence causes a mild stir. Everyone takes notice of who is arriving/departing. This morning's boat brings in a couple of happy guests. Everyone gets a full on greeting by the manager/staff complete with flower leis and fruity drinks.<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPt7bcG66MFBWBvnWFtFRZ_RCTdSVQ5gUxnXLa6avTnrtT2BO_guzUfr9Ryk4tev6BFDETcENhqmXjLu95r5T8kVm56O-NatyTswqsPvLBKfbWHG7gwB-zpfJJqIlPg73LPi0l0YW5BOU/s1600-h/IMG_6808.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPt7bcG66MFBWBvnWFtFRZ_RCTdSVQ5gUxnXLa6avTnrtT2BO_guzUfr9Ryk4tev6BFDETcENhqmXjLu95r5T8kVm56O-NatyTswqsPvLBKfbWHG7gwB-zpfJJqIlPg73LPi0l0YW5BOU/s400/IMG_6808.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450934801483645170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Waitin' for the Layana 2<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYmDO9qvso3Wiz3wBS4etuh28RL6c09NPoWsoNnybae8NVvjCEqJfQgz8koX2wXOioIv7uJrTkt3Nhi_yuICt9bnjlw3lPfH-fnCydVzsKVG_5bFVXbEN4Ikw3TKVH2l0yit9FH8CZ6sl/s1600-h/IMG_6810.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYmDO9qvso3Wiz3wBS4etuh28RL6c09NPoWsoNnybae8NVvjCEqJfQgz8koX2wXOioIv7uJrTkt3Nhi_yuICt9bnjlw3lPfH-fnCydVzsKVG_5bFVXbEN4Ikw3TKVH2l0yit9FH8CZ6sl/s400/IMG_6810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450935455973855874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">New guests arrive to a lei greeting<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Excitement over. Janel joins me on the beach for a bit</span></span>. We swim, read and repeat.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2CosDmlxtjtTsr1Mf1AlWNh2FLs85nrlMmyKqTWUaGzeSWWkPpM_e81F6RV_A7N4uMJznDrK5YM7ai_daky3PJMyVYyON9U-JFIO9UiGl5QOhRkYCH7GxP20mSksgTjwRYR3AYKO1QHC/s1600-h/IMG_6811.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2CosDmlxtjtTsr1Mf1AlWNh2FLs85nrlMmyKqTWUaGzeSWWkPpM_e81F6RV_A7N4uMJznDrK5YM7ai_daky3PJMyVYyON9U-JFIO9UiGl5QOhRkYCH7GxP20mSksgTjwRYR3AYKO1QHC/s400/IMG_6811.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450935460438633074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Tough life<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is nearing Smoothie Time and we move to the pool area. Rich joins us and claims he is going to take a hike while we are at the spa today. We cajole him into going to the bar and ordering our smoothly which he does quite nicely.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-pF87-fWfS-JR29hUsyqsMx8NQXQNK7TWCaIbl-pGDU9RVraITNdvMxqEPRToLSQL1jXiqLn5t8pfW81rrYdUYlwOYmKGcwpBLFVZDWtqj7KWcu_QPlBxUtzpL1VcGHw8Zk5jvKnXs6f/s1600-h/IMG_6812.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-pF87-fWfS-JR29hUsyqsMx8NQXQNK7TWCaIbl-pGDU9RVraITNdvMxqEPRToLSQL1jXiqLn5t8pfW81rrYdUYlwOYmKGcwpBLFVZDWtqj7KWcu_QPlBxUtzpL1VcGHw8Zk5jvKnXs6f/s400/IMG_6812.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450935467989380498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Time to order a smoothie for the girls<br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Today's smoothie is not that great - pineapple, banana, yogurt, orange and lemon (lime). It is very sour and we really don't care too much for it. Oh well - it looks good in the pictures. . .<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6ekW94DBgXXCZHSnJITY4R1RpQcz2hlBI1sSIU2MBGZUEzPmt3kO3bGkL5slAutT67N1pBRnpiZLlOhrkjpHLYJhrksU5MtuMqLxa9mNWLgtgu-JOR0GHooIkKjboQOSLV9KiRfs-mgM/s1600-h/IMG_6813.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6ekW94DBgXXCZHSnJITY4R1RpQcz2hlBI1sSIU2MBGZUEzPmt3kO3bGkL5slAutT67N1pBRnpiZLlOhrkjpHLYJhrksU5MtuMqLxa9mNWLgtgu-JOR0GHooIkKjboQOSLV9KiRfs-mgM/s400/IMG_6813.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450935479467228610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">That's a great-lookin' smoothie<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Spa Time! Today Janel is having a 60-minute coffee scrub followed by a 90-minute Swedish Massage. I am having a 60-minute Balancing Facial and a 60-minute Foot Reflexology treatment. We already know the routine and fall into our treatments tables easily. My facial is great and the reflexology is "interesting." The therapist uses some kind of torture stick that she pokes, prods and rubs on my feet. Sometimes it feels good, sometimes not so much. However, reflexology is supposed to be good for all parts of your body (something about the feet are a map for your entire body, blah, blah, blah). I am not sure if I believe it, but I wanted to try it anyway. I will look up more about it later - when I am not so busy.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I return to the room before Janel and head out to the pool to wait on Happy Hour. No sign of Rich - he has been gone for about 3 hours by now. Finally, Janel joins me at the pool looking scrubbed, rubbed and happy. Happy Hour comes not a moment too soon and we order a Mai Tai (Janel's usual) and a Gin Fiz ("shaken hard and served fluffy").</span></span><br /><br />It is around 5:30 and time for everyone else to vacate MY pool. They have all cooperated except for one girl who has the nerve to be swimming laps. Finally, the pool is all mine. Ahhhh. . .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyHKLlHNrMB5Be4n-0TJBl3_GfqaKJ4Q0ATP-iq6AbHIyEF_MHa9Uq9zw7mkfORjC9dly7_ENGLzyF0yC96qZWcPR1cGRIa9kXYpu-1iVJgWMYwwVk9gEjPhiYc33zVDYTmgI09GosRta/s1600-h/IMG_6818.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyHKLlHNrMB5Be4n-0TJBl3_GfqaKJ4Q0ATP-iq6AbHIyEF_MHa9Uq9zw7mkfORjC9dly7_ENGLzyF0yC96qZWcPR1cGRIa9kXYpu-1iVJgWMYwwVk9gEjPhiYc33zVDYTmgI09GosRta/s400/IMG_6818.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450936827015251778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">MY Pool<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We enjoy our first round of drinks, but are wondering about Rich. Surely he wouldn't miss Happy Hour. </span>He does show up around 6:00 and says he had a great hike. He made it all the way into Saladan Town and saw a lot of the island. He even scoped out a place for dinner tonight (you mean you want to leave the resort???!)<br /><br />Rich joins me in the pool, but does not order a drink. It seems he stopped for a small plate of fried rice and a couple of Singhas not too long ago. He is thoroughly satisfied. We float around for quite a long while and are so happy that no one has attempted to enter our pool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Sq1vkbpeYaWlB5slqhwnSxvC04Mj7Iu7Q8M-bTwOFbvRdef6pZBN3JTANdjN7cvVcDwG1qxed36EDb1Fv1J3Cw2aHUfk9vZMjdzEBK12A5ysVp6kX7FhaBOXloP5ZOX3zNl_rTmghra4/s1600-h/IMG_6819.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Sq1vkbpeYaWlB5slqhwnSxvC04Mj7Iu7Q8M-bTwOFbvRdef6pZBN3JTANdjN7cvVcDwG1qxed36EDb1Fv1J3Cw2aHUfk9vZMjdzEBK12A5ysVp6kX7FhaBOXloP5ZOX3zNl_rTmghra4/s400/IMG_6819.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450936837670678290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We love our pool at sunset<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXGTf8T50YoPENZ_aBrs8nf-WCK5xSf9DDxNV9ANv1itDu1Hn6RXUWpYPWFOCSJBd7Lkfd0PKjEZFJgbyzzCy6NT8gaZSQlv9qGWir1tChoUTG3JUGZxZlojpbw2d3jtk6AacNdkclRjj/s1600-h/IMG_6822.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXGTf8T50YoPENZ_aBrs8nf-WCK5xSf9DDxNV9ANv1itDu1Hn6RXUWpYPWFOCSJBd7Lkfd0PKjEZFJgbyzzCy6NT8gaZSQlv9qGWir1tChoUTG3JUGZxZlojpbw2d3jtk6AacNdkclRjj/s400/IMG_6822.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450936846401667394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Alone at last<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B_daQv7hfB0-14HOs7PaEa3-g7ITLBH-MgqgW7N-NfwJwmPJrtTR9OnoWA6rCLQmZYmwANVEIPQE4ozF7q_faa_lTRpfaAzFwFnbbBfkGFS1f6SZo1-jLWo1KCiMwwwmx0yyjZ_8AnFr/s1600-h/IMG_6824.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B_daQv7hfB0-14HOs7PaEa3-g7ITLBH-MgqgW7N-NfwJwmPJrtTR9OnoWA6rCLQmZYmwANVEIPQE4ozF7q_faa_lTRpfaAzFwFnbbBfkGFS1f6SZo1-jLWo1KCiMwwwmx0yyjZ_8AnFr/s400/IMG_6824.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450936856549100834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I inform Rich of our bar tab at Layana<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxqmlWp9A204P4iw1suf-kOB5ay2SGc77FZAtp9JDIHrTcn9E3JlwCaxJJiEXSMuYI8TfQ4izRxr8ZQqyZ6y3TbIE1twTcrAhl_U-ohzfDAiIP6NRVL9Ng8os484S0Zib795PVXR9z6Mo/s1600-h/IMG_6835.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxqmlWp9A204P4iw1suf-kOB5ay2SGc77FZAtp9JDIHrTcn9E3JlwCaxJJiEXSMuYI8TfQ4izRxr8ZQqyZ6y3TbIE1twTcrAhl_U-ohzfDAiIP6NRVL9Ng8os484S0Zib795PVXR9z6Mo/s400/IMG_6835.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450938072105727154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Best time of the day<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh55Ivhm8-6IX6OXsj2UBgjbQyRmK2Bwf5sBvzq4RV8mvbYNJcqw5RGpfNCj9Y0XS7-GfF0AU9243waZwSdR6FH3m_GUAnuQBkBYJtYENbKUKA9CoTLQ-vQUz3-_yI82lJ1-t-4jtQwnRG/s1600-h/IMG_6846.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh55Ivhm8-6IX6OXsj2UBgjbQyRmK2Bwf5sBvzq4RV8mvbYNJcqw5RGpfNCj9Y0XS7-GfF0AU9243waZwSdR6FH3m_GUAnuQBkBYJtYENbKUKA9CoTLQ-vQUz3-_yI82lJ1-t-4jtQwnRG/s400/IMG_6846.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450938082358168370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">What a lucky guy<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77_I82KW44L19DkLk1enyfRQ850Gd1D-NpZ1U3AiUdK7EkQQKidhJQ8WiNhNrLTcXrf8oN8Ql7I0OiFkwoct1uy11msHp-cwA8w3oZDv3ZZIWIhHw916LBt2VjhfpIQo7VhJRB040bqXn/s1600-h/IMG_6851.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77_I82KW44L19DkLk1enyfRQ850Gd1D-NpZ1U3AiUdK7EkQQKidhJQ8WiNhNrLTcXrf8oN8Ql7I0OiFkwoct1uy11msHp-cwA8w3oZDv3ZZIWIhHw916LBt2VjhfpIQo7VhJRB040bqXn/s400/IMG_6851.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450938091361946450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">What a lucky girl<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Rich has convinced us to leave the resort area for dinner tonight and we agree to head into Saladan. We will need to walk to the end of the Layana driveway and start walking down the road. Rich assures us that a Tuk-Tuk will come along and offer a ride. Sure enough, we walk for less than 2 minutes and a tuk-tuk honks at us. We hop in and away we go for the 5 minute journey to the north of the island. It is an interesting trip with lots of small open-air restaurants and shops dotting the way.<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARN66t1DCAB1UdN57I3WlsUavkajrXB7hmh38JP6iKsP1ZvCORMcC0vjv-Ry50MSaNXijSF7yTBxA5SU-zv_ghvSosT9NtTqkWZaH9aqu1XrXyshffADsjIiBTgI5m6iozR1YRcLnz3uD/s1600-h/IMG_6855.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARN66t1DCAB1UdN57I3WlsUavkajrXB7hmh38JP6iKsP1ZvCORMcC0vjv-Ry50MSaNXijSF7yTBxA5SU-zv_ghvSosT9NtTqkWZaH9aqu1XrXyshffADsjIiBTgI5m6iozR1YRcLnz3uD/s400/IMG_6855.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450938098866275330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Paying the nice tuk-tuk driver<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vd83LBBC9bdOpbuVEd5TspRswV5Z9_kdAk0NByYMbYmDH4DZv8NeZCJb99vTUSSH8Gu4Coz43rLfPOBqXt5cOZkK4qMp-e8tHhPwhtwmVgsCet6deqmDZkiog-gAyQR4NBNfm-jtHiP5/s1600-h/IMG_6857.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vd83LBBC9bdOpbuVEd5TspRswV5Z9_kdAk0NByYMbYmDH4DZv8NeZCJb99vTUSSH8Gu4Coz43rLfPOBqXt5cOZkK4qMp-e8tHhPwhtwmVgsCet6deqmDZkiog-gAyQR4NBNfm-jtHiP5/s400/IMG_6857.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450939014378693106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Tuk-Tuks in Saladan</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We wander for a bit checking out the various seafood restaurants on the water (on the bay, not on the beach). Most of them have their "catch" displayed outside so that you can choose the freshest. We settle on Saladan Seafood Restaurant.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpwzjM2wAY5A4OeG-oDn5cvtM-JzoOIbuhQIzk-aj3jtzm8amizSWXtG_FfEA12T0wVFU38cV2V4MZnTd-m-PwBBamDwFurycHHCo_9MgijIUbnAvSfD2et52hgrwTOLNaRISb4pPB7z6/s1600-h/IMG_6856.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpwzjM2wAY5A4OeG-oDn5cvtM-JzoOIbuhQIzk-aj3jtzm8amizSWXtG_FfEA12T0wVFU38cV2V4MZnTd-m-PwBBamDwFurycHHCo_9MgijIUbnAvSfD2et52hgrwTOLNaRISb4pPB7z6/s400/IMG_6856.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450938112881416610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">"What's fresh today?"<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We order soft-shinned crab in curry and Rich and Janel go up front to choose our fish. They have decided on a whole grilled sea bass. Perfect. We also order steamed rice and an omelet to round out our dinner. The crab arrives and is not exactly what we had pictured. We have been eating soft "shelled" crab where you eat the shell and all. Well. . . this is only soft "shinned" crab (whatever that means - we don't know how to find the shins on a crab!). It is in the shell and is smothered in curry sauce. The sauce is delicious and we crack and suck our way through the dish.<br /><br />Our fish arrives and looks good. We dive in and start the pickin'. We have become experts on whole grilled fish this trip and while this one is beautiful, it is not as tasty as some others we have had. Oh well - we enjoy it anyway.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOBzTDgglF7xM5tu4u-lOkus7SuoNJNdnNUaema4zVwAXdOI0l0TMmXDQXLIGFpgw5_m_d297qSRjHd8EZ1Aqvp_kHjHzkZNiUhP0aBkh-GtZciBrbmjqS0_h4LkyqPdQa2io7io8eoJH/s1600-h/IMG_6859.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOBzTDgglF7xM5tu4u-lOkus7SuoNJNdnNUaema4zVwAXdOI0l0TMmXDQXLIGFpgw5_m_d297qSRjHd8EZ1Aqvp_kHjHzkZNiUhP0aBkh-GtZciBrbmjqS0_h4LkyqPdQa2io7io8eoJH/s400/IMG_6859.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450939039133453746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Sea Bass<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">When we are finished with dinner we grab another ride back to Layana. Our plan for this last evening has been set since we arrived on the island. We are going to purchase and set free a "Happy Balloon." There are vendors on the beach every night that sell and set off large paper balloons that sail out over the ocean and eventually burn out. You are supposed to put all your bad luck into them and let it go away from you.<br /><br />We walk out to the darkened beach and soon find a balloon vendor. He lights it for us and we all put in any bad luck we may have. It is a cool feeling to stand on the beach together and watch it until we can no longer see it. It meets up with the stars in the brilliant night sky.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_j-elRa5HqFk_7iDTxpqqYOZkCtLWbU26Fl_lNZ4Bc96fqvMHVzpEK4bSTIWFNEESinY4kdvUmFLlDyLiUELM-VEClve-HOgBkxzloRIt3i1dqjuY4Xvd3TaiVU3tSA1mj6rRvou3az0/s1600-h/IMG_6866.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_j-elRa5HqFk_7iDTxpqqYOZkCtLWbU26Fl_lNZ4Bc96fqvMHVzpEK4bSTIWFNEESinY4kdvUmFLlDyLiUELM-VEClve-HOgBkxzloRIt3i1dqjuY4Xvd3TaiVU3tSA1mj6rRvou3az0/s400/IMG_6866.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450939046241425730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Igniting the balloon<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpAp7xGoGT5WmPM-QAfUARfBsU4O0bRO-vi1Arphv7wbWVZIVC4O7MIPHblsd1McEcIdgl-LUNONG2Eta0j7pQ7vTdS-SW5MRTHrEHYzijx7JGr-D5kaDbG64DB3XP9u5YlAT4GpwoFHZ/s1600-h/IMG_6867.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpAp7xGoGT5WmPM-QAfUARfBsU4O0bRO-vi1Arphv7wbWVZIVC4O7MIPHblsd1McEcIdgl-LUNONG2Eta0j7pQ7vTdS-SW5MRTHrEHYzijx7JGr-D5kaDbG64DB3XP9u5YlAT4GpwoFHZ/s400/IMG_6867.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450939052802495154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Watching the set-up<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzCd-N6EXHn1ALzh-2ZQWzR-YBEaZ75JVdIV8vT9vEEYbH_SMiZdnkGsQaUYO9pgqrC69Jy0JIZGBtqrm4ywIXvkoBLH1aYvZECd8f7wBRUSmNxLo4TOU2PFC1HUVmcA6dLws1zfX9yn8/s1600-h/IMG_6870.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzCd-N6EXHn1ALzh-2ZQWzR-YBEaZ75JVdIV8vT9vEEYbH_SMiZdnkGsQaUYO9pgqrC69Jy0JIZGBtqrm4ywIXvkoBLH1aYvZECd8f7wBRUSmNxLo4TOU2PFC1HUVmcA6dLws1zfX9yn8/s400/IMG_6870.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450939062617358050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Putting in our bad luck (don't worry, Rich touched it too)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcM5HHuDBP2RaHGzFAcYVuJyrco_FQQVxgmkTG76juPqzSSDupdCycSKdrEnUlSQ2xTUZgLagJMOuwAZOI3pIjaYyuwI0NhCpfdZvjAhmbgO1TLV94QoVVB_Q5-jvqMapVB7mQr9Q3j4T/s1600-h/IMG_6872.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcM5HHuDBP2RaHGzFAcYVuJyrco_FQQVxgmkTG76juPqzSSDupdCycSKdrEnUlSQ2xTUZgLagJMOuwAZOI3pIjaYyuwI0NhCpfdZvjAhmbgO1TLV94QoVVB_Q5-jvqMapVB7mQr9Q3j4T/s400/IMG_6872.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450939394894168066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">cool<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLv_9ESrrxwLdSeK8NDSZQu8DIXYmiKk7SFdzySxcl80f38dJ_wy4TQlA7GmAZaHrhqy31a-HW8k75UhYjTMFbjhyL3NbYKSqj-7qaGSxlorRTnsqXn6RB_rO1Y4_E0C5lYPnMRjAOvOzY/s1600-h/IMG_6873.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLv_9ESrrxwLdSeK8NDSZQu8DIXYmiKk7SFdzySxcl80f38dJ_wy4TQlA7GmAZaHrhqy31a-HW8k75UhYjTMFbjhyL3NbYKSqj-7qaGSxlorRTnsqXn6RB_rO1Y4_E0C5lYPnMRjAOvOzY/s400/IMG_6873.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450939396112003426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Up and away<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We feel like our load has been lightened considerably with the releasing of the balloon and we walk back to Layana in the dark. We know this will be our last night in this beautiful paradise.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-90415150407622615482010-03-20T03:42:00.000-07:002010-03-20T04:29:53.749-07:00lethargic layana love litany<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy6QhxQ-GuSHzI9fXvLGX4FbRpYWqVOa25ncWwtjmqw5Caiebu-3wst8uKdmd6W3Ca2w8mOZj3Spag1WJukUOsBtJBwQY28Ib8gZNW4b7-pV616mX-IzoFHEUzg12RAktJ9KWmCcMoej6/s1600-h/IMG_6705.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy6QhxQ-GuSHzI9fXvLGX4FbRpYWqVOa25ncWwtjmqw5Caiebu-3wst8uKdmd6W3Ca2w8mOZj3Spag1WJukUOsBtJBwQY28Ib8gZNW4b7-pV616mX-IzoFHEUzg12RAktJ9KWmCcMoej6/s400/IMG_6705.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450666369193422866" border="0" /></a><br />my bed in the morning. please note disarrayed state of clothing items.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODp5Xd-MJv4iopxrFbueDTsGzvs3AMG8yzJwYs9tJzfCUAmTkFyWlTT0zyFQq-hn_lEKcdctDP1D8LCWbeM20Z6pWEEgqWQPZU4eiGeVOllNtA2QIDEEoQpcZc7lx_T4toYCEt5loCQ4u/s1600-h/IMG_6712.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODp5Xd-MJv4iopxrFbueDTsGzvs3AMG8yzJwYs9tJzfCUAmTkFyWlTT0zyFQq-hn_lEKcdctDP1D8LCWbeM20Z6pWEEgqWQPZU4eiGeVOllNtA2QIDEEoQpcZc7lx_T4toYCEt5loCQ4u/s400/IMG_6712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450666364096836434" border="0" /></a><br />layana breakfasts look like this. everyone is definitely checking everyone else out. you quickly note who the regulars are, particularly those that lay claim to a select daily table.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70w-9_5scgQb1ImawVN49I8KfxYS2Q0onyfCXW480NpOTSdvE89zzdGNpiICNPRQgv-7VqROYP6_RNL26UjYaHKedyWC3hh7fBxiuL4tpsAARpJWLcJBHaLavfbdTsoNdBCS3-NA5I2VU/s1600-h/IMG_6718.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70w-9_5scgQb1ImawVN49I8KfxYS2Q0onyfCXW480NpOTSdvE89zzdGNpiICNPRQgv-7VqROYP6_RNL26UjYaHKedyWC3hh7fBxiuL4tpsAARpJWLcJBHaLavfbdTsoNdBCS3-NA5I2VU/s400/IMG_6718.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450666357251338034" border="0" /></a><br />i believe this is course two.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RXXgssdReVG7GgyiLpgAG7cp3RnhPzbP5FJN0IjsP_PpGgIkb0_5H9PljBS9EOEIWSNPCJSMGawakb9iQvlHs0MWNjzpHWEhL7x2jzq6a2uvPSCoF_D-H6tlx5ACy40ttGmTK1EJZM8l/s1600-h/IMG_6719.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RXXgssdReVG7GgyiLpgAG7cp3RnhPzbP5FJN0IjsP_PpGgIkb0_5H9PljBS9EOEIWSNPCJSMGawakb9iQvlHs0MWNjzpHWEhL7x2jzq6a2uvPSCoF_D-H6tlx5ACy40ttGmTK1EJZM8l/s400/IMG_6719.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450666147240693330" border="0" /></a><br />absolutely excellent coffee (perhaps the only perfectly brewed joe in thailand? prove me wrong.), a freshly fried egg, emmental cheese, smoked red snapper, "butcher's ham," and bread with butter, honey, and nutella accompaniments. a fine spread.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ge-NLNS-7aMy_Gofviy14DOKifph3FBrKvwI5SbMU0x_hlJE3X1vT2u0WLMuUa8CsdYZtb631R-DKbnRHAqw381kCXhZRwirUaYI28sy9A0ompf4m1KGgw-Ou7B4SGFZWmylIDnj_66J/s1600-h/IMG_6722.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ge-NLNS-7aMy_Gofviy14DOKifph3FBrKvwI5SbMU0x_hlJE3X1vT2u0WLMuUa8CsdYZtb631R-DKbnRHAqw381kCXhZRwirUaYI28sy9A0ompf4m1KGgw-Ou7B4SGFZWmylIDnj_66J/s400/IMG_6722.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450666142579461170" border="0" /></a><br />today daddles and i must run some errands, and the optimal mode of trasport is clearly by kayak. we get a few layana poolboys to haul one out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGzxq-8RbloBEIclEiCc_0XC6gEgh4YCNOS1jC0jUTnyVbLp9aWC-W09W0IplkpzTjthcnOJ2Sfyht3Yrjw12jS8O_VOd9cqF2_Rh1DOfN1ts21A6q-Qoh5-NlTxz7CgVEtelab3pGXed/s1600-h/IMG_6723.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGzxq-8RbloBEIclEiCc_0XC6gEgh4YCNOS1jC0jUTnyVbLp9aWC-W09W0IplkpzTjthcnOJ2Sfyht3Yrjw12jS8O_VOd9cqF2_Rh1DOfN1ts21A6q-Qoh5-NlTxz7CgVEtelab3pGXed/s400/IMG_6723.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450666133293726434" border="0" /></a><br />we discuss destination options. he suggests kuala lumpur. i tell him today is our practice day; tomorrow, malaysia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedcCSNkneylgX925R-ps4d6b2cwCVEs_chGt1tjoAbZjOsvTAZxJDYWEjTJGSy-dSD9dq75hWVxeN5qjwymLmMoU0pjtfL8JKAKEMWExSqIlqP76XL12khEKtaFPhQlpqPqaOckYHQCsq/s1600-h/IMG_6725.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedcCSNkneylgX925R-ps4d6b2cwCVEs_chGt1tjoAbZjOsvTAZxJDYWEjTJGSy-dSD9dq75hWVxeN5qjwymLmMoU0pjtfL8JKAKEMWExSqIlqP76XL12khEKtaFPhQlpqPqaOckYHQCsq/s400/IMG_6725.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450666124691601906" border="0" /></a><br />with greatly skilled maneuvering, we make it past the breakers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0QpmfQ-3NYDp1b5NMTn1qHYB5n7w59RBTIjOWeEI_FJSY5anBJTKSpcGlilGedp-0Dv10z4GsbPlE0GzZTv-yVM45FBPWATG9F1Fs5WjSzEQwuCAoH-d6uy5S5lu2xpZqLN6SLc4PfBH/s1600-h/IMG_6726.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0QpmfQ-3NYDp1b5NMTn1qHYB5n7w59RBTIjOWeEI_FJSY5anBJTKSpcGlilGedp-0Dv10z4GsbPlE0GzZTv-yVM45FBPWATG9F1Fs5WjSzEQwuCAoH-d6uy5S5lu2xpZqLN6SLc4PfBH/s400/IMG_6726.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450666113339176610" border="0" /></a><br />zoombas.<br /><br />we first hit up last night's dinner destination, the funky fish. dad has misplaced his cap and he believes he knows where. sure enough, it is resting on a beach table, awaiting our arrival. we snag it and paddle away, much like sea banditos.<br /><br />it turns out that kayaking is pretty much an all-over blast (if a kinda sluggish one). we skid, we skim, we squall our way across the koh lanta bay, talking occasionally of pirates and the like. at one point i may have let slip a "yo," perhaps even a "ho".<br /><br />about half an hour's journey takes us to our second point of interest, castaway resort. we neglected to bring cold hard cash with us yesterday while diving, and as such skipped over the tipping custom that followed. we feel it was horrendously unclassy of us, thus today we disembark from our dashing kayak, swagger elegantly towards a chic ATM, and do swift, chic business. cameron accepts our offering with grace. we paddle poshly away.<br /><br />i have a spa appointment at one, but we feel enough time remains for a bit of Ocean Exploration. we head towards Those Rocks Over There, and delightly discover they are mottled with crabs! on second thought, they are somewhat icky. just one crab i like; many crabs look like an infestation. they get icked out by us too and scuttle out of sight.<br /><br />we take a peek at a neighboring beach. it is unremarkable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOudUN8mjjr92O5ERVz34BCDcFtymV_5Yfu-Hu0m4fudaBGwSPt22JR_rPkiW8A6saX45AtBOdcdQlpv-Pd2xVZkur1kE7klG9jvTZph78NyaVJ9O0TvkOMiRlTjY_56Z7xOVxOdn7sRu/s1600-h/IMG_6727.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOudUN8mjjr92O5ERVz34BCDcFtymV_5Yfu-Hu0m4fudaBGwSPt22JR_rPkiW8A6saX45AtBOdcdQlpv-Pd2xVZkur1kE7klG9jvTZph78NyaVJ9O0TvkOMiRlTjY_56Z7xOVxOdn7sRu/s400/IMG_6727.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665837583277154" border="0" /></a><br />30 minutes later, we are back at the ranch. mom is pooling it, ever-wary of paparazzi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugpgdmXETkcyT10pJvMu4pfDPclmvvVEu6BfTK0gbodvwNVDSXDNslSoPjwNCvvTEM1zzhlXd6fN1M4xxG-gcwUoDFHz6IArLZKHGffL72XDMSSEsVJH5-r_WNO9L2ywp-lvl4LnyBr14/s1600-h/IMG_6746.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugpgdmXETkcyT10pJvMu4pfDPclmvvVEu6BfTK0gbodvwNVDSXDNslSoPjwNCvvTEM1zzhlXd6fN1M4xxG-gcwUoDFHz6IArLZKHGffL72XDMSSEsVJH5-r_WNO9L2ywp-lvl4LnyBr14/s400/IMG_6746.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665825524987586" border="0" /></a><br />i go back to the room to discover unwelcoming conditions. it is a siberian iceberg adrift in a sea of warm, humid climes! 20 degrees celsius is 68 degrees farenheit, by the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnkoTQv-0buTaPb30Kiu0rO4CTg4rQ3aM8Y_w1kDJApmL10jBWkLQTdRbbcOsohjvpzBAEMuHBp_hTTPnfpQgdctN-HBtIgE31GZstOoWGETe86ssq4CMMPU7t0fSDcKw5s_KIcEtVxFV/s1600-h/IMG_6747.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnkoTQv-0buTaPb30Kiu0rO4CTg4rQ3aM8Y_w1kDJApmL10jBWkLQTdRbbcOsohjvpzBAEMuHBp_hTTPnfpQgdctN-HBtIgE31GZstOoWGETe86ssq4CMMPU7t0fSDcKw5s_KIcEtVxFV/s400/IMG_6747.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665821681137842" border="0" /></a><br />my sleeping spot, take two [afternoon]. the housekeepers here are <span style="font-style: italic;">incredible</span>. all my clothes have been folded and sorted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbDkKEbs-hAzSSgTTxlmGoMaVCeRuAWKWx8gNe0ffj2O03VAPqF6YCYqR4BaOCbs12VoyWxa-gv1co6_Jo8_olRbjdouZ-vqXauUAcWjO24FfGwV9HzutbLTlRgEmK2X4Tv6R5oRhwBDQ/s1600-h/IMG_6748.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbDkKEbs-hAzSSgTTxlmGoMaVCeRuAWKWx8gNe0ffj2O03VAPqF6YCYqR4BaOCbs12VoyWxa-gv1co6_Jo8_olRbjdouZ-vqXauUAcWjO24FfGwV9HzutbLTlRgEmK2X4Tv6R5oRhwBDQ/s400/IMG_6748.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665812587874242" border="0" /></a><br />even dad's coin accumulation has been stacked. it elicits a "wowza" on a twice-daily basis (they come once in the morning and once in the evening, of course).<br /><br />we head to the spa. mom and i do the hot stone massage and we mellllllllllllllllllt. it's lovely. i then head out; mom continues with an indian head massage and dad shuffles in for a swedish beating.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgANMOcPIQKPY7n4KIfRUQn3kG51ZgiLgu7ya3Ho1KscOOx9Z85mViDFS2TDcyGoyBABZfha4wpER0HQYf4hru1CI8RqgSRyCIzc027fuk1L6blgGAGg0fl8u2XS1nGLrxUqIYG_VnN-x/s1600-h/IMG_6759.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgANMOcPIQKPY7n4KIfRUQn3kG51ZgiLgu7ya3Ho1KscOOx9Z85mViDFS2TDcyGoyBABZfha4wpER0HQYf4hru1CI8RqgSRyCIzc027fuk1L6blgGAGg0fl8u2XS1nGLrxUqIYG_VnN-x/s400/IMG_6759.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665804587976546" border="0" /></a><br />later: the girls kick it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kxKvGbxstOASgWrejdR8SZNWilYA0qeOc3JGk46P69Iijhe0saLIZEVVTfCSiFjWaY0Gct-LLuzrKX6YAZ2-T5TIfmyvNKdSvHk-L5dFW-9lMm5ml-hn-CLT-f-ozEnvXFaqTMZtkPe7/s1600-h/IMG_6763.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kxKvGbxstOASgWrejdR8SZNWilYA0qeOc3JGk46P69Iijhe0saLIZEVVTfCSiFjWaY0Gct-LLuzrKX6YAZ2-T5TIfmyvNKdSvHk-L5dFW-9lMm5ml-hn-CLT-f-ozEnvXFaqTMZtkPe7/s400/IMG_6763.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665514627825906" border="0" /></a><br />i spied an incredible shot, for which i had to bring the camera periously into the pool. as soon as i lined it up, these GOOBERS inserted their bodies into my frame. the gall!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFdX74hdwwaXxC_OLRg4SVKSr2WOiKUZVqN6jjw94qca-HR13wGPE_uO8d_LOCzN13PI15vT6qpoPM5Zn5jgGz9_jhwogUc0EDfay7OCJmwN7aD9EJDHZq__TaiC0Yx0Jplw9Xf1xx1U5/s1600-h/IMG_6764.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFdX74hdwwaXxC_OLRg4SVKSr2WOiKUZVqN6jjw94qca-HR13wGPE_uO8d_LOCzN13PI15vT6qpoPM5Zn5jgGz9_jhwogUc0EDfay7OCJmwN7aD9EJDHZq__TaiC0Yx0Jplw9Xf1xx1U5/s400/IMG_6764.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665508503440258" border="0" /></a><br />i tried cropping, but it wasn't the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRdPRuJVIShg_fCylm1EgudSG896IN9xfY4DpKpZtPWBFBIdTfHPbUuSlrC3FW-qslM7HZq3NbASV8R1oS-_r3ZwHBWbvB8lhQbC_IVM54HOqpbSopkG9QpgeCqrrUlv1jOR_xY6xoBtj/s1600-h/IMG_6770.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRdPRuJVIShg_fCylm1EgudSG896IN9xfY4DpKpZtPWBFBIdTfHPbUuSlrC3FW-qslM7HZq3NbASV8R1oS-_r3ZwHBWbvB8lhQbC_IVM54HOqpbSopkG9QpgeCqrrUlv1jOR_xY6xoBtj/s400/IMG_6770.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665497722245010" border="0" /></a><br />by the time they had vacated the premises, the sun was no longer quite so glorious - but the shot is passable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE0wljeqDNhM7YmxtTxQV6VaRZNQAwSmBMOWyF5DVj9XhPqM05hUso_PeRF7h7LksIG7j8vJCN6jHWYp7K4I0Ddn6Al5V40dCnKWXEOEJvrq9K-kwF2e4nKptiwjBPzsg1339sWHjB-oP/s1600-h/IMG_6774.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE0wljeqDNhM7YmxtTxQV6VaRZNQAwSmBMOWyF5DVj9XhPqM05hUso_PeRF7h7LksIG7j8vJCN6jHWYp7K4I0Ddn6Al5V40dCnKWXEOEJvrq9K-kwF2e4nKptiwjBPzsg1339sWHjB-oP/s400/IMG_6774.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665496777374546" border="0" /></a><br />friday night is PHUKET LOBSTAH NIGHT at layana, so we decided to have our "western dinner." however, the western portion of the menu simply didn't invite, so we stuck with some thai favorites. i also -finally- learned how to override the camera's auto settings, so toyed with taking some longer-exposure macro night shots. here pictured is breaded soft shelled crab.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBpZg2jNRIqB9J-BBbtCKdqAMgeAE84RTtzxU4fCWLsUFTMLQZjTjBz1hr52zRyR0GahjiZvo47nkYxZ-pNi0yhyf4OOIHwROiSRxxfuEyOcH-i_NltYq5o11yVluHLquu8ngkEFMJd2R/s1600-h/IMG_6776.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBpZg2jNRIqB9J-BBbtCKdqAMgeAE84RTtzxU4fCWLsUFTMLQZjTjBz1hr52zRyR0GahjiZvo47nkYxZ-pNi0yhyf4OOIHwROiSRxxfuEyOcH-i_NltYq5o11yVluHLquu8ngkEFMJd2R/s400/IMG_6776.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665487312121378" border="0" /></a><br />spicy pomelo salad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYUKZxUnSDdic7w4AqYPwqdDmRywXk_UtaUBB7OESUiEcrY0B6EAHDjybKWXPLFgFurjRefRb4fUAXnlIVwa8yB39LoWnl-IWSmu9J12hwaRo_SO7yPfmk80K345GX35WTgLKroxBYjA0/s1600-h/IMG_6777.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYUKZxUnSDdic7w4AqYPwqdDmRywXk_UtaUBB7OESUiEcrY0B6EAHDjybKWXPLFgFurjRefRb4fUAXnlIVwa8yB39LoWnl-IWSmu9J12hwaRo_SO7yPfmk80K345GX35WTgLKroxBYjA0/s400/IMG_6777.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665098635696130" border="0" /></a><br />the night called for prosecco. also all-natural mosquito repellant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEafZFm6UAxlXlPXg98qh63BsAtv8XMnRfiGIOOuSw1zM99pc0RSJQdcqaAy8udSfNm8ak4Hby86rrob4RBz-mA6WPn7O9UeAQKg7G87CZyaK5nQAb1oi0X2BGWk7RtnahM1HlN2BnYQ5/s1600-h/IMG_6782.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEafZFm6UAxlXlPXg98qh63BsAtv8XMnRfiGIOOuSw1zM99pc0RSJQdcqaAy8udSfNm8ak4Hby86rrob4RBz-mA6WPn7O9UeAQKg7G87CZyaK5nQAb1oi0X2BGWk7RtnahM1HlN2BnYQ5/s400/IMG_6782.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665090002146034" border="0" /></a><br />the LOBSTAHHHH! we got <span style="font-weight: bold;">the last one</span>. i am certain The Disappointed counted in the hundreds. it was grilled and durn tasty, especially with the Lobstah Sauce.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsBIYKZNJCSWECHvtuHSCcEKUvgZ895HbqUX8vTXkqjWdiicQEImu5iHsx3C-tyNZn9D2_tr61DBlGCHW09oQq5Gui4y2NAPMfa_UObnIi-EJyCvRN9HY7VAsBZecGcuZt-UwnePxP7Ne/s1600-h/IMG_6789.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsBIYKZNJCSWECHvtuHSCcEKUvgZ895HbqUX8vTXkqjWdiicQEImu5iHsx3C-tyNZn9D2_tr61DBlGCHW09oQq5Gui4y2NAPMfa_UObnIi-EJyCvRN9HY7VAsBZecGcuZt-UwnePxP7Ne/s400/IMG_6789.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665082873132690" border="0" /></a><br />desserty times: tiramisu and lemon tart with sea cucumber cream.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL3NmfqitN64CJnp6QTGxTHOKxtJ99NYtLQ1PYCJvWgmSkPJETPROKvoR2CWxAnKhf3PC4qYb0Qk_iKkldrtDh3ogNQ-N11aComSjUxdgau4jn3INXqalP80IBeKvIjZaNIMK-cCfiOc7/s1600-h/IMG_6790.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL3NmfqitN64CJnp6QTGxTHOKxtJ99NYtLQ1PYCJvWgmSkPJETPROKvoR2CWxAnKhf3PC4qYb0Qk_iKkldrtDh3ogNQ-N11aComSjUxdgau4jn3INXqalP80IBeKvIjZaNIMK-cCfiOc7/s400/IMG_6790.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665075120890770" border="0" /></a><br />fotos, fotos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SQ-T_EFTKwzYDI2nyCKMNP6bRE0dq2fW1cIrW6ySYCGlb2ZHzYKUAfYrKr9Xk-asUmlC6RweaHhek5i6vRiz7iHdPgxy7ebrO9afe72J8ATAgWJw81yaXPNhkcgdpieqdRm6y15M8jyx/s1600-h/IMG_6800.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SQ-T_EFTKwzYDI2nyCKMNP6bRE0dq2fW1cIrW6ySYCGlb2ZHzYKUAfYrKr9Xk-asUmlC6RweaHhek5i6vRiz7iHdPgxy7ebrO9afe72J8ATAgWJw81yaXPNhkcgdpieqdRm6y15M8jyx/s400/IMG_6800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450665068847953426" border="0" /></a><br />dad and i constructed a friend out of the sea cucumber, but he was more difficult of a subject then i hoped.<br /><br />back to the room. we'd been sleeping with just massive comforters every night, failing to locate anything lighter, so everyone got the howling fantods when dad discovered a sheet. upon further examination, it appears he just tore up the bed a little and called his findings sheet-like.<br /><br />i infinitely jest until my eye refuse any further abuse. i dream of tall asian men who wink at me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-37767830049501903452010-03-19T04:52:00.000-07:002010-03-24T14:03:16.771-07:00Sloh Lanta(Rich's 6th post)<br /><br />Despite our revelations of relaxation, I must admit it's taken a few days to truly slow down to the rhythm of Koh Lanta. Time creeps by here, all movements and thoughts slow down, and the glass-like Andaman seems to provide a steady whisper of tempo to the day.<br /><br />We've been trying to describe the vibe of Koh Lanta for the past few days with only halting success. Touristed, but completely unhurried and not particularly concerned with turning a buck. Decidedly uncrowded. Visitors here aren't looking for a party. They're experienced travelers who've done their research, mostly past middle age, they respect others, they're perhaps even sophisticated. High end resorts exist next door to barefoot open flame grill joints on the beach.<br /><br />We wonder if we've happened upon Koh Lanta at its prime, before the big developers sink their teeth into her.<br /><br />To make our dive boat, it's an early morning for Janel and me, and we rise at 7am. Right away, it's apparent that our scuba gear bag is going to be one big pain to lug down the beach to the dive boat, so we call up Dive & Relax and ask if they can pick us up here. No problem!<br /><br />The S.I.B. beckons again. This morning they've got the usual sumptuous selection plus smoked salmon and grape juice. Janel and I again discuss a few stories from my Motorola past, particularly some of the more interesting players from that society. I could write a book some day using those character studies.<br /><br />Janel is a doll to listen to my old war stories, but says she <i> will </i>draw a line in the sand - no golf stories please.<br /><br />We hike it out to the main road, and in just minutes Cameron swings by in a truck to pick us up. We also pick up Andreas, and we learn that with today's dives he is completing his PADI Advanced Open Water course today.<br /><br />Seven other divers will be going with us today, as well as 4 dive staff plus a captain and mate. We meet and greet for a while at the Lanta Castaway bar, then adjourn to the beach, again crossing the "stream" to get out there. Not much water there this morning, though.<br /><br />We've signed up with Dive & Relax for several reasons. Foremost, Cameron has been immediately great to work with. Just as important, we like their use of a speedboat and a relatively small dive party. Our speedboat will take us just 35 minutes to reach the dive site, while many other operations I checked use a larger boat that can take 3-1/2 hours!<br /><br />Fifteen folks on our 36-foot boat, plus gear and tanks for 2 dives for thirteen divers, is a just a little cramped. But worth it. The ride out is smooth and fast, and we enjoy various conversations starting among the divers.<br /><br />Dive & Relax has thoughtfully attached our personal computer hoses to their rental 1st stages, so Janel and I are diving with a familiar piece of equipment. Additionally, the remainder of our rental gear (BC's and reg) are both more comfortable than what we used aboard the liveaboard last week.<br /><br />Our first destination is Koh Bida Nai, which is part of the Koh Phi Phi National Marine Park. After diving on the Similans last week, there aren't actually any particular things we're aiming to see, and yet, we've retained an interest is getting our equipment wet again. Seems like a good diversion activity while lolling about on Lanta.<br /><br />We're teamed up with Jeab, our dive guide, and also with two other tourist divers, Phil and Sarah from the UK. We immerse to find wonderful 84F water, a mild current, and crocodile needlefish patrolling the surface schools. Phil takes some extra time with his equalization on descent, and Janel and I discover a gorgeous softball-sized jellyfish pulsing along.<br /><br />Immediately, we're presented with blankets of urchins and anemones everywhere, the most common features of this dive site. Among our sightings: yellow-tail barracuda, ornate ghost pipefish, copper sweeper, and some distinctive bar-tailed goatfish.<br /><br />We snake our way through an overhang of rocks. There is a juvenile ribbon eel halfway through - pretty cool. As Janel enters, she watches with some horror as Sarah's knee nearly comes to rest on top of a scorpionfish not far from the eel. THAT would probably have ended the dive!<br /><br />The boat follows our progress, so we're always swimming with the current. Janel and I want to stop and explore much more than Jeab does, and we have some difficulty in keeping her in sight, way ahead of us in the mediocre visibility. Still, it's a very pleasant dive. Unfortunately, Jeab signals a need to surface after only 50 minutes or so. Janel and I still have half our air remaining!<br /><br />We dutifully follow her up. On exit, it is quite enchanting to slowly rise up through the polarized hoardes of silversides just next to the island's rock wall.<br /><br />Phil's had problems with his full-foot fins, and slaps on bandaids. It is another reminder that, despite the hassle of it, lugging our own open fins and booties from the States has paid dividends.<br /><br />The boat swings into a large cove that contains dozens, maybe hundreds, of boats and a populated beach. Fortunately this is just a mini-tour - I don't think I want to stop in there - looks too crowded. We find a sheltered place further up the island wall, moor, and break for lunch.<br /><br />Janel is immediately certain that we are eating some kind of vintage cuisine. Mushy cabbage, nicely seasoned chicken pieces, unidentifiable vegetables, tomatoes, and glass noodles. It is no combination of any Thai dish Janel has ever heard of, and seems most likely to be a collection of leftovers. Odd fare, but the taste is acceptable.<br /><br />While we eat, 2 different turtles surface near the boat. Each takes 3 breaths, then dives again. We learn that this dive site is known for harboring many turtles and it's common to see them here at our second dive site, called Palong Bay. The captain states a 60 minute maximum on this dive - but with a grin we ask that it be 65 - trying to make a good-natured case for some extended dive time. He agrees.<br /><br />This site has a long near-vertical granite wall dropping about 60 feet into the turquoise blue. A gorgeous band of reef life is located between about 20 and 55 feet, and another mild current will propel us from the island's mid-section to its end while the boat again follows.<br /><br />More good sightings, among them: magnificent slug, varicose wart slug, giant moray eel, scribbled fielfish, common porcupinefish, blackspotted pufferfish, and spotted boxfin. About 30 minutes into the dive, Janel spies what appears to be a very large anemonefish, but has a gorgeous spotted costume. He swims close to an anemone, but in a strange back-and-forth motion, like a metronome. We learn later that we've found a juvenile harlequin sweetlips - stunning!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUMmnO7_fj1aGnU5sdiEP3XXiVwNJNfg2WL0V_dXZKSfm3FPp8GdPU8PMed_6xo5RS4jRyhhY5MFEacfuvKfNIvDFP_qtwZqcXt_zxrLndKsZYa885qQ20OlWHTdtynyO6HduTBWd-MZE/s1600-h/harlequin+sweetlips.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUMmnO7_fj1aGnU5sdiEP3XXiVwNJNfg2WL0V_dXZKSfm3FPp8GdPU8PMed_6xo5RS4jRyhhY5MFEacfuvKfNIvDFP_qtwZqcXt_zxrLndKsZYa885qQ20OlWHTdtynyO6HduTBWd-MZE/s400/harlequin+sweetlips.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450322251522753746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips!<br /></span></div><br />We also come across a large soft coral formation that almost looks like a menorah. We later learn that it's called harp coral.<br /><br />Some 50 minutes into the dive, the vertical wall peters out into a slope, and I assume that we might be nearing the end of the island. Another dive group converges with ours, and at the same time I hear Jeab rapping her signal for attention, and making a turn-around sign.<br /><br />Seems to make sense, so Phil, Sarah, and I slowly sweep around and begin following her, finning only slightly more into the mild current. As we retrace, I notice that one extra diver has joined us, clad in blue. Hmmm...<br /><br />In a few minutes, I'm scanning aft and skyward for signs of my dive buddy. Where could Janel be? I'm at once a bit alarmed, but I soon turn that off. We're in 25 feet of water and 50 minutes into the dive. She'll just come up in 5 or 10 minutes. But I want to communicate this to the dive guide Jeab. Finally getting within about 10 feet of her, I begin to realize that, despite the identical black wetsuit and yellow/black Mares fins she's wearing, this actually is not Jeab. I turn to look at Phil and Sarah, clad in their yellow/black, and yellow fins respectively. Lo and behold, it's not Phil or Sarah either.<br /><br />Oops, my mistake. I do another 180, and start gliding downcurrent again. By this time, I'm sure that Janel has been equally alarmed at my absence. I figure I'll continue to glide to the island end and surface at 60 minutes, probably running into them at the safety stop. In the process I discover another older harlequin sweetlips, this one with the beginning of its finer adult markings. Nice.<br /><br />In only 2 or 3 more minutes, I find Janel in the hazy water, peering for me. She gives me the "shame on you" pattern with her finger. Hey - it was an honest error!<br /><br />All is good, and we surface. Fortunately, Janel had exactly the same thought sequence that I did, and figured I would just surface at 1 hour. No turtles on this dive - a bit surprising. We had both been keeping an eye out for them.<br /><br />A great dive - especially the harlequin sweetlips! The crew works like lightening to disassemble gear and the speedboat zings its way back to Koh Lanta. We talk mostly with Phil and Sarah. With both wind and waves into the bow, the going is a little bit slower, but we're back by about 2:15, WAY before the larger cattle boats return.<br /><br />Cameron offers to drive us back to Layana, or we can stay and do a dive debriefing at the Castaway bar. We'd like to do the debriefing, with a beer, but have brought no money with us. Cameron says to put the beer on his tab - no problem. Great guy.<br /><br />Jeab, Sarah, Phil, Janel and I spend the next hour poring through fish books recollecting the dive sightings over beer - a most enjoyable afternoon activity. Cameron finally takes us back to Layana. We still want to tip the dive crew and will return to Dive & Relax tomorrow.<br /><br />VERY nice dive experience - exactly what we wanted to do today.<br /><br />Linda soon returns from her spa treatment, this one a seaweed scrub. Unlike the seaweed wrap that Janel has had, this one involves active exfoliation of expired skin cells. The one hour scrubbing of her skin has left it slicker than snot, and she can't stop grinning about it.<br /><br />Blogaphilics Janel and Linda spare no effort in reminding me that it is MY blog day and I don't even have any photos to use yet. Oh man, the pressure! I must get the shutter finger in gear.<br /><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYXuuwEbmH4hxb62lbsAJow2g_7JQIipxyDH6LMUi6Zvfg15CECdJ_UumUkTuHlMhUZRweez6lzLpoJNTEXCCD4GBCPrFmtd7_VMPtJTpzJj4OMIDFPV6NXcMibFdmDA8zee7NkKRJ8ri/s1600-h/IMG_6630.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYXuuwEbmH4hxb62lbsAJow2g_7JQIipxyDH6LMUi6Zvfg15CECdJ_UumUkTuHlMhUZRweez6lzLpoJNTEXCCD4GBCPrFmtd7_VMPtJTpzJj4OMIDFPV6NXcMibFdmDA8zee7NkKRJ8ri/s400/IMG_6630.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314599691816786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Blogging in the late afternoon</span><br /></i></div><i><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd24CGEkeYUKMVWnYZCQWZ_s_I1dmLqoLoOcWEPRw9-d5JgGdyT57tPUd-JR7pG5hEoA8dGTKEP0OxZxDfIKTMgXvZ78UVYSgVK0k1Htq1-K5XBofKsy4GXPNb6uS0FbPU27tdI2xQBFKg/s1600-h/IMG_6633.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd24CGEkeYUKMVWnYZCQWZ_s_I1dmLqoLoOcWEPRw9-d5JgGdyT57tPUd-JR7pG5hEoA8dGTKEP0OxZxDfIKTMgXvZ78UVYSgVK0k1Htq1-K5XBofKsy4GXPNb6uS0FbPU27tdI2xQBFKg/s400/IMG_6633.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314593827654434" border="0" /></a></i><i><span style="font-size:78%;">We finally pushed our beds together</span></i><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxISUsNuC57IFQMRBG1VAdyJXRtF_GL0LARPxgC9_2lSv0cDxU33wUQlIXohuTKSd_E7NznglZrfueagtHbKpa2zn0vZ3vNKxCoBzLRRaDS4FknyZCM8YzesFMaqprdXry_i-iZM2vbuIL/s1600-h/IMG_6634.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxISUsNuC57IFQMRBG1VAdyJXRtF_GL0LARPxgC9_2lSv0cDxU33wUQlIXohuTKSd_E7NznglZrfueagtHbKpa2zn0vZ3vNKxCoBzLRRaDS4FknyZCM8YzesFMaqprdXry_i-iZM2vbuIL/s400/IMG_6634.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450320399821255730" border="0" /></a><i><span style="font-size:78%;">Is there a pea behind these pillows?</span></i><br /></div><br />We adjourn to the pool and happy hour is soon upon us. Once again, the pool curiously clears out just as the sun sets and the temperatures get perfect - we can't quite figure this out. Today, however, at least there are 4 or 5 couples sit beachside on the pool deck to catch the sunset.<br /><br />1st round: caipirinha, foo-foo Thai drink, Mai Tai<br />2nd round: caipirinha, foo-foo island drink, Mai Tai<br /><br />The caipirinhas are really good - it is the cachaca that provides a nice bite and the granular brown sugar that moderates - excellent. Janel enjoys her Mai Tais and Linda her foo-foos.<i><br /></i><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQFi180VBsym9hcWWOVB9v2hEFCb2pH9rLL4Nrr60L5ofBoFj1sjkHu99lmFv_3e9Ml3S-nUqlGBmhApzxSA3eWqIsB2_LL7uDAyUQwDTasUqVU2n9ozoEXrFZKqthGpt05qDiFrQ9TlE/s1600-h/IMG_6642.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQFi180VBsym9hcWWOVB9v2hEFCb2pH9rLL4Nrr60L5ofBoFj1sjkHu99lmFv_3e9Ml3S-nUqlGBmhApzxSA3eWqIsB2_LL7uDAyUQwDTasUqVU2n9ozoEXrFZKqthGpt05qDiFrQ9TlE/s400/IMG_6642.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314572762893986" border="0" /></a></i><i><span style="font-size:78%;">Where is my drink?</span></i><br /><br /><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV_6ZhJY-Ba0oNK-vSs912UCJtOKkz9JJo_AmfGcL2AP7n5KN-C01q0FKK4dY0D0fs4JVM32mX7B_q2Bwy-O6Fnz2W7QiZz9TrMBHTSP5h9m7W1QGa0ldQOqkKcJX1Evtj3gg71mLMLtm/s1600-h/IMG_6646.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV_6ZhJY-Ba0oNK-vSs912UCJtOKkz9JJo_AmfGcL2AP7n5KN-C01q0FKK4dY0D0fs4JVM32mX7B_q2Bwy-O6Fnz2W7QiZz9TrMBHTSP5h9m7W1QGa0ldQOqkKcJX1Evtj3gg71mLMLtm/s400/IMG_6646.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314562200588706" border="0" /></a></i><i><span style="font-size:78%;">Linda brings me a drink menu so I won't have to get out of the pool<br /><br /><br /></span></i><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfuMitFtvFqUqqfi4DvYfHlHYZzdTb5X9qQ61UeKTIPNx1_lQj2vUQwlJ70IPSMhrHRF9hMRkRsvRhgmQees6Cc6X9HbrKM-y13HRhakK6LAj7ZZsbVnY_bcOMJPc8-qxS12r99U3hqzo/s1600-h/IMG_6650.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfuMitFtvFqUqqfi4DvYfHlHYZzdTb5X9qQ61UeKTIPNx1_lQj2vUQwlJ70IPSMhrHRF9hMRkRsvRhgmQees6Cc6X9HbrKM-y13HRhakK6LAj7ZZsbVnY_bcOMJPc8-qxS12r99U3hqzo/s400/IMG_6650.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314048100815874" border="0" /></a></i><i><span style="font-size:78%;">They're coming ! They're coming!</span></i><br /><br /><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B66IRQbUd5C5e-0w-CoRcMpj2X_omBe7GGtkjXp2MuLpZ_hs7RyWR8ieZN-2DGMrMuNCj2i8X5EQ06RHD2WaWGtmDLQQwak5ssAG9x4p0TajfgMW7_wf7Fv0hWEJHxuk7NJTeLgHudNm/s1600-h/IMG_6651.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B66IRQbUd5C5e-0w-CoRcMpj2X_omBe7GGtkjXp2MuLpZ_hs7RyWR8ieZN-2DGMrMuNCj2i8X5EQ06RHD2WaWGtmDLQQwak5ssAG9x4p0TajfgMW7_wf7Fv0hWEJHxuk7NJTeLgHudNm/s400/IMG_6651.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314037424384162" border="0" /></a></i><i><span style="font-size:78%;">Poolside drinks with a smile</span></i><br /><br /><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-To1YuS6P6fHvYoAWAqrQaXwBdSyADNOB1iUgGO5aFrGtcIe9KTZMRQV5tBxKxuNIv_G96vWMpIZ4os7y_3hlW9nRlmOeT_Sqolq_AjZHb05eTx4WkGBY2i2z4lfZhym-1HdemCbc_I7/s1600-h/IMG_6653.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-To1YuS6P6fHvYoAWAqrQaXwBdSyADNOB1iUgGO5aFrGtcIe9KTZMRQV5tBxKxuNIv_G96vWMpIZ4os7y_3hlW9nRlmOeT_Sqolq_AjZHb05eTx4WkGBY2i2z4lfZhym-1HdemCbc_I7/s400/IMG_6653.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314027295900482" border="0" /></a></i><i><span style="font-size:78%;">Now we're talking</span></i><br /></div><br />One other couple lingers in the pool, and the well-built girl does a series of model poses on the beachside pool wall while her boyfriend snaps photos. At one point we even overhear him suggest, "More cleavage."<br /><br />Not to be outdone, the lovely Linda follows this up with her own model shoot.<i><br /></i><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM7ywhzrB-EG2aqeWhN9PNbeUSPiEdYfXfFE5twSQaf7Jc9ZDunQ6ZQxxbmCH-X5vsycS5YKI8qiCHWhfW8CVwEyLKk7ISNUFIEEXhrG3yIznEG1N_6RmPh3iSCib_K4Uc_84_JjYibYZ/s1600-h/IMG_6656.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM7ywhzrB-EG2aqeWhN9PNbeUSPiEdYfXfFE5twSQaf7Jc9ZDunQ6ZQxxbmCH-X5vsycS5YKI8qiCHWhfW8CVwEyLKk7ISNUFIEEXhrG3yIznEG1N_6RmPh3iSCib_K4Uc_84_JjYibYZ/s400/IMG_6656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314021541338626" border="0" /></a></i>The Lovely Linda<br /><br /><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zGaV7w-IikfkDntPG67sIgvN1LE1pPVkiatyaKXpd8emWJgz9whOYoga9qlFL6qiYxoHTwGk2gWi4nQBh3MAO4bx4_ScNd7-k5ET5lMJ8Q2gRyf_0bSj4sUuODNRuUcMQQXw5nSF_kXO/s1600-h/IMG_6657.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zGaV7w-IikfkDntPG67sIgvN1LE1pPVkiatyaKXpd8emWJgz9whOYoga9qlFL6qiYxoHTwGk2gWi4nQBh3MAO4bx4_ScNd7-k5ET5lMJ8Q2gRyf_0bSj4sUuODNRuUcMQQXw5nSF_kXO/s400/IMG_6657.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450314009316227810" border="0" /></a></i>Looking TRULY Fine<br /><br /><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8z3Y5hrGRCgbf-eMpvr-j8jKMtOfGG2Cg3TcYuZJCI_rVW95e3E-e4HWUhqgtTXU5-MHan-DhCK63uAFLFh6e4m2xVO6YnS6VECfUX0A7el6vkYluN5GHyTbcF-xI2eltxuHxijukqKa/s1600-h/IMG_6658.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8z3Y5hrGRCgbf-eMpvr-j8jKMtOfGG2Cg3TcYuZJCI_rVW95e3E-e4HWUhqgtTXU5-MHan-DhCK63uAFLFh6e4m2xVO6YnS6VECfUX0A7el6vkYluN5GHyTbcF-xI2eltxuHxijukqKa/s400/IMG_6658.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450313487106529906" border="0" /></a></i>My Doll<br /><br /><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BduzSE8prWvOync6XIIG5vmsSlNd6P7hzNLbF2d3m4ZtQK3wgUy0v8i1OcMzqSTJmhKSokz24kI4TIqZujwTXltk4CNcxkCd-9p-dCYGE4b4nELK00Wa4TFyTp72nCfNhFNmelwe5M21/s1600-h/IMG_6659.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BduzSE8prWvOync6XIIG5vmsSlNd6P7hzNLbF2d3m4ZtQK3wgUy0v8i1OcMzqSTJmhKSokz24kI4TIqZujwTXltk4CNcxkCd-9p-dCYGE4b4nELK00Wa4TFyTp72nCfNhFNmelwe5M21/s400/IMG_6659.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450313478507154674" border="0" /></a></i>OhYeah!<br /><br /><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKikKuxLZW17TrlUSoO4tOehlBtQUPe6igXt0UNjbSfdI43qUE7vAnRS3fuVzwhwKtQAkJpbWpPAnc-rgaSf9e0jA49uAadzkVPvQVbVqcxPNtrdsGysKYiR_pg5-BbEtnHjWfhdn_Jro/s1600-h/IMG_6660.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKikKuxLZW17TrlUSoO4tOehlBtQUPe6igXt0UNjbSfdI43qUE7vAnRS3fuVzwhwKtQAkJpbWpPAnc-rgaSf9e0jA49uAadzkVPvQVbVqcxPNtrdsGysKYiR_pg5-BbEtnHjWfhdn_Jro/s400/IMG_6660.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450313468066337474" border="0" /></a></i>Oooh La La<br /><br /><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWxdYzfICi8BdlLAvGB2wR1dix5jYlatQgn8JT-6kKQMSiRQ-eZIqafQICKwIm2R-_-h3NNjLN_pJ06ClwRglziyfeN2FAwFad0lenvk2Fodhp5bUlZf5mrPHFQ2qd0O0H2kFvG8P08ml/s1600-h/IMG_6661.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWxdYzfICi8BdlLAvGB2wR1dix5jYlatQgn8JT-6kKQMSiRQ-eZIqafQICKwIm2R-_-h3NNjLN_pJ06ClwRglziyfeN2FAwFad0lenvk2Fodhp5bUlZf5mrPHFQ2qd0O0H2kFvG8P08ml/s400/IMG_6661.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450313457630356578" border="0" /></a></i><span style="font-style: italic;">Me gusta! Me gusta!</span> </span></div><i> </i><br />Followed by the jewel Janel.<i><br /></i><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiclcqiI8eYHK3BlQ3HIp8BuWKnAkndsCYieWpYk8Cl87PHcgFyJYwJ0Vb-t2dLPCTFU-LkF6vFRFk79macL5rHC3Mh3hfHPk2fPt2iFy7Fj5MA2xNKzYnsfXjwK7ODW8ULKdzXd1grHIk/s1600-h/IMG_6666.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiclcqiI8eYHK3BlQ3HIp8BuWKnAkndsCYieWpYk8Cl87PHcgFyJYwJ0Vb-t2dLPCTFU-LkF6vFRFk79macL5rHC3Mh3hfHPk2fPt2iFy7Fj5MA2xNKzYnsfXjwK7ODW8ULKdzXd1grHIk/s400/IMG_6666.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450313449204909362" border="0" /></a></i><span style="font-style: italic;">The Jewel Janel<br /><br /></span> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNATCb52WeCLt0vOgwGcgO5GGiqMgCy3-o_avqRhsVf9xITbzNT9H7wnDJlC-sCr7OlVzFMhVs4tBZ4G0vhtH0fDxDWTvS8OBb-JjlMu25H2lEZ1qxB8c55JA75kFjuB_WdNcivlP8QWYF/s1600-h/IMG_6667.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNATCb52WeCLt0vOgwGcgO5GGiqMgCy3-o_avqRhsVf9xITbzNT9H7wnDJlC-sCr7OlVzFMhVs4tBZ4G0vhtH0fDxDWTvS8OBb-JjlMu25H2lEZ1qxB8c55JA75kFjuB_WdNcivlP8QWYF/s400/IMG_6667.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312881287379506" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wow!<br /><br /></span> <i style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvW49OD1-8vznaU-UP3yujedjy091i4h68wA-v4YXwkx70AYwt81xi4hE00TCtmBSMc_BQ51PnNzQEmt1YSn2hxOsc_bsdeikpU7HnxFDJaYP0_5z74OJx1nYFMtoz2W8YU0uAlgdsMj-/s1600-h/IMG_6668.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvW49OD1-8vznaU-UP3yujedjy091i4h68wA-v4YXwkx70AYwt81xi4hE00TCtmBSMc_BQ51PnNzQEmt1YSn2hxOsc_bsdeikpU7HnxFDJaYP0_5z74OJx1nYFMtoz2W8YU0uAlgdsMj-/s400/IMG_6668.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312873632486386" border="0" /></a></i><span style="font-style: italic;">Yowza!<br /><br /></span> <i style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRmIvLymQwSG05lFs7VJcXMFwxS4ehfNl8wN_Y-Kzq5OdxhXksP-6uvPU5JB87yzUfme-Cs7KmmAqxJ9hwWxQlm-1eN1stBevRfxcmWcJGeoUQoENeW-7cI1ot1hXzkSq2lo-JDe0hdEA/s1600-h/IMG_6670.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRmIvLymQwSG05lFs7VJcXMFwxS4ehfNl8wN_Y-Kzq5OdxhXksP-6uvPU5JB87yzUfme-Cs7KmmAqxJ9hwWxQlm-1eN1stBevRfxcmWcJGeoUQoENeW-7cI1ot1hXzkSq2lo-JDe0hdEA/s400/IMG_6670.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312870132877090" border="0" /></a></i><span style="font-style: italic;">Looking VERY Fine<br /><br /></span> <i style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9ZZ8WlOtzE1XQ5mhFNzcs-mHMkgbIQ5Pbh_MDBfEtG2npRwD12OrxOriCz4p5z_Hh8yiuyPPbV6fmASUax52xhXiooj-YdtcSy6AFOCW0KXbr2g700vBYI9HgF8hEZ8aYjLuS6dDHRDO/s1600-h/IMG_6673.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9ZZ8WlOtzE1XQ5mhFNzcs-mHMkgbIQ5Pbh_MDBfEtG2npRwD12OrxOriCz4p5z_Hh8yiuyPPbV6fmASUax52xhXiooj-YdtcSy6AFOCW0KXbr2g700vBYI9HgF8hEZ8aYjLuS6dDHRDO/s400/IMG_6673.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312856087333810" border="0" /></a></i><span style="font-style: italic;">Wooo-eeee<br /><br /></span> <i style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6E5u4LbuVCGtQDvg36YlOKId3UKllVXGo5k03wIe4apqufrdIfI4Jfryxa4ouNusK7iBSFF7wQBCRB4bRXtD9vi4VOHDxFEjMP8QoFEd1xQn_zyBY_D4gjJAcG7ZxF-Asxa6eE9eH73W/s1600-h/IMG_6676.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6E5u4LbuVCGtQDvg36YlOKId3UKllVXGo5k03wIe4apqufrdIfI4Jfryxa4ouNusK7iBSFF7wQBCRB4bRXtD9vi4VOHDxFEjMP8QoFEd1xQn_zyBY_D4gjJAcG7ZxF-Asxa6eE9eH73W/s400/IMG_6676.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312846119754226" border="0" /></a></i><span style="font-style: italic;">More cleavage</span>!<br /><br /><br /></span></div> After the photo shoots, a very loud cicada pipes up right next to us, and we find him perched on a low branch of the tree. I snap this close up:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdJA-Ti_mrZIkiv6XbDm5ZNtXl6KgM-zqwe_Y0raFmqxNRdAVNoqUl6Oxr83W0TjsHRTcHiu8YBUnFi2ZRfIwYzIFRQfIrs9cd_I8iMIJs2zh7HFyVBtC1qCBM0z7z90CWBoCfDpcYWdl/s1600-h/IMG_6683r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdJA-Ti_mrZIkiv6XbDm5ZNtXl6KgM-zqwe_Y0raFmqxNRdAVNoqUl6Oxr83W0TjsHRTcHiu8YBUnFi2ZRfIwYzIFRQfIrs9cd_I8iMIJs2zh7HFyVBtC1qCBM0z7z90CWBoCfDpcYWdl/s400/IMG_6683r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450519725685439202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Worthy of Nat Geo?</span></span><br /></div><br />We enjoy an evening walk up the beach, discussing the merits of Indian food versus another round of fish for tonight's fare. Both win out when we stop and sit at a beach place called Funky Fish.<br /><br />The table is perfect, in the sand directly facing the water and our young Thai waiter has got a quick smile and is fun-loving. Janel uses all her Thai skills, and some she doesn't have, to sustain snippets of conversation with him. He really likes our fruity Thai nicknames.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr18xwlqJBhAKV0TxGmmV2Q8RE9Xc4Bis-pfBGGTprkPZqTzNDHDQMt3K8ewdwCSInVzpIP2soZca-9qpQgDwcjS_VEthQ-nRck2ay58gI5uklpdsBXDCHgLN_RZ7t2H01m2xBef-l79U/s1600-h/IMG_6697r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr18xwlqJBhAKV0TxGmmV2Q8RE9Xc4Bis-pfBGGTprkPZqTzNDHDQMt3K8ewdwCSInVzpIP2soZca-9qpQgDwcjS_VEthQ-nRck2ay58gI5uklpdsBXDCHgLN_RZ7t2H01m2xBef-l79U/s400/IMG_6697r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312307767224898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Funky Fish<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuGKEb6WxyL8dBLO6JMd5LZR2ccIRPTqV781vQ2RNGvYQZ-wOJlN0bDerkXuYQtStM5UDEwazN48DZZxoH-rD2rXBKgOO78hhP9JlQINcq2uH92rDQYpvTha8hRsLBU6oM2eBDX9j5y_7/s1600-h/IMG_6692.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuGKEb6WxyL8dBLO6JMd5LZR2ccIRPTqV781vQ2RNGvYQZ-wOJlN0bDerkXuYQtStM5UDEwazN48DZZxoH-rD2rXBKgOO78hhP9JlQINcq2uH92rDQYpvTha8hRsLBU6oM2eBDX9j5y_7/s400/IMG_6692.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312298818935858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Decor at the Funky Fish<br /><br /></span></div>We wait quite a while for our orders of masala curry with chicken, nahn, shrimp something, rice, and yet another whole white snapper. Fortunately, our waiter keeps us supplied with ample frosty Singhas while we wait.<br /><br />We discuss Koh Lanta at length, trying to get a handle on why we like it so much. I suppose this is great problem to be having, and it really doesn't warrant excess analysis, but it is a little perplexing nevertheless. I find it interesting that Linda comments that we'll probably never return here again. She's right, of course - there are tons of other places in this world to go. But when mentioning a place that she loves, she most often talks of returning some day.<br /><br />Our food orders are all quite excellent although we all agree that every dish could use more hot seasoning. As usual when the fish arrives, it steals the show - it might even be as good as Thai Cat's!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD2H-3RLuTeGNiWApGLY7wyhdFCTWgDKm3du6s1nqLHeT3b09QHZ-JswgrdUBIGnA7t4n4on2Omm8TVQF2cut2L9ZWIUYVkU_M3NjH02VQ3ZTAoouZom0vjixVIROHJNd-ujDBZjoZI_P/s1600-h/IMG_6698.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD2H-3RLuTeGNiWApGLY7wyhdFCTWgDKm3du6s1nqLHeT3b09QHZ-JswgrdUBIGnA7t4n4on2Omm8TVQF2cut2L9ZWIUYVkU_M3NjH02VQ3ZTAoouZom0vjixVIROHJNd-ujDBZjoZI_P/s400/IMG_6698.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312288808399250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Whole grilled white snapper - needs garlic?<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6aJZFaAWhjkFpiOTrIjNtXXBkzxJdKcUOJejDEws1UTOp0sFitURfzJGO_ERXbh2v_DBg2Si3-OMJ081H9IBdo-krHAK_fqyJRzm_9hBhxst_8nEU5Q4RYNaN4D_P8hSev_fWoktMAmj/s1600-h/IMG_6701.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6aJZFaAWhjkFpiOTrIjNtXXBkzxJdKcUOJejDEws1UTOp0sFitURfzJGO_ERXbh2v_DBg2Si3-OMJ081H9IBdo-krHAK_fqyJRzm_9hBhxst_8nEU5Q4RYNaN4D_P8hSev_fWoktMAmj/s400/IMG_6701.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450312277882207586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Snapper feeding frenzy<br /><br /></span></div>As we are finishing up, we spot Phil and Sarah walking by on the beach and call them over. Soon enough, they're seated at our table and we're ordering another round of beer for all. They're married and traveling the world, wandering as it were. They're also relatively new divers, and we discuss the UK, other travel destinations, and dive characteristics of many places. They've been to both the Maldives and to the Red Sea, both on our list.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk73NW3Sb-qHhzIPt1pX2_Cf5EJ1RJhO-CSh2JQH5MH2i4pQTMAwkzCNk_aWAyL3eoUy5zhTmQLFcqlTl6L6LnRs30Gqcpn1wl0L1QYZpWDUmwsROPuTD2t4Ay28Eu6xEg40RIvoY0nB8b/s1600-h/IMG_6702.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk73NW3Sb-qHhzIPt1pX2_Cf5EJ1RJhO-CSh2JQH5MH2i4pQTMAwkzCNk_aWAyL3eoUy5zhTmQLFcqlTl6L6LnRs30Gqcpn1wl0L1QYZpWDUmwsROPuTD2t4Ay28Eu6xEg40RIvoY0nB8b/s400/IMG_6702.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450311807853407938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our friends Phil and Sarah join our table<br /><br /></span></div>Janel starts to fade a bit earlier than the rest of us, and we're soon giving our good wishes to Phil and Sarah. Both extremely nice folks - we're lucky to have shared some time. Maybe we'll see them at a music festival somewhere.<br /><br />The beach is quite dark and we enjoy watching sporadic little dots of bright light at the front edge of inrushing waves. Bioluminescent plankton. They look like stars speckled on the night beach. Linda starts picking them up and they soon wink out, only to be revitalized with a drop of fresh sea water.<br /><br />I blog back in the room, check the stock market, but soon I'm too pooped to pop. Linda and Janel have already hit it, but I waken them for a refrain from the tokay outside.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-41691892309196395012010-03-17T18:49:00.000-07:002010-03-18T02:15:22.110-07:00Lay ahhhhhhhh na<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16<br /><br />PROLOGUE:<br /><br />Life at Layana is stressful. So many decisions to make. So much on the line.<br /><br />Before I go into Wednesday's report, I feel the need to create some sort of understanding of my situation as I write this. Part of our stress comes from this blog. You see, when it is "Linda's Blog Day" I must feverishly be taking photos all day and thinking of what I am going to be publishing and how I am going to possibly fit in the actual writing process. The time after I hit the "Publish Post" button is pure bliss. I know that for 2 more days I don't even have to remember what it is we are doing. I don't care if pictures get taken or what we ate for dinner. Ahhh - the serenity. I know that Rich and Janel feel the same - we have had several late night discussions on the pressures of writing THE BLOG. . .<br /><br />Perhaps this small diversion from Wednesday's blog will give the reader some idea of the stressful situations in which Rich, Janel and myself seem to be wallowing in. It is Thursday morning (around 10:30am). Rich and Janel went off diving today - I didn't feel the urge so I stayed behind. I had a leisurely breakfast on the veranda. Now I am poolside (in the shade) perched on a padded lounge chair (fixed specially by my pool boy) and I have my "service buzzer" handy. So sad that I must "work" (on the blog!).<br /><br />However, I feel the need to get rid of the stress of completing yesterday's blog. I could conceivably wait until this evening to write, but then I chance missing a part of Happy Hour. So much stress. . . Fortunately today I have a one--hour seaweed scrub followed by a one and a half hour Swedish massage scheduled starting at 1pm. The other source of my stress today is the decision I must make whether to have my "pre-spa" Thai Massage at the little hut on the beach that is about 30 steps away from where I am sitting. I am thinking it would be a good idea. Of course - the Thai Massage at the little hut is such an extravagance at 250baht for an hour (about $6) so the decision requires a lot of thought. (Janel and I have been indulging in this "pre-spa" routine for the past couple of days so it is not a new problem - it is ongoing.)<br /><br />Janel and Rich will likely return just as I am finishing up my treatments. We will have collectively make the monumentous decision of whether to order a "pre-happy hour" drink at the pool or to wait it out until 5:30. We have played it both ways in the past. Sometimes waiting until 5:30 seems like an eternity. Naturally, there is the decision of whether to imbibe poolside or right down on the sand - the service buzzers work everywhere.<br /><br />Following Happy Hour we must determine where to have dinner. The decision-making process is neverending on Koh Lanta. (and I have only told you of the highlights)<br /><br />Ok - back to WEDNESDAY:<br /><br />Janel wakes early and checks email, etc. Nice and quiet. Rich and I finally rise and we all trapse on down to breakfast. It has been pre-determined by Janel and myself that we will select the Thai breakfast portion of the buffet. After our mandatory museli concotion we visit the wok station where the ingredients are all lined up to choose and the chef immediately comes to life. We tell him what we would like. I go for a dish I had earlier in the trip - I don't remember the name, but Janel does and helps me order. It has wide noodles, soy sauce, fish sauce, prawns, mushrooms, greens and lots of sugar. Janel chooses a fried rice mixture. The chef offers to bring it to our table, but we ask if we can watch him prepare - of course!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghueKKbQsIBX95AUE-q8OjYfupgz-jd3VfDwuENIlq3mspG96p_9HCPVxjyZFeOmPX4ywfOotLTf_lggb6OD_fTsiQ1YSFddPvqauazfDcRuareXONkHKciCLft7ZQmrVYMEDE1Kj_8SF/s1600-h/IMG_6569.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghueKKbQsIBX95AUE-q8OjYfupgz-jd3VfDwuENIlq3mspG96p_9HCPVxjyZFeOmPX4ywfOotLTf_lggb6OD_fTsiQ1YSFddPvqauazfDcRuareXONkHKciCLft7ZQmrVYMEDE1Kj_8SF/s400/IMG_6569.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449788255604625698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Time for Thai breakfast<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span><br /></div></div>The noodles and fried rice are delicious. When we finish our selection I decide that I must have my morning mango. All of the other fruit selections are cut and placed out for you to grab and go. The mango, however, must be requested. I get one every morning. I am not sure if I love it because it is delicious or because I get to have it specially prepared. What do you think?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTdxprYKXykN1AC0Z4rY8VinrR48aPeDnyJr3WXyLQgL35N3ZjjcC-19lA5fD2X_WxE7At3Q6GUYVS6c66QzlFDE1SdwJkG5an0xFjqPNx_TMrurzZ9NQaK2tLlTQrFJNgRcCQ6_zya4k/s1600-h/IMG_6571.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTdxprYKXykN1AC0Z4rY8VinrR48aPeDnyJr3WXyLQgL35N3ZjjcC-19lA5fD2X_WxE7At3Q6GUYVS6c66QzlFDE1SdwJkG5an0xFjqPNx_TMrurzZ9NQaK2tLlTQrFJNgRcCQ6_zya4k/s400/IMG_6571.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449788265950953074" border="0" /></a>Delicious or Pretentious?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Yesterday we scoped out the beach scene and found where we believe is the Prime Spot for both shade, wave viewing and people watching. We scurry to the spot and request that the pool boy prepare 3 chaises. Done. With Kindle in hand I mark my turf. Janel and Rich are going to make a trek down to a local dive shop to inquire about diving tomorrow. Not me - I have had my fill of diving for this trip and opt to schedule spa treatments instead (big surprise).<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wdbBX9UHiI3POMhXAc7NVQ-COrEJ9oZN09mv1b0Em3167W-04K4VzCkKzRP-WyXG6SpCtS8pbPaI4PWyQxbdT3xDc7yPiJVUlhyNDDkwuMzFsCp4l1fps1tQovV836ZPNdcCtk5FgTpc/s1600-h/IMG_6572.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wdbBX9UHiI3POMhXAc7NVQ-COrEJ9oZN09mv1b0Em3167W-04K4VzCkKzRP-WyXG6SpCtS8pbPaI4PWyQxbdT3xDc7yPiJVUlhyNDDkwuMzFsCp4l1fps1tQovV836ZPNdcCtk5FgTpc/s400/IMG_6572.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449788274499155250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Enjoying the Prime Spot<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">There are a few vendors on this beach, mostly selling jewelry. Janel and I spotted one yesterday and pantomimed asking if he had any earrings. No - necklaces/bracelets only. Too bad - not interested. However, when I see a vendor today I mime "earrings" and he nods his head "yes." I motion for him to approach us but he makes a sign that I can tell means Layana does not allow him to approach their guests! Ok - I guess I will have to walk down to him - oh bother.<br /><br />He does, indeed, have about 3 pair of earrings, none of which we like. But a beautiful shell necklace catches my eye and I bargain hard for it. I end up buying it and an happy with my purchase. The vendors here are very different from the ones we have encountered in Mexico - no hard sell here at all. Very comfortable whether or not you decide to purchase. I like that.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R5PW49_8GNNOFlrI34nVqtJ8WlUbtGn1AlsBOJEyJYeTmbrkQv8gexLhsshLOSKoLVVBe9RdOQROtuXbjHCG1hIiTlTv3m20Zcg3kaIEZrUkevEFHzgrWIOxdejvyopxb7mv8JRuVb0l/s1600-h/IMG_6575.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R5PW49_8GNNOFlrI34nVqtJ8WlUbtGn1AlsBOJEyJYeTmbrkQv8gexLhsshLOSKoLVVBe9RdOQROtuXbjHCG1hIiTlTv3m20Zcg3kaIEZrUkevEFHzgrWIOxdejvyopxb7mv8JRuVb0l/s400/IMG_6575.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449788287426454306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"How much is that one?"<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span>Shopping is over so Janel and Rich head down the beach to the dive shop. Rich has alaready informed Janel that they will have to ford a stream across the sand to get there. I don't think she understood exactly what that meant.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JQj6w9gxkKCvf_AGINrqQtx40-HbAL6GEsfNxBcSP0arn502Vqy9Z9rxHYd0xMFmt1n2VvxdNW5l4Y-1lFNJyQmb8c-kqJVCUAnM49QBN1PMWydefchK17_I3AJdzDXXYDOaq2HSUN_Y/s1600-h/IMG_6577.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JQj6w9gxkKCvf_AGINrqQtx40-HbAL6GEsfNxBcSP0arn502Vqy9Z9rxHYd0xMFmt1n2VvxdNW5l4Y-1lFNJyQmb8c-kqJVCUAnM49QBN1PMWydefchK17_I3AJdzDXXYDOaq2HSUN_Y/s400/IMG_6577.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449790858560381698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The "stream"<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span>I settle in with my Kindle and enjoy the ambience. The beach here is completely chill - unlike any other we have been on. Now and then a few beachgoers saunter past - some red, some bronze; some beautiful, some not so much. It is an interesting mix. Around the resort no one is frantically making demands or looking like they have somewhere to go. There is most certainly an air of contentment all around.<br /><br />We have decided that Layana Resort is probably the nicest place we have ever stayed - anywhere. While it is gorgeous and private, it is NOT pretentious or glitzy. It is super friendly and comfortable. You have the feeling that whatever you might want they will get it for you and smile all the while. You are greeted by every passing employee and they give genuine smiles (thus the moniker for Thailand - "Land of Smiles.")<br /><br />Janel and Rich return from their trek and just in time, too. Janel and I are trying to sneak in a "pre-spa" Thai massage at the hut next door. We were there yesterday and planned already to return. We think we have time so out we go. The ladies remember us from yesterday and ask "Thai Massage?" Oh yeah. Nary a word is spoken as they get right to work. With every Thai massage I get I become a little more flexible and am in a little less pain! Actual "Thai" massage differs from other massages in that it is a dry massage and really focuses mostly on the legs with stretching, pulling and pressue points. Sounds horrendous, but they are very relaxing.<br /><br />We finish up and tip the ladies this time. They are so thrilled that they give us pieces of watermelon and try to teach us a few words of Thai. So sweet - we like them a lot. We have no pics of this operation as of yet, but will try to snap some before we leave.<br /><br />It is getting to be time to head to the spa for our "real" treatments. Rich is already there ahead of us. He was quite reluctant at first to go to the spa. Then he opted for the 1 hour "head, back, shoulder" treatment and got hooked. Today he has booked a TWO HOUR Layana Signature Massage! (spa junkie)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOi7pR2dvy5MyjJt9OtRH-I2ISdJUYefDxreuTcC4LB6XxvbcRinCDSs6wyE_5a1k5DCPkJmaTOQnwgDUXLPHI-LGbv00pbT94YzwqC_lgFukwHTSEBAavTcwQEV9XQ06ZPDfTtM31nt7/s1600-h/IMG_6579.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOi7pR2dvy5MyjJt9OtRH-I2ISdJUYefDxreuTcC4LB6XxvbcRinCDSs6wyE_5a1k5DCPkJmaTOQnwgDUXLPHI-LGbv00pbT94YzwqC_lgFukwHTSEBAavTcwQEV9XQ06ZPDfTtM31nt7/s400/IMG_6579.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449790871083308722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The long, boring walk to the spa (!)<br /><br /></span></div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr7yzvPg-HcLrGafGMZFJ6ennXpP3gnF9Gb1hJXzcpKkRD8BqiK8irqN1rmqcQo23Mzrc3up_rSi1x7YD3H5_haQhiqmRP4GSnflflfjrSru_Gw2lyW2ln0kjHrKvT5yqXjFnHkGinXkY/s1600-h/IMG_6580.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr7yzvPg-HcLrGafGMZFJ6ennXpP3gnF9Gb1hJXzcpKkRD8BqiK8irqN1rmqcQo23Mzrc3up_rSi1x7YD3H5_haQhiqmRP4GSnflflfjrSru_Gw2lyW2ln0kjHrKvT5yqXjFnHkGinXkY/s400/IMG_6580.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449790881245810690" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Janel anticipates her massage</span><br /></div></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzqk-fy0aHrqAtUkfT1Xcfu1bvwn9OSzhqQuQT1B13MNeT943lSoYZ19GpjqZfUygyBQwrClVyb3TO42vZ3GCbyaVFaPAIVjRmzFl5LBLiI3lU97E9nN-WjqdIwnd1hOTkYugXxXgAgbh/s1600-h/IMG_6581.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzqk-fy0aHrqAtUkfT1Xcfu1bvwn9OSzhqQuQT1B13MNeT943lSoYZ19GpjqZfUygyBQwrClVyb3TO42vZ3GCbyaVFaPAIVjRmzFl5LBLiI3lU97E9nN-WjqdIwnd1hOTkYugXxXgAgbh/s400/IMG_6581.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449790887297148066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Part of the waiting area<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Today Janel has chosen the "Rejuvenating" massage for 90 minutes and I am getting the "Visible Repair and Refinement" facial. We are put into the same room and crawl up onto the tables. the facial is awesome - lots of different "goop" and a face/head massage. I come out with my skin glowing. Janel comes out and looks 10 years younger.. .<br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZKDvME1w6hE8nsqsX1_et7iw2htTus428K6wJEvqgvjjotRv5RQMaw9-mg-EClBeBZIpWzpU8HYSxi2DQUFZ8cWl4r6BMmJO_PMTX3vLmku-kaSNRzmjg-J73DVxRcLR86DeNK79bPqG/s1600-h/IMG_6588.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZKDvME1w6hE8nsqsX1_et7iw2htTus428K6wJEvqgvjjotRv5RQMaw9-mg-EClBeBZIpWzpU8HYSxi2DQUFZ8cWl4r6BMmJO_PMTX3vLmku-kaSNRzmjg-J73DVxRcLR86DeNK79bPqG/s400/IMG_6588.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449790898231616258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking 13 again. . .<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB014enF2C_M89ZTIQlQ3HdcMFHBi1GPzB-EGS73z7KufdsA-FF_pmuj40qH8hBcYYobyv9i04Uau0yg8XQyRMI6uqfVoEbF8l23HzAvNtvcjiHTOxEFmCFXYYrnudJG2xhdkfcSJKVZw/s1600-h/IMG_6589.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiB014enF2C_M89ZTIQlQ3HdcMFHBi1GPzB-EGS73z7KufdsA-FF_pmuj40qH8hBcYYobyv9i04Uau0yg8XQyRMI6uqfVoEbF8l23HzAvNtvcjiHTOxEFmCFXYYrnudJG2xhdkfcSJKVZw/s400/IMG_6589.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449806467670068978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ahhhhhhhhhhh</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We eagerly await Rich's return from the depths of his 2 hours ordeal. He arrives looking super relaxed and happy.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XoKyY2rpXXA7jVoxYvrFRGIUz-ei-GU_OLP0W5hm4TGPI0I9X5CdysCxt0pdqskFfhLcAqs6WfU4ZaMXx4HQcfwpNYCGJhYv9mx3wSCxUad6auXiy5z8TCoHUrz-DEvMNVyu4G26dIxG/s1600-h/IMG_6590.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XoKyY2rpXXA7jVoxYvrFRGIUz-ei-GU_OLP0W5hm4TGPI0I9X5CdysCxt0pdqskFfhLcAqs6WfU4ZaMXx4HQcfwpNYCGJhYv9mx3wSCxUad6auXiy5z8TCoHUrz-DEvMNVyu4G26dIxG/s400/IMG_6590.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449806474266697138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">How cool is this?<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo9lYzlgFzA9AwP7nqKnuPO0S1W1QepmCSKDzSLlDaNfef4GdKbYrMiPGRd6BkHKNpTI9mEeBLecrn4uPHQCh4dnmGmHL8moogYPHp9KiVdfM5wz5gI-q5gKeIFjTUJ4ddUULNm_bsxu_/s1600-h/IMG_6591.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo9lYzlgFzA9AwP7nqKnuPO0S1W1QepmCSKDzSLlDaNfef4GdKbYrMiPGRd6BkHKNpTI9mEeBLecrn4uPHQCh4dnmGmHL8moogYPHp9KiVdfM5wz5gI-q5gKeIFjTUJ4ddUULNm_bsxu_/s400/IMG_6591.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449806488006277602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">"I think I could get used to this"</span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTDh9rgzowUOh0UYL7z0uWmTgXzWoJ9_whc-J8eXOcBwjVXw9hwInFkC5h37WBtvmweywzPFgZEyBES2XOzk3FJjrgyVAGSNZ8SQ9pWuUK-0Ec9QdUHa4VK0wkMWo2RT3_ETgt8THvZt_/s1600-h/IMG_6593.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTDh9rgzowUOh0UYL7z0uWmTgXzWoJ9_whc-J8eXOcBwjVXw9hwInFkC5h37WBtvmweywzPFgZEyBES2XOzk3FJjrgyVAGSNZ8SQ9pWuUK-0Ec9QdUHa4VK0wkMWo2RT3_ETgt8THvZt_/s400/IMG_6593.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449806494191787298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"I KNOW I could get used to this"<br /><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Rich has loved his treatment. His therapist, Kasa, is awesome</span></span>. She is smaller than I am and Rich and she had several laughs as she tried to contort him into submission. I can picture Rich sitting on the table with Kasa behind him - her foot in his back, gripping his shoulders with her hands and pulling with all she's got! She told him about some kind of cream that she recommends for his tight shoulders and promptly returns with some to show him.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDwZSGg21pDLKXAYKtMiEoKOo2Q1-cP0_u_dYFg7qGcH6B2v74bHWNmilVBR2DtbvK_SwSiFdQatA8yBS78giDjjSW1QqCGU95j0XBRxXZ3xeh64p3YEgxvj7_mW5aF91ZXspaP8gyDsx/s1600-h/IMG_6594.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDwZSGg21pDLKXAYKtMiEoKOo2Q1-cP0_u_dYFg7qGcH6B2v74bHWNmilVBR2DtbvK_SwSiFdQatA8yBS78giDjjSW1QqCGU95j0XBRxXZ3xeh64p3YEgxvj7_mW5aF91ZXspaP8gyDsx/s400/IMG_6594.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449806505367624626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"Maybe you can get your wife to put this on you"<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNUtvJ0WfuLgUrouKusoXnlzTvElMr6eGl1yHFTzSjL6RqbGqLwE5haH24sfZRCowSCU58SsnZUtyh3SfqHcBRJSzJFbVHLJTix2hs9EbeHYbzKshWGQ9hi0fZTB44spyNV7rf6Rs8P6U/s1600-h/IMG_6597.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNUtvJ0WfuLgUrouKusoXnlzTvElMr6eGl1yHFTzSjL6RqbGqLwE5haH24sfZRCowSCU58SsnZUtyh3SfqHcBRJSzJFbVHLJTix2hs9EbeHYbzKshWGQ9hi0fZTB44spyNV7rf6Rs8P6U/s400/IMG_6597.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449807871127365554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"Just like this"<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We bask for awhile in our spa glow and enjoy our tea and fruit. As a side note - Rich has become quite fond of Dragon Fruit. I am not sure if we can find it at home. Oh no. Before leaving the spa we book our treatments for the next couple of days. Since Janel/Rich will be diving tomorrow I book 2 treatments for myself. Friday is "purchase one treatment and your partner receives one free." Let's see. . . Janel and I partner up and choose the 90-minute Hot Stone Treatment. Rich and I partner up (do you see the common denominator in this equation?) and he chooses the Aromatic Swedish Massage while I go out on a limb with the Indian Head massage. We are so happy that these decisions have been made and we won't have to worry about it for the next 2 days.<br /><br />Oh my - it is coming on to Happy Hour time. We manage to hit poolside at exactlyl 5:30 - perfect timing. I quickly order up a Coco - Loco (I have been waiting for the proper setting) and Rich chooses a Caparinha. My drink arrives in a full on coconut shell. Coolness!<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMUy3GwZoocLxz6AszCx33VgHzurdoLi7IxY5t_JgmCctqh1E0ZvtJv6yrtf8RWWDvcQ7nok7SKcJ2vC-3aIfKEm1tbR7A8tml6njzfkphQ7KF9f8B92Ypnk2cEFq33Z99xPzaCdD0TWQ/s1600-h/IMG_6598.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMUy3GwZoocLxz6AszCx33VgHzurdoLi7IxY5t_JgmCctqh1E0ZvtJv6yrtf8RWWDvcQ7nok7SKcJ2vC-3aIfKEm1tbR7A8tml6njzfkphQ7KF9f8B92Ypnk2cEFq33Z99xPzaCdD0TWQ/s400/IMG_6598.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449826810261659042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pool service at its finest (I have tried to get this picture to flip, but it just isn't worth the stress of continuing to try)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI46wxb0NLEAQGQvaLML04bcnYX2J6ZFGzcwhSwS9wLBNlyb7D6IMmimYErgJp1G7Wd_4ZEmRqF2qo_hhsYj6TXbqe0nYhQgB-sRvJZ1K8L77Lo9rtpJeOtyANnCNc3oGVF6csp0z1DBl/s1600-h/IMG_6599.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI46wxb0NLEAQGQvaLML04bcnYX2J6ZFGzcwhSwS9wLBNlyb7D6IMmimYErgJp1G7Wd_4ZEmRqF2qo_hhsYj6TXbqe0nYhQgB-sRvJZ1K8L77Lo9rtpJeOtyANnCNc3oGVF6csp0z1DBl/s400/IMG_6599.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449807887995796546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Does this follow Linda's Diet Rule "Never eat anything larger than your head?"<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Janel comes out with the computer to work on the blog. Poor dear. She orders a Mai Tai and gets to work. We have noticed a strange phenomena here at Layana. All day long the pool appears to be bustling. We are never here during the hottest part of the day (2-4) since we are usually at the spa during those hours). Then, just when it cools down and becomes gorgeous out (5:30-7:30) there is literally no one at the pool. Just us. Not complaining mind you - just observing. Every day that we have been here we have had our drinks usually IN the pool. We are the only ones. We are sure that the staff talks about the crazy Americans who have their drinks served to them while they are in the pool. But we also know that even it they don't allow drinks in the pool they would NEVER question us or say a word about it! Brilliant.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPjbt3mZwIThBY4Gv7ud-6l_WW_fcWi2SRl-NgKxkJmB2iy7ZLDWZR6K62f-Pef2FkYjrlvETVlDc4gn2akFhjV-0atedOD8bTXq-ttc2xR4UxC_PXCSeS04hTZ1rXeQ8KbFGcLMvrOZs/s1600-h/IMG_6606.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPjbt3mZwIThBY4Gv7ud-6l_WW_fcWi2SRl-NgKxkJmB2iy7ZLDWZR6K62f-Pef2FkYjrlvETVlDc4gn2akFhjV-0atedOD8bTXq-ttc2xR4UxC_PXCSeS04hTZ1rXeQ8KbFGcLMvrOZs/s400/IMG_6606.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449807890915356722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"our" pool<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We watch the glowing sunset from the edge of the infinity pool and feel very, very lucky to be here. We are already planning to relax at this same location tomorrow.<br /><br />Ok - we must consider dinner. We think we will visit Thai Cat again. It is such a cool place and the grilled fresh fish is outstanding. We change into dry clothes and walk down the beach. Thai Cat is quite crowded tonight and there is not a "beachfront" table available at this time. No problem - we consult with the GrillMaster and head to the bar to wait.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT8PH__5V2QG5qTsOWLv9obfvlWGlNvYDskR5P-8DhaGb7qHtTTAxEZ6xz4sy2p_XzAtP_w2ZTnjYn50MYpBK15lc3-lvh5un8y-8sSIqih7l0TB8EQY1Xnz58GGD1VP_nqsbHZbqNCis/s1600-h/IMG_6619.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT8PH__5V2QG5qTsOWLv9obfvlWGlNvYDskR5P-8DhaGb7qHtTTAxEZ6xz4sy2p_XzAtP_w2ZTnjYn50MYpBK15lc3-lvh5un8y-8sSIqih7l0TB8EQY1Xnz58GGD1VP_nqsbHZbqNCis/s400/IMG_6619.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449810812597058850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">View from the bar to the Grill Master's station (Grill Master in white)</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I have grown quite fond of Mai Thais so I order one. Janel orders a Pineapple Sour. Rich does not have his reading glasses and can't read the drink menu. He is relying on Janel and me to make a suggestion. We ask the manager to suggest and he recommends that Rich try a Gypsy. Sounds good - orange juice, lime juice, vodka and rum(?) It comes in a frou-frou glass and Rich notes that it is not a "manly" drink. Not really very good, either. Too sour. He wants to ask for sugar, but I tell him that would be a slap to the bartender. He manages to suffer through it.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4NngGOMCDgX9j1D52snm-e3k93TAXfUyfk69-H1IP6wRzdTXVOFQwC10SJX1HRom5WQNYKewVYhTejpxmYDzFbHjAeThHEAhHWnhxWbzTI6T2sW8c9LOZVsptJXEh2-ChoTUkB4OwiBw/s1600-h/IMG_6615.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4NngGOMCDgX9j1D52snm-e3k93TAXfUyfk69-H1IP6wRzdTXVOFQwC10SJX1HRom5WQNYKewVYhTejpxmYDzFbHjAeThHEAhHWnhxWbzTI6T2sW8c9LOZVsptJXEh2-ChoTUkB4OwiBw/s400/IMG_6615.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449807900262967042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bar at Thai Cat<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsezv3Z2AlJBq0VJnd8WPcUm0s_NMoQClj1l6U5CaMnuhdLMnCQLeRQCnFW5C_B4EzwnXJOz6OANoKRVDazS786XuhOKYZifX4sCpRHCtvzmxDL0mdj_JVnegg8Kp-cV975Z8dEdrUkDcd/s1600-h/IMG_6616.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsezv3Z2AlJBq0VJnd8WPcUm0s_NMoQClj1l6U5CaMnuhdLMnCQLeRQCnFW5C_B4EzwnXJOz6OANoKRVDazS786XuhOKYZifX4sCpRHCtvzmxDL0mdj_JVnegg8Kp-cV975Z8dEdrUkDcd/s400/IMG_6616.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449810805508519954" border="0" /></a>"<span style="font-size:78%;">Should I order another Gypsy???"</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Finally a table becomes available and we sit and study the menu. Deciding that we probably had the best side dishes last time we were here, we order the same two - som tam (spicy green papaya salad)</span> and tom yam goong (spicy shrimp soup). Janel and Rich head to the Grill Master's station to choose our fish for the night. They return and report that they have chosen two pieces of Grouper and a whole Sea Bass (smallish). Sound like too much food!!!<br /><br />The food arrives and we dive in. Tonight's fish is wonderful. The grouper is succulent and mild - it has been filleted. The Sea Bass is on the bone (just as we like it) and is a little more firm. Both are deliciously sauced. We manage to eat it all up. Janel and Rich love to pick at the whole fish and try to get every tiny morsel. The Grill Master would be proud.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivE3NZnqYVB_aRRxXM94hvjKXXon0cqv6oVsG0HtLmtTSBy2u5UUZLLb9x42Oeztc7PSZNXElAzzu0qPgq_tkTL9eezQWKkmZPGLSceXz5j-KvMFZ-VJa2myrsc0AkPghMdk-g6aytuBH2/s1600-h/IMG_6621.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivE3NZnqYVB_aRRxXM94hvjKXXon0cqv6oVsG0HtLmtTSBy2u5UUZLLb9x42Oeztc7PSZNXElAzzu0qPgq_tkTL9eezQWKkmZPGLSceXz5j-KvMFZ-VJa2myrsc0AkPghMdk-g6aytuBH2/s400/IMG_6621.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449810822585279138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking for hidden morsels<br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKURwfUzz6qjc7-MLMpwi__6iGAmh5T2GUoCuWnTDWl2iAkloUjsFpxjm_sYlMBwd2geZOror8sA1JO4onLhf4okYATupGkpPTZUUVRJkcNPKD7ErpRyZonYmwPYX684Q9MoZAMf2keMH/s1600-h/IMG_6629.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKURwfUzz6qjc7-MLMpwi__6iGAmh5T2GUoCuWnTDWl2iAkloUjsFpxjm_sYlMBwd2geZOror8sA1JO4onLhf4okYATupGkpPTZUUVRJkcNPKD7ErpRyZonYmwPYX684Q9MoZAMf2keMH/s400/IMG_6629.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449811167846710546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Got one!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvWPARm87wsQ6C9V1w1cvx_byWdkrNOGO9P1jvEMZgT4Py3GBfkvYed9h34Hexpe-q5ZrL6JUPj8PIaLhkd4ok0g-EbvvB-erRrlWHYUs2fKVzgFQMDRtpAOc8E2NctUzV5bztgnwNmX3/s1600-h/IMG_6628.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvWPARm87wsQ6C9V1w1cvx_byWdkrNOGO9P1jvEMZgT4Py3GBfkvYed9h34Hexpe-q5ZrL6JUPj8PIaLhkd4ok0g-EbvvB-erRrlWHYUs2fKVzgFQMDRtpAOc8E2NctUzV5bztgnwNmX3/s400/IMG_6628.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449811163172848578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"I think you missed one right here"<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDZNvYsXZwafXWOgroW6-m-itMwUYKr6oOlnu8ODi2fLpj8rKy_ywB8JU_qEeuoOmegVQIBh-LjYukow3pYYDgHmB9pnCfxCs6p3QS07hN-MAO5iTQg5_j8jVPQZfYB4jKiJ1TZaCZU0b/s1600-h/IMG_6624.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDZNvYsXZwafXWOgroW6-m-itMwUYKr6oOlnu8ODi2fLpj8rKy_ywB8JU_qEeuoOmegVQIBh-LjYukow3pYYDgHmB9pnCfxCs6p3QS07hN-MAO5iTQg5_j8jVPQZfYB4jKiJ1TZaCZU0b/s400/IMG_6624.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449810828981540530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Got it! Mmmmmmm<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And so the day ends. Another great day on Lanta. Can we get up and do it again tomorrow? We'll see.</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-70198252020634276332010-03-16T18:30:00.000-07:002010-03-17T09:07:08.565-07:00layana: day two hullabaloo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi721qG4srBUWPaT4pmAsy15OThX4z30PYZJJeLbvV9ZYDkHNj5AxLJ8yue_zLsNTotnZbkVEatc6tzMLxheTrpTmJMV31eWaBlzIv434HNcnJjGhOHKsdYlDoKjchxcyJAdUX_ZbOH-34q/s1600-h/IMG_6452.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi721qG4srBUWPaT4pmAsy15OThX4z30PYZJJeLbvV9ZYDkHNj5AxLJ8yue_zLsNTotnZbkVEatc6tzMLxheTrpTmJMV31eWaBlzIv434HNcnJjGhOHKsdYlDoKjchxcyJAdUX_ZbOH-34q/s400/IMG_6452.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449412415053836386" border="0" /></a><br />we have a spring in our step this morning as we scoot our collective boot towards the Sumptuous International Buffet (S.I.B.).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX9az_-i3jf9aGjHFY8i9eMdoediJaL174Bnj8h0iI6baKx-xAQ3E4qG1ODIqojOC42wWkOp9llx-LixA98_zZ2mHZXYGicZb9AHrArLWPJSOxflzvYCp14cqmmMx_qCfoNAHUEZrIH32/s1600-h/IMG_6453.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX9az_-i3jf9aGjHFY8i9eMdoediJaL174Bnj8h0iI6baKx-xAQ3E4qG1ODIqojOC42wWkOp9llx-LixA98_zZ2mHZXYGicZb9AHrArLWPJSOxflzvYCp14cqmmMx_qCfoNAHUEZrIH32/s400/IMG_6453.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449412401648943570" border="0" /></a><br />plans for today: massage at two for two. dinner eventually. no schnorcheling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy3-aorQd6rYCaaf0e3weeEXF65Y6ijBJh4UtKbMJ93nq16K2gfyATReASRxzZLSMEVtRj0Z8Z0w3d2mWT1LB5F7_MHNOFImHzRWa7Fk0FS73i71dKhJcKorRqpDyk679sbIA-1MKGClE/s1600-h/IMG_6455.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy3-aorQd6rYCaaf0e3weeEXF65Y6ijBJh4UtKbMJ93nq16K2gfyATReASRxzZLSMEVtRj0Z8Z0w3d2mWT1LB5F7_MHNOFImHzRWa7Fk0FS73i71dKhJcKorRqpDyk679sbIA-1MKGClE/s400/IMG_6455.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449412399952256850" border="0" /></a><br />flowers abound. a lesser bunch might veer off track, distracted by their seductive scent. we keep our eyes on the prize:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_b1w5NbqnxTe8hzRG1x1Z9nKVnve2R-qEb1E3_LRufmNvgev9Edo4TyQhsj1Uz8A9QLKiiUzAmZaFyIUCM6IeFbi-xxyLHIidK-kgr_PMCVvSExNESdBPIkMpEjIGpPxDPlQVkVDyV3HC/s1600-h/IMG_6459.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_b1w5NbqnxTe8hzRG1x1Z9nKVnve2R-qEb1E3_LRufmNvgev9Edo4TyQhsj1Uz8A9QLKiiUzAmZaFyIUCM6IeFbi-xxyLHIidK-kgr_PMCVvSExNESdBPIkMpEjIGpPxDPlQVkVDyV3HC/s400/IMG_6459.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449412391146985346" border="0" /></a><br />papaya! jackfruit! "lemon"! hidden: watermelon, pineapple, dragonfruit, pomelo. if you want freshly cut-and-peeled mango, <span style="font-style: italic;">you must ask</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7DRPcKXzOumHrSRLwsy0QV5kA7RXLuUSiFJwDO4ziRzZwt33DityOugT1xeu1puPdguHmxWlkp5Jl523xt51_RozWq43bH3PKtB8X2LIY1z5Hk87-iO5VS_RLO8uONCT31sSaxSgY0B1/s1600-h/IMG_6461.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7DRPcKXzOumHrSRLwsy0QV5kA7RXLuUSiFJwDO4ziRzZwt33DityOugT1xeu1puPdguHmxWlkp5Jl523xt51_RozWq43bH3PKtB8X2LIY1z5Hk87-iO5VS_RLO8uONCT31sSaxSgY0B1/s400/IMG_6461.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449412381584355682" border="0" /></a><br />salad station, today featuring mini-caprese salad. the silver UFO-esque vessels contain sautéed potatoes, sausages of a grand variety, and liver peri-peri, among other delights for the palate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY__hyphenhypheneJIn9FAGaDSkDMYgjuDjBPBCVyZOF5NE9ecVklOWJ30XIaeljiKCnYkgQV1Vmok-_4BRZ0k05dlNMjusky3MqXPzA2IBcIR2GEkKGMICPQpfWbc9RIgxdJCn_fC2Bb8mfQjeQOdd/s1600-h/IMG_6462.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY__hyphenhypheneJIn9FAGaDSkDMYgjuDjBPBCVyZOF5NE9ecVklOWJ30XIaeljiKCnYkgQV1Vmok-_4BRZ0k05dlNMjusky3MqXPzA2IBcIR2GEkKGMICPQpfWbc9RIgxdJCn_fC2Bb8mfQjeQOdd/s400/IMG_6462.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411438855415474" border="0" /></a><br />the muesli mix station. my favorite combination thus far involves natural yogurt, cherry compote, raspberries, peaches, cashews, honey, and obviously heaps of muesli (it makes you muscley).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1mgDIS2KOKBRFWkbJJagJ-yoktiI9fy1Xly4QxJ3XY-RI-G1mxb81rKD6qZ0R8PmlP8DsAHFPuisdsxEWuepFDYkwdwOaSH634QEGk4LRfFrFD76O_iM02thk1p5asemYkem6mv5g2Vu/s1600-h/IMG_6465.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1mgDIS2KOKBRFWkbJJagJ-yoktiI9fy1Xly4QxJ3XY-RI-G1mxb81rKD6qZ0R8PmlP8DsAHFPuisdsxEWuepFDYkwdwOaSH634QEGk4LRfFrFD76O_iM02thk1p5asemYkem6mv5g2Vu/s400/IMG_6465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411423020954834" border="0" /></a><br />don't make the mistake of assuming breakfast at layana is "all-fun-and-games," as it were. here poor dad endures the hardship of a frozen dollop of butter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs81ypwfZQC2Olpu3vs-ieseFjy3IofC9-T1DgxclT7LOFNvYcdYgF0VVc6JAdPLjqMiT3eT6qym2uyl-0aNzbAx_pjCE0GoedEg4yz8TZHzPqtceXy8nZZQb17i8Pj1EguUmjhi7NFrcy/s1600-h/IMG_6469.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs81ypwfZQC2Olpu3vs-ieseFjy3IofC9-T1DgxclT7LOFNvYcdYgF0VVc6JAdPLjqMiT3eT6qym2uyl-0aNzbAx_pjCE0GoedEg4yz8TZHzPqtceXy8nZZQb17i8Pj1EguUmjhi7NFrcy/s400/IMG_6469.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411414699316994" border="0" /></a><br />today i snag a slice of freshly baked bread, along with a score of various possible toppings. from top to bottom: mango jam, peanut butter, nutella, honey, and butter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFaHZ9j2t3vthH_noaHir9J22Xki28gmgNEGiCkoLKt2xORNaF6rAnlK_zExrQuq2_eJqeEkP7QI8kgy5gcA-VmSRtk8AlJXI73mXuChztD1AiOOmYS8OpeF_3rKnnzwLy9drZ988tbY3/s1600-h/IMG_6470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFaHZ9j2t3vthH_noaHir9J22Xki28gmgNEGiCkoLKt2xORNaF6rAnlK_zExrQuq2_eJqeEkP7QI8kgy5gcA-VmSRtk8AlJXI73mXuChztD1AiOOmYS8OpeF_3rKnnzwLy9drZ988tbY3/s400/IMG_6470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411407279464114" border="0" /></a><br />dad schmears his way towards a starchy pollockian symphony.<br /><br />we feast.<br /><br />dad and i talk motorola stories for a good long while, until daddles succumbs to the call of the ever-intriguing Interweb, while mom and i reach the beach. armed with kindle and paperback, we chill in the most serious manner two lazy princesses can.<br /><br />around high noon, it is obviously time for a massage. our spa dates today are for cryptic "wraps," thus we'll need to forage for massage fodder elsewhere if we want to meet our daily quota (one). we trudge about 100m down the beach before being hailed by two promising masseuses beneath the shade of a bamboo hut structure. <span style="font-style: italic;">yes</span>.<br /><br />we ask for thai style massage, and the ladies enthusiastically begin with our feets and work their way up. it is beyond marvelous. halfway through the event, it is discovered that chan pasa thai nit noi, and the four of us girltalk as best we can between the grunts of soothingly painful pleasure.<br /><br />we proceed directly to linger longer spa (neither passing go nor collecting $200). dad has been roped into a head-neck-shoulders "tension-relief" massage during the same time slot, so we shows as well. we sip on icy tea for a moment, then diverge to our treatment rooms. mom has selected the coconut oil wrap, i the micronized seaweed - famous for its sleekly detoxifying properties. we are doused all over with goop, mine smelling strongly of algae, then mummified in cellophane. there is a heating device on each table to induce sweat, and the undesirable toxins quickly pool around my plastic-wrapped dermis. the thai ladies orchestrating this procedure firmly and expertly massage our scalps while the goop works its magic.<br /><br />when the time comes, the ladies unceremoniously remove the cellophane. we are invited to shower. i note for the first time i am completely coated in sticky matter resembling swamp muck. i feel svelte-itude around the corner. we wash and emerge from our chamber. daddles is all grins from his 60 minutes of bliss, and we unreservedly book appointments for the morrow.<br /><br />the library lies just to the side of L.L. Spa, so we scope out the scene. books galore! tragically the majority turn out to be <span style="font-style: italic;">Buchen</span>, inaccessable to those who mainly speak a more reasonable language. the remainder are by danielle steel.<br /><br />we peruse the dvds, but are met with similar issues. after much internal negotiation, we sign for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Man_Walking_%28film%29">Dead Man Walking</a> (dad's selection) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gangster_%28film%29">American Gangster</a> (my selection, much influenced by my prior valencia viewing with Jihan).<br /><br />[also, here's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disambiguation_%28disambiguation%29">another wiki thing i liked</a>]<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9BF7e7KUjoO-Fumq5KCWiCsHzok5pNwaKoXEOlpdxnOyQElc3i2SKJrwuHhXbhUYn2pLo86aYyd8lORwDdlgVAm6sYmKVjlzJwImK2OhUtkuftIdqf43pUHg36Ubzufl4ZRF58k0hask/s1600-h/IMG_6473.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9BF7e7KUjoO-Fumq5KCWiCsHzok5pNwaKoXEOlpdxnOyQElc3i2SKJrwuHhXbhUYn2pLo86aYyd8lORwDdlgVAm6sYmKVjlzJwImK2OhUtkuftIdqf43pUHg36Ubzufl4ZRF58k0hask/s400/IMG_6473.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411396729230722" border="0" /></a><br />the S.I.B. indulgences have left us in no place to desire a luncheon of any sort, so by the time we get our act together around 4:30ish we discover a persistent peckishness gnawing away at our pretty bellies. luckily, and pragmatically, we have harbored an enormous quantity of snacks. it is also BeerTime, so i insist upon the Fried <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretz">Pretz</a> as accompaniment - even the box proclaims that these are a munchie best enjoyed "<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">With Drinks</span>", and i am in full agreement. we abscond with these, and also a jar of lime-and-chile cashews.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tM5VOVIwyMpSdoC3kNhLgC8ZCabqH3E96kwIQQlV0DdR4d2C7ZIDYJ6wWRw4h18rgzt82Wji_84QmsMWkLTyf3vA2GKfpMCtq5MFMqKLxMdyUC19NUIk0yxbKCwS8OCUTQSiZ1gj_1AB/s1600-h/IMG_6475.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tM5VOVIwyMpSdoC3kNhLgC8ZCabqH3E96kwIQQlV0DdR4d2C7ZIDYJ6wWRw4h18rgzt82Wji_84QmsMWkLTyf3vA2GKfpMCtq5MFMqKLxMdyUC19NUIk0yxbKCwS8OCUTQSiZ1gj_1AB/s400/IMG_6475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411156826513090" border="0" /></a><br />this statue: more or less regal with towel? discuss.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0yGOkJFg1XuUquCUJxAsLcrPeioWOZTM2Wr04-srKqhOolBlhBAkbYRb1su5qgO0CfKQfyMeXnx5XDdlYVrowNRbzot2sBFdU-IOl-Oy3KDLb6nPZBa3wiNbux3dPK1UvZDvB-VYOyB_/s1600-h/IMG_6484.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0yGOkJFg1XuUquCUJxAsLcrPeioWOZTM2Wr04-srKqhOolBlhBAkbYRb1su5qgO0CfKQfyMeXnx5XDdlYVrowNRbzot2sBFdU-IOl-Oy3KDLb6nPZBa3wiNbux3dPK1UvZDvB-VYOyB_/s400/IMG_6484.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411145037501586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">massive square head.</span><br /></div><br />my frequent view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPUFm-egYyY4YRSY_bHD_btUM_UTjQUtLuijliSeA0qDK34oT0GGUelzyc9Dpg0jllFPfkDtCx9EwyiA_sY826qg2iwmVtpG_Mrzl6vhdLbtrn2orRz6ZenjmhtCSSTA1cEnQzZE9iDex/s1600-h/IMG_6491.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPUFm-egYyY4YRSY_bHD_btUM_UTjQUtLuijliSeA0qDK34oT0GGUelzyc9Dpg0jllFPfkDtCx9EwyiA_sY826qg2iwmVtpG_Mrzl6vhdLbtrn2orRz6ZenjmhtCSSTA1cEnQzZE9iDex/s400/IMG_6491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411138681320418" border="0" /></a><br />we are the only ones who bring drinks in the pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ_RkCIEyb9Vi1Iqj-_baQmR3tZ0P0Jr0iQ35TdUlFO-HIDq4nJH_8IKL3xtU2XWvaCd3rA1_dC-vE_pElgKlD7m60Hlii-_c-pQBFDFQc0hbzohoKsq0Eelf32dIj3eGVgGDCFmZ_TDb/s1600-h/IMG_6493.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ_RkCIEyb9Vi1Iqj-_baQmR3tZ0P0Jr0iQ35TdUlFO-HIDq4nJH_8IKL3xtU2XWvaCd3rA1_dC-vE_pElgKlD7m60Hlii-_c-pQBFDFQc0hbzohoKsq0Eelf32dIj3eGVgGDCFmZ_TDb/s400/IMG_6493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411121804560114" border="0" /></a><br />we are also cool mothers. and daughter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAeoee7s9tTep-nWv7GwuOukofYYnpXSS5KlAay3bkDexDOpp0dFzkuYByavuuHRsGX3GJG0BvdgOmgdgj-iME2aBwX-PYYYucMxxkxVEnUMpOSJ3788BnVOOGeK4k23pVJbrjARnXOyk/s1600-h/IMG_6492.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAeoee7s9tTep-nWv7GwuOukofYYnpXSS5KlAay3bkDexDOpp0dFzkuYByavuuHRsGX3GJG0BvdgOmgdgj-iME2aBwX-PYYYucMxxkxVEnUMpOSJ3788BnVOOGeK4k23pVJbrjARnXOyk/s400/IMG_6492.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449411131125150658" border="0" /></a><br />torksinthailand.blogspot.com: a behind-the-scenes exposé.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwspTnep9jCocbN4WG9zJXOf4Ac1slmBMSuvd7vjrJuXyE6iUV7VKhOHdi05f0VZrWkXltlTjqvCuc8-5Bjcnfwr4NHcDALJfqfqod3V2yR4P01J76_ao40-b3exbLzrLojqqeGAb9n8r4/s1600-h/IMG_6498.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwspTnep9jCocbN4WG9zJXOf4Ac1slmBMSuvd7vjrJuXyE6iUV7VKhOHdi05f0VZrWkXltlTjqvCuc8-5Bjcnfwr4NHcDALJfqfqod3V2yR4P01J76_ao40-b3exbLzrLojqqeGAb9n8r4/s400/IMG_6498.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410819599469890" border="0" /></a><br />not quite soon enough for our tastes, a complimentary poolside wine tasting complete with canapés apperates before our peepers. see here the balsamic chicken bruschetta and corn cakes. the farang-spiced shrimp are on the cusp of arrival.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFCiC2xvqmwbqqys9wBjllEi4xZKWoz44jVDISKMd9iEFVB4lTMpNgq6EKOvnpEOZFi1RS4ulaqSOpkCWbE2aT12Wt4h6VOeH3JW0awFKbdqgGSjK-pcsnpQQaRZ3TMbP5MJuZcQRXh6L/s1600-h/IMG_6499.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFCiC2xvqmwbqqys9wBjllEi4xZKWoz44jVDISKMd9iEFVB4lTMpNgq6EKOvnpEOZFi1RS4ulaqSOpkCWbE2aT12Wt4h6VOeH3JW0awFKbdqgGSjK-pcsnpQQaRZ3TMbP5MJuZcQRXh6L/s400/IMG_6499.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410804033828722" border="0" /></a><br />the red and the white.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaYzhZRHHmL1Pgi6_RQCZe2cxEgct7Krh1bnexdQev3f1PABnKit-PpQMiCgD5mXKWeBsqDIVIpdBQZQe9iqmjLEQrWNBxmTuBdf8r0SGL9Jy6H8gklT4O-6g6JT5GxEvQnVbPOdbPAvr/s1600-h/IMG_6500.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaYzhZRHHmL1Pgi6_RQCZe2cxEgct7Krh1bnexdQev3f1PABnKit-PpQMiCgD5mXKWeBsqDIVIpdBQZQe9iqmjLEQrWNBxmTuBdf8r0SGL9Jy6H8gklT4O-6g6JT5GxEvQnVbPOdbPAvr/s400/IMG_6500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410796715953250" border="0" /></a><br />i foist a myspace photo on mom in gleeful anticipation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKBeawq_flmBIrOR10kCdS2aqTcAtodziU6neFyaLmgcAGynp410KcLBU09mfNGrWEtkRspGOnob6h3Zk1swzg71Mb4C47qljeD1K2NDLGi-SUKTaVlcRGiSmC04dIOcUxRbGltnzlT9x/s1600-h/IMG_6502.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKBeawq_flmBIrOR10kCdS2aqTcAtodziU6neFyaLmgcAGynp410KcLBU09mfNGrWEtkRspGOnob6h3Zk1swzg71Mb4C47qljeD1K2NDLGi-SUKTaVlcRGiSmC04dIOcUxRbGltnzlT9x/s400/IMG_6502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410786211922626" border="0" /></a><br />akin to media "wine tastings" i attended in bangkok, the bubbly is unlimited. choose your color and get to imbibing. i dabbled in the white this evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhXRY7EIvXBkCmO8QVAdYwfgfCjSaxX4krcSsLoJZBa_m-WLuLeWvWwKZfYK3Ekx8SNu6pKuPh58Nck00P_z9ZvhHht_mUoT8Nc_LDi9q9rERqRSE1rCFJHHfxHfzoFMykLqk5bWydfAo/s1600-h/IMG_6503.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhXRY7EIvXBkCmO8QVAdYwfgfCjSaxX4krcSsLoJZBa_m-WLuLeWvWwKZfYK3Ekx8SNu6pKuPh58Nck00P_z9ZvhHht_mUoT8Nc_LDi9q9rERqRSE1rCFJHHfxHfzoFMykLqk5bWydfAo/s400/IMG_6503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410780280195986" border="0" /></a><br />what? oh, you mean this old thing? [[slurrrrrp]]<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyGq2lDm8ZfQbpUWz3vsODpzxq9gIyPwacGTqZcS-8y2jgXCByKVPlLDC-s0x9PnrbTir7VxUgzCdfzNNbDt1m3SjJj9rFy235wRpRxBCNjOkdKtIU8oCduscpWewS0w571haHLI5KrCy/s1600-h/IMG_6504.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyGq2lDm8ZfQbpUWz3vsODpzxq9gIyPwacGTqZcS-8y2jgXCByKVPlLDC-s0x9PnrbTir7VxUgzCdfzNNbDt1m3SjJj9rFy235wRpRxBCNjOkdKtIU8oCduscpWewS0w571haHLI5KrCy/s400/IMG_6504.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410498396476674" border="0" /></a><br />we take great pride in our responsibility to our readers. yeah, YOU! look at this pitiful guy slaving away. all he has to look forward to is unlimited wine, followed by a beachside supper. oh the humanity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcWCI8pAEOzwf-BNsWWIPttmF8qPqj0xy3glzXPfkheYQg4d481Owj63H-NxqlY427l_gvSZToeVqimnrUS9nPmG2FRmTd9n2d31RszJ-Wn_CC8nCpQcrDE54uFQNSUhcVIAvZHyupabY/s1600-h/IMG_6511.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcWCI8pAEOzwf-BNsWWIPttmF8qPqj0xy3glzXPfkheYQg4d481Owj63H-NxqlY427l_gvSZToeVqimnrUS9nPmG2FRmTd9n2d31RszJ-Wn_CC8nCpQcrDE54uFQNSUhcVIAvZHyupabY/s400/IMG_6511.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410487637240066" border="0" /></a><br />we ooh and ahh when appropriate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkR3ztn6snghlrwVJ16eo6Kjosp1FvaNfELP5WIrJqI7CslemB7mlowxSZgheF_uLEXRGrmXYCH5-C254SGQ51N_IfTiQCnqtqopw6L4dttELffeVScSgyim2gwZQFIApJv6zpRANIlYt/s1600-h/IMG_6520.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkR3ztn6snghlrwVJ16eo6Kjosp1FvaNfELP5WIrJqI7CslemB7mlowxSZgheF_uLEXRGrmXYCH5-C254SGQ51N_IfTiQCnqtqopw6L4dttELffeVScSgyim2gwZQFIApJv6zpRANIlYt/s400/IMG_6520.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410476176315586" border="0" /></a><br />we did manage to rustle up some interpersonal conversational skills somewhere in the dusty recesses of our social selves. a pair of brits, a pair of scots. we spoke of sailing, writing, thailand, red and yellow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcGIbw8b7UEXGd29KWjv5Tlc2n3feqmn8QTnx7ivYyJZdq_j1jEVFGJ0ep60YDSPkgtdK35sUtlP9j-72oR_JqoAdZRIUvL2wrSliWjgz7j3qo3Q7HirteE0EBXRkxFtjtZIer9CgRKmz/s1600-h/IMG_6540.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcGIbw8b7UEXGd29KWjv5Tlc2n3feqmn8QTnx7ivYyJZdq_j1jEVFGJ0ep60YDSPkgtdK35sUtlP9j-72oR_JqoAdZRIUvL2wrSliWjgz7j3qo3Q7HirteE0EBXRkxFtjtZIer9CgRKmz/s400/IMG_6540.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410471572107762" border="0" /></a><br />several sips later, we found ourselves at mr. wee's on a quest for pizza pie. garlic naan and dal (thoughts of Bin), Ninja pizza (onions, green peps, 'maters, ham, cheezles), Sunset pizza (shrimps, shrooms, cheezles), and Singha (bubbles). dinner is entirely goofball, and many fuzzy fotos - not included here - are snapped during the walk back to room 51.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L2D46loI44VqkBUgSJVTbhaw8a10qLuQxYUg_yMNS0lZRYuoxP6My2bKyl4CWCRkJ0juadyR7udbEuDapYmbMdVw2kapnMXOfwkHUT613CjFTegcfsHttUayT06ypP9EZgwLIjHJg7oo/s1600-h/IMG_6564.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L2D46loI44VqkBUgSJVTbhaw8a10qLuQxYUg_yMNS0lZRYuoxP6My2bKyl4CWCRkJ0juadyR7udbEuDapYmbMdVw2kapnMXOfwkHUT613CjFTegcfsHttUayT06ypP9EZgwLIjHJg7oo/s400/IMG_6564.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449410457861735554" border="0" /></a><br />mom can't help herself sometimes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-615183971448329312010-03-16T07:33:00.000-07:002010-03-24T14:02:59.586-07:00Laxing in Lanta(Rich's 5th post)<br /><br />A slow morning rise. Deprived of TV for a few weeks, I enjoy the meager sampling of channels by watching some rugby. Janel fixes some coffee and completes a blog entry.<br /><br />The day unfolds in front of us like a puffy cloud, fairly shapeless and not requiring much attention. Linda and Janel have a spa treatment scheduled at 2pm. That's about it for the next 14 hours. It's a stressful existence.<br /><br />Last night, Linda spied a "pillow menu" in the room. Among the options: Classic standard polyester pillow (800g non-allergenic pillow), Micro Fiber Pillow (normal 900g microfiber pillow with a down-like feeling), Ultra Soft Micro Fiber Pillow (slim soft micro fiber pillow with 450 g), Duck Down 90% Pillow (original 90% duck down), and Hypoallergenic Pillow (100% non-allergenic). She takes no time in calling up and ordering just about one of each. Do you recall the story of "The Princess and the Pea?"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbnx0Cpb3WhoKPatlYdUf4y7RLvnsaFc_Yf5QrGVyJs480Dyi26O7xjjitxHAL-bZR8RLHYCBFLj7hyx9w2ZMoxNWYKvoVUQgMrEeDcClFUAUqlsXtKQf_7PSP7uvzoQoCByi4HWaEJfw/s1600-h/IMG_6429.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbnx0Cpb3WhoKPatlYdUf4y7RLvnsaFc_Yf5QrGVyJs480Dyi26O7xjjitxHAL-bZR8RLHYCBFLj7hyx9w2ZMoxNWYKvoVUQgMrEeDcClFUAUqlsXtKQf_7PSP7uvzoQoCByi4HWaEJfw/s400/IMG_6429.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449242968021619730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Princess and Her Pillows</span><br /></div><br />Here at Layana, even strolling from our room to the dining room turns into a nice experience. As each employee encounters us, we receive a big smile, then a wie and "Sa wad dee kaa-a-ah." We almost feel like royalty here.<br /><br />Layana serves a continental breakfast, and we find it considerably more thoughtful than the average buffet. Smoked trout, hams, bacons, and other meats, six types of fresh fruit juices, six fresh fruits like pineapple, dragon fruit, mango, and guava. Cook-to-order eggs, Thai foods, waffles, etc. Pastries, donuts, chocolate croissants, creme-filled donuts. Great flavorful coffee. Fresh baked breads with butter, jams, nutella, etc. Of course, the three of us invest a good fraction of the morning simply relishing the fare, people watching, and gazing at the Andaman Sea.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdExPB9vCsZ9JACv4j06ThQtxVKVjEeMp1Lq28aobZnD0teI9nslrRtBeEE4jYynL-iXroKtKkzRe0doOvQ-Hbt1edvVbt6DJrBHz8h0WtirRnzL9gaEwaVed-FCN6XQ-UN3ESlG-C5G_/s1600-h/IMG_6362.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdExPB9vCsZ9JACv4j06ThQtxVKVjEeMp1Lq28aobZnD0teI9nslrRtBeEE4jYynL-iXroKtKkzRe0doOvQ-Hbt1edvVbt6DJrBHz8h0WtirRnzL9gaEwaVed-FCN6XQ-UN3ESlG-C5G_/s400/IMG_6362.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449242955851686626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Breakfast at Layana</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_oO_LkSRzu0p5HF6gMP9PRLy8C6sdnx7saA5OUs73VInga2BTtYqCC3Xfq_YdXdB4GkAW47cfQzRWNScZvVV_Ro5-UR0lmGOxMiSjqqDz-MbX4goeTYhkUfNjgEIavzL3PQhzbcx0gCO/s1600-h/IMG_6365.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_oO_LkSRzu0p5HF6gMP9PRLy8C6sdnx7saA5OUs73VInga2BTtYqCC3Xfq_YdXdB4GkAW47cfQzRWNScZvVV_Ro5-UR0lmGOxMiSjqqDz-MbX4goeTYhkUfNjgEIavzL3PQhzbcx0gCO/s400/IMG_6365.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449242939959902098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Grazing and gazing<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZhznEJj00nsv7t5HK6-k4XF5Dxcg3xa8Zuk5lX6PlmjQEe9q6TspPyiiIyJWZT1ZQYr7aQg2hsBG7ipkDOVz4UbcSCQn52ZJ7snXh47fDKnM-kaS44qXBXEJDuF5rsaRyHiO2U0mNSeQ/s1600-h/IMG_6366.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZhznEJj00nsv7t5HK6-k4XF5Dxcg3xa8Zuk5lX6PlmjQEe9q6TspPyiiIyJWZT1ZQYr7aQg2hsBG7ipkDOVz4UbcSCQn52ZJ7snXh47fDKnM-kaS44qXBXEJDuF5rsaRyHiO2U0mNSeQ/s400/IMG_6366.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449242473972330978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We can handle this<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZvENiHHpvPrfhiqXDEq9H9cejEnjvWOwcMlk94JReu0LChxlWFVOXgwhqwNheHs-YIs2O-GzXTbJoPVw5zadiNfIysw-Aollm237KVokYgqa365egBVKRobd7mE0KuqlALZQQ6rT4wNC/s1600-h/IMG_6368.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZvENiHHpvPrfhiqXDEq9H9cejEnjvWOwcMlk94JReu0LChxlWFVOXgwhqwNheHs-YIs2O-GzXTbJoPVw5zadiNfIysw-Aollm237KVokYgqa365egBVKRobd7mE0KuqlALZQQ6rT4wNC/s400/IMG_6368.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449242460444422834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A very serious buffet<br /></span></div><br />After breakfast, the three of us take a long exploratory walk north up the beach about 3/4 mile. We scope out a couple places to eat, and one of them, Thai Cat, offers an attractive selection of fresh fish. We grab fruit smoothies and eventually make it all the way to where the beach ends and big rocks take over.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcp-m7b78kZErh6003CqabrCGl4ekqU86NgKz0I0ktmaJO6svbALKX9GLNrR84CgIRoCDdaFSufCpXa0YncwPaMQ4y8-nOFepAYAq_Z5xP2IwdseA2zW_SK0qaKxoZA6SD61Lm63O-c-A/s1600-h/IMG_6371.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcp-m7b78kZErh6003CqabrCGl4ekqU86NgKz0I0ktmaJO6svbALKX9GLNrR84CgIRoCDdaFSufCpXa0YncwPaMQ4y8-nOFepAYAq_Z5xP2IwdseA2zW_SK0qaKxoZA6SD61Lm63O-c-A/s400/IMG_6371.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449242447904288738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The gorgeous Layana pool<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBxFcQNsfi7xx_MTB1y_irlAypDihhyf_dbxVczAygdRNZZdc2y1xlEboJGdCmiy90uU_V62GkYVIf7x4nYelDtJFX7_CCWbLoyF7AlTc901ZsULlICOzBOyjTRTcSqGl9H2pbAXvKqBB/s1600-h/IMG_6372.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBxFcQNsfi7xx_MTB1y_irlAypDihhyf_dbxVczAygdRNZZdc2y1xlEboJGdCmiy90uU_V62GkYVIf7x4nYelDtJFX7_CCWbLoyF7AlTc901ZsULlICOzBOyjTRTcSqGl9H2pbAXvKqBB/s400/IMG_6372.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449242438023164242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our home for a week at Layana<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EIIQEor3pPbDzzsolTXjKxLslOWs7qOI2jnlcNI8gzHDDkMtgdLdAHoN36X4-pN5sRa-6YlSPk0txFpSii4xFMIbdNaPtEY8kTfAfW4LKkmM4UQWypSJyENfGETUYaP56yWZIRvNdLaj/s1600-h/IMG_6373.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EIIQEor3pPbDzzsolTXjKxLslOWs7qOI2jnlcNI8gzHDDkMtgdLdAHoN36X4-pN5sRa-6YlSPk0txFpSii4xFMIbdNaPtEY8kTfAfW4LKkmM4UQWypSJyENfGETUYaP56yWZIRvNdLaj/s400/IMG_6373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449242429354509010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Janel, 2 gay guys, and the glass smooth Andaman Sea<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_Dy8XezwW_UmP2CxIheNsBQFo8hNoT5HjZ6bUm0BYIYFsnHXoLSaQQRXzxr_VjEdiUOxACihsdhXqSUei1_tciPQ06_fBVWXeZkQ7_k2bqH4SDKtOTFnT1ZdgG6H1eod_LguF9ImMy13/s1600-h/IMG_6375.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_Dy8XezwW_UmP2CxIheNsBQFo8hNoT5HjZ6bUm0BYIYFsnHXoLSaQQRXzxr_VjEdiUOxACihsdhXqSUei1_tciPQ06_fBVWXeZkQ7_k2bqH4SDKtOTFnT1ZdgG6H1eod_LguF9ImMy13/s400/IMG_6375.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241801179340690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Smoothie time!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhUjySB8m1kSpEpc3kPFVW-u_8UIFsLtFub3qx9osHHwOXOZNGKBGJH9bdMyMOBlRfI7Dk2KolHoxDOLrQXaIAbm2SZZ-pb6M2auAlKAmhiNprkKI-vEJKP03IPNeBdnfcNKoZ9GkgUHL/s1600-h/IMG_6377.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhUjySB8m1kSpEpc3kPFVW-u_8UIFsLtFub3qx9osHHwOXOZNGKBGJH9bdMyMOBlRfI7Dk2KolHoxDOLrQXaIAbm2SZZ-pb6M2auAlKAmhiNprkKI-vEJKP03IPNeBdnfcNKoZ9GkgUHL/s400/IMG_6377.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241786862238978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The far north end of the beach<br /><br /></span></div>It's after noon already when we finally return to the room, and we linger for a while, internetting and considering options. Linda and Janel finally head off for their 'consultation' prior to spa treatments just after 1pm.<br /><br />I've decided to explore some of the diving operations in the vicinity down the beach. I talk first to the Layana guys, then to 2 operators further up the beach, comparing prices, boat size and speed, schedule, etc.<br /><br />I've also brought my snorkel gear, and give those big rocks at the beach's end a try. Marginally worth the effort, but still, for a couple of hours I enjoy spotting several schools of a few hundred fish, plus lots of individuals. Near the end, I even spot a juvenile barracuda, and then a small octopus. The octopus got upset with me, slinked under a rock, then inked the water to my entertainment.<br /><br />A long walk back to the resort. I find that Linda and Janel have the room key and are not back from the spa yet. I wait out by the pool, eventually getting settled in with a towel, chaise, some nice shade, plus a zippy capirhoska from the bar.<br /><br />They arrive about 2 hours later, all greased down and chirping about their spa treatments. Another round and more pool time. Happy hour has just begun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkjnECnDVOKLPjG_FyMCpu1TQAGRYjt_15Tsqs0IRXyEZ8pT3ewSLEwgu6nU45XvJraUkzzTpiygt023dth7haWq40Xi0ArWqWXh4-KHPGElhBfETmWTqbJCbHI5FWC5uwVOqZ39vICgs/s1600-h/IMG_6380.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkjnECnDVOKLPjG_FyMCpu1TQAGRYjt_15Tsqs0IRXyEZ8pT3ewSLEwgu6nU45XvJraUkzzTpiygt023dth7haWq40Xi0ArWqWXh4-KHPGElhBfETmWTqbJCbHI5FWC5uwVOqZ39vICgs/s400/IMG_6380.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241774452279426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Enjoying the great pool<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDJnBqp_46Sav3TI3TDO6P6MAHCtBlIVYP3WKrPbw5b4Hys6iCB7qme6oRqIewrPeD2gr_REukFoXLM0oV_A4TrlRjxxU1myZih-VlMXsv6j_5xJ36nUlE2qeX7TvoKnbdHXC0ZBW92Em/s1600-h/IMG_6383.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDJnBqp_46Sav3TI3TDO6P6MAHCtBlIVYP3WKrPbw5b4Hys6iCB7qme6oRqIewrPeD2gr_REukFoXLM0oV_A4TrlRjxxU1myZih-VlMXsv6j_5xJ36nUlE2qeX7TvoKnbdHXC0ZBW92Em/s400/IMG_6383.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241765456008674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Princess needs pool service<br /><br /></span></div>We adjourn to the beach. It seems curious to us that most of the tourists occupy the blazing hot pool chairs mid-afternoon, then seem to disappear just when the sun starts to cool off. Likewise, we find the 6pm beach mostly deserted, just when the temperatures are getting perfect.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1nvAZAHtysYKzC1dB63S4-IqJpwwI__RzgIG55YyolKJ5m3H8Exg231DdFieTBQnA8ffPmbC7XzSbleTTc-CYR-1v1OjDG45xWjcq9gXD9m00W94YI2MTxvcUcNk5-th0vnJUmG71KbQ/s1600-h/IMG_6385.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1nvAZAHtysYKzC1dB63S4-IqJpwwI__RzgIG55YyolKJ5m3H8Exg231DdFieTBQnA8ffPmbC7XzSbleTTc-CYR-1v1OjDG45xWjcq9gXD9m00W94YI2MTxvcUcNk5-th0vnJUmG71KbQ/s400/IMG_6385.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241749472768242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Happy hour and a pina colada on the beach just before sunset<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyrN9qLLMNZguFm9j8PiJ1ZBCL_jh-PUQJ5koO-ECsrMIDMWLHhI9eaMEhvc1C0rMjucdPpekHRVbiN8Qwc7NgrSErbBMFaQNCCdFTyAS_IjfxAItUP7ZoyLgW2ptSmnnBtSBlzSlmEP1/s1600-h/IMG_6388.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyrN9qLLMNZguFm9j8PiJ1ZBCL_jh-PUQJ5koO-ECsrMIDMWLHhI9eaMEhvc1C0rMjucdPpekHRVbiN8Qwc7NgrSErbBMFaQNCCdFTyAS_IjfxAItUP7ZoyLgW2ptSmnnBtSBlzSlmEP1/s400/IMG_6388.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241235111516626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A little rest after a strenuous massage</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fo11WkcI4b76MkJQeyu_OWdJI2Tach2YEWOEDZ02w3UXzhwh_VQULsvcJwI9kM6q-qpXYO2zWUjC0_kDVzyEPAmJkWEPVqEguwZqh9vpF_fugfpW1Hz_Nk3877L8-wDo8OropeVGMIDy/s1600-h/IMG_6389.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fo11WkcI4b76MkJQeyu_OWdJI2Tach2YEWOEDZ02w3UXzhwh_VQULsvcJwI9kM6q-qpXYO2zWUjC0_kDVzyEPAmJkWEPVqEguwZqh9vpF_fugfpW1Hz_Nk3877L8-wDo8OropeVGMIDy/s400/IMG_6389.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241226776418610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Likewise</span></div><br />Maybe we're missing something, but it doesn't feel like it. Linda and I take a wonderful and refreshing dip just as the sun sets.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrCN4bmYyp-Fvp7FPbnV9e72OUVHjU9B6umjBJzRvx88JpKFZWNtXCrNOnCa2RynGBzzZngAbtU_gq5O0tovAcck2mPMQfpwR1qfi3QZ7yVNv8WzqrLuku6u1zyLXOoUMzSsusma6ql5a/s1600-h/IMG_6398.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrCN4bmYyp-Fvp7FPbnV9e72OUVHjU9B6umjBJzRvx88JpKFZWNtXCrNOnCa2RynGBzzZngAbtU_gq5O0tovAcck2mPMQfpwR1qfi3QZ7yVNv8WzqrLuku6u1zyLXOoUMzSsusma6ql5a/s400/IMG_6398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241209695836034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Going for a swim at exactly the right minute<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrGgqyajnhsWiuI11hKGyayO23zxAZMCSmb3PNSPio5XAA4RVt7p9wYL9bXUGQxPF9LX41XokLJzME9pVGCalUuEIOc8ezy0JE542tnQ3AljoFyZvqgFVHeeW_NYyqrivDfRGp4iPJwwo/s1600-h/IMG_6402.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrGgqyajnhsWiuI11hKGyayO23zxAZMCSmb3PNSPio5XAA4RVt7p9wYL9bXUGQxPF9LX41XokLJzME9pVGCalUuEIOc8ezy0JE542tnQ3AljoFyZvqgFVHeeW_NYyqrivDfRGp4iPJwwo/s400/IMG_6402.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241200216233938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Can it get better?<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7H1e7ZFVMT_mbt9ofeG7Dttxg6fRH3FGpPooagO8hY5rfaFj_7A-jQDNQ3YAvR6fpG-3k5Ra_YlSYU8pSVW6t-7nm27hzffCGrlnIV7uqFYKoD0MF2GsUe4piYdOxAL26Hp1dDzX8b90/s1600-h/IMG_6409.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7H1e7ZFVMT_mbt9ofeG7Dttxg6fRH3FGpPooagO8hY5rfaFj_7A-jQDNQ3YAvR6fpG-3k5Ra_YlSYU8pSVW6t-7nm27hzffCGrlnIV7uqFYKoD0MF2GsUe4piYdOxAL26Hp1dDzX8b90/s400/IMG_6409.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449241190768344018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Maybe it can<br /><br /></span></div>Showers later, we decide to forego dinner at Layana tonight and instead try the promising place we spied up the beach earlier. When we arrive at Thai Cat, it's already about 8pm and every beach table is packed - a good sign. A good natured guy walks out from behind the grill and graciously beckons us to join them for dinner.<br /><br />We take positions at the bar and all decide on Mai Tais. Even before the drinks are ready, a perfect table opens up on the beach.<br /><br />Janel and I head directly over to the grill station and begin examining the beautiful fresh fish on display. Whole white snappers, whole red snappers, grouper fillets, mackerel steaks, and barracuda steaks, plus some of the biggest prawns we've seen yet.<br /><br />The Grillmaster says he likes the grouper the best, but Janel wants to have a whole fish, so we settle on a white snapper. The mackerel also looks so good that I order a nice steak of it as well. We're asked if we'd like the fish filleted and/or boned. Heck no! Much better with the bones in it, and we joke that we want to eat the checks and brains. The Grillmaster likes this alot and says, "Wow, you guys know how to eat."<br /><br />Additionally, we order the Som Tam (green papaya salad) and the Tom Yum Goong (shrimp coconut soup with potato and all sorts of other good stuff).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6kfb5jDlSnrOMZpt56zy7m9zZojziNRyOWgLzuHjF4CjtjdeA1umOVHDB753XAgAu8M4SUYEVgKgvemxt3S8AcCqaCHA_QvRn9Z01VdF3B1Dt1egslivROUlLbg7h-zq6oAMiXZEWLgP/s1600-h/IMG_6441.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6kfb5jDlSnrOMZpt56zy7m9zZojziNRyOWgLzuHjF4CjtjdeA1umOVHDB753XAgAu8M4SUYEVgKgvemxt3S8AcCqaCHA_QvRn9Z01VdF3B1Dt1egslivROUlLbg7h-zq6oAMiXZEWLgP/s400/IMG_6441.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449244267697781698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Consulting with The Venerated Grillmaster<br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvm-iJn4fgAjjqtiKuX_sNSETj2I12oLdBNXMd08cO60t2CpCs_3QrSzrWoo9aSsjUyFlKykl70RlLBcG3UvY79LmkN5D5F1TcZMMLQ8b-cir7WJeAqk6kJpBwYjR4LOk_9x-zGd7Kqcz/s1600-h/IMG_6446.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvm-iJn4fgAjjqtiKuX_sNSETj2I12oLdBNXMd08cO60t2CpCs_3QrSzrWoo9aSsjUyFlKykl70RlLBcG3UvY79LmkN5D5F1TcZMMLQ8b-cir7WJeAqk6kJpBwYjR4LOk_9x-zGd7Kqcz/s400/IMG_6446.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449240452018037474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This is how you do it<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUWODH6aUU3ZFxiSGaLygRLtm6Gxj6UOMoguIQ9_dzACFNXQZaK8xjzZ5ZBp-ktCM8zh5zr2b4xh6Bl1_TbTMkzZ4Tm0i1_ytEJ2JeS0qmoW31O7_TTbOl_9ELIE9QsgT6HYTT384LSNj/s1600-h/IMG_6449.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUWODH6aUU3ZFxiSGaLygRLtm6Gxj6UOMoguIQ9_dzACFNXQZaK8xjzZ5ZBp-ktCM8zh5zr2b4xh6Bl1_TbTMkzZ4Tm0i1_ytEJ2JeS0qmoW31O7_TTbOl_9ELIE9QsgT6HYTT384LSNj/s400/IMG_6449.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449240441307982306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Some of the best fish (mackerel steak and whole white snapper) we've had yet.<br /></span></div><br />The Thai dishes come out and we're raving immediately. Perfect blend of acidity and heat, perfect blend of papaya and carrot, perfectly tasty mushrooms. The Grillmaster often comes over to talk with us and seems genuinely pleased when we compliment the food.<br /><br />Both fishes come out, served with a chili-citrus sauce and a garlic cream sauce. We learn from the Grillmaster that they're seasoned with spices and citrus and soy and sugar and a bunch of other things, then wrapped in foil and baked to perfection. The luscious contrast in textures and flavors is outstanding - this IS the best fish we've had yet in Thailand.<br /><br />We continue jawing with the Grillmaster about Thailand, other places he's been, and other languages he speaks. Great guy, great place, we vow to return (particularly to try the grouper).<br /><br />At one point, fireworks fill the air from a Black Moon party down the beach. Quite a few of the delightful paper fire balloons don the skies as well, drifting way up and out over the water.<br /><br />We enjoy a pleasant walk back to the resort on the dark beach, raving about the meal the whole time. When we reach the room, Janel again sullies the neighbor's Birkenstocks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFfOjU-JwVFYxzrbGDKfUA53l0KC2O-QpVjPytYhvCfk8s6605FXPmSv6KT-WfOV5YwbG32j0wBQNWanqu2W6SZBHv2zmmM73IWTv2QER7JjdzoVPl7UaNOETgXlPIFuLABwcHtW50R58/s1600-h/IMG_6450.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFfOjU-JwVFYxzrbGDKfUA53l0KC2O-QpVjPytYhvCfk8s6605FXPmSv6KT-WfOV5YwbG32j0wBQNWanqu2W6SZBHv2zmmM73IWTv2QER7JjdzoVPl7UaNOETgXlPIFuLABwcHtW50R58/s400/IMG_6450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449240428117057922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Birkenstock Bandit strikes again<br /></span></div><br />Approaching midnight, as I work on a catch-up blog, a big smile crosses my face when a tokay sounds off outside our room.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-52996329883735831902010-03-14T18:49:00.001-07:002010-03-15T03:03:09.268-07:00Dive, Dive, RideSUNDAY March 14<br /><br />Our last day aboard the Queen. I slept well last night - finally getting used to the rhythms of the boat. In fact, I am awake before the 7am call of "GOOD MORNING - WAKEY, WAKEY." Rich seems to be feeling better right away this morning and says he might even try the first dive. Yeah! He's back!<br /><br />We head down for 1st breakfast and join Janel at our usual table for coffee and toast. Since we will be diving at Koh Bon (a site we have already visited) there is no real briefing. Kim asks us if we want to go deep instead of hanging aroundn the reef on the chance that we might get to see Manta Rays. YES!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ_heljDyZbdk1Pyv1I2My-_Sn1NinYJVRkBCuq_OEyh-5mGiIEkGgJ2R66hztEvAqEJMJHTPduyZUhOwjBUyjWKAESkmyxfTNWJW0OITjZwJoj7XEJMN75B-5q8AJNRi_QlukaEEh2LB/s1600-h/IMG_6318.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ_heljDyZbdk1Pyv1I2My-_Sn1NinYJVRkBCuq_OEyh-5mGiIEkGgJ2R66hztEvAqEJMJHTPduyZUhOwjBUyjWKAESkmyxfTNWJW0OITjZwJoj7XEJMN75B-5q8AJNRi_QlukaEEh2LB/s200/IMG_6318.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448672641787656674" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Today's hectic schedule</span><br /></div><br />We suit up and are in the water pretty quickly. We descend to aroumd 90 feet. We see lots of the usual suspects, but no mantas. There is a huge Napoleon Wrasse at the beginning of the dive.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAm3pHfyqdKYw5-FCdPD66f2kBjOFgeMvGdjrqmGeEA6ozW2U20TBEaanoTeSu7rPMwoGz5q8BeykBMCkkG6IfEADs4x9Me-W7p3zQ1DUjCHHtc7x9BcsjBpLQphaD3-gB3-T2S9YEo32/s1600-h/napoleon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAm3pHfyqdKYw5-FCdPD66f2kBjOFgeMvGdjrqmGeEA6ozW2U20TBEaanoTeSu7rPMwoGz5q8BeykBMCkkG6IfEADs4x9Me-W7p3zQ1DUjCHHtc7x9BcsjBpLQphaD3-gB3-T2S9YEo32/s200/napoleon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448690786391453570" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Napoleon Wrasse</span><br /></div><br />We hang out and dig around the corals for awhile and then we hear the unmistakeable sounds of dolphins - high pitched whines, clicks and squeaks. We all swim out from the reef a bit and try to locate them. No such luck. During the safety stop at 15 feet I am a tiny bit unerved when I spy a sea snake heading up to the surface for a breath of air. I do NOT want to see him when I get to the top!<br /><br />Out of the water and time for breakfast. We enjoy french toast, bacon, eggs, ham etc. Some folks enjoy the beans. . . Rich has what he thinks is a strawberry yogurt. It turns out to be a Bean and Corn yogurt! He says it tastes like someone scraped their plate into a yogurt container. . .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBiKwpzcY71MGtmLemLMCyAiHA2sw6_Y8EjrmDQdTVjXjc9cP6C4IIJk2UrVhumAxMxdbJG5lJs3iUd1ASFEF-FUicJKNesKsq3B4ZsMOSmYT1RpRiut_WsMlfLweZaT9f5FX1hLj4pVi/s1600-h/IMG_6316.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBiKwpzcY71MGtmLemLMCyAiHA2sw6_Y8EjrmDQdTVjXjc9cP6C4IIJk2UrVhumAxMxdbJG5lJs3iUd1ASFEF-FUicJKNesKsq3B4ZsMOSmYT1RpRiut_WsMlfLweZaT9f5FX1hLj4pVi/s200/IMG_6316.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448672650882255538" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:78%;">Janel and Rich choosing carefully<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbyPjGsyEp249rXvhTxF3X0Cd-sdnzpk-8QGvQCiF-6xD1vxv34DQ1czgESXZuD2BBnalD3MSdw5tPCJg0fm4OjrcsihBO4FeN61oylNCA_QIShrq4RMMM2BWn7CQl32LmIJhH2s4BdXc/s1600-h/IMG_6317.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbyPjGsyEp249rXvhTxF3X0Cd-sdnzpk-8QGvQCiF-6xD1vxv34DQ1czgESXZuD2BBnalD3MSdw5tPCJg0fm4OjrcsihBO4FeN61oylNCA_QIShrq4RMMM2BWn7CQl32LmIJhH2s4BdXc/s200/IMG_6317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448672664094574386" border="0" /></a> Our wonderful cook<br /></span></div><br />We sit around with Kim after breakfast swapping stories. He has lots to tell and entertains us with stories of past customers (even though he says it is not good to talk about his past clients. . .). He tells us that he really has enjoyed diving with us and that we are a "class act." I am sure they get some real winners (and whiners) on the boat. We feel lucky to have gotten Kim as our guide.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfegBl7SdwL_kjW50ot9DIeDYHt_SMErzCHg73KaHrfCR2B4DzM1ALAxmbDkO0yK3j5uWj-M0GhdHP4YnwQ6O6gpnJ4VNthNiWZHCi0KPrz_6fCL9Zw61WBIzuR22wjg7fX-nC3_OJwM8/s1600-h/IMG_6319.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfegBl7SdwL_kjW50ot9DIeDYHt_SMErzCHg73KaHrfCR2B4DzM1ALAxmbDkO0yK3j5uWj-M0GhdHP4YnwQ6O6gpnJ4VNthNiWZHCi0KPrz_6fCL9Zw61WBIzuR22wjg7fX-nC3_OJwM8/s200/IMG_6319.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448672673312288338" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">The guides and our favorite boat boy<br /></span></div><br />We get instructions for what to do when the dive is finished - we have to pack up all our stuff and get ready to leave. We listen reluctantly.<br /><br />Last dive. We are going to dive the Boon Sung wreck. I am not really into wreck diving and we are told the visibility will not be very good. They dive this wreck because there is a large variety of fish life. Oh well - let's do it anyway. We jump in the water and descend into pea soup viz. The wreck is no great shakes, but there are tons of fish. After a while we start to get a little bored with the small dive site. Then we turn a corner and spot our first Honeycomb Eel. Beautiful. We soon find another and all of a sudden we have about 6-7 freeswimming eels (they usually stay in holes with only their heads poking out). This is really unusual and we are mezmerized. Way cool! On our ascent there are huge clouds of small fish that we swim through. It is a good capper to our diving vacation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYEg5ySU-1Qa0CrY6Y2-My4x1iT190IZM0_-sfukOSO6wHzcBZBv1RyAjQkXu2562B2P3WEKBh-Q2iGvINuuBXVhBVWuq0zwQdfHTJaCs82k0xYbkiARSThX-lIJ8SmVNKr0V7tExnMJO/s1600-h/IMG_6323.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYEg5ySU-1Qa0CrY6Y2-My4x1iT190IZM0_-sfukOSO6wHzcBZBv1RyAjQkXu2562B2P3WEKBh-Q2iGvINuuBXVhBVWuq0zwQdfHTJaCs82k0xYbkiARSThX-lIJ8SmVNKr0V7tExnMJO/s200/IMG_6323.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448672679826530178" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Us with Kim and boat boys</span><br /></div><br />We head to our rooms to begin packing up and getting ready to leave. The boat will be at the pier in 1/2 hour. Everyone starts snapping photos of each other and saying goodbye.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYEp6VsleIgtfwtiiwIKV0cbgUjdGMGuv1G7j_5lhBhbqkHkD4sqMjUXwzC73GlVgi0Ydiu4M2PEPYsaVlfS-Vd058Sz6YxSBDWIhMcWTTaplVi1GRK92RX84RaGmwZm_ieBnXGX3FWej/s1600-h/IMG_6326.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYEp6VsleIgtfwtiiwIKV0cbgUjdGMGuv1G7j_5lhBhbqkHkD4sqMjUXwzC73GlVgi0Ydiu4M2PEPYsaVlfS-Vd058Sz6YxSBDWIhMcWTTaplVi1GRK92RX84RaGmwZm_ieBnXGX3FWej/s200/IMG_6326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448690245394068722" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Kao Lak on the horizon</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AzaNauiiH4yWJkhNB4f-Z9lCgaG_e6tVjfvjnrYkUa0tRq7OiJ4FHfqs7XfbTYnVg7EzPpcy2gjJaxR7Sb9hDcLb1nobvKQIyGXIICLrePXoPX-t01ek9BsY_IcYHLAOsBar61m796Js/s1600-h/IMG_6327.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AzaNauiiH4yWJkhNB4f-Z9lCgaG_e6tVjfvjnrYkUa0tRq7OiJ4FHfqs7XfbTYnVg7EzPpcy2gjJaxR7Sb9hDcLb1nobvKQIyGXIICLrePXoPX-t01ek9BsY_IcYHLAOsBar61m796Js/s200/IMG_6327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448791169875911666" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Janel is dumbfounded that we are leaving<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKE2jyiyLS6m1fYIkErtJd_2WLhDqSEcgdIuZvHHX5txHYwvlzfLSKbUW7z_tSKppVz90_Csz9KQ81qHBNhqwMuK3GeFt8zYkUWOG2vV9bZvWcatdMofLF_Uc3qCyPgSPMEoT8LZxeuFv/s1600-h/IMG_6334.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKE2jyiyLS6m1fYIkErtJd_2WLhDqSEcgdIuZvHHX5txHYwvlzfLSKbUW7z_tSKppVz90_Csz9KQ81qHBNhqwMuK3GeFt8zYkUWOG2vV9bZvWcatdMofLF_Uc3qCyPgSPMEoT8LZxeuFv/s200/IMG_6334.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448690274926433922" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;">Tap Lamu Pier<br /></span></div><br />When we finally pull up at the pier it seems as if another dive boat (the Pawara) has taken our spot and has engine troubles. It cannot move. Uh oh. We will have to pull up beside her and climb through her to get off our boat onto the pier. The captain is quite skillful and pulls right beside the Pawara to within inchies of her side without touching her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdIKphfInpT39CBoqlVPm6Tn8IAiemrtkQGdCXUw0cEz8vWXEpKyr6wpbGKV9VOHHQoDVM_nacdDC_guuRoKtX9e1yV2y7yoYla-GKuTA-85YIkDAS3nrB-MYHtOArTFsJbEg0QAdH1oO/s1600-h/IMG_6335.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdIKphfInpT39CBoqlVPm6Tn8IAiemrtkQGdCXUw0cEz8vWXEpKyr6wpbGKV9VOHHQoDVM_nacdDC_guuRoKtX9e1yV2y7yoYla-GKuTA-85YIkDAS3nrB-MYHtOArTFsJbEg0QAdH1oO/s200/IMG_6335.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448690286591907250" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Mass confusion trying to board the Pawara in order to leave</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREdOWOOkRQqMtIkzzNuMJbI9gfOE6K7XfD_TUD6gWQH-_6hS3T1tuJ1NIGo_LWO6Bx0O4CNMSbYrRiUcclG8U5XWQgPiZxnHwZeVfBIxwMnZ0CqfdNVo3xXTkpL9EMRbB45RoLyjGThDT/s1600-h/IMG_6338.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREdOWOOkRQqMtIkzzNuMJbI9gfOE6K7XfD_TUD6gWQH-_6hS3T1tuJ1NIGo_LWO6Bx0O4CNMSbYrRiUcclG8U5XWQgPiZxnHwZeVfBIxwMnZ0CqfdNVo3xXTkpL9EMRbB45RoLyjGThDT/s200/IMG_6338.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448690791254111922" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Janel makes the climb</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWxFicvLLJ4jL2W1JDnR0rCKxAUYaOc4uI0qa4o4dtzWIcdYa5ZtrvsseBYXvZ1FVueM1v2XJRGH_LgHJ3ODjHbvLTH9jIBFfFt-__OZ16RE2KNQHlauwlhRaRCNLC2lhGkZRVf1G8yPk/s1600-h/IMG_6339.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWxFicvLLJ4jL2W1JDnR0rCKxAUYaOc4uI0qa4o4dtzWIcdYa5ZtrvsseBYXvZ1FVueM1v2XJRGH_LgHJ3ODjHbvLTH9jIBFfFt-__OZ16RE2KNQHlauwlhRaRCNLC2lhGkZRVf1G8yPk/s200/IMG_6339.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448690803487286690" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Linda maneuvers across to the Pawara<br /><br /></span></div><br />I have pre-arranged via internet to have a van meet us at the pier in order to drive us the 5 hours south to Koh Lanta (our last destination before returning to Bangkok). I have wondered for the last couple of days if there will actually be a vehicle waiting for us or if we will be stranded. No worry - there is a huge van with a sign saying "Linda Torkington - Koh Lanta." What was I thinking?<br /><br />Just that quickly, we board the van and are off to Lanta. The scenery is stunning along the way. There are large palm tree plantations (?), rubber tree orchards, tiny villages and shops, and lots of limestone mountains out our windows.<br /><br />After about 2 1/2 hours we get in line to take the car ferry to Koh Lanta Noi. It is a beautiful 20 minute ride at almost sunset.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TRH-CzxlRg54D16B51zQTffEwBj8j85hs5h1h2hjsk9tzFgmAGR7jNaU2s5OwYsY11Mqi5Xb4sY4lRJaI4TdJrd9deDnvny3c_XLTo2tJCiWz7N4BZ3xvsmeqwSgVDGIYIR1fcE8hTxl/s1600-h/IMG_6340.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TRH-CzxlRg54D16B51zQTffEwBj8j85hs5h1h2hjsk9tzFgmAGR7jNaU2s5OwYsY11Mqi5Xb4sY4lRJaI4TdJrd9deDnvny3c_XLTo2tJCiWz7N4BZ3xvsmeqwSgVDGIYIR1fcE8hTxl/s200/IMG_6340.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448696614647220802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Waitin' for the car ferry<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">A short ride and one more car ferry and we are on Koh Lanta - our home island for the next week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEFriStDmRQiFUAYql1tpkhyphenhyphenXohmRVdFxTEhT_gM1t5UinhjSYVQXPA-egz_wSQXy5uguN2RB8e83Vh8CnwM8wjdbkbSLxyko6F2zQBnU_TX1e62e65XUhXMXxXMvJdFdKI18aefvDAgq/s1600-h/IMG_6344.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEFriStDmRQiFUAYql1tpkhyphenhyphenXohmRVdFxTEhT_gM1t5UinhjSYVQXPA-egz_wSQXy5uguN2RB8e83Vh8CnwM8wjdbkbSLxyko6F2zQBnU_TX1e62e65XUhXMXxXMvJdFdKI18aefvDAgq/s200/IMG_6344.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448696623107060002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">All aboard!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Our driver tells us it is only a 10-minute drive to Layana - our resort. Since this is our last week travelling (and then 2 more days in Bangkok), I decided to splash out on a gorgeous seaside resort in Koh Lanta. After all - this vacation has been soooo hectic and we really need to relax. . . After searching for weeks on the internet, I decided that <a href="http://www.layanaresort.com/">Layana</a> would be the perfect choice to wind up our holiday. It is a smallish, intimate beautiful resort that does not allow children under 12. I immediately think of Janet (you would LOVE it, Janet!!).<br /><br />We pull down a beautiful palm tree lined lane and arrive just at sunset. The place is stunning. At once a beautiful, quiet Thai girl comes out to meet us with flower garlands. We are shown into the open-air reception and given cold, scented towels and lovely tea. Yes. We are so stressed from the journey. (!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVsnI0yS4Fr381oDku5zbla4e29UbfaOcu7-RC-NsorcTbvnKptl83Oh-tZij-MB-vMK-1X68i1fNEtsKSoS_AywSTLEiv_ntzkcmMmFuKan-y4MGPsH1jO3NwJCPfzecvkRv9xCvUB9A/s1600-h/A+Bird+View.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVsnI0yS4Fr381oDku5zbla4e29UbfaOcu7-RC-NsorcTbvnKptl83Oh-tZij-MB-vMK-1X68i1fNEtsKSoS_AywSTLEiv_ntzkcmMmFuKan-y4MGPsH1jO3NwJCPfzecvkRv9xCvUB9A/s200/A+Bird+View.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448697803884474530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Layana Resort<br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbSq8xaS7pZJqzV6c6pumbE4e0NBBagr5Xu3sWxhrY30YZQ1DdEjXuplhAAj4fvMDXq3cJPFi1JTtGL4a64VQv_jP4HAijHeObUoPmF_urqIZnC57OTlNZYobLqN4ntP7SO8264k6SlXE/s1600-h/IMG_6350.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbSq8xaS7pZJqzV6c6pumbE4e0NBBagr5Xu3sWxhrY30YZQ1DdEjXuplhAAj4fvMDXq3cJPFi1JTtGL4a64VQv_jP4HAijHeObUoPmF_urqIZnC57OTlNZYobLqN4ntP7SO8264k6SlXE/s200/IMG_6350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448696624100839346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Layana at last!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Vb3Q-wPyyLkOLbVFkLJrAekgqGfFoMAvojQS3V5qexl4iBxgqtqNHZ5s82_tedZuR9WSr9cVFhGZ0zbXvbbY7VxOFgsC6bok1TJvgvy20xEAX7g5P8MJgF2rbDZvX0u8w0eJw4TG6omB/s1600-h/IMG_6351.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Vb3Q-wPyyLkOLbVFkLJrAekgqGfFoMAvojQS3V5qexl4iBxgqtqNHZ5s82_tedZuR9WSr9cVFhGZ0zbXvbbY7VxOFgsC6bok1TJvgvy20xEAX7g5P8MJgF2rbDZvX0u8w0eJw4TG6omB/s200/IMG_6351.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448696636541854002" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Rich de-stressing with his cold towel - ahhhhhh<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />We already know this is an awesome place. It is so quiet, beautiful and unpretentious. Every where we turn we are greeted with a genuine smile and "Sawadee Ka." We are shown to our room and feel a sense of calm immediately. It is huge with a grand "garden" bathroom - tub/shower looking out into a garden. We have a back porch overlooking perfectly manicured lawn and palm/fruit trees. Our beds look serene and the a/c works great!!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0xflTYKzuEOP1-5Q6Sr-IqQzMST690sYkyrniy5hsUkhP2Qx14FFpWadZQdj6pmGXq0YiSrZSOxCWaie6JakEc9oCBW8jpXL6fedqcXsUweF-zyeT-xk3Xv2wXCMSnx7zklN2h_tHqvZ/s1600-h/IMG_6353.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0xflTYKzuEOP1-5Q6Sr-IqQzMST690sYkyrniy5hsUkhP2Qx14FFpWadZQdj6pmGXq0YiSrZSOxCWaie6JakEc9oCBW8jpXL6fedqcXsUweF-zyeT-xk3Xv2wXCMSnx7zklN2h_tHqvZ/s200/IMG_6353.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448697240457735826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Janel approves of our room<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDBlmDHPWL-5RYXgQsRFVURxosYlMOEeqcf2s4bxm9BoEHyySGfn5lk4kRwCfqXiF-rcU6S7deRbf5eS4zdrfXDAwE04aU_Ivro4EfH4r6CmNF6oJIw3oo10-G5lDhFe87LVnfxI374ah/s1600-h/IMG_6355.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDBlmDHPWL-5RYXgQsRFVURxosYlMOEeqcf2s4bxm9BoEHyySGfn5lk4kRwCfqXiF-rcU6S7deRbf5eS4zdrfXDAwE04aU_Ivro4EfH4r6CmNF6oJIw3oo10-G5lDhFe87LVnfxI374ah/s200/IMG_6355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448697248577000530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Plenty of room for her antics. . .<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We quickly take note that Happy Hour is going on right now and we don't want to miss it. However, Janel and I feel an urgent need to book our spa appointments for tomorrow at the "Linger Longer" Spa. So - we run to book our appointments and then meet up with Rich at the pool bar for Happy Hour. We all order tropical, fruity-type drinks and take them right up to poolside. The pool is a gorgeous negative-edge pool that appears to head right out into the ocean. We slip in and enjoy our drinks while floating around. We are the only ones in the pool. Great!<br /><br />It is getting on to dinnertime and since we have chosen to eat late-ish (8:00) we see that we can have our choice of tables. We head back to the room to change and then wander to the restaurant (open-air on the beach). They show us to a table at the edge of the sand - perfect. The menu is extensive and we decide to order a few dishes to share: Deep fried soft shell crab, Spicy Pomelo salad(Yam Som O), massaman curry and the special of the night - roasted snapper.<br /><br />The crab is yummy, but it is the Yam Som O that steals the show. Pomelo is sort of like a grapefruit, but not nearly as tart or acidic. This salad is spicy and delicious. The curry comes in a great earthenware pot and the fish is plated beautifully.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYZdB_DbQkPkzxVokjvdjYiPpuQOmhbRU9MMSom_aBvszN0T1m2cMkSpLrcktYWu8-ktlAW69V3ZtRtdB1jejtlc1aOBI9Rx3FAISuqZ2fBjilqSXfWOayMMXyhH6fb0encs8PI8lajZ3/s1600-h/IMG_6359.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYZdB_DbQkPkzxVokjvdjYiPpuQOmhbRU9MMSom_aBvszN0T1m2cMkSpLrcktYWu8-ktlAW69V3ZtRtdB1jejtlc1aOBI9Rx3FAISuqZ2fBjilqSXfWOayMMXyhH6fb0encs8PI8lajZ3/s200/IMG_6359.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448697276291813202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">wow<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We certainly feel very lucky to be right here. We have absolutely no plans for this week and are counting on doing a lot of straight chillin'. Looks promising.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZn9PNWAiCK2Ff_CTs4cijC84172pk59B183eoO3qknoIEfiW0uZrAiyD11xJGxeglp6hQjHMGSHD8Zgsl49RFVtz4rzb4YG-HIN2rWNNh6M5RPmDe6kwKw71f4TfIExlrowKa0XV8ZsS/s1600-h/IMG_6360.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZn9PNWAiCK2Ff_CTs4cijC84172pk59B183eoO3qknoIEfiW0uZrAiyD11xJGxeglp6hQjHMGSHD8Zgsl49RFVtz4rzb4YG-HIN2rWNNh6M5RPmDe6kwKw71f4TfIExlrowKa0XV8ZsS/s200/IMG_6360.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448697280977179554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cheers from Layana!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After dinner we walk back to our room to retire for the night. In Thai tradition, we have left our shoes outside our door. Janel spies the big Birkenstock's that are outside our nearest neighbor's door and promptly puts them on. Some things never change. . . We are very happy to be traveling together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav8oF9lVwjPOPUSAq8aP8efEJKbcL5HxcI-Lfo8fvFxkggJd9dWvsva-DMNbpopiQ3TbrmSUxItOqLGYxWaNpLQVVO7qUyn0waSVgILx783-Yi9ZgZ-OLermuSg6ITby8K1p6DdPk54qG/s1600-h/IMG_6361.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav8oF9lVwjPOPUSAq8aP8efEJKbcL5HxcI-Lfo8fvFxkggJd9dWvsva-DMNbpopiQ3TbrmSUxItOqLGYxWaNpLQVVO7qUyn0waSVgILx783-Yi9ZgZ-OLermuSg6ITby8K1p6DdPk54qG/s200/IMG_6361.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448697810354569794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Do these make my feet look big???</span><br /></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div></div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-83223371070740918742010-03-13T18:09:00.000-08:002010-03-15T18:38:18.005-07:00"mangkut. jaaahmp."days smear when you're on a liveaboard. the dive-eat-sleep holding pattern is nothing less than vicious on even the sharpest of memories. i theorize that it has quite a bit to do with those nasty little "oh I'll just rest my eyes for ten minutes" naps that tend to occur for me between dives two and three. upon waking, it's as though the day has somehow reset itself, but instead of nursing a luscious coffee in an attempt to kickstart into consciousness, i somehow manage to hastily squeeze all the right parts into all the right gear and plunge into the shimmering blue. i wouldn't be able to tell you the day of the week, but i can ID a hypselodoris bulockii without missing a fin pivot.<br /><br />---<br /><br />goooood morning! waaaaakey-wakey!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw1Bf9dPoUjPnfCVkuPo-FjVZ0_3yfylpuQmj4R1WrYr6iPxmkh8ug3mGN-YxUFIuaPHzXzUNVJhix7fu6U0j8e9RoAcSQMQSQ8SDehBeQC95ehL0GLNHGHX-KNKh3ITbvPxxCpNDpCBN/s1600-h/IMG_6254.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw1Bf9dPoUjPnfCVkuPo-FjVZ0_3yfylpuQmj4R1WrYr6iPxmkh8ug3mGN-YxUFIuaPHzXzUNVJhix7fu6U0j8e9RoAcSQMQSQ8SDehBeQC95ehL0GLNHGHX-KNKh3ITbvPxxCpNDpCBN/s320/IMG_6254.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448662231510858578" border="0" /></a><br />daddy is still ill. his decision to remain in the cabin is unsurprising. he proclaims that he will take it dive-by-dive, but mom and i doubt.<br /><br />toast and strawberry jam for pre-breakfast. also the shitty brewed coffee. i grumpily wonder if all american coffee is this way, and i have just managed to blissfully forget.<br /><br />DIVE ONE: SOUTHEAST POINT KOH SURIN (<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a>)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxaHSXEjBtOmvTFFvWzgTNf4YGcheMvIFxYbjrrsfecTvVn0Gu7SOuIpEmM6D58RNQy1kdM5jirtqxhnGAOZUbu1xD6VcXQDANxisO3HThMOmAdL0KhBt4liY-4Y7U3J6sZK2fk0u8ifU/s1600-h/IMG_6262.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxaHSXEjBtOmvTFFvWzgTNf4YGcheMvIFxYbjrrsfecTvVn0Gu7SOuIpEmM6D58RNQy1kdM5jirtqxhnGAOZUbu1xD6VcXQDANxisO3HThMOmAdL0KhBt4liY-4Y7U3J6sZK2fk0u8ifU/s320/IMG_6262.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448663895841441650" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">and you can see the tracks go THIS way...</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhNn6Jptx8AQLSRnZsLRoNFTTeF5sX6HKMsfqOwvEqKbZW8mUauzJYjKU8HxZnMH-1l0ChkdeHABZIRb0SgNoz4na-Ro-CAhbs2otUf0dpM0vkVxawXem5f3_rHuL-ulDPIRYc7qvWov8/s1600-h/IMG_6265.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhNn6Jptx8AQLSRnZsLRoNFTTeF5sX6HKMsfqOwvEqKbZW8mUauzJYjKU8HxZnMH-1l0ChkdeHABZIRb0SgNoz4na-Ro-CAhbs2otUf0dpM0vkVxawXem5f3_rHuL-ulDPIRYc7qvWov8/s320/IMG_6265.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448662227968552770" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">good morning kim<br /></span></div><br />AZ mike announces during the dive briefing that we are entering the territory of the Smokin' <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moken">Mokens</a>, "sea gypsies" that apparently live up to their moniker. we might see them expertly navigating these waters. (but we do not.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRfruRNfWuBe88-Xl-RRjZkIikc-19zab0E7qbxwDxy99NixNtRZlzGzTyybCKD5il1fwPI5nJjDwSh0LRnrlDvkCsXESSvFGUqcLrVwldT1rlDgtbzZ7oefme0KdtcKT2vZZkEs0Bs0P/s1600-h/IMG_6247.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRfruRNfWuBe88-Xl-RRjZkIikc-19zab0E7qbxwDxy99NixNtRZlzGzTyybCKD5il1fwPI5nJjDwSh0LRnrlDvkCsXESSvFGUqcLrVwldT1rlDgtbzZ7oefme0KdtcKT2vZZkEs0Bs0P/s320/IMG_6247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448662244569786258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMBZgZOT8GoBcQvliE5A7lkTN944o64Q2BORK8yRlxLEf-uWxKrMKMmRn766T5TWoUeCpsLnf0bJPL5tnJfM1nYGuTJung_MchEKjJ9bGmmT1OvO8d3uZJRSx770XDXm5jzz8Dabg7P81/s1600-h/IMG_6249.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMBZgZOT8GoBcQvliE5A7lkTN944o64Q2BORK8yRlxLEf-uWxKrMKMmRn766T5TWoUeCpsLnf0bJPL5tnJfM1nYGuTJung_MchEKjJ9bGmmT1OvO8d3uZJRSx770XDXm5jzz8Dabg7P81/s320/IMG_6249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448662236028778322" border="0" /></a><br />this is a chilly dive, and mom and i want to quit but stick it out like real troopers. visability is kinda crappo. we play with the scores of glass fish that hang out around some coralheads - if you can hold your bubbles, they will approach quite closely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://messersmith.name/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ribbon_eel_rhinomuraena_quaesita_img_1342.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 310px;" src="http://messersmith.name/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ribbon_eel_rhinomuraena_quaesita_img_1342.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />the highlight of the dive came at the very end - two black <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon_eel">ribbon eels</a> chillin' like villains in their sand hovel.<br /><br />breakfast is a marvel, as per the usual. i discover the banana bread's unbalanced sweetness is equilibrated through topping it with a slice of cheese.<br /><br />per dad's request, mom inquires into the possibility of msg ("pong-shu-rot") in the food as dear daddles feels it may be the cause of his migraines. AZ mike says he will look into it.<br /><br />i bring daddy a plate with toast and bacon and ham. he barely squints his peepers open to say g'marnin. pobrecillo.<br /><br />we veg, but our vegging sits nicely on an undercurrent of anticipation. we are heading towards <a href="http://www.divetheworldthailand.com/thailand-scuba-diving-dive-sites-richelieu-rock.php">richelieu rock</a>, famed as thailand's best dive site. the Indian Ocean Fishes book we have been referencing includes a plethora of photos credited to the area, including a spectacular shot of a whaleshark and turtle pair (good goddamn). we are jazzed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFquf57E70gWRq7NS42k5VDwoV2LefuH8ZgM8GDgQBN_tIdTTAWdvJSy3dKcDZ6AmLMbPliGdAAHc8ftFAlkb_TzmZhQ4PopxviWzLMP1omqKmmA7Gr9gemECzgaBB7ZbdIwvS3WYJGqtL/s1600-h/IMG_6270.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFquf57E70gWRq7NS42k5VDwoV2LefuH8ZgM8GDgQBN_tIdTTAWdvJSy3dKcDZ6AmLMbPliGdAAHc8ftFAlkb_TzmZhQ4PopxviWzLMP1omqKmmA7Gr9gemECzgaBB7ZbdIwvS3WYJGqtL/s320/IMG_6270.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448661816868048722" border="0" /></a><br />dad is still out for the count, and is now thinking he likely will remain so for the rest of the day. bummer, but definitely the right course of action - gotta get well.<br /><br />DIVE TWO: RICHELIEU ROCK (<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">½</span>)<br /><br />the dive briefing informs us of the possibility of strong currents, which we should be cool about. kim tells us that the rock is such a fantastic site for marine life because it is the only significant bottom feature in the area, so all the fishes/corals/critters are attracted to it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.mpsaz.org/kerr/academics/5th_grade/images/seahorse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 202px;" src="http://www2.mpsaz.org/kerr/academics/5th_grade/images/seahorse.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />kim, Dedicated Fanatic of the Small and Often Overlooked, rapidly locates a brilliant yellow seahorse hidden deep among the splotches of sea fans and anemones.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.underwater.com.au/content/6869/harlequin_shrimp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://www.underwater.com.au/content/6869/harlequin_shrimp.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />we also see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin_shrimp">harlequin shrimp</a>, which absolutely look as unbelievable in person as they do in all the photos.<br /><br />the best for us, though, came near the end: while floating leisurely along a wall, we see a quick flash of shifting colors and textures, then a languidly floawing shape. it could only be octopus. we hover and take note of each other. the octo decides we are o-kay, and permits us to further gaze while it shapeshifts. we're happily enchanted when a long metal pokey stick decisively invades my line of sight from above. i glance upwards and see a garish wetsuit - some dandy from another dive boat feels it is his time to take octophotos, regardless of our clear current claim on the space. i shrug, but mom gets violent and decks the guy. blood is everywhe- okay, she gives him a little push and looks indignant. he finally scoots off to flash further fish, and we resume our scientific observation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdaZIQhatWsvlWYbPJfTGgWlukBnoYUJ-CYLgbtZmFo1wGQebv58Or_4q6MZoup6ost2nDEtM4_XR3Q5jNLaTZ6p5WX1b92nwc_wQRiJAcQUg5lHRPHwkkDSHvqBTR3HcklHEhbuqfzL9/s1600-h/IMG_6280.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdaZIQhatWsvlWYbPJfTGgWlukBnoYUJ-CYLgbtZmFo1wGQebv58Or_4q6MZoup6ost2nDEtM4_XR3Q5jNLaTZ6p5WX1b92nwc_wQRiJAcQUg5lHRPHwkkDSHvqBTR3HcklHEhbuqfzL9/s320/IMG_6280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448661810823258210" border="0" /></a><br />lunch is sketti in bolongese sauce, plus magnificently greasy fried chicken. also salad, but who cares? we receive word of the cook's response: "MSG? Cannot! No have!" and dad, appeased, packs it in with the rest of us.<br /><br />i sleep, and soon a new day dawns. it is afternoon and we are still at<br /><br />DIVE THREE: RICHELIEU ROCK (<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">½</span>)<br /><br />this time mom and i make a grocery list with kim of the creatures supposedly on the rock that we haven't seen yet (and would like to). topping the list is the elusive <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapplefish">pineapplefish</a>, of which just one has been consistantly spotted in this area. we are gung- and heave-ho, into the water.<br /><br />huge schools of fishes swirl around the rock as we descend. thailand diving definitely distinguishes itself through both Abundance and Variety of life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/90681/Juvenile_box_fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 161px;" src="http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/90681/Juvenile_box_fish.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />kim locates a few more precious seahorses, plus scads of boxfish, the juveniles of which are unbearably cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://petparadisekingston.com/tomato_clownfish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 189px;" src="http://petparadisekingston.com/tomato_clownfish.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />we catch a few glimpses of the brilliant orange <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_clownfish">tomato clownfish</a>, a special find since it lives only in the andaman sea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.julianrocks.net/fish/Beryciformes/Pineapple/CleidopusGloriamaris24-007b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 163px;" src="http://www.julianrocks.net/fish/Beryciformes/Pineapple/CleidopusGloriamaris24-007b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />about midway through the dive, kim burrows his head into a crevice, then motions for us to do the same. ah-HA! the pineapplefish hangs nearly motionless within. it appears to be doing nothing whatsoever; the word that comes to mind is "listless." it's great to see it - we check it off the mental grocery list - but we aren't sure why it is here, especially with no pineappley friends to play with. if only saporot had been able to make it out of bed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://baroqueinhackney.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/cuttlefish1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 169px;" src="http://baroqueinhackney.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/cuttlefish1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />we are up, we are down, we are all around, and then - we are in the company of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuttlefish">cuttlefish</a>. this is my first ever of the species, and i am delighted. when i was a wee lass of twelve, i wrote a research essay on cephalopods, a large section of which was dedicated to our cuttley buddies. ever since that early age, i'd been looking forward to a future which included frequent interaction with cephalopods of all sorts, but particularly the cuttlefish, because how awesome would that be?? as it turns out, the answer is, VERY. this one was nursing eggs she had laid within a hole in a boulder. after a meeting of the minds not dissimilar from that with the octopus, she decided that we were pretty alright after all, and let us watch for a good long while. gorgeous.<br /><br />we were surprised when kim gave us the sign for ascent - time gets away from you on excellent dives.<br /><br />two type of eggrolls for the afternoon snack today. i ovaltine it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrw41pM6BTmyNpHMv2QZNfHiyLxDCzKXE2txl4u3E4Kbyw-eNL_3zZ4tysVss9Uds8cDeU99a5s5BH2amgukKH37o3-reBUNdXTcq2T8WjsT2cO6LBSImKcKI0BGVFvHKn655aievFAo6/s1600-h/IMG_6289.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrw41pM6BTmyNpHMv2QZNfHiyLxDCzKXE2txl4u3E4Kbyw-eNL_3zZ4tysVss9Uds8cDeU99a5s5BH2amgukKH37o3-reBUNdXTcq2T8WjsT2cO6LBSImKcKI0BGVFvHKn655aievFAo6/s320/IMG_6289.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448661801515285074" border="0" /></a><br />daddles has roused a bit from his feverdreams, so we play cribbage. i whoop on him but gloat very little (i am a lady).<br /><br />because we've delayed the earlier dives a bit in order to avoid coinciding our dive times with those of other boats, the previously scheduled sunset dive at tachai reef has become a night dive at tachai reef. being a creature of darkness, i am pleased as punch. everyone else hems and haws a bit, but most of us eventually gather up sufficient spirit and grab a torch.<br /><br />DIVE FOUR: TACHAI REEF (<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s1600-h/inverseblack.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 32px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP2FUsyQ_F6xjwH7dBr2B4XX0wPmAtD6tt-a1J6w1gyrdBuvPhyDK-rlOBykihmX2auXvNm_h0r8qD1s2nJrx0hU84H4ywf6uZnmBSOt-9rEMor6rqkMHhpBJxZkEcKJPsY6igxCmNKW-/s200/inverseblack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665028361959010" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">½</span>)<br /><br />after battling unrelenting currents and diver-on-diver violence at richelieu, tachai comes as a blessed relief. it is as relaxed a dive as one could ever hope for. no pressure of trying to locate "the big thing" in the area, and kim quickly steers us away from the other groups, leaving us quite alone in the murky waters. i love it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/285/7285/images/si2/blackspotted_Puffer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 156px;" src="http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/285/7285/images/si2/blackspotted_Puffer.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />the best thing was a family of three <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackspotted_puffer">blackspotted pufferfish</a> we noted slowly circling a coral patch. evening was just beginning to blanket the ocean floor, and these little guys were running low on steam. they're already pretty poor swimmers, what with their absurd series of fins, and they circle and circle until finding a perch, then seemingly just shut down on the spot, out in the open. the large majority of fish locate a hidey-hole of some variety each night, but these dudes just plop down wherever, i guess knowing they have a pretty darn good defense mechanism should something unfriendly visit in the night.<br /><br />we thoroughly toy with the bioluminescence on our safety stop.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUyWzu9U4EalAxPJz4SFOQ-bPotMrIXH3-CjGC8RcGn7Ko9Bkt5ilrh_8DNANIww1ppWvS0KPuRmZgrOrAl1HLCrQOxxE6qjM-8ad7HEiMcZ9C2gEGvocDuucS2LaBxcqAHLWVS-i_QOv/s1600-h/IMG_6298.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUyWzu9U4EalAxPJz4SFOQ-bPotMrIXH3-CjGC8RcGn7Ko9Bkt5ilrh_8DNANIww1ppWvS0KPuRmZgrOrAl1HLCrQOxxE6qjM-8ad7HEiMcZ9C2gEGvocDuucS2LaBxcqAHLWVS-i_QOv/s320/IMG_6298.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448661792384279122" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">momma being roped back to the boat</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XdDgIx-J6jJxuounItxueO_CQnqiHTTwXmpC4_3GoXrJ-ysAiJFR1-vufI2W2MZiAqeT7tEPPdCMCluWBMV2cPLVlmVd1a0JTIXmTPiHGqSiRS6znGNyR-u3k2MMJVV6aTu3ZNMA-9mN/s1600-h/IMG_6300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XdDgIx-J6jJxuounItxueO_CQnqiHTTwXmpC4_3GoXrJ-ysAiJFR1-vufI2W2MZiAqeT7tEPPdCMCluWBMV2cPLVlmVd1a0JTIXmTPiHGqSiRS6znGNyR-u3k2MMJVV6aTu3ZNMA-9mN/s320/IMG_6300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448661788242999266" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">creatures of the deep emerge<br /></span></div><br />dinner is an array of thai food; everyone scarfs the cashew chicken in particular. the pineapples in the dish are just like candy.<br /><br />i snuggle into bed with mom and dad for a spell, but eventually decide i need a pillow, so head back to my own quarters to conk out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-7484867488013437182010-03-12T08:46:00.000-08:002010-03-24T14:02:40.033-07:00Queen Scuba - Day 2(Rich's 4th post)<br /><br />We all certainly slept better last night with the boat moored. Of course, having four dives and five meals plus a beer under our belts were significant factors as well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVanbEvB6vqqaa-frKqpGk_1pNID7dkEV37-88zUklQ6RRddhL-UpFothB4G_hHfg4HP3Y4hAiHQFqBeQWAoblsiU2s4GSSOv8ULyw9DH1X06GCd5Ov1aoBU0cakicdE0HTbNVfF7vsA1/s1600-h/IMG_6207.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVanbEvB6vqqaa-frKqpGk_1pNID7dkEV37-88zUklQ6RRddhL-UpFothB4G_hHfg4HP3Y4hAiHQFqBeQWAoblsiU2s4GSSOv8ULyw9DH1X06GCd5Ov1aoBU0cakicdE0HTbNVfF7vsA1/s400/IMG_6207.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448890721755050226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The bow of the Queen Scuba in the morning</span><br /></div><br />In order to dive, I'm still trying to suppress my cold, and so I'm laying off both the beer and coffee. This morning I'm heavily dosed up again on Tylenol, Actifed, Afrin, and amoxicillan. A walking pharmacy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLWMuSpB56qpA-YFOzvEqy5ZLsjyAYQqPwzfaGpEI19HjmTfaCzs5yAGecMro4-uCEGZfO0b9T3HUSwUazA4pceVd1Mu5uVsynm_esQcOym9WIul9KmNfeHS4J4aH2xngW59WbQVV4uOT/s1600-h/IMG_6208.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLWMuSpB56qpA-YFOzvEqy5ZLsjyAYQqPwzfaGpEI19HjmTfaCzs5yAGecMro4-uCEGZfO0b9T3HUSwUazA4pceVd1Mu5uVsynm_esQcOym9WIul9KmNfeHS4J4aH2xngW59WbQVV4uOT/s400/IMG_6208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448890711707716338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our main cabin windows<br /></span></div><br />At dawn we sit for a light breakfast and dive briefing. We're moored beside Island #9 in the Similans, and the site will be Three Trees, aptly marked by three big trees on the shore.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi131Cb-02880dm1x23xkKmxg9QKrP5y_vY0MGAh-AQF_FFGn72DHStIA_LC68RMPNmOk8ldr7hUMSZpNt03mjZq8Kviy2uAKd5uSjvKhLkrBXI8mXDiDWZJQn0w0qAxUL_QH720NPDMyJA/s1600-h/IMG_6212.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi131Cb-02880dm1x23xkKmxg9QKrP5y_vY0MGAh-AQF_FFGn72DHStIA_LC68RMPNmOk8ldr7hUMSZpNt03mjZq8Kviy2uAKd5uSjvKhLkrBXI8mXDiDWZJQn0w0qAxUL_QH720NPDMyJA/s400/IMG_6212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448890703254008642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">1st breakfast - What is that, Dad?</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd36FiWaz0Nj0ZtiepQYw-4Kjl7795uv-LOs-5Ri_munsOty_J3tEmWL3uIsjCMLsrVoWSQB7XpVctV6xP0uA_BY8U55Awftt7_sVBHWDBCbtUuGjCUv-YI2nge814yZicE13pJkxfVOdj/s1600-h/IMG_6215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd36FiWaz0Nj0ZtiepQYw-4Kjl7795uv-LOs-5Ri_munsOty_J3tEmWL3uIsjCMLsrVoWSQB7XpVctV6xP0uA_BY8U55Awftt7_sVBHWDBCbtUuGjCUv-YI2nge814yZicE13pJkxfVOdj/s400/IMG_6215.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448889666880210402" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Peanut butter and butter - breakfast of champions</span><br /></div><br />It's a very nice site consisting of an inclined reef with coral islands and sandy patches. Early on we spot a peacock mantis shrimp. They're the size of a very small lobster, but with pretty markings, and they wallop their prey with a forceful shock capable of breaking aquarium glass. Janel pings her fingers off her mask glass to remind us.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4R9VQxhr-bTq1LiKFHCCQ6aUYHEohiGsPRy0IXnVTk8tfnU02ZX88T1DFeTWjAuSiydbD2sUUvPaOqxw-B8XGSuCq1oVoom8SKtM_K5YnT-21VMjza6xd9Z3g-w3g5XsihWslnejSfvz/s1600-h/IMG_6216.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4R9VQxhr-bTq1LiKFHCCQ6aUYHEohiGsPRy0IXnVTk8tfnU02ZX88T1DFeTWjAuSiydbD2sUUvPaOqxw-B8XGSuCq1oVoom8SKtM_K5YnT-21VMjza6xd9Z3g-w3g5XsihWslnejSfvz/s400/IMG_6216.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448889657075538386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Compared to the Queen Scuba, this liveaboard looks like a tenement building<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjQiaR5AJECoPaWyK_hRbXsiyS7XVyisMXGvMloDwB9IGTk6qTbjofzXdt_Z_5cu1KnVy5-lMh_kZxfsG5PthaMiQGsC1r23gtezKnQuj5wncPs08N6lPjqLfCBc_RShsDqi8J-H5-_xF/s1600-h/IMG_6218.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjQiaR5AJECoPaWyK_hRbXsiyS7XVyisMXGvMloDwB9IGTk6qTbjofzXdt_Z_5cu1KnVy5-lMh_kZxfsG5PthaMiQGsC1r23gtezKnQuj5wncPs08N6lPjqLfCBc_RShsDqi8J-H5-_xF/s400/IMG_6218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448889650496103970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Three Trees</span><br /></div><br />There is a gorgeous juvenile emperor angelfish on top of a coral mound, with bright concentric rings. Tuna divebomb from the surface here and there. We also spot a couple of yellow margin triggerfish that look every bit as menacing as the nasty titan triggerfish. Aside from these few identifications, the reef is overflowing with huge schools of juvenile reef fish, rainbow groupers, angelfish, fusiliers, and tons of fish everywhere.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mLU22A1hGhK-EbquB3Nwpm6-0V5xfcziJ1MbDOnGy82xd1iYAB5RHjQPMBW4kA_sDX7OVzaeTuVj3gfDIgyosly5jk_cFWwbbawQgMVViIiimhkX3IwDgFuLMpMX4X_WUxpcNdCa2trn/s1600-h/e21r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mLU22A1hGhK-EbquB3Nwpm6-0V5xfcziJ1MbDOnGy82xd1iYAB5RHjQPMBW4kA_sDX7OVzaeTuVj3gfDIgyosly5jk_cFWwbbawQgMVViIiimhkX3IwDgFuLMpMX4X_WUxpcNdCa2trn/s400/e21r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448893384617270818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Kim's pic of the juvenile emperor angelfish, plus an anemonefish at left<br /><br /></span></div>Kim finds a great nudibranch, specifically a hypselodoris bulockii, blue with orange twirlygigs. He got a great picture of it, and when he looked at it later, he saw that there was a baby one as well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcGh77EkXnVcWtxSj2elpyHmbu7eBrfOOHilN8jxy5tfCQO3oE06y_XE4m6pfQH1NzEjSEaSa3I9piiWNdaPLVGBfuPpAJpYSQITs_Vd3e2vrGVTJDwRFvidm6JErsIXF_ktypzaR-nE5/s1600-h/e24r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcGh77EkXnVcWtxSj2elpyHmbu7eBrfOOHilN8jxy5tfCQO3oE06y_XE4m6pfQH1NzEjSEaSa3I9piiWNdaPLVGBfuPpAJpYSQITs_Vd3e2vrGVTJDwRFvidm6JErsIXF_ktypzaR-nE5/s400/e24r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448891030047891442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This is Kim's picture of the hypselodoris bulockii nudibranch. See the baby one behind the adult?</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nfunFqc6NW7jfvdgPHDKgBla56pOH1xpRX2gNKvseH85pqNF1HIC82rPSLgocY9Ix43vd_SjhS0q558AN-20w2KY85QOBS0DI9jrtbPaSUthBSf3k9hQNeKBulLbQ2oZ0S2SsEIGHqe_/s1600-h/IMG_6219.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nfunFqc6NW7jfvdgPHDKgBla56pOH1xpRX2gNKvseH85pqNF1HIC82rPSLgocY9Ix43vd_SjhS0q558AN-20w2KY85QOBS0DI9jrtbPaSUthBSf3k9hQNeKBulLbQ2oZ0S2SsEIGHqe_/s400/IMG_6219.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448889639162463378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Time to sleep, not dive</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije98odKI4rRU4Eir6fYO8zzY9XyLoiZ1zikIzFcFISMH5pvWl-Lo4a6H4bwXTj3wuZj0vYRvb2kof1_IP_zLf0TXa3PRZaMFQnqFbkFJvmy3-J6vAyYC5y12VgMWiED1wI-p1LYUo4NsL/s1600-h/IMG_6221.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije98odKI4rRU4Eir6fYO8zzY9XyLoiZ1zikIzFcFISMH5pvWl-Lo4a6H4bwXTj3wuZj0vYRvb2kof1_IP_zLf0TXa3PRZaMFQnqFbkFJvmy3-J6vAyYC5y12VgMWiED1wI-p1LYUo4NsL/s400/IMG_6221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448889627926388482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Italians suiting up<br /></span></div><br />The water is warm, around 83F, but we encounter some good thermoclines. The interface is shimmery, and when we go through the temps drop to about 77 or 78F.<br /><br />At our 2nd (real) breakfast, we decide to examine each other's toe hairs. Hmmmm...<br /><br />Kim says that we are one of the cooler groups he's had in a long time. I think that means we are easy to manage, pretty self sufficient.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyfnZpjY4CcL_TcJqPvWWgqvindwxDODv2H1k-h5fG0BXu8vYc3_aXMCVhuUZLdo6a9bHb1Ru9JxQHVyGFYG-lzRQca0LKNO5v_Bx6pOFMFkVrDFC0Qa9AtwpYp_o8OfM5-ozLVGGM9O0/s1600-h/IMG_6224.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyfnZpjY4CcL_TcJqPvWWgqvindwxDODv2H1k-h5fG0BXu8vYc3_aXMCVhuUZLdo6a9bHb1Ru9JxQHVyGFYG-lzRQca0LKNO5v_Bx6pOFMFkVrDFC0Qa9AtwpYp_o8OfM5-ozLVGGM9O0/s400/IMG_6224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448889008923424194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Makeshift divelog<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72Ph2mws-JJJ0U5QWTH0FQplQwCeliSkK9mdhfLr3LexEc75v4ON7VboEb0k-xdrgFZV_aPb3FwIAGqicMN4cKMpUuvqbxvzKj9QoR8RR2vRr62oKOwCqYEukbc_4cCYAn-ukDD5mRch6/s1600-h/IMG_6227.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72Ph2mws-JJJ0U5QWTH0FQplQwCeliSkK9mdhfLr3LexEc75v4ON7VboEb0k-xdrgFZV_aPb3FwIAGqicMN4cKMpUuvqbxvzKj9QoR8RR2vRr62oKOwCqYEukbc_4cCYAn-ukDD5mRch6/s400/IMG_6227.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448889000383549746" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">What did we see?</span><br /></div><br />Between dives, I take a short nap, while Linda and Janel chat with the crew in the salon. They relate some stories about OW students. One of the required underwater skills is to breathe on the regulator, then exhale with the regulator out, then put the reg back in and continue breathing. For some reason, this student thought you HAD to have the regulator out to exhale, and started doing all his breathing that way.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhvkIGfRk8IyyvIbctqmM5BqWgUo0hpYFGL2QGrpyCsROOQ3GcPL6-ldf5jQarTKQYFX5XeFb2IRKYZhXeVzQnWG-w-J1RdHgO8QNp9iqdY36TttZo599LmRpZj35HL9scwSMF5bd80fa/s1600-h/IMG_6228.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhvkIGfRk8IyyvIbctqmM5BqWgUo0hpYFGL2QGrpyCsROOQ3GcPL6-ldf5jQarTKQYFX5XeFb2IRKYZhXeVzQnWG-w-J1RdHgO8QNp9iqdY36TttZo599LmRpZj35HL9scwSMF5bd80fa/s400/IMG_6228.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448888995615553266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Blogging the previous day<br /></span></div><br />Another required underwater skill is to flood your mask, then clear it using air from your exhalation. Instead, one student flooded his mask, then apparently sucked all the water from it using his nose!<br /><br />At 11:00am it's time for our second dive. We've motored up to an island called Koh Bon. There are lots of boats here, so we delay our dive a bit so there won't be as many divers in the water.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpp6BTKVx8WzCLfCKGSfja0zTMmhPkSE19qkt6ExSOBn6DhS4BYk-GCBPVnseojbmJp72rKPGS0Afrw2q5H-SXkH4oOQOCtpqZ67F0YqvAqKDNou6caZdLdKQb90f3C_uVVuhJK5xsLiO/s1600-h/IMG_6233.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpp6BTKVx8WzCLfCKGSfja0zTMmhPkSE19qkt6ExSOBn6DhS4BYk-GCBPVnseojbmJp72rKPGS0Afrw2q5H-SXkH4oOQOCtpqZ67F0YqvAqKDNou6caZdLdKQb90f3C_uVVuhJK5xsLiO/s400/IMG_6233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448888984400801650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Queen Scuba Day Planner - dive dive dive<br /></span></div><br />We start on the wall side of a big limestone ridge jutting off the island at around 50 feet depth. The thermoclines and patches of cold water are more pronounced here, but nothing too shivery for our 3mm wetsuits.<br /><br />There's a possiblity we'll see manta rays, and our plan is to swim out to the end of the ridge at about 90 feet, then explore the other reefy side for the remainder of the dive. On the way, Kim finds a ghost shrimp and shows me. I see it, but just barely, as my 52 year-old eyesight is failing me all the small stuff.<br /><br />At one point, Kim points out another red fire goby, but a stunning oriental sweetlips strolls through and steals the show. We also spy another peacock mantis shrimp and a bar-tailed moray eel. The reef side of the ridge contains huge areas of coral rubble, a result of indiscriminate dynamite fishing that occurred here before the island was added to the national park. The rubble area looks sorta bad, but it is starting to grow back, and all sorts of tiny critters can be found there.<br /><br />No mantas, oh well. I've got a pretty good headache on exit, which seems to start at the safety stop and progress. Not sure why - maybe my cold, maybe my new mask smashing my nose a bit, maybe I'm not breathing enough?<br /><br />We've learned something on this dive trip. Never go on a liveaboard with rental gear. For one or two dives, it's fine, but not for repetitive weeklong diving. Our rental BCDs are all too big - mine digs a channel in my neck from riding up and Janel's tank is constantly banging her in the head. All our 2nd stages are uncomfortably too big for our mouths.<br /><br />I'm missing my videocamera too!<br /><br />We talk to Arizona Mike at lunch. He tells us that his mom, at age 59, was restless and wanted to do something else with her life. With Mike's support, she decided to move to Africa and volunteer in at an HIV clinic in Lesotho, and has now been there 4 years. Wow - talk about a life changing event!<br /><br />I'm a little dizzy with my headache during lunch and I don't eat much, so I decide to sit out the third dive. At least I get an opportunity to take a few pictures of my girls getting into the water. The dive is again at Koh Bon.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMm6FOcJJhTQY-_RlFdrh6_CXA6H8dFMp1NLmQdKgi67oRKnc0pbwG1-6hLaqtoB-IVyy1wyd0erjfZpUxz9wXBxnieuf9OKMSejbQI_N8E-yM00CybpoO1XI-74VbGgHDKSnmO5LgkBW/s1600-h/IMG_6236.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMm6FOcJJhTQY-_RlFdrh6_CXA6H8dFMp1NLmQdKgi67oRKnc0pbwG1-6hLaqtoB-IVyy1wyd0erjfZpUxz9wXBxnieuf9OKMSejbQI_N8E-yM00CybpoO1XI-74VbGgHDKSnmO5LgkBW/s400/IMG_6236.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448888970982585634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Linda and Kim check her nitrox breathing mix</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyL3R5Yq4Je-s4BygI-Aq7Kl7ceZoajnqs8mFpeIP9iWvoMhDs5-kiyEA58yEonCzYodg-pPNajIA-FJZYMI4h9PxpJ0OWqVsAAZM9n2y2TMcHQMLYdbmKsEYvLNjI_diwaT-K_8DfWny/s1600-h/IMG_6237.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyL3R5Yq4Je-s4BygI-Aq7Kl7ceZoajnqs8mFpeIP9iWvoMhDs5-kiyEA58yEonCzYodg-pPNajIA-FJZYMI4h9PxpJ0OWqVsAAZM9n2y2TMcHQMLYdbmKsEYvLNjI_diwaT-K_8DfWny/s400/IMG_6237.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448888308494639554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Suiting up</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAKIwiw8xVWEmzGYAlwUkjSru9QPRYvaG0x8Su-v6KQfDFrlu8dhxS-Job00yHhkVt8xdr54QxzmIOf5YcewYErV8NtSvYhj2bVGsOkpG9p6mIUqekeu6T1h_PRPDE1_6ozdUvWvR4kjg/s1600-h/IMG_6239.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAKIwiw8xVWEmzGYAlwUkjSru9QPRYvaG0x8Su-v6KQfDFrlu8dhxS-Job00yHhkVt8xdr54QxzmIOf5YcewYErV8NtSvYhj2bVGsOkpG9p6mIUqekeu6T1h_PRPDE1_6ozdUvWvR4kjg/s400/IMG_6239.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448888305990497298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Gooping up</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjperG2eQW89jKumXR6MF624aP8YGq2mRhwnrtITViz6_TlxrR4DBpjXqsX1hLcj5NH3-AoKH8A9DfkLIRKmf6BQvXcTfr66jGNFTxYapbjTfEgLjLlGGJbRUXq7_1U6c8y0xpKij3MSuyu/s1600-h/IMG_6241.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjperG2eQW89jKumXR6MF624aP8YGq2mRhwnrtITViz6_TlxrR4DBpjXqsX1hLcj5NH3-AoKH8A9DfkLIRKmf6BQvXcTfr66jGNFTxYapbjTfEgLjLlGGJbRUXq7_1U6c8y0xpKij3MSuyu/s400/IMG_6241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448888291363050466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> First Janel</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC89vHONFz5bSkDDoQDUL2-0KnJWs3VPgqhw5bS9gffI2qpUCxOQVaSBmD-CCFvzriOcUiol9LU8ygWoea0ljCHrCYRrrALmI6FS3y7gtEsLLNQjS1GseVy22zk3NG9om2EopX2SxHgQh/s1600-h/IMG_6243.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC89vHONFz5bSkDDoQDUL2-0KnJWs3VPgqhw5bS9gffI2qpUCxOQVaSBmD-CCFvzriOcUiol9LU8ygWoea0ljCHrCYRrrALmI6FS3y7gtEsLLNQjS1GseVy22zk3NG9om2EopX2SxHgQh/s400/IMG_6243.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448888279389544018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Then Linda</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aF_067DKCTJtgg00-VEIFKBK0RKS7sSDSRgHiZy3JMhHBYZiGs6yh7B8yFQnSR9PD_B472jY6H8A6sSx8atp8_8gN0yrxIN8myr8g-lJmV4EXUwz7qWWAjRwaGdM1sBqV7W7T0m8GgP9/s1600-h/IMG_6244.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aF_067DKCTJtgg00-VEIFKBK0RKS7sSDSRgHiZy3JMhHBYZiGs6yh7B8yFQnSR9PD_B472jY6H8A6sSx8atp8_8gN0yrxIN8myr8g-lJmV4EXUwz7qWWAjRwaGdM1sBqV7W7T0m8GgP9/s400/IMG_6244.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448888268979834418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> The Finns and the Americans (and one Dane)</span><br /></div><br />I napped the whole time, but Linda returns with a story. If you haven't seen them, titan triggerfish are nasty buggers. They're about 3 feet long and have big chomper teeth. They build shallow conical nests in the sand bottom, and they also claim a conical territory above their nests as a keep-out zone. This includes divers.<br /><br />Linda was observing them but accidentally swam about 10 feet directly over one of the nests. The offended titan came zooming straight for her, teeth bared. Kim's eyes got wide and Linda started frantically finning at the fish. Fortunately no harm was done, except for Linda's panic attack.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MRbm1DoqbTyurSfgbT23hVBF3QPnGbInvE0HJXxidJ8i6YM7fHyRKKFcViLpeUMfmZRfN1TjHlPNp_EIQ0HbeiEjUgCii4Yi5l-ujQq5lAPSDIEN7QA-3xj-14K5vpmdVVMGnkREyFfD/s1600-h/f33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MRbm1DoqbTyurSfgbT23hVBF3QPnGbInvE0HJXxidJ8i6YM7fHyRKKFcViLpeUMfmZRfN1TjHlPNp_EIQ0HbeiEjUgCii4Yi5l-ujQq5lAPSDIEN7QA-3xj-14K5vpmdVVMGnkREyFfD/s400/f33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448896032409156450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Kim's picture of the nasty titan triggerfish<br /></span></div><br />Kim found flatworms having a live sex show, giant morays, two devil scorpionfish (Mr. and Mrs. Ugly), and copper sweepers.<br /><br />Linda also tells me that the post-dive snack was hamburgers, which sounds pretty good to me. When the 4th dive briefing is called at 5:00pm, I head up and find a few burgers still waiting. We've motored further north and are now at Koh Tachai.<br /><br />At 5:30pm, the four of us enter the water and find a very nice divesite, with both reef and big rocks. A moderate current is flowing, in some places strong. Thermoclines are more pronounced than ever, and about half our dive time is in colder water. Topside water temp was around 84F, while I record 74F inside some of the cold zones.<br /><br />There are lots and lots of reef fish here, zillions of butterflyfish, surgeonfish, etc., plus quite a few lionfish, boxfish, longnosed emperorfish, and brown marbled groupers. Kim's expert eye finds a tiny sharp-nosed pygmy pouched pipe horse (relative of a seahorse), an oscillated wart slug, and some cool feather sea stars.<br /><br />Predator fish are zooming about, too, including big eye trevalleys, black trevalleys, mackerel (striped bonito), and tuna. Near the end of the dive, a stunning school of maybe 10 spadefish (a.k.a. longfin batfish) posed unafraid for Kim's camera, each fish bigger than a dinner plate.<br /><br />We do our 5 minute safety stop mid-water, and I'm again presented with a headache. I've taken note to breathe deeply on this dive, so I guess it is just sinus pressure from my cold, coupled with something about ascending from the dive. As we emerge from the water, the sun is just setting and it's really gorgeous out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuBzGVL73Dqq78lezMxu01ikIBRAonCn39KJkr2HOW3oH5al4PiKwLrBxSdwoERCKHCCiRx6IMmFqdw0CeiBbnysxTVYoQmuwI7lXDlQyfsAzoeBQkbiexruDNCUZxk-1cvC3d-jIyeJI/s1600-h/h80r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuBzGVL73Dqq78lezMxu01ikIBRAonCn39KJkr2HOW3oH5al4PiKwLrBxSdwoERCKHCCiRx6IMmFqdw0CeiBbnysxTVYoQmuwI7lXDlQyfsAzoeBQkbiexruDNCUZxk-1cvC3d-jIyeJI/s400/h80r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448901104924535922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Kim snapped this photo just after we surfaced at sunset<br /><br /></span></div>Back on the boat, the staff immediately serves us a cold coconut smoothie, followed by a hot towel. Sweet!<br /><br />Unfortunately, my headache really starts to rage, taking on the character of a migraine. No way I can eat - I head to the room and spend the rest of the night trying to get to sleep, which of course is difficult with the migraine. Even when I do get to sleep, I wake up and the headache is still there, which is unusual.<br /><br />Sorry my blog contains so much about my poor headache, but if you've ever had a migraine, you know that you can think of little else.<br /><br />Linda brings a dinner plate in to me, but the bread is only thing I can eat. My stomach is fine, but the brain pain makes me nauseous of food. Fade to black...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-5043681565644534262010-03-11T08:56:00.000-08:002010-03-14T18:43:43.077-07:00Dive, Dive Dive!Our first night aboard the Queen Scuba was a restless one. There is a/c in the cabins, but it is woefully inadequate. Also we were motoring to the Similian Islands all night and the engine was loud. Add to that the new feeling of the rocking of our vessel and we didn't get much shut-eye.<br /><br />Morning comes early on a dive boat. At 7:00 on the dot a booming voice bellows "WAKE-Y, WAKE-Y!" We cannot ignore it and drag ourselves out of bed. The "first" breakfast is served at 7:00, consisting of toast, some other pastries, delicious banana bread, cheese, jam, cereals, tea and coffee. We fortify ourselves knowing that we need nourishment to endure our first dive.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSL3szPENaF__lex0pIQl53skMV388xUdFJARfe7fNqaMpCm8UkS1KyjwqKIFYRHC7EDMiOLGjR_TPI3VsnZtbJp95Utp62tHxTPv-nq0FyRYwvM8hyHz_OXOi1bK19DmqTSnWE8Y6r5I/s1600-h/IMG_6165.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSL3szPENaF__lex0pIQl53skMV388xUdFJARfe7fNqaMpCm8UkS1KyjwqKIFYRHC7EDMiOLGjR_TPI3VsnZtbJp95Utp62tHxTPv-nq0FyRYwvM8hyHz_OXOi1bK19DmqTSnWE8Y6r5I/s320/IMG_6165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448520301697095682" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Janel and Rich contemplate 1st breakfast</span><br /></div><br />We take a look at the posted schedule for the day:<br />7:00 First Breakfast<br />7:30 Safety Briefing<br />8:30 Dive 1 - Anita's Reef<br />10:00 Real Breakfast<br />11:30 Dive Briefing<br />12:00 Dive 2 - East of Eden<br />13:30 Lunch<br />15:00 Dive Briefing<br />15:30 Dive 3 - West of Eden<br />17:00 Snack<br />18:30 Dive Briefing<br />19:00 Dive 4 - Honeymoon Bay<br />20:15 Dinner<br /><br />I am already planning when I can fit in a nap.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdqbDBA0YYl3PK03IHtX6uAwDY5TpK4LWm05Dg1bMEyg06j01-yx1O-nJNglMvxdKvgqjvzaryBS3HQFGtmhZakC2V4hO01jlZ7_iyIFNTGDnzJ6z7FNi9nzIRGtyB6HMZj17lpuYdnKx/s1600-h/IMG_6167.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdqbDBA0YYl3PK03IHtX6uAwDY5TpK4LWm05Dg1bMEyg06j01-yx1O-nJNglMvxdKvgqjvzaryBS3HQFGtmhZakC2V4hO01jlZ7_iyIFNTGDnzJ6z7FNi9nzIRGtyB6HMZj17lpuYdnKx/s320/IMG_6167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448520312117189026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Where is naptime?<br /></span></div><br />Each of the guests on the boat are assigned to a Divemaster for the duration. Since there is actually one divemaster from Arizona, we are figuring we will get him. However, we are assigned to Kim from Denmark. Turns out that we are Kim's only guests and we already like him. He gives us our personal briefing while the other divemasters serve their guest - many in other languages. (There are guests from Finland and Italy and I am not sure where else. We are the only Americans, but it seems like everyone speaks English).<br /><br />Time to suit up and get in! We are a bit nervous since it has been over 2 years since we have been diving. The crew is wonderful and they are all there to help with anything we need or want. It is very comforting. We take a giant stride off the back of the boat and are ready to go.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz-ILDXAoOw_Dfn8PVvEcQtRT2WcjNIJFEGfnVihe6-GyoiEeip0FJNVn4oQm7CWRZ72LzZavuuSXmtQddumtcTBqstlnF-Bci-tixsE1CaBQq7lgfnOpb8bzmrMeptaoUP7tcGSluMt_/s1600-h/IMG_6175.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz-ILDXAoOw_Dfn8PVvEcQtRT2WcjNIJFEGfnVihe6-GyoiEeip0FJNVn4oQm7CWRZ72LzZavuuSXmtQddumtcTBqstlnF-Bci-tixsE1CaBQq7lgfnOpb8bzmrMeptaoUP7tcGSluMt_/s320/IMG_6175.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448520317543908610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Busy on the dive platform<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AabH6NxdASgsSahf5vqQk1kIL-q_7xgX_V-bXU3RKUXsmhn-cAHcm-eVqnMM2ILrF7MaHNoUAq7Dp6sgeoIdWYUaVlMCc69V2NL4p-haKmT4EU2ohqHL6BzZojrNVdCpfBu5lyJNgr_H/s1600-h/IMG_6178.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AabH6NxdASgsSahf5vqQk1kIL-q_7xgX_V-bXU3RKUXsmhn-cAHcm-eVqnMM2ILrF7MaHNoUAq7Dp6sgeoIdWYUaVlMCc69V2NL4p-haKmT4EU2ohqHL6BzZojrNVdCpfBu5lyJNgr_H/s320/IMG_6178.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448520327621283506" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Suiting up<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_piQusIXfwUXd155uXg4OnLLUuKb0cO_gGDXgDrKIsmoZjYukAkPaCKPZzini4qAByj9giUUbXvxaZpD0a9erFE-Wawc4-dG4eOtt5GvbgtS-CEsv9EQLhO3Yb323ppjRD7qr3jIqGLt/s1600-h/IMG_6180.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_piQusIXfwUXd155uXg4OnLLUuKb0cO_gGDXgDrKIsmoZjYukAkPaCKPZzini4qAByj9giUUbXvxaZpD0a9erFE-Wawc4-dG4eOtt5GvbgtS-CEsv9EQLhO3Yb323ppjRD7qr3jIqGLt/s320/IMG_6180.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448520328616139506" border="0" /></a> Busier on the dive platform<br /></span></div><br />The dive at Anita's Reef is a shallow, easy dive. Perfect for a "check-out" dive. The water temp is a wonderful 84 degrees. We find that our skills come back to us and soon we are all very comfortable in the water again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16T2Qg41BeSnoMbROQo2-AsdDy0NsejY6lkfz0ihaLFhmhTaNgfmiqI869W76YukxZiJxJREv8sRs1P3-Y4mOFwmoTBL3kjSk0LbgvrxUh4u8HhiZGflP9Q-jQjMKc6DXK3ObrSPr1jnJ/s1600-h/b27.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16T2Qg41BeSnoMbROQo2-AsdDy0NsejY6lkfz0ihaLFhmhTaNgfmiqI869W76YukxZiJxJREv8sRs1P3-Y4mOFwmoTBL3kjSk0LbgvrxUh4u8HhiZGflP9Q-jQjMKc6DXK3ObrSPr1jnJ/s320/b27.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448521339960380418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Down we go!<br /><br /></span></div><br />Since we have never dived in Asia, we see many creatures that we have never seen before. Sometimes the fish look familiar (like our Caribbean friends), but they are "wearing different clothes." Kim is fantastic at finding and pointing out many species. He writes their names on his underwater slate for us to remember. There are some small wrasses that we have been told may want to try and get in your ear or elsewhere to "clean" you. They keep bugging Rich and he shoos them away. Finally one comes and bites me on the lip - TWICE!! Fortunately they are pretty small fish and their bite is small - just suprising.<br /><br />Some of the highlights of this dive are pictured below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Lionfish<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE62zgcV5QzBYYcOW49rYVi28Q8kWPw1jsNJmSiipRw0KP8GmsghIvTRaUcL_RMuzo6laJ7QPDO_YN7urQfRfNruEfX2O1GRrnpwMNDuGxSuDU-pvXMFGSyfqOj9nRYz3wZj50tN7NfxTO/s1600-h/b51.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE62zgcV5QzBYYcOW49rYVi28Q8kWPw1jsNJmSiipRw0KP8GmsghIvTRaUcL_RMuzo6laJ7QPDO_YN7urQfRfNruEfX2O1GRrnpwMNDuGxSuDU-pvXMFGSyfqOj9nRYz3wZj50tN7NfxTO/s320/b51.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448521346321867954" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />lionsfish<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluLBm_nT9r0l6SYL34A0-ElykVAs00khhXmEIAjsHfSatuCO_qQIkdeyCTRUJWwxji1-Kfc5sLhO6BlyI7LKzlDZyN0R7JJ5804X0lxVtmgPwAt-mbHqDQf88n7wnK0COq24q_g4QJhxE/s1600-h/a30.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluLBm_nT9r0l6SYL34A0-ElykVAs00khhXmEIAjsHfSatuCO_qQIkdeyCTRUJWwxji1-Kfc5sLhO6BlyI7LKzlDZyN0R7JJ5804X0lxVtmgPwAt-mbHqDQf88n7wnK0COq24q_g4QJhxE/s320/a30.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448521358789746050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">miramira (laying eggs - it's the size of your little finger)<br /><br /></span></div><br />After the dive we get back on the boat and are immediately greeted by the Thai cook with a glass of pineapple juice. Nice. Once again - this is true luxury diving. All of the Thai crew are so helpful in taking complete care of you. We never have to touch our gear or move anything. It is awesome!<br /><br />We sit down with Kim and a fish id book and go over some of the things we have seen.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wEJUd4KU5qcgPDh3RDUBmm1yVIF52VCss40CGI2JZ5ruiCqyDQFp8jRuXZMGY7eEKF7LUeyLTiPh-54ItHIv_P3E9KN8JnAIcst73YO-7xmiq6YAIJA93tk6BAY6sg7oIeyV5bmaNDa1/s1600-h/IMG_6168.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wEJUd4KU5qcgPDh3RDUBmm1yVIF52VCss40CGI2JZ5ruiCqyDQFp8jRuXZMGY7eEKF7LUeyLTiPh-54ItHIv_P3E9KN8JnAIcst73YO-7xmiq6YAIJA93tk6BAY6sg7oIeyV5bmaNDa1/s320/IMG_6168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448521364805457154" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;">Janel snags the id book from the Salon<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkwXF9OFy7WguROkmt4CaudugYxdU4bvb6uZKQ1MTZWAJrLfht51PWFbcf8FPj-IOCF90y8M4nmJCXxLtUvN0M1ieyuqQRwQn6kJE8Ons0xZsLeBXXzZb-TXV2ytW_e10TxglB9OMSC6O/s1600-h/IMG_6169.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkwXF9OFy7WguROkmt4CaudugYxdU4bvb6uZKQ1MTZWAJrLfht51PWFbcf8FPj-IOCF90y8M4nmJCXxLtUvN0M1ieyuqQRwQn6kJE8Ons0xZsLeBXXzZb-TXV2ytW_e10TxglB9OMSC6O/s320/IMG_6169.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448521374377657858" border="0" /></a> Kim points out a specimen<br /></span></div><br />We head to our cabin to dry off a bit and soon we hear "BREAKFAST IS SERVED, BREAKFAST IS SERVED" booming down the hallway. Ahh. . . our "real" breakfast. We enjoy eggs, bacon, ham, tomatoes/onions, toast and juice. Diving makes you sooo hungry and the food tastes great.<br /><br />We relax for a bit and find time to spread out on the boat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWd57B1TbHxgl6FtxWjH0aHbEtQOzLPVllUmni7mpI6NMNpgVYA1jn-E0ZertIdsOdZYwd7dp0uj0iPjEEkzKp9XUFzCaLZdmBcpYXfG4zwjfan-X2sjH1h4sZka5v5UiXn4ANB2n9bgv/s1600-h/IMG_6170.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWd57B1TbHxgl6FtxWjH0aHbEtQOzLPVllUmni7mpI6NMNpgVYA1jn-E0ZertIdsOdZYwd7dp0uj0iPjEEkzKp9XUFzCaLZdmBcpYXfG4zwjfan-X2sjH1h4sZka5v5UiXn4ANB2n9bgv/s320/IMG_6170.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448522102949389538" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Relaxin' and readin'<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmiDyVgy0g7e4P2eC9w9zPRMOyA2DIc8tZ0hsitqW8HcuiAEJlCdWbRlbgsYgMap2sOd7LdIcbYIA-fAm4nwNoFVzToSy7MGYNIcVFWqwBlt315i5vbb_hlFMS7jybd3uc9TD6ppF27gY/s1600-h/IMG_6171.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmiDyVgy0g7e4P2eC9w9zPRMOyA2DIc8tZ0hsitqW8HcuiAEJlCdWbRlbgsYgMap2sOd7LdIcbYIA-fAm4nwNoFVzToSy7MGYNIcVFWqwBlt315i5vbb_hlFMS7jybd3uc9TD6ppF27gY/s320/IMG_6171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448522110380861186" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">On the upper deck</span><br /></div><br />11:30 rolls around very soon and it is time for the next dive's briefing. Kim shows us a map of East of Eden, we gear up and descend once again into the blue. The visibility is fantastic and the amount of fishlife is stunning. Right away we see a sea snake. We have never seen one before and it looks very cool. (later Kim tells us that they are one of the most poisonous creatures around. . .)<br /><br />Kim tries to show us something in a little cave, and we look and look but don't get what he is after. He writes on his slate "Ornate Ghost Pipefish." We still don't see it. Finally, we realize that the two pieces of seaweed we are looking at are actually fish! Very weird looking.<br /><br />Highlights include:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqfES7Ib9BfjYw3KFcrZ2Bl9QKVLlbBP_MNvtMpHhpfbHr87M_s44ZGwG-n5vhbLbXrs_abZoVajGNIwK_50QJsbJdzzgOPJMKsLBPGQyBy-HlUS8aIQQClBkIrjI6-v4MTVkUs62B_v2/s1600-h/b24.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqfES7Ib9BfjYw3KFcrZ2Bl9QKVLlbBP_MNvtMpHhpfbHr87M_s44ZGwG-n5vhbLbXrs_abZoVajGNIwK_50QJsbJdzzgOPJMKsLBPGQyBy-HlUS8aIQQClBkIrjI6-v4MTVkUs62B_v2/s320/b24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448523605409195010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ornate ghost pipefish<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3ZnEX6MeI6p83sLjxfbJGRNdf_ksPHagjkUncE_C6mPs5tQZ2FpJMudYNK-YsL4IHf1cbl7AKA3jxdaV6gzdoFn2QTn239YhYcjhV7MDtm5tRtCxO9rapLwSw5JlhMKcE6pKD_PELVCp/s1600-h/b22.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3ZnEX6MeI6p83sLjxfbJGRNdf_ksPHagjkUncE_C6mPs5tQZ2FpJMudYNK-YsL4IHf1cbl7AKA3jxdaV6gzdoFn2QTn239YhYcjhV7MDtm5tRtCxO9rapLwSw5JlhMKcE6pKD_PELVCp/s320/b22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448523621950019058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Banded Sea Snake<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyAV9_a5wbcSzPRwGQaDZ145FD_PEy9v3VNGyMA46xrlHFloXZk79DKpHwBU2BRmgw7BFtLljk_MddJ6hiUTg3m74oGDJ4pVCiT7PftasV8hmwf7iTN4VposhD6b-LXssn2DCTAcHwiCa/s1600-h/f33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyAV9_a5wbcSzPRwGQaDZ145FD_PEy9v3VNGyMA46xrlHFloXZk79DKpHwBU2BRmgw7BFtLljk_MddJ6hiUTg3m74oGDJ4pVCiT7PftasV8hmwf7iTN4VposhD6b-LXssn2DCTAcHwiCa/s320/f33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448523629284190114" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Titan Triggerfish<br /><br /></span></div><br />Soon it is lunchtime (divers eat often and a LOT). Lunch is a variety of Thai dishes that are delicious. We chow down. Ok - this is where I had previously decided I could fit in a nap. I head to my cabin and pass out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi748TmEWz5tcFzMILpRrqJBdJBj_XkeW8ZDvgLi4bTn6RpAPuR8gJl8OvjIA4ETdB2u3g6_KNZvpBkAnlyjXEyEPnkx_z2luJgZRaKXffB8baJrLpxy88UAFxUkK2arVsj1vPjN6B0hnHA/s1600-h/IMG_6173.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi748TmEWz5tcFzMILpRrqJBdJBj_XkeW8ZDvgLi4bTn6RpAPuR8gJl8OvjIA4ETdB2u3g6_KNZvpBkAnlyjXEyEPnkx_z2luJgZRaKXffB8baJrLpxy88UAFxUkK2arVsj1vPjN6B0hnHA/s320/IMG_6173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448523638951250706" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Good night sweet prince</span><br /></div><br />All too soon I hear that booming voice again announcing the dive briefing. I drag myself out of my coma and we get briefed for West of Eden. Another great dive. We stay for almost an hour and start off with a turtle that follows us closely. Frogfish are the stars here and Kim finds two of them. He had previously mentioned to us that we might see a long trumpetfish that tries to hide itself by basically riding on top of a large pufferfish. We kind of dismissed his statement and then can't believe when we actually witness the spectacle underwater! Other highlights include:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR0RjTsk_Cyv0dilrsMDxznt5flb8v_ixAdkd_4rvUJj0imVXTJ8E6Fmj8FPgGW6vMf5h48a-XTyEWPUvTFtMidJZt31_cQYUyrVCEOlBfE1NL-pweK6F65splOXbMVowe-HK36DoM5Ui/s1600-h/c23.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR0RjTsk_Cyv0dilrsMDxznt5flb8v_ixAdkd_4rvUJj0imVXTJ8E6Fmj8FPgGW6vMf5h48a-XTyEWPUvTFtMidJZt31_cQYUyrVCEOlBfE1NL-pweK6F65splOXbMVowe-HK36DoM5Ui/s320/c23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448523645282581522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Spotfin Frogfish<br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNZKeZESToQzpb_wIR5naQlkNkh18hMHTfY1SgM6i362N1eguC-OR5MSLrDJdbE-OkxGvcYP929wOvTV5xAa485zdKDn-Jf46Y88tKq4yShpZ92rcu4vcXl4T3xRzk87HvCx8KNdYPyJF/s1600-h/c21.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNZKeZESToQzpb_wIR5naQlkNkh18hMHTfY1SgM6i362N1eguC-OR5MSLrDJdbE-OkxGvcYP929wOvTV5xAa485zdKDn-Jf46Y88tKq4yShpZ92rcu4vcXl4T3xRzk87HvCx8KNdYPyJF/s320/c21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448524686654285586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Sea Turtle with Linda/Rich</span><br /></div><br />We ascend from the deep and what do you know - it is snack time! We munch on muffins and espresso cake. Just what we needed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDcEaXNEb1EM6fZymmgD9fxf3o698EycAI-VIPLbX4P1xVMaFPOphQcXq4ZJziDFMhC9sy-BiOrISVJL8JWDc1-Gh4dZrRL-6oD6b6OJiOPC_BJNwBMukg0cVx8Mfp3YsDqpSvkUSX0r9/s1600-h/IMG_6192.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDcEaXNEb1EM6fZymmgD9fxf3o698EycAI-VIPLbX4P1xVMaFPOphQcXq4ZJziDFMhC9sy-BiOrISVJL8JWDc1-Gh4dZrRL-6oD6b6OJiOPC_BJNwBMukg0cVx8Mfp3YsDqpSvkUSX0r9/s320/IMG_6192.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448524694533785602" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Snack time? Again?</span><br /></div><br />After the 3rd dive of the day, the boat motors to a beautiful cove with a gorgeous little white sand beach. Those who want may get in the dinghy and visit for awhile. Janel is ready and jumps in the first dinghy which is already full.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlFnX8MDSEbSdpaUrkkO93cJkp48dh_foFGEVK6xN6CnJNKC38k0fndDbxx-6_Aw03wufn9b279Fb7gQuFqGMozebroB0VJIpsYIBZHifSwUR6VeUppfnOR2NydCLHVRW65tJnWfvzwjC/s1600-h/IMG_6193.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlFnX8MDSEbSdpaUrkkO93cJkp48dh_foFGEVK6xN6CnJNKC38k0fndDbxx-6_Aw03wufn9b279Fb7gQuFqGMozebroB0VJIpsYIBZHifSwUR6VeUppfnOR2NydCLHVRW65tJnWfvzwjC/s320/IMG_6193.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448524703010897282" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Bye-bye Janel</span><br /></div><br />Rich and I wait for the 2nd dinghy and climb aboard. Rich takes a few parting shots of our "home" on the water.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkcL7p5hTfo1vYy-BAd9BKEl-Lmr3gypnvITm7kTHuvsiZ9jG8m-jpHGCzsq5nLMEUUe2t50oxfh6odlawDz8otZ2H3saH7TMdUPhHS-WR5sPvIrl-VyJKX5LqcAfc3FPSsaIyK89wUer/s1600-h/IMG_6195.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkcL7p5hTfo1vYy-BAd9BKEl-Lmr3gypnvITm7kTHuvsiZ9jG8m-jpHGCzsq5nLMEUUe2t50oxfh6odlawDz8otZ2H3saH7TMdUPhHS-WR5sPvIrl-VyJKX5LqcAfc3FPSsaIyK89wUer/s320/IMG_6195.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448524709267603842" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Queen Scuba - our home</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfGP91k3RVeGNHLmflbTgU9saiwp-W_ITgWJz6zuMSSBQYrVbDTh0gdS4fMPDvFIZEsVdc4q1i7w89bLUHxjuswnhZq7fKaNml4aLo6mSpCBxwQl4LhaQVIgAozf_bXNSdwSK_u_oPV0-/s1600-h/IMG_6197.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfGP91k3RVeGNHLmflbTgU9saiwp-W_ITgWJz6zuMSSBQYrVbDTh0gdS4fMPDvFIZEsVdc4q1i7w89bLUHxjuswnhZq7fKaNml4aLo6mSpCBxwQl4LhaQVIgAozf_bXNSdwSK_u_oPV0-/s320/IMG_6197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448524718297542354" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">The Queen - prettiest liveaboard in these parts</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqzjBTzP7iDcMeXwyokz1nf8G9NtZbWsDXB2rkaFzAyDoL8WuzVnMlPPucsLROWxRNmjLjQ_xV5QtGZ8Fpv-0421RT_Fg4v5xu2aZvThGUnoIPVFRuCSbexmBEaOthcearFi9Ebne9i8G/s1600-h/IMG_6196.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqzjBTzP7iDcMeXwyokz1nf8G9NtZbWsDXB2rkaFzAyDoL8WuzVnMlPPucsLROWxRNmjLjQ_xV5QtGZ8Fpv-0421RT_Fg4v5xu2aZvThGUnoIPVFRuCSbexmBEaOthcearFi9Ebne9i8G/s320/IMG_6196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448525558548552178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Heading to the beach</span><br /></div><br />The beach is idyllic. There are a few bungalows where people are dropped off and can stay. Mostly the island/beach is used by folks like us from dive boats. We wander around and let our feet get buried in the sand. Janel finds a quiet place to read and chill. It doesn't get any more relaxing than this - "sabai, sabai."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaNOLs3V3M3PlHDg5GdGScod26HfUyYFjKsyO9VR3Cc7-EdFLLHcfZ-dQFfaun_X4Y8wjfqU4fx1ORuhHsFsgjZtoVMdkBEMCYQsl-AOAFpjykC9q8xNWw70_5-fqtCsOcxdJHX8vpdst/s1600-h/IMG_6198.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaNOLs3V3M3PlHDg5GdGScod26HfUyYFjKsyO9VR3Cc7-EdFLLHcfZ-dQFfaun_X4Y8wjfqU4fx1ORuhHsFsgjZtoVMdkBEMCYQsl-AOAFpjykC9q8xNWw70_5-fqtCsOcxdJHX8vpdst/s320/IMG_6198.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448522118843815506" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Pulling the dinghy onto the beach (Linda in pink on the sand)</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EGDGnm7NGAQ0V0NU8WAPlbrGnHd7T2QdPp1Th2t8WIkmtckDB3Z_LqsqJBujQMJxEjkHFXAjtldL7RbZoeONw_19FiXcPf_SJlIzu_l9BSwTd4DnSNhsW6zOF0Tk6OmoYBl76nuBgRPt/s1600-h/IMG_6199.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EGDGnm7NGAQ0V0NU8WAPlbrGnHd7T2QdPp1Th2t8WIkmtckDB3Z_LqsqJBujQMJxEjkHFXAjtldL7RbZoeONw_19FiXcPf_SJlIzu_l9BSwTd4DnSNhsW6zOF0Tk6OmoYBl76nuBgRPt/s320/IMG_6199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448522126661692994" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Bookworm</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_lKyXuemTjILi8iu0NjALqLAJzBw9meAJZ2twXLFKGFsyztvVxM6l2kOKZvT_hKAZAo8D1g3T15ICSq_ScBR9z-HBynwSxYVqOqfZRTHOdg7qjNEAYI6nyEhRmuhhqWLrvZ9iR4HJwVq/s1600-h/IMG_6200.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_lKyXuemTjILi8iu0NjALqLAJzBw9meAJZ2twXLFKGFsyztvVxM6l2kOKZvT_hKAZAo8D1g3T15ICSq_ScBR9z-HBynwSxYVqOqfZRTHOdg7qjNEAYI6nyEhRmuhhqWLrvZ9iR4HJwVq/s320/IMG_6200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448522143596868994" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Remind you of "Blue Lagoon?"</span><br /></div><br />When it is time to head back to the boat the waves have picked up. The dinghy is rockin' and rollin' before we even can get aboard. One girl in our group manages to climb in just before two huge waves hit. She rides the dinghy like a surfboard and raises with the crests of the waves. Impressive! We all manage to get on (some of us have to be physically pulled on our bellies to get on the dinghy...) and head back to the Queen.<br /><br />There is a night dive scheduled for tonight. Janel and Rich both love night dives. The jury is still out for me. I love seeing the creatures that come out at night, but the "spooky factor" still gets me. Kim briefs us on the creatures we might encounter and we discuss the possibilities.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRXGD4nnH-vS1WAUwE-BXofBR-0TGnbWjc_xwVCSr9m-UtVhFom7lBFAw4FLhSXAX585HPgP3PMy4gvErA35Xqnmh4ZslRsdLbqnvSJ4Zj6dbK-ckNceSJMdyK1zSOxU8u8kley2vKWLS/s1600-h/IMG_6187.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRXGD4nnH-vS1WAUwE-BXofBR-0TGnbWjc_xwVCSr9m-UtVhFom7lBFAw4FLhSXAX585HPgP3PMy4gvErA35Xqnmh4ZslRsdLbqnvSJ4Zj6dbK-ckNceSJMdyK1zSOxU8u8kley2vKWLS/s320/IMG_6187.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448525570318813762" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">A night dive??! Are you sure?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJe7SsfhlkCNAByks-rNU2L-VoN_-azkA7jMgOeeiUzEUHfA0GgL7lmHyl54DQgpQzrq-ZitasmXjzPeLyf6wQbEq9pCz-41PnoP3oLP_EWQLPDhOGKC8AQDQLFtnXYYGD5Kbfozpl1GE/s1600-h/IMG_6188.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJe7SsfhlkCNAByks-rNU2L-VoN_-azkA7jMgOeeiUzEUHfA0GgL7lmHyl54DQgpQzrq-ZitasmXjzPeLyf6wQbEq9pCz-41PnoP3oLP_EWQLPDhOGKC8AQDQLFtnXYYGD5Kbfozpl1GE/s320/IMG_6188.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448525575644845650" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Ok, as long as you will protect me!</span><br /></div><br />There was quite a discussion regarding flashlights for the dive. It seems there is quite a difference of opinion with language use between the Brits and the divemaster from Arizona (and us). The Brits say we are going to use "torches." We call them flashlights (of course). We were asked if we needed torches for our night dive and I snarkily responded that I didn't really want to try and use fire underwater. . . give me a flashlight, please.<br /><br />We suit up just after sunset and jump in. As darkness comes upon us our lights seek out the creatures of the night. Our guide (Kim) once again is super to keep us out of the maddening crowds (really only about 8 other divers) and we head off in a different direction than everyone else. Every nook and cranny has pairs of tiny red eyes (little shrimp) staring out at us. Honeymoon Bay is a great night dive spot - not spooky at all. Lionfish are out in abundance in their full display of plumage. We are mesmerized by the Feathered Starfish. Highlights of this dive include:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UV0qqIiWA7mgQ_NwidJzFF4wTUrzSEWBbeR3vOjWTMHPdC5oFR_P3CBQbKygt_cxHVIuKqqdB9-wvFLsbjcQ4f0mkfzzryzVO_bPSr8n0P0LzSRuiDw8WvQrIzUlPqLplbeh36bcaeB_/s1600-h/c54.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UV0qqIiWA7mgQ_NwidJzFF4wTUrzSEWBbeR3vOjWTMHPdC5oFR_P3CBQbKygt_cxHVIuKqqdB9-wvFLsbjcQ4f0mkfzzryzVO_bPSr8n0P0LzSRuiDw8WvQrIzUlPqLplbeh36bcaeB_/s320/c54.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448525584667468018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Giant Moray<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABj7X6Hk3kJHDcSH1cW5mTJRBqYjXGcDh74dNEjw2OmZoAwhLB-aqm7-pjkqTXwGrOIrVbQM6kJ4nn64yeQ-2_YqJgM8JO7IPpBVz8Gha4giICCTJolw0cIHH9xVS8qiv4rGjMM5-krm-/s1600-h/h32.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABj7X6Hk3kJHDcSH1cW5mTJRBqYjXGcDh74dNEjw2OmZoAwhLB-aqm7-pjkqTXwGrOIrVbQM6kJ4nn64yeQ-2_YqJgM8JO7IPpBVz8Gha4giICCTJolw0cIHH9xVS8qiv4rGjMM5-krm-/s320/h32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448525595135522018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Feathered Starfish<br /><br /></span></div>We ascend into darkness and once again board the boat. The captain's little boy greets us immediately on the dive deck and asks "would you like a hot towel?" Why, yes - yes I would!<br /><br />We shower and get into dry clothes again. (wet, dry, wet, dry - all day long). Janel and I pop a Singha beer - our first of the day (you cannot have alcohol if you will be diving). It is sublime.<br /><br />Dinnertime! Dinner is another delicious Thai meal with curries and a wonderful soup with coconut milk and oyster mushrooms. I didn't think I was a bit hungry, but I chow down anyway.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSnwFQUa-ykULkxLICabgkJJ9zv3h2Oz-8xOk5wy8sGlWgTGNzbWNQvxxcLXzjxDb3-32C9S9cfba4jcEaaMzYC4E3lSR1thlLfOfqA9gXYpG_ee-hgTw4ej8tZ1m9dBbdAoaPOjEvt1E/s1600-h/d23.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSnwFQUa-ykULkxLICabgkJJ9zv3h2Oz-8xOk5wy8sGlWgTGNzbWNQvxxcLXzjxDb3-32C9S9cfba4jcEaaMzYC4E3lSR1thlLfOfqA9gXYpG_ee-hgTw4ej8tZ1m9dBbdAoaPOjEvt1E/s320/d23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448525999972873154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Perfect end to a perfect day</span><br /></div><br />Everyone chills out after dinner. It is not hot out here on the water. There is a great breeze and it feels good. I head into the Salon with the laptop to start today's blog. There are others in the salon working on their cameras, laptops and generally chatting. Rich is still fighting his illness (upper respiratory) and retires early. Janel and I stay for a little while and then hang it up for the night. I hope we sleep a little better tonight. Tomorrow morning's call will be at 6am.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-73135899647920173982010-03-10T17:53:00.000-08:002010-03-14T18:43:30.746-07:00maritimes are good timesi stayed up into the wee hours last night a-bloggin', so this morning i sweetly snooze away until momma raps at my door, noting that it is well-nigh time for breakfast. i've gotten into the masochistic habit of turning on <a href="http://www.channelvthailand.com/v2/">channel v</a> whenever alone in the room, and this morning seems like a terrible time to quit. my consciousness bubbles to a surface laced with adam lambert. i ooze downstairs.<br /><br />we do the iced coffee routine, the noting-how-it's-not-as-good-as-the-old-lady's routine, and read each other's blog posts (hey, they can't all be red letter days). the morning whatnot is accented with eggs and a honeyed banana pancake. i give thanks for non-coagulated salt, so crucial for maximum yolk enjoyment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kirR5YNQv5-0JEecJ2a27foFG89ybuc4OYmJJS4laZnLCX4PmUnO9VLwqoyQ0Mk-PN4OTOhdSQAzyVvU8Aed6xKoCKqpTuAQl1A-K-vuTvoJa9A8pXwGORCKwfzxhkBXEHpctXRNz2St/s1600-h/IMG_6131.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kirR5YNQv5-0JEecJ2a27foFG89ybuc4OYmJJS4laZnLCX4PmUnO9VLwqoyQ0Mk-PN4OTOhdSQAzyVvU8Aed6xKoCKqpTuAQl1A-K-vuTvoJa9A8pXwGORCKwfzxhkBXEHpctXRNz2St/s320/IMG_6131.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448659069666335842" border="0" /></a><br />i ensnare the kindle early, sensing imminent claims upon it from many directions. a few days prior i received the generous offer to download a volume of my choosing onto the precious device, and i immediately transfered zadie smith's only other novel, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Beauty">on beauty</a>. thirty seconds later i was filled with regret, recalling my ability to devour alive any average tome within mere days. my knowledge of book recommendations sought and located a solution deep within its file cabinets, and, stealthily, i added <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_jest">infinite jest</a> to the kindle's memory banks.<br /><br />cozied into the couch pillows at baan suay, i engage fully in the absurdly footnoted world of Harold Incandenza in the Year of the Tuck's Medicated Pad. a couple hours later, dad asks me what it is about, and i enthusiastically respond that i really don't quite know as of yet.<br /><br />it is a waiting sort of day. a van is slated to swoop down from the heavens and wing us off to the <a href="http://www.similandivers.com/">Queen Scuba</a> dive boat at approximately 3 p.m., so we get serious at our milling about.<br /><br />daddles requires tylenol (still not feeling tops) so we sweat our way to the pharmacy and back. our tumblies are rumbly, and we contemplate some seriously <span style="font-style: italic;">hom</span> roasted chicken, but manage to hold off.<br /><br />at last - motion, movement! the van is here and we pile in, simultaneously meeting Mssrs. Mark, Kim, and Mike. they are invitingly gregarious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKCQ__b51lDaWKnPwXpHEDjIA95xilGjJ1INbB71hyphenhyphen4K8qrN7GtB82m-Ihxwqtn3OagmMjc1dKquUo-aTUqwvXc1yWw2wAGQe7di7PT8x1aOkfHH-pDv7YDsLy0paOrobdwWAyXE8aVgs/s1600-h/IMG_6133.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKCQ__b51lDaWKnPwXpHEDjIA95xilGjJ1INbB71hyphenhyphen4K8qrN7GtB82m-Ihxwqtn3OagmMjc1dKquUo-aTUqwvXc1yWw2wAGQe7di7PT8x1aOkfHH-pDv7YDsLy0paOrobdwWAyXE8aVgs/s320/IMG_6133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448659060367858930" border="0" /></a><br />we make one stop to load up with further passengers before heading out of town. we're a bit early, so our trio pop over to the 7-11 (indispensible i tell you) to get some quick eats. spicy fried seaweed and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakult">yakult</a> for me, salted broad beans and sweet basil flavor chips and black lemon tea for mom, butter bread and yakult for dad. mom has previously snubbed the absolutely magnificent yakult, but this time she is surrounded by cold, enticing bottles and surrenders to a sip. she remains unimpressed.<br /><br />the new passengers are a series of five, who appear to know each other to varying degrees, but who also decline to make significant conversation with us. i decide they must be shy and am a tad saddened. then my ear perks to a woman's command: "dame la maquina!" ah, spanish, excelente! i further crane my neck, and i realize i am close, pero no cigarro. italian, they are all italian. the shyness transforms into a language barrier - hmmm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEininqVeWVppA9_XBOBHCXk4fG7ePtniAsTnItN9wIztPBIN2vr_slR4GhY4tflaDvTlUhOYhx9HvZBA888VXeouWhlTUQTqUS5hhmwx3Xxy5GEAKxgNQdcid5wPrDHg7xONhdGnmpqc8HH/s1600-h/IMG_6135.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEininqVeWVppA9_XBOBHCXk4fG7ePtniAsTnItN9wIztPBIN2vr_slR4GhY4tflaDvTlUhOYhx9HvZBA888VXeouWhlTUQTqUS5hhmwx3Xxy5GEAKxgNQdcid5wPrDHg7xONhdGnmpqc8HH/s320/IMG_6135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448657952374643330" border="0" /></a><br />two hours, plenty of raindrops, and an infinity of jesting later, we find ourselves at the boat. a quick pineapple juice and we are being shown our quarters. i had submitted to the possibility of sharing a bunk should another lonesome female be aboard, but this is not the case and my room is my own.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rlZszasUdHcyHlH21pNdns8Yn0hyphenhyphena6jhtKmEllHzdCsVxvtNd-Y3KeVGx2v-4ATCoehiaEyk3VUaEV810YOU8qSFYu6reO4BwnMq0QrTs_svrGNDUKGQhdXfdskzgG2f-01Hckv6wH9f/s1600-h/IMG_6140.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rlZszasUdHcyHlH21pNdns8Yn0hyphenhyphena6jhtKmEllHzdCsVxvtNd-Y3KeVGx2v-4ATCoehiaEyk3VUaEV810YOU8qSFYu6reO4BwnMq0QrTs_svrGNDUKGQhdXfdskzgG2f-01Hckv6wH9f/s320/IMG_6140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448657947536309202" border="0" /></a><br />mom and dad have decided they require the honeymoon suite, complete with enormous bed and flatscreen TV/DVD player. in a cruel twist of fate, however, the television set is out of commission and has been yanked from the wall, leaving only a few limp wires in its wake. ah well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYublMayCMsLu0k-qAW7q5F8HRviDQMvkCg1M6RXsn_NKWBG7iU3-9WZfOk-trQSURhBV4POuqkHbzOJnfcuAgLqJiI0sOIIxDhS45thZps3eRz-AD6nCfIRzhEfU5JbwZ8A9mPKKWPSH/s1600-h/IMG_6148.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYublMayCMsLu0k-qAW7q5F8HRviDQMvkCg1M6RXsn_NKWBG7iU3-9WZfOk-trQSURhBV4POuqkHbzOJnfcuAgLqJiI0sOIIxDhS45thZps3eRz-AD6nCfIRzhEfU5JbwZ8A9mPKKWPSH/s320/IMG_6148.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448657936803554146" border="0" /></a><br />we hit the back deck and set up our dive gear, with a small amount of trepidation at the start owing to the length of time it's been since we've done this last (over two years, can you believe it?). it's deliciously easy, however, and we are all geared up for tomorrow within minutes. we'll all be diving on a nitrox blend of 32% for these coming days, which means that longer dives are theoretically possible for us, plus a lower "nitro-load" post dive, equating to less overall exhaustion. we know how to play this game.<br /><br />we beer it, making use of the honesty system so common on liveaboards of marking up your alcohol "purchases" for yourself as they occur. mike, an amicable crewmember oddly from glendale, arizona, gives an introductory speech for the boat and crew, then invites everyone to the bow to watch 100 firecrackers be set off upon launch for luck. dad hands the camera to the expert.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarv-jVgqTHH6s_10hHbuvRpTxGT1pGY0gxJSq8NUwqNCS1wZb5pQ5f22oTneUoxjbHmDRSlDXDKqUBaqzF8egfhcUGFdHAyzlyh4UshLWg99jftUGDHdsTUg4DJYpQj01mm9syVPB1H7E/s1600-h/IMG_6158.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarv-jVgqTHH6s_10hHbuvRpTxGT1pGY0gxJSq8NUwqNCS1wZb5pQ5f22oTneUoxjbHmDRSlDXDKqUBaqzF8egfhcUGFdHAyzlyh4UshLWg99jftUGDHdsTUg4DJYpQj01mm9syVPB1H7E/s320/IMG_6158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448657929435653922" border="0" /></a><br />din-dins! tonight it is fried rice with egg and veggies, red curry chicken, shrimp with asparagus and carrots, and a mysterious final dish that appears to be potatoes or dumplings of some variety. i scoop a load of everything onto the rice, then notice that the final unknown concoction was definitely a soup. whoop.<br /><br />the mishmash of sauces/soup stock actually turns out to be fantastically delectable. the soup does not hold anything like potatoes at all; the yellow chunks are the creamiest tofu i've ever had.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxSHTLYCUOuBOqM5OOem9IhyphenhyphenlbfHuvhXJ18p31jA4P-HFWH59vAr6NQw4Uql2Xul5kQf56zIUFRJ34bCBXIQ2aVav_TjpH53030xQ_M0ZCogBBsKSBiAB9l791LwM2k6UoOt8xAoRXZ1v/s1600-h/IMG_6164.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxSHTLYCUOuBOqM5OOem9IhyphenhyphenlbfHuvhXJ18p31jA4P-HFWH59vAr6NQw4Uql2Xul5kQf56zIUFRJ34bCBXIQ2aVav_TjpH53030xQ_M0ZCogBBsKSBiAB9l791LwM2k6UoOt8xAoRXZ1v/s320/IMG_6164.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448657923783880738" border="0" /></a><br />this array is followed up by a spread of fresh fruits, and i munch on rose apples and dragonfruit. the guy across from me is eating something i've not seen prior, so i snag one and inquire. the chef calls it "honey apple", which turns out to be very precise - it is so sweetly brown sugar i don't want to eat more than a nibble.<br /><br />in the salon, we present our offical PADI dive cards to mike so he can note that we are not imposters trying to scheme our little way into the water. my rescue dive card has a snazzy new manta ray design instead of the dull old dolphin, and dad practically begins foaming at the mouth with jealousy. hmmm, maybe next time <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> should try getting your wallet pilfered on a klong boat, eh mister?<br /><br />i scan a book of indian sea fishes and get hyped for whale sharks and manta rays. we'll see what we can spot.<br /><br />i retire with the laptop and write this. and now this. and this.<br /><br />nighty-nite!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-31334310865582829842010-03-09T21:51:00.000-08:002010-03-09T22:43:25.610-08:00More time off in Phuket(Rich's 3rd post)<br /><br />Another recovery day in Phuket (ask Jack if that rhymes with bucket).<br /><br />With my cold still brewing, we call off the scheduled 2-tank dive with Marsha. It's hopefully a wise investment in getting better faster. Mostly a chest cold, but threatening to go nasal.<br /><br />We sleep late and rise slowly. I discover that tiny Thai ants have invaded our 3rd story guestroom and attacked my revered tamarind candies, and so I throw out the remainder, determined to buy some more if I can find them.<br /><br />The three of us meet downstairs and decide to simply lounge at the open air tables and have the bar staff fix up some breakfast. Linda and Janel are already working on iced coffees. I go for a packaged breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice and coffee. Linda and Janel opt for a pancake, which turns out to be a tasty yellow-cake sort of thing, Linda's stuffed with bananas.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJU8uSL09eZdJavT6FktRJkSAZe7keX5K-mQUhx1xOwDq0mg6L1lSAoUNzBodi58edWBtLEoQW6N04AmT1q0FG_79QICWjUg9qToCGIEwEHQUME8aFioO3g88t8LeTuAJEc1Tc6PYKKlG3/s1600-h/IMG_6098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJU8uSL09eZdJavT6FktRJkSAZe7keX5K-mQUhx1xOwDq0mg6L1lSAoUNzBodi58edWBtLEoQW6N04AmT1q0FG_79QICWjUg9qToCGIEwEHQUME8aFioO3g88t8LeTuAJEc1Tc6PYKKlG3/s320/IMG_6098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446879289426234434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Got to love those iced coffees<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pCGbO7_gQPH4KtiYMlyJVKC0np5TppERNi30h38CaS9VLSmLbBpAcZeCBcAuqTkHa-FY8kcRfWnkbDXlsNRHOq-deTx8pMEEdBdbDXP3l-p-aI3oghe2854gFO44_5JWOA8k_CjJLxU5/s1600-h/IMG_6099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pCGbO7_gQPH4KtiYMlyJVKC0np5TppERNi30h38CaS9VLSmLbBpAcZeCBcAuqTkHa-FY8kcRfWnkbDXlsNRHOq-deTx8pMEEdBdbDXP3l-p-aI3oghe2854gFO44_5JWOA8k_CjJLxU5/s320/IMG_6099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446879278524064210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Solving local and global issues<br /></span></div><br />Linda leaves to catch up on the blog for a while. <damn that="" blog="" it="" keeps="" encroaching="" on="" our="" vacation=""> Janel and I, jacked up on caffeine (not to mention antibiotics, vitamins, and decongestants), spend a luxurious 2 hours discussing world events and personal goals while the day heats up.<br /><br />In a quest for my tamarind candies, we visit the next door 7 Eleven. There is a very small can of a beverage called "White Malt" that I buy and try. Tastes like 1 minute old bread dough, liquidy and yeasty, with a hint of vanilla. Not very good but I down it anyway. We continue a stroll down our street to the next "7" but again strike out on the candy.<br /><br />As we walk, Janel and I pass what now goes for the worst dressed <span style="font-style: italic;">farang</span> tourist we've seen. Janel's term of "offensively uncool" is on full display here. This guy has mismatched shorts and sloppy shirt, a dour unshaven face, and sizable beer gut. The topper is an idiotic bucket hat. Janel says with laugh that this guy has "imposed himself on her reality." We have fun poking fun at the <span style="font-style: italic;">farang,</span> of which we are elements.<br /><br />We pass a third 7 and instead go into a larger supermarket off the main street. It's a long search, but I finally find nice big containers of my favorite tamarind. This leads us to serious momentum buying, reasoning that we'll need plenty of snacks for the dive boat. Score. We also find a six-pack of the white malt beverage with a more complete description - apparently it is a health drink to benefit women's bodies in some way. In what way I do not know, but I'll keep you updated if I feel anything unusual.<br /><br /></damn><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHbvK3xj9AMr-euSDAi_HNYWFqmDWWy1xRxA18mPqNrJLf_rCv8nLyvC0AiQi0Mx-Y51db9-HsETpE9MWWriTfGNyVGfNpigLfzh9H3P6limubEJLMBHZZyrFTC2cR6vh47-Uswkbj7P4/s1600-h/IMG_6103.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHbvK3xj9AMr-euSDAi_HNYWFqmDWWy1xRxA18mPqNrJLf_rCv8nLyvC0AiQi0Mx-Y51db9-HsETpE9MWWriTfGNyVGfNpigLfzh9H3P6limubEJLMBHZZyrFTC2cR6vh47-Uswkbj7P4/s320/IMG_6103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446880314320624338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pretz, sugar crackers, Pocky, Lush, tarmarind, and other goodies </span><br /></div><damn that="" blog="" it="" keeps="" encroaching="" on="" our="" vacation=""><br />We return to the guesthouse to find Linda antsy for activity. We decide to hit the beach, maybe take a swim and do some reading. Unfortunately, we have only the 1 Kindle, plus 2 stale paperbacks. However, I recall that a Kindle Reader is also available for the PC, download it, and soon we've got Linda's purchased Kindle books available on the laptop as well. Sweet. We grab our camera, electronics, sunscreen, etc. etc. and are soon trekking the 1/2 mile to the beach at the height of the 3pm swelter.<br /><br />We're a bit dismayed to pay 300 baht just to lean back in a beach chair, but no big deal. There are big umbrellas as well to ward off the intense sun. Linda and I hit the water. It's great! I'd say around 84F - refreshing and cooling with no shock factor. The waves are tiny, but every once in a while a set of three big ones crashes in. Water color is fabulously blue-green, and there is a curious lack of any sealife on the beach (no shells, no wood, no bubbling holes, no shore birds, just wonderfully sugar-y cream-colored sand).<br /><br />The people watching is excellent. The scene is dominated by leathery ex-pats, and the average body size is considerably above average. Big tanned beer guts, tanned hairy shoulders, tanned droopy breasts, and tanned bald heads everywhere. The hair color (when present) is predominantly white.<br /><br />While I read, the girls decide that a massage on the beach wouldn't be bad. Prices are a little higher here in Phuket, and an hour goes for a whopping 400 baht ($13). I read and roast in the sun. When they're fully loose and oiled, they return and Janel is ready for a fruit shake.<br /><br />A younger bare breasted women strolls by, and I'm pretty sure that maybe they make fruit shakes over where she lays down. I start to go investigate but Linda redirects me to a nearby stand.<br /><br />It's after 5pm already, and they've cleaned up their machinery. Janel pleads a while and eventually they agree to make us a couple shakes. However, after I learn they have no limes, I decline. Janel ends up with a delicious slushy concoction of orange and mango.<br /><br /></damn><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBTGCV2fM-expAunn4WAAP3KCriUZyzpRgLu93nwdaAJK7ClTr0dQg-or2JiDKuXRw2i_JHgodrH0R0LYGXla9lo4E2midC2rDY2c-YByMJlgC9ReeHq-rw4rhi3w8guxoRu4K9G4hlz6/s1600-h/IMG_6105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBTGCV2fM-expAunn4WAAP3KCriUZyzpRgLu93nwdaAJK7ClTr0dQg-or2JiDKuXRw2i_JHgodrH0R0LYGXla9lo4E2midC2rDY2c-YByMJlgC9ReeHq-rw4rhi3w8guxoRu4K9G4hlz6/s320/IMG_6105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446879275573740914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The fruit shakes are here,but might be over there<br /><br /></span></div><damn that="" blog="" it="" keeps="" encroaching="" on="" our="" vacation="">Linda returns to the hotel to clean up and wait for Marsha. She's bringing our dive gear (some ours and some rental) and we know she'll probably want to visit for a while. Janel and I decide to linger on the beach, and end up staying past 6:30 for the sunset. The clouds don't quite coorperate, but the reflections on the water are lovely. One final dip at dusk, and we're strolling our way back to the hotel.<br /><br /></damn><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogEEdyO2pvPxVVfgCqBtLdPdjOUfFIqt5PVZXBdA7ZoHlIREkRnIzuOYdCScPHtKeC6SgnsRzffgKW9ZR2WuiXnSCxMQyi0nd20-ulZ2lg7qUF10vOQfU4FBLRKQ9iSAPTX4tY3eyfvAm/s1600-h/IMG_6108.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogEEdyO2pvPxVVfgCqBtLdPdjOUfFIqt5PVZXBdA7ZoHlIREkRnIzuOYdCScPHtKeC6SgnsRzffgKW9ZR2WuiXnSCxMQyi0nd20-ulZ2lg7qUF10vOQfU4FBLRKQ9iSAPTX4tY3eyfvAm/s320/IMG_6108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446879268612482450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Very chilled out time on Karon Beach</span><br /></div><br /><damn that="" blog="" it="" keeps="" encroaching="" on="" our="" vacation="">Marsha and Linda are sharing a beer, talking travel and diving. Janel and I join in with beer and a lemon (that's Thai English for lime) smoothie for me. A half hour later, our conversations and business done, we bid Marsha goodbye and head down the road in search of another dinner adventure. We settle on the Red Onion again, because Linda and Janel enjoyed it so much before, and because I haven't been yet.<br /><br />Singha and Tigers later, we again revert to a favorite pasttime - tourist watching. We're noticing again how so many of the tourists here appear listless, rarely smiling and sometimes not even talking to each other. Interesting observation - maybe it is the oppressive heat. Phuket is a strange place we haven't quite grasped yet.<br /><br />We order fried duck in red curry, a vegetable and prawn dish, and one "big fish." I am appointed to go with our waitress to pick out the fish, so I ask her which kind is the best. She points out a nice white snapper, weighs it, and announces five hundred fifty, it's OK? I think 550 bhat (about $17) is pretty much for a single fish, but in the States that would be fine, and it's vacation, so I nod in agreement.<br /><br /></damn><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMqenu2ZjRD7UETvIIfc_AsvxFsB2SucLcRbH6X8QKJxUV0GMSySmL88FQgwervTxi1Hc2D_oNPVm5DwMviO_MNS3SY6sBAAIqzOCLYnb7pmACkzaGVoSUCb6TBLCRwz8RYXSDPVWTr7S/s1600-h/IMG_6111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMqenu2ZjRD7UETvIIfc_AsvxFsB2SucLcRbH6X8QKJxUV0GMSySmL88FQgwervTxi1Hc2D_oNPVm5DwMviO_MNS3SY6sBAAIqzOCLYnb7pmACkzaGVoSUCb6TBLCRwz8RYXSDPVWTr7S/s320/IMG_6111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446888092971570498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This one is the best</span><br /></div><damn that="" blog="" it="" keeps="" encroaching="" on="" our="" vacation=""><br /></damn><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDjpvw1pB9mFpgZnWZDIA1HMnKaTSFkiWZ17-a3Krnw-TICcwNw6DoSYr4AAy2XbVQBCMRe0UwObCSzbeooGOj9fd2wjFFRxlNrr-ELQGdH7of5u5uJ3U3q_CdEVO-cst9Zoa7YqUeUHV/s1600-h/IMG_6114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDjpvw1pB9mFpgZnWZDIA1HMnKaTSFkiWZ17-a3Krnw-TICcwNw6DoSYr4AAy2XbVQBCMRe0UwObCSzbeooGOj9fd2wjFFRxlNrr-ELQGdH7of5u5uJ3U3q_CdEVO-cst9Zoa7YqUeUHV/s320/IMG_6114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446879072269442194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">L-R: Fish, Janel, Prawns, Linda, Duck, Singha, Tiger<br /></span></div><damn that="" blog="" it="" keeps="" encroaching="" on="" our="" vacation=""><br />The dishes come out and the duck is outstanding. But when the fish arrives, it steals the show. Succulent and tender, served with a good chile sauce and an outstanding garlic sauce. A touch of salt and it might be the best thing we've eaten in Thailand yet. Maybe. Our thought that perhaps we've ordered too much food quickly vanishes as we attack the plates. With everyone concentrating on the fish, we're soon picking out the cheeks, the tongue (we discuss whether fish have tongues?), the brains, and every other vaguely white piece of flesh.<br /></damn><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsc72p2jiHIpn1d2ST_kRBw-2lTXKJCOvHW1_K6TPRPa2U9ZXMhJsIxlH-Wfrgm8kl1dFTIletErq3tpQxq4AoDYhnJuY2SufMMFp5dVW4fWQEHLYQb_kwBJe2oIkzamrUhs3zHzufzdS/s1600-h/IMG_6116.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsc72p2jiHIpn1d2ST_kRBw-2lTXKJCOvHW1_K6TPRPa2U9ZXMhJsIxlH-Wfrgm8kl1dFTIletErq3tpQxq4AoDYhnJuY2SufMMFp5dVW4fWQEHLYQb_kwBJe2oIkzamrUhs3zHzufzdS/s320/IMG_6116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446879065729745538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I think there are brains left<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII_ALMAozbz1Rzb__E_5AAYccl8xwEKsqgEumYY-SuHOMHO-DKeDaLYX3BYiHNoUlog0H6Y60-IAaUb_ITlsjcVOW6-c_itZnMKZzNZpF1wmQGRgHhK0eumcjkK5InqoEYu5_2xqD1C07/s1600-h/IMG_6118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII_ALMAozbz1Rzb__E_5AAYccl8xwEKsqgEumYY-SuHOMHO-DKeDaLYX3BYiHNoUlog0H6Y60-IAaUb_ITlsjcVOW6-c_itZnMKZzNZpF1wmQGRgHhK0eumcjkK5InqoEYu5_2xqD1C07/s320/IMG_6118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446879063381468258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nibbling at the forehead meat<br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6Ppoj-4wZnN2gViu1QE64qB28BwkfSWaNILNotI4lNjYYRrDIdpdjRtiX9oGDATOlvTFx37EkIiFw9zeJ6TBE8KU3Hx3RZPWEydEGosNlw5tUr38TNr2Z2PHxgCP0iIVjdzAV2NLVTMR/s1600-h/IMG_6125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6Ppoj-4wZnN2gViu1QE64qB28BwkfSWaNILNotI4lNjYYRrDIdpdjRtiX9oGDATOlvTFx37EkIiFw9zeJ6TBE8KU3Hx3RZPWEydEGosNlw5tUr38TNr2Z2PHxgCP0iIVjdzAV2NLVTMR/s320/IMG_6125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446879057334960866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The smoldering remains<br /></span></div><br />Our 550 bhat fish turns out to be 550g and actually costs 195 bhat (about $6). Worth every penny for sure. <damn that="" blog="" it="" keeps="" encroaching="" on="" our="" vacation="">A great meal.<br /><br />And a very laid back day - I certainly needed and enjoyed it. We stroll back to the guesthouse. But we can't help but stop at a 7 where Janel finds authentic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_%28ice_cream%29">Wall's Magnum Classic</a> ice cream treats (Janel discovered these on her camino in Spain), and we of course all have to have one.<br /><br />It's about 10pm and Linda crashes quickly. Janel takes the laptop to her room and blogs yesterday's adventures while I try to stay up and wait my turn for it (got to check the stock prices as the market open, for no particular reason). However, I'm asleep well before Janel enters our room.<br /><br /></damn>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-62566641935048324622010-03-08T21:04:00.000-08:002010-03-09T22:18:28.010-08:00Lay Zee Day in Phuket<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">MONDAY<br /><br />Today was scheduled to be a downtime day. Turns out to be a great decision. Rich started feeling poorly last night and really needs to rest. We are supposed to go on a "refresher" dive tomorrow in order to be ready for our liveaboard boat, but now we are thinking that we should probably cancel that so that Rich can completely recover before the liveaboard. No big deal, really - non of us were too keen on doing the refresher. In the meantime, I am popping antibiotics in hopes to ward off the evil illness. (got to love Thai pharmacies - you can walk in and get amoxicillin over the counter!)<br /><br />We all decide to mosey out on our street to scrounge for breakfast. Janel suggests that we stop at a cute place close to our guesthouse that serves "Breakfart." We decline.<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72RE7H8iDVSvu95t_344QWtzVa4SCfAK142UkG69TvCnAIoGcbAEvlskMkUoYuWDOCc0Dq6indeh001noSr7g7J29OILe_QbVaSOzUyQOw6EjNWxzdSQye-PWCi7dFS5DM_F8NKcO4Whv/s1600-h/IMG_6041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72RE7H8iDVSvu95t_344QWtzVa4SCfAK142UkG69TvCnAIoGcbAEvlskMkUoYuWDOCc0Dq6indeh001noSr7g7J29OILe_QbVaSOzUyQOw6EjNWxzdSQye-PWCi7dFS5DM_F8NKcO4Whv/s320/IMG_6041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446501639587919346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">enlarge this pic to read the sign<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We walk down the road aways and choose a really tiny restaurant that is empty. Looks like our kind of place.</span> Janel asks them to make her a fruit shake with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitaya">Dragon Fruit</a>, banana, pineapple and lime. It is delicious.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWP3NRbjHIT3EaQUQsq2VGyUDY0Y6ViAcHAqLNe5x34nrW4y04jhskpyzVEMCKOFAX_Ynm6ppoqjBGT8IbQ2eb3A3NgRxGX1BXuPQEChIft8SO8L4lGtwQ5CuxxQouQ08U1IVbxkMADLC3/s1600-h/mizrahi-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWP3NRbjHIT3EaQUQsq2VGyUDY0Y6ViAcHAqLNe5x34nrW4y04jhskpyzVEMCKOFAX_Ynm6ppoqjBGT8IbQ2eb3A3NgRxGX1BXuPQEChIft8SO8L4lGtwQ5CuxxQouQ08U1IVbxkMADLC3/s320/mizrahi-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446505860267121186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Beautiful Dragon Fruit</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We sit and enjoy our breakfast while doing some serious people watching (and bashing). Janel quips that most tourists here are "offensively uncool." It appears to be somewhat true. From what we see, the tourists here in Phuket are overweight, sloppy and decidedly not having any fun. We wonder why they are here.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcuXYBYUhvpfuN-de_qrofjqIa1AJ7QFKCM6NusESRSHNSpZCo3dQBDPuJxdfq15tmc-uZVc6HxFLZBfVP_8z-33ta8GWKfsStGFyvXNEjDcSleFkXz_GDmxIr1qAdc-61mUwMhz1QO6l/s1600-h/IMG_6042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcuXYBYUhvpfuN-de_qrofjqIa1AJ7QFKCM6NusESRSHNSpZCo3dQBDPuJxdfq15tmc-uZVc6HxFLZBfVP_8z-33ta8GWKfsStGFyvXNEjDcSleFkXz_GDmxIr1qAdc-61mUwMhz1QO6l/s320/IMG_6042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446501651952358514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">These tourists are having fun<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Oh well, we enjoy guessing about the lives of the passersby and acting like we know what we are doing here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5V0u0me_goS5q4Yp52IH-2kgmI2b0Zl1Fv6nBkm2fCkxWV7obHcG1j1zy0Hkj-1sOijpaMPq0bvBjmJp6U3FnpcSp5PIyYckXyJIWYDU0VVU9sQcQrMIpbUc5585g15TQ0wsQGprJX7T4/s1600-h/IMG_6043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5V0u0me_goS5q4Yp52IH-2kgmI2b0Zl1Fv6nBkm2fCkxWV7obHcG1j1zy0Hkj-1sOijpaMPq0bvBjmJp6U3FnpcSp5PIyYckXyJIWYDU0VVU9sQcQrMIpbUc5585g15TQ0wsQGprJX7T4/s320/IMG_6043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446501668332815522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cool or uncool?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">On the way to breakfast we found an open air</span></span> tailor shop where Janel drops off a dress she purchased in Chaing Mai. It needs a few minor alterations and somehow we manage to communicate what we want. (mom - you would love to see all the tailor shops here where they will make you a complete suit in 24 hours!). They understood the word "dart" so we are confident it will be done correctly. We are supposed to pick up the dress around 6pm - we think.<br /><br />Since we have only seen the beach here at night (during our black tour), we decide that we should walk down and have a look. We have chosen not to stay on the beach here in Karon since it is very expensive and we will be spending a week on the beach in Koh Lanta later. Therefore, it is a bit of a hot hike to see the water. The vibe at the beach is not one we are used to. It is really more like Waikiki than what I would have expected. Lots of really sunbaked tourists, trinket shops, and loads of chairs and umbrellas. Not really our scene, but the people watching is great.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrU-hoQatXFvUiehFQ1dxlEuciLrCwQGWA66Jg3P93l0EjykQJPO4Xbtg7wkTqT2oD93_3-X1RPDJrosDC_zNVGlHfMsfS_hf5GzBJlmQ2mC_p_M3mCJDo1_rABuhjE-ONNcYdo6BREaW/s1600-h/IMG_6046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrU-hoQatXFvUiehFQ1dxlEuciLrCwQGWA66Jg3P93l0EjykQJPO4Xbtg7wkTqT2oD93_3-X1RPDJrosDC_zNVGlHfMsfS_hf5GzBJlmQ2mC_p_M3mCJDo1_rABuhjE-ONNcYdo6BREaW/s320/IMG_6046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446510130841111474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Miles of umbrellas<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14ULf4XvwdKnA1C5lYa4bnYzdsJVoMkkJP1_BEDTyWL6IurZoKddkCsNwsNcoQcIQ1IY3u_n9Eq5-HYT9jMDp0Rcsbgce9P9sZbMt3k_nvOaIUmGhgLvywC_PlpQ3JL3ycnrf-hGo7W9t/s1600-h/IMG_6044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14ULf4XvwdKnA1C5lYa4bnYzdsJVoMkkJP1_BEDTyWL6IurZoKddkCsNwsNcoQcIQ1IY3u_n9Eq5-HYT9jMDp0Rcsbgce9P9sZbMt3k_nvOaIUmGhgLvywC_PlpQ3JL3ycnrf-hGo7W9t/s320/IMG_6044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446501676154138994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pretty, but crowded</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We stroll the beach for a little bit and then return to our guesthouse for the a/c, napping and blogging since we are so far behind in the blog. The remainder of the day is very lazy. We read, we blog, we nap, we swim, we turn in laundry (yeah!).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHfgg_IHE8u8rGzYGT1wQP6KRclVMfgwAujKKopcLnHD1ljGdM8bcf7wyiWvaq6-KfSkKb8sGTQ-yuxVFIRtD9l3dDxeVq0jkYmqDG3etc0F63cwPIWqgduYN9Db15mO5VnI23QFe4cHP/s1600-h/IMG_6050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHfgg_IHE8u8rGzYGT1wQP6KRclVMfgwAujKKopcLnHD1ljGdM8bcf7wyiWvaq6-KfSkKb8sGTQ-yuxVFIRtD9l3dDxeVq0jkYmqDG3etc0F63cwPIWqgduYN9Db15mO5VnI23QFe4cHP/s320/IMG_6050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446502611657074274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">productive day</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMWAFK7N_PotwYi0ZozPqd3L5I-R9gafFkhQxxx2-v0HbXL5QW0HsquedRQ6Hyhx746HXQCD3oz7OesJYbHsQNsP93WevOqfvv0jPelx6EyOP86Ud1RtJW-jpOtmXf3Xbb6vknoj6EfeH/s1600-h/IMG_6052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMWAFK7N_PotwYi0ZozPqd3L5I-R9gafFkhQxxx2-v0HbXL5QW0HsquedRQ6Hyhx746HXQCD3oz7OesJYbHsQNsP93WevOqfvv0jPelx6EyOP86Ud1RtJW-jpOtmXf3Xbb6vknoj6EfeH/s320/IMG_6052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446502616809890130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">oh yeah, tv too<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Janel and I are a bit hungry and go downstairs to the restaurant to scope it our. We haven't eaten here and there are never any customers so we are skeptical. However, it is really hot (did I mention the heat, yet?) and we don't want to venture far so we decided to look at the menu. We order the deep fried prawns and a noodle dish with chicken and greens. Since there are no customers everything is made fresh to order. It is delicious!! We eat it all up like we are starving and then order a second plate of noodles "to go" so we can take them up to Rich in his room. He loves it and scarfs it up.<br /><br />After some more pool lounging it is time to head into the next town - Kata Beach. We are supposed to meet up with Janel's landlord to pay him the rent on her house in person. Since it is around 6, I head out to the tailor to see if Janel's dress is ready. They have just finished it - looks perfect and then she even irons it in front of me. Total cost - 60bht ($1.50).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaktcfdLQQpA3jhrndlL_o8tEYtwW2gfO1yGqZ8NE0NjOD-TPmC63UWKOWmt2Su5QG2mo9az8EeDSCXszl04u1w2V8KWSjxBSfZpPb7ZDhbd9iMcFkYV6JoT-VwMAf_XkqFeAVLMPQHfrk/s1600-h/IMG_6053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaktcfdLQQpA3jhrndlL_o8tEYtwW2gfO1yGqZ8NE0NjOD-TPmC63UWKOWmt2Su5QG2mo9az8EeDSCXszl04u1w2V8KWSjxBSfZpPb7ZDhbd9iMcFkYV6JoT-VwMAf_XkqFeAVLMPQHfrk/s320/IMG_6053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446502630516957266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Porn Laundry & Tailor (yes, Porn) (no, not x-rated)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We snag a taxi outside our guest house</span> and zoom off towards the Kata Beach Resort where we meet Janel's landlord (John). She conducts business and we are through. Kata Beach seems to be a little more populated than where we are staying in Karon. It is still a bit strange, though with tourists just kind of idly wandering and not looking very happy.<br /><br />Suddenly Janel gasps! She has found the illusive <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Mangosteen">Mangosteen</a> fruit!! I have heard of it from a friend who has been to Thailand. Janel has told us that mangosteen is the most delicious thing she has ever tasted. We have been looking for them, but were told they were not in season. I was so disappointed that I thought I wasn't going to get to try them. And then - there they were right in front of us. Oh yes - we would like some, please!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizBn6y1f8sCIV5dPKxfIHUajJqLYs_-jianwAjpXBNE9FOCd-V_OpDKf51AtBlWKxmR6oPhm54V04OXDOyG1j4zvD3_aKp_LtrHCYMzmf9E3RsQIryKtgzISlO1cj_ui8gOgW_06M91XZ/s1600-h/IMG_6055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizBn6y1f8sCIV5dPKxfIHUajJqLYs_-jianwAjpXBNE9FOCd-V_OpDKf51AtBlWKxmR6oPhm54V04OXDOyG1j4zvD3_aKp_LtrHCYMzmf9E3RsQIryKtgzISlO1cj_ui8gOgW_06M91XZ/s320/IMG_6055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446518137844827090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mangosteen (the purple fruit)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>We puchase 2 of them and ask the proprietor to open them for us. They are really strange-looking inside. They are all purple with a few precious white pieces that you consume.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuqO86ekHfD6Qanz8JSlXuR6NcaG5xTsSUOAHeZuS6g7i4PHuECGmaHHl8fflBdyexUDqBIKeHteuou-oShKWsS3nSV8MYcrqQ4qpII4UH2YoULJ01p5CIG2LPa82YSFYe2Bq9bVbiJSB/s1600-h/IMG_6054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuqO86ekHfD6Qanz8JSlXuR6NcaG5xTsSUOAHeZuS6g7i4PHuECGmaHHl8fflBdyexUDqBIKeHteuou-oShKWsS3nSV8MYcrqQ4qpII4UH2YoULJ01p5CIG2LPa82YSFYe2Bq9bVbiJSB/s320/IMG_6054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446502638360889026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Getting the goods<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LqPNdcL2OfLM46KQo3FOnMA6T8ZFyXqTOrg2l94KPTThOSVOridFv0XppTSik0hX_9Wmc__bdRPOoYfpwef63cMBKFUqABNJbhFgmxT6kji5McfIFqqYoqX49C0HU1DCrng_eA3sP_xL/s1600-h/mangosteen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LqPNdcL2OfLM46KQo3FOnMA6T8ZFyXqTOrg2l94KPTThOSVOridFv0XppTSik0hX_9Wmc__bdRPOoYfpwef63cMBKFUqABNJbhFgmxT6kji5McfIFqqYoqX49C0HU1DCrng_eA3sP_xL/s320/mangosteen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446519398034488162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Only the white part is edib le<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Wow! They are super succulent. Can't eve describe the taste.</span></span> I know I am going to want to be on the lookout for more. Great find.</div></div><br />With renewed energy we are now ready to wander. We want to find the bar/restaurant that belongs to our new friend, Lek, from our bike ride. We kind of know where it is, but not exactly. We wander for a while and try to remember if anything looks familiar.<br /><br />Finally there is a side street that Rich thinks he remembers travelling when we were coming home from the bike trip. Ok - we'll try it. We wander up one side for a while, dodging vendors/hawkers trying to get us to shop/eat in their place or maybe to order a tailor made outfit. They are not really very agressive, just a bit annoying. Nothing looks too familiar around here and the few people we ask have not heard of Lek's Bar. We dedide to turn around and try the next street over. Just then across the street we spy Lek waving and shouting at us! We found it! He welcomes us in to his place.<br /><br />We found out that Lek is a musician who has played in a lot of different cover bands. He is very proud of the music mix that is played at his place and has lots of rock music memorabilia on the walls. His wife is the chef and his children tend the bar. Rich and Janel order a caphirina which is a drink made with rum, lime and brown sugar. Janel notes that Lek's little girl is making the drinks! I have a Planter's Punch. The drinks are yummy and Lek visits our table frequently between helping all his other tables. We are sitting at a table streetside and enjoy the people watching once again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrTGYPb00gbCsF9HbOPpJ52QiHPd7kTlyGH0E7qiVeGkv12H0nYb2n4qznylESyt8BCMOnKbRb0pMDLKYrh0u7GOqc0Mj1MvfUXiXwywIUnTW99ik_rT2oj4-pBgGY1q-zwoFseMucCX0/s1600-h/IMG_6059.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrTGYPb00gbCsF9HbOPpJ52QiHPd7kTlyGH0E7qiVeGkv12H0nYb2n4qznylESyt8BCMOnKbRb0pMDLKYrh0u7GOqc0Mj1MvfUXiXwywIUnTW99ik_rT2oj4-pBgGY1q-zwoFseMucCX0/s320/IMG_6059.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446503726170106594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Caphirinas at Lek's place<br /><br /></span></div>Finally we decided to order some food. Lek recommends the fresh spring rolls, chicken satay and duck with tamarind sauce. They are all yummy and get munched right away. It is around 9pm and we had planned to hit up Patong tonight so we ask Lek how to get transportation. He quickly snags his son to drive us there for 300bht. Pretty steep - but we have heard that tuk-tuks/taxis are extremely expensive in Phuket. We have even heard the term "Tuk-Tuk Mafia" which suggests that the drivers all get together and jack up their prices just because they can. Anyway, we say farewell to Lek and jump in the car.<br /><br />We have all heard of Patong in Phuket. It is really the "hub" of the tourist areas and can be a place that is really wild. We are not too sure what to expect, but we have heard that it is kind of a sleazy "must see." Ok - we are game. We get dropped off on the famous Bang La walking street. Wow - as soon as we step out of the car our senses are assaulted. The neon is blinding and the throngs of people are amazing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxzE7Eg2Os5aO8IblMmd8z9TU9dFVIAITXjb92fw_4Z2X44fuR0zwHsqkMkduhL6wcPD0RzJ-xgb8r2ipnGUOCkRhXdWytTnzEn9C0EZLDHzqqad4FkGk-nUwlDQj7F-_XPK1YVu9Gl7e/s1600-h/IMG_6088.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxzE7Eg2Os5aO8IblMmd8z9TU9dFVIAITXjb92fw_4Z2X44fuR0zwHsqkMkduhL6wcPD0RzJ-xgb8r2ipnGUOCkRhXdWytTnzEn9C0EZLDHzqqad4FkGk-nUwlDQj7F-_XPK1YVu9Gl7e/s320/IMG_6088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508689506284786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Just a glimpse of the insanity that is Patong</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> We are not really sure what to think so we basically stand around with our mouths hanging open trying not to look like tourists (yeah, right). There are old men with young Thai girls on their arms, there are loads and loads of bars with tables of one young guy surrounded by several beautiful Thai girls (or Ladyboys maybe), there are gorgeous Thai girls/Ladyboys dressed to kill dancing on open bars and then there are "lookie lous" like us who can't believe what they have stumbled upon. The vibe is kind of sleazy, but not uncomfortable.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT0jwRXlsKuHC8ziUD_lgvlt47F4ut6wFcw2U4K5MxHjMMtDGfnPJPH5XG8oj2XOLBhcY0Q96ttfqny_YO8Gr93j-tM-pRIh4pnCRQAGtyBaZSLghHdDclJyM75ExOnnZW4A7ztC5M1Gi/s1600-h/IMG_6061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT0jwRXlsKuHC8ziUD_lgvlt47F4ut6wFcw2U4K5MxHjMMtDGfnPJPH5XG8oj2XOLBhcY0Q96ttfqny_YO8Gr93j-tM-pRIh4pnCRQAGtyBaZSLghHdDclJyM75ExOnnZW4A7ztC5M1Gi/s320/IMG_6061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446503738358539698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Patong Patong<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbp3N4sKbx1CoALW-2A-y1ZCC8R6-cvauWI0YN0bAMayhXJnzjpFJrjzKkWvCyl6KaFbvCrMQ4FFiBwKxLU7_hYz8N0_LfssnPxQQ3sh2E_b11pGIotdS5bJyorPZF-uVkCU-jLDhN-yQ/s1600-h/IMG_6062.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbp3N4sKbx1CoALW-2A-y1ZCC8R6-cvauWI0YN0bAMayhXJnzjpFJrjzKkWvCyl6KaFbvCrMQ4FFiBwKxLU7_hYz8N0_LfssnPxQQ3sh2E_b11pGIotdS5bJyorPZF-uVkCU-jLDhN-yQ/s320/IMG_6062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446503752603581042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">What is everybody doing here?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">In addition to all the bars and such, there is a a ton of shopping. There are shops upon shops where you can buy fake designer bags, shoes and clothes. The hawkers try to entice you to come in and the signs are in your face.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnOxmJr9Ynd7OPYUy4RPLfgtgIsV1ZyK27PYfq28JrwSxkcBOItGG17kV6mqUlZf4tZ6UAjLdCrB_pUdUuTyntn5nUhvxEsLP6acRgrMqt9LWfi0WuTjrTFdPQns1nPA3aW_gd1SehsTx/s1600-h/IMG_6068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnOxmJr9Ynd7OPYUy4RPLfgtgIsV1ZyK27PYfq28JrwSxkcBOItGG17kV6mqUlZf4tZ6UAjLdCrB_pUdUuTyntn5nUhvxEsLP6acRgrMqt9LWfi0WuTjrTFdPQns1nPA3aW_gd1SehsTx/s320/IMG_6068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446503761355879378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Whaa?<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje41DVZU_vsHgxAlLWqG7RHPlxhqJozlOkF9kSbxDUiUfZGOdPXEUnU81foCqEA4913OUNFA-QmHAZzxuHCcdnf6KnXWaZK8JizAml_8mu-gf0Pk25PXQd3TTNYCsKPfF2lOteC4tb8m8S/s1600-h/IMG_6069.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje41DVZU_vsHgxAlLWqG7RHPlxhqJozlOkF9kSbxDUiUfZGOdPXEUnU81foCqEA4913OUNFA-QmHAZzxuHCcdnf6KnXWaZK8JizAml_8mu-gf0Pk25PXQd3TTNYCsKPfF2lOteC4tb8m8S/s320/IMG_6069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446503773162067074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">sort of makes sense now<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Of course, no real tourist destination would be complete without a McDonalds. I was very intrigued with the statue of Ronald doing the <a href="http://www.kingdom-of-thailand.com/wai.htm">Wai</a>.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxgd70qvj_ln_EaLOUleT2miRnSXb_oXB9IShaGjN4TC5Leta8a-hp-8aT-XrohivZ58CrqBdpMCRIFY9BYgR84Wmydcbd8LCkb3g1GTT09HYXOHQ5eoKL56UGUIiAqI3lnakpAVkYkd2/s1600-h/IMG_6072.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxgd70qvj_ln_EaLOUleT2miRnSXb_oXB9IShaGjN4TC5Leta8a-hp-8aT-XrohivZ58CrqBdpMCRIFY9BYgR84Wmydcbd8LCkb3g1GTT09HYXOHQ5eoKL56UGUIiAqI3lnakpAVkYkd2/s320/IMG_6072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446525519886208258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Doin' the Wai<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We stopped wherever a group gathered to watch the goings on. Especially intersting were the bars that showcased groups of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathoey">Ladyboys</a> dancing. They don't really "dance," they just kind of sway a little and try to entice people to come in to the bar. It is hard to explain the concept of Ladyboys (or Kathoeys) and I don't pretend to understand. I suggest you look it up from the link above. Be careful if you choose to search on "ladyboy" - who knows what you will come up with. You have been warned!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NfhemZEhCNajvpFTq_1xs6XxVsb5sb4fNDEPzcyqumd66Xse2sow-w7SZDtLghvD1Ole_1PKXkH391-P9PIgTg3JrDDad6M3ih8mKj9losZOT2o0LhjXzRwbPrJP6L3V-KR9R1gwER0G/s1600-h/IMG_6075.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NfhemZEhCNajvpFTq_1xs6XxVsb5sb4fNDEPzcyqumd66Xse2sow-w7SZDtLghvD1Ole_1PKXkH391-P9PIgTg3JrDDad6M3ih8mKj9losZOT2o0LhjXzRwbPrJP6L3V-KR9R1gwER0G/s320/IMG_6075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446527968619981698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Yes, these are boys<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxWgDkLrT8uz5KwDFZVyEt6Y_B-3nlI18c0Aqz7mKP2WX150-SKAdpYsrmNHQRuOBOlabYfNyrN4-7SojhBPvwoEkSCa_UVXnR9R0vBfir6I2HrtILupKaZCJljfodVpt8K-o7sdYueAv/s1600-h/IMG_6082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxWgDkLrT8uz5KwDFZVyEt6Y_B-3nlI18c0Aqz7mKP2WX150-SKAdpYsrmNHQRuOBOlabYfNyrN4-7SojhBPvwoEkSCa_UVXnR9R0vBfir6I2HrtILupKaZCJljfodVpt8K-o7sdYueAv/s320/IMG_6082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508066472990642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Boys or girls? This guy is not certain either!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyfgRJo25uKij5DJ47elRMCJWBCLosgxfWsSv52Ub8LSSABaZc1NjrEsm_POy9qjotXb0H1E6EFgIuOTWPj29yAqWsaF9eu8d7zKXk2GbYjb1jc6PGfSkRj-0yF-mOKirVcSSTgIs2tYs/s1600-h/IMG_6076.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyfgRJo25uKij5DJ47elRMCJWBCLosgxfWsSv52Ub8LSSABaZc1NjrEsm_POy9qjotXb0H1E6EFgIuOTWPj29yAqWsaF9eu8d7zKXk2GbYjb1jc6PGfSkRj-0yF-mOKirVcSSTgIs2tYs/s320/IMG_6076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446505106383601074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Sea of people in Patong<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We stroll into a side street of bars and see people engaged in a game of "hammer the nail." From what we can tell the players put down $ and each have a nail that is just barely started into a large block of wood. Everyone gets a chance to hammer his nail in completely. The person who does it in the least amount of strokes wins the money. Don't worry - we didn't try it.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAbjackav66y4fTq4PuRYyuqpvFeKGXFWiSpnr3cr6NdLzwcTSED8SD9sET6xhPDpVmuX5q7htZWdOqrGYCrRKPOwFj_Zly2qxQgi0JdMaqxP7wLeIx6r2J0_qsiOHXkcCDy43kPxXDB5/s1600-h/IMG_6080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAbjackav66y4fTq4PuRYyuqpvFeKGXFWiSpnr3cr6NdLzwcTSED8SD9sET6xhPDpVmuX5q7htZWdOqrGYCrRKPOwFj_Zly2qxQgi0JdMaqxP7wLeIx6r2J0_qsiOHXkcCDy43kPxXDB5/s320/IMG_6080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446505126517544066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"I can hammer this nail in 3 strokes"<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It was in this area that Janel makes a great find - the elusive "Matched Set." For those of you who are unaware. A Matched Set is a couple (usually found in Waikiki) that is walking together and are dressed in matching aloha shirt/mu-mu). Once spotted, they are then dubbed "Mr and Mrs John Deere." We play this game of "Find the Matched Set" every time we go through The Keys (Waikiki) when we are in Hawaii. We are usually pretty successful at that venue. But in Phuket? We weren't even thinking about it when up they popped. Wow - call National Geographic!<br /></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFdJ0rrnBQKJyut3P_c22NnJrVy_wbV9yd27XTjVMbc76en7tqjThkoUDZiFTJQor1_HrgoThHG76-Hc52CguydAK4AH1lpJA27Hcdf4fqainRkF1tWlZqftrmGQJAQF8dEyuB8oOO3N2/s1600-h/IMG_6081.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFdJ0rrnBQKJyut3P_c22NnJrVy_wbV9yd27XTjVMbc76en7tqjThkoUDZiFTJQor1_HrgoThHG76-Hc52CguydAK4AH1lpJA27Hcdf4fqainRkF1tWlZqftrmGQJAQF8dEyuB8oOO3N2/s320/IMG_6081.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446530306652399138" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Mr and Mrs John Deere<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Patong is getting more interesting by the minute. Of course, the things we find interested other people just would not understand. Like when I looked up and there it was - the PHUKET FANTASEA!!! You KNOW I was calling it the correct name - POOket Fantasea. . .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbjVBEKfG47JPdH-iaJgJRi5nBreLSBS9n3-zv5j9zZyEdJkd-IKeqV2_1TdBY824wGrg1EhaoiK3kxsmvpc9GYxg9hnMOxS3dYwWQGHEhrSvhGrkS73X2k0q_358FYUecnJmCIEwJLRo/s1600-h/IMG_6083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbjVBEKfG47JPdH-iaJgJRi5nBreLSBS9n3-zv5j9zZyEdJkd-IKeqV2_1TdBY824wGrg1EhaoiK3kxsmvpc9GYxg9hnMOxS3dYwWQGHEhrSvhGrkS73X2k0q_358FYUecnJmCIEwJLRo/s320/IMG_6083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508074454411442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">It's the POOket Fantasea (don't even go there)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We are about to wind down our evening</span> when we make the final (and maybe the most impressive) sighting of the evening. Remember the Mullet guy from a couple of days ago that Janel and I were making so much fun of? Who would have believed we see him in Patong. We trailed him for a couple of blocks and then snapped these photos just for you guys.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCPw9Dc1ZXMtaDiyHeeejAyLpo-CIsY59pKiMHH3A2fxsDUnk5RqJhkIau11kJYqUzAGQdtR1H7CCirdFxKNjlOsE9UbZ-KaiXMMNCPXdNqBla2DJeQByDw-UykJLzd4fYwF_0Xxjp3VH/s1600-h/IMG_6084.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCPw9Dc1ZXMtaDiyHeeejAyLpo-CIsY59pKiMHH3A2fxsDUnk5RqJhkIau11kJYqUzAGQdtR1H7CCirdFxKNjlOsE9UbZ-KaiXMMNCPXdNqBla2DJeQByDw-UykJLzd4fYwF_0Xxjp3VH/s320/IMG_6084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508086716027442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Mullet on the move<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPQMtVt28qxvwQrSACLCSkZfoDbT8tANtm6eoTv0wnZ0HmQvpcj4A0oD5ZTHdKBOzx56rpTiZeDhn_mbaXQ2WyZ01yN860kPSEDNkFdtSV2ux5HehH-SZHaK8i9X4wRhmF1QJj0zjJjR-/s1600-h/IMG_6085.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPQMtVt28qxvwQrSACLCSkZfoDbT8tANtm6eoTv0wnZ0HmQvpcj4A0oD5ZTHdKBOzx56rpTiZeDhn_mbaXQ2WyZ01yN860kPSEDNkFdtSV2ux5HehH-SZHaK8i9X4wRhmF1QJj0zjJjR-/s320/IMG_6085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508672409378946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Still tailing him<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cGDNE8E-GQCw2Fy8NkeHhzfEEsvO6pArlwIv2FnKJmY1gMU-rzSh_5pIf6nNXAin_ptejSEfwcYJFoDXm5ld2jP7kYb9eCKzXaJNMN92Uw6r-qtadFL93pyBc1tJLHkFlEiZoQgFvHPk/s1600-h/IMG_6086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cGDNE8E-GQCw2Fy8NkeHhzfEEsvO6pArlwIv2FnKJmY1gMU-rzSh_5pIf6nNXAin_ptejSEfwcYJFoDXm5ld2jP7kYb9eCKzXaJNMN92Uw6r-qtadFL93pyBc1tJLHkFlEiZoQgFvHPk/s320/IMG_6086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446508679254611442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The money shot<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">One of our proudest moments of the day - getting the Mullet man's photo. We decided he looks like Dee Snyder of the band Twisted Sister. What do you think?<br /><br />We grab a tuk-tuk and head for home. We plan on relaxing again tomorrow since today was so hard on us.<br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-19431257996525871732010-03-07T23:14:00.000-08:002010-03-09T10:19:49.879-08:00leaving cow sock for more pooquettish waters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoDnOPgZ4a5IlsitEBD4BHnd4fTfhrkaHuKS5g5XKhHbnFCpBUB4Je4CC4218exOi7EkrTchi3-5HkIYrD2kTxytrTQNo2DqvsmEZG9tQZjWWdomD4WoFEzwgZQ6pv9VgrbJkQykz2Sfm/s1600-h/IMG_5916.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoDnOPgZ4a5IlsitEBD4BHnd4fTfhrkaHuKS5g5XKhHbnFCpBUB4Je4CC4218exOi7EkrTchi3-5HkIYrD2kTxytrTQNo2DqvsmEZG9tQZjWWdomD4WoFEzwgZQ6pv9VgrbJkQykz2Sfm/s320/IMG_5916.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446158954147005986" border="0" /></a>we wake to a chorus of far-off whooping and boat motors. the early birds and gibbons have risen, and they are seeking each other out. our own vessel is set to leave at seven, so we use the interim to indulge in coffee and ovaltine (nong, having taken it a bit upon himself to care for the infirm princess, brings me a piping cup of the latter, explaining "for you. keng." i am touched.). i arrange my travel partners in a loving pose and snap this early morning portrait.<br /><br />i dip my toesies in the warmth of the lake. i am straight chillin'. nong approaches and joins me, so i entertain him by miming casting a rod and hooking a lunker. he giggles and calls me "mr. deen." mr. deen? he calls over lek and consults, then corrects: "you mr. bean." ah.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pGZBeIrnM3h4ezcXMlMPsrwuHwwukxvWtuZSoC5ujOz6j7f3z6uBX07E86QjE9daoZmPLGSWL2IsIEN-ISRlITemZuFzANWJVS1ASb7iDhE-hFVUf_I0DwUtfh4w7zJkfYIp2g4dXa1n/s1600-h/IMG_5932.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pGZBeIrnM3h4ezcXMlMPsrwuHwwukxvWtuZSoC5ujOz6j7f3z6uBX07E86QjE9daoZmPLGSWL2IsIEN-ISRlITemZuFzANWJVS1ASb7iDhE-hFVUf_I0DwUtfh4w7zJkfYIp2g4dXa1n/s320/IMG_5932.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446162240882896530" border="0" /></a><br />we sail away (sail away, sail away, sail away). you couldn't ask for a more stunning body of water. because the lake is man-made, it is stock still, and the color is more brilliantly turquoise than a paint chip bearing the same name. the whooping of the gibbons is continuous, and i return the call as best my lungs are able (nong: "you mr. bean.").<br /><br />the goals this morning are monkeys and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbill">hornbills</a>. now, i'm no birder, but the latter particularly interests me, as both the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_hornbill">great hornbill</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmeted_hornbill">helmeted hornbill</a> are commonly spotted in khao sok park. in case you didn't click on the link:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Helmeted_Hornbill.jpg/445px-Helmeted_Hornbill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 343px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Helmeted_Hornbill.jpg/445px-Helmeted_Hornbill.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">The call is described as hoots followed by maniacal laughter.</span>" yeah baby.<br /><br />not too far from the raft houses, james spies a conga line of tiny monkey silhouettes clambering around some far off trees, and we ooh and ahh respectfully at the Wild Creatures. a few minutes later, a tree chock full o' gibbons comes up on the left. we check 'em out.<br /><br />tragically, this morning it is monkeys, monkeys, everywhere, but not a hornbill to drink (or see). we retreat to the safety of the raft houses, forlorn and dejected.<br /><br />[as a bit of an aside, but definitely fitting in with the theme of Things Not Seen, i have come upon the knowledge that the infamous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafflesia_kerrii">corpse flower</a> lives in this neck of the woods as well. it's a bit of a trek to go see them, however, and we don't manage to scrape out time for this delicate specimen in our hectic schedule. i did, however, make space in my noggin for the name of the flower in thai. say it with me: buaphoot. means "lotus up." it'll come in handy sooner rather than later, i feel certain.]<br /><br />our weary hornbill-less spirits are soon lifted by a buffet breakfast offering a delightful spread of thai specialties, including gobs of the <a href="http://recipes.chef2chef.net/recipe-archive/31/171617.shtml">khao tom</a> that has quickly become mom's favorite. i munch a pork filled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bao">bao</a> and get nostalgic about wendy seligmann.<br /><br />we fart around for a spell, then hop back on the boat to visit a really super neato area of the lake. word on the street has it that its rock formations look just like those of a much more famous landmark in china, so it has that name. unfortunately, the chinese moon language didn't stick in my brain. forgive me!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDGyM8sM8knveSJvk42Z6UaXc-UgGvx0XHqDJDzhK3M77ajhJwDnxP5RNQBDCHpLL2rOUE-yMrWM3MSvxFXOLofbX-EYndQRCpEPVVcbkljpmiMPnwL-46clCeKKR58q5nRhrtbLbaEA9/s1600-h/IMG_5941.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDGyM8sM8knveSJvk42Z6UaXc-UgGvx0XHqDJDzhK3M77ajhJwDnxP5RNQBDCHpLL2rOUE-yMrWM3MSvxFXOLofbX-EYndQRCpEPVVcbkljpmiMPnwL-46clCeKKR58q5nRhrtbLbaEA9/s320/IMG_5941.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446162572311937714" border="0" /></a><br />i pull a Carlos on the way to the not-quite-chinese landmark. it really is a handy solution to the Wanting to See Yet Wanting to Look Cool at the Same Time problem.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0ZNMM9yisC4bam5evjngTYUz-PygyuxH8UGMK1_ShTvy3Qn7rXT9dieNoTmnuIFj5TNt9n2xXlVHDX0a8GkGWVUuOb8FaA6_kBOzEr8w1tR2GNCo6-MqpU10Xa-9iooQit_b6XLrIOM_/s1600-h/IMG_5963.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0ZNMM9yisC4bam5evjngTYUz-PygyuxH8UGMK1_ShTvy3Qn7rXT9dieNoTmnuIFj5TNt9n2xXlVHDX0a8GkGWVUuOb8FaA6_kBOzEr8w1tR2GNCo6-MqpU10Xa-9iooQit_b6XLrIOM_/s320/IMG_5963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446162816395444914" border="0" /></a><br />the lake is full of the trademark jutting limestone islands you always see in thai tourist brochures. these combined with the undisturbed, vibrant blue water make for a bit of a fairytale journey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigihuH05KWhuEHzqYWOjWaG1mV1q77EvVdBPYQ_ii-BXV9P0JkYQSdM-92unOeTd6FWWC-pmBiCQv6Sr9AhAePf6Xh2_lLdceYCc3tYWY36d-TeVW1WLkoodKO8Y3e4xdjfouSqpLaM4GC/s1600-h/IMG_5983.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigihuH05KWhuEHzqYWOjWaG1mV1q77EvVdBPYQ_ii-BXV9P0JkYQSdM-92unOeTd6FWWC-pmBiCQv6Sr9AhAePf6Xh2_lLdceYCc3tYWY36d-TeVW1WLkoodKO8Y3e4xdjfouSqpLaM4GC/s320/IMG_5983.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446668948790185954" border="0" /></a><br />a few other boats join us at the not-even-chinese-knockoff landmark (watermark?). the reflections in the water are particularly eye-catching.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZzD0aTbb5Tk2ChdBSlCXA_nCQljuKpCAa-BiTxClB0lRQZOBQmALHf_0LZJgZxyQN6Jag-6QE0KsqDRmeo6MSTHV5Tm60pvl45qQcrwpTZHXBotLF5azDuv_vr-NtqQqeaQ_N7EvEyRV/s1600-h/IMG_5992.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZzD0aTbb5Tk2ChdBSlCXA_nCQljuKpCAa-BiTxClB0lRQZOBQmALHf_0LZJgZxyQN6Jag-6QE0KsqDRmeo6MSTHV5Tm60pvl45qQcrwpTZHXBotLF5azDuv_vr-NtqQqeaQ_N7EvEyRV/s320/IMG_5992.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446668970327252066" border="0" /></a><br />i wave this boat fervently away, assuming its contents were radioactive (or worse!). they wave back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6KHMni5ayYc9_WfcERGx_oS62rR2KVIlAblpbH1R4n6ufivtTW3eDtnYAVjRpXb9ZxVkrvUAjsX1daeQymzci1Fmopa9WatBpyLINRnK_XbYHBD96AGzlvYBG3Cr25vz5dZ2iIQghYey/s1600-h/IMG_5982.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6KHMni5ayYc9_WfcERGx_oS62rR2KVIlAblpbH1R4n6ufivtTW3eDtnYAVjRpXb9ZxVkrvUAjsX1daeQymzci1Fmopa9WatBpyLINRnK_XbYHBD96AGzlvYBG3Cr25vz5dZ2iIQghYey/s320/IMG_5982.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446163317452892546" border="0" /></a><br />this guy is taking his fishing <span style="font-style: italic;">seriously</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEXKznLQbfF2kVo2H8cnJ8qM3Z8lXGzuEOMsxjGyi2TgPxYZTLj9DB0kB33SR5lU4dyzTycCKvq6oYb-VgdO0S5bLWv2D_MqRj0J4g_yD_yLDaLZIgq8Pq6CiwPrXkF6tJ0nVcD_hDQoI/s1600-h/IMG_6002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEXKznLQbfF2kVo2H8cnJ8qM3Z8lXGzuEOMsxjGyi2TgPxYZTLj9DB0kB33SR5lU4dyzTycCKvq6oYb-VgdO0S5bLWv2D_MqRj0J4g_yD_yLDaLZIgq8Pq6CiwPrXkF6tJ0nVcD_hDQoI/s320/IMG_6002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446669537022426738" border="0" /></a><br />we veer off course for a pit stop at a second set of raft houses, these much less numerous than our set. out back is a veritable throng of fishes. visitors have gotten in the habit of feeding them, so they swarm constantly. i locate a few kernels of dried corn in between the wooden slats, and the fish freak out when i toss them in the water. we experiment with orchestrating the movements of the hoard with careful kernel placement.<br /><br />out of nowhere a tourist grabs me and poses at my side. his pal snaps a quick shot. whaa? well, i <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span> look sharp in my retro blue dress. who wouldn't want a photo with such rare beauty?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFllcGA22F8cd43AJOHXtBBs0MSRF9RJv1ZG6_2sEu8o3w91Q8Swg9uT9kqR0zTukKL-NLLh3ml9BN5t8Z07uZwjRMSbEeYEsapUTLyxVPo3pUDdbWF4LxX3A6FgSToS-Baas4ZWV84Fhc/s1600-h/IMG_5999.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFllcGA22F8cd43AJOHXtBBs0MSRF9RJv1ZG6_2sEu8o3w91Q8Swg9uT9kqR0zTukKL-NLLh3ml9BN5t8Z07uZwjRMSbEeYEsapUTLyxVPo3pUDdbWF4LxX3A6FgSToS-Baas4ZWV84Fhc/s320/IMG_5999.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446669002378081426" border="0" /></a><br />then the same dude takes a photo with dad, and i gently set my inflated ego aside. we take the same photo for good measure.<br /><br />we clamber back on our trustworthy vessel, only to find she is a-sputterin'. oh my! engine troubles ahoy (matey). the driver goofs around with it while we observe the lazy fish who have wandered far from the tribe and have set a course for our boat. after a few minutes of throwing what biodegradable debris we could scrounge into the water, nong purchases baggies of dried corn for all. entire baggies! luxurious excess! we take great joy in every golden nugget, giving the gift of nourishment to our frantic aquatic friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_qBpFjA7zH3KjA45_7cpU7fu28m-UgoymrmHKiUggGNZZA52eZ99nm0dwEdlmgtPie_-KJZiDdEDDHlOJfpNfiL6ziPf9q13Yu2FoHQtsT-oHRF845IBpBJARudzfKLFHtcN1xcmSx_W/s1600-h/IMG_6020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_qBpFjA7zH3KjA45_7cpU7fu28m-UgoymrmHKiUggGNZZA52eZ99nm0dwEdlmgtPie_-KJZiDdEDDHlOJfpNfiL6ziPf9q13Yu2FoHQtsT-oHRF845IBpBJARudzfKLFHtcN1xcmSx_W/s320/IMG_6020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446669588354742418" border="0" /></a><br />james oversees the repairing process...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwDywLbjgiqPv1nNuDS56ZXhK97c2QlnZWh6p-eTX_913HnW12_LjGGtDOP9gUCx9OJHj2ckka4OsxgA4gDurk4FdIkppjP1z6hUSgN4GMv6-opS824WOGcMQusGaL5CunNqTlJXIpo8G/s1600-h/IMG_6019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwDywLbjgiqPv1nNuDS56ZXhK97c2QlnZWh6p-eTX_913HnW12_LjGGtDOP9gUCx9OJHj2ckka4OsxgA4gDurk4FdIkppjP1z6hUSgN4GMv6-opS824WOGcMQusGaL5CunNqTlJXIpo8G/s320/IMG_6019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446669571993685330" border="0" /></a><br />... as does lek.<br /><br />the sputterin' finally gives way to a healthy growl, and we pull smoothly away from the dock. once back to our home base, we feel it is past due for another swim, and all parties swan dive into the watery depths with wild abandon. ahhhhh.<br /><br />i sustain a mild sunburn on my shoulders, but it is completely worth not hosing myself down with the wretched aerosol can of sunscreen. yecch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih29tiV3ThXhT230rmMFRFn-8zJvh03VUT7dzsNJu7wd2T4FX6Yw7LMhbBPu3SBJzsyECG-LR7ZK7Lww7P13m3eDIoKr5j1-hy8G_gJoERBqNwqCp2A7AqtcbitrO4fbmISWYLrSPzg3hC/s1600-h/IMG_5996.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih29tiV3ThXhT230rmMFRFn-8zJvh03VUT7dzsNJu7wd2T4FX6Yw7LMhbBPu3SBJzsyECG-LR7ZK7Lww7P13m3eDIoKr5j1-hy8G_gJoERBqNwqCp2A7AqtcbitrO4fbmISWYLrSPzg3hC/s320/IMG_5996.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446668983750266514" border="0" /></a><br />it's beyond idyllic. after a languid lunch, though, we hoist our bags onto the boat once more and head on out. all are subdued and sleepy on the return journey. daddles mentions he is feeling ill - a poor premonition.<br /><br />the transfer from boat to van goes without a hitch. we sweat and sleep on the way back to phuket (i have finished with my book. i miss it.).<br /><br />we fall off, one by one. vicky departs, then lek to his bar. we reach baan suay guesthouse, unload, and say our teary goodbyes - almost, anyway. gunter offers some snark, and we offer our house should he ever find himself in arizona. nong and i hug and tell each other to "take care" - we've grown closer than one might suppose for the limited span of time and even more restricted overlap of vocabulary. he's a playful sweetheart. i wonder if he misses mr. bean.<br /><br />dad immediately retires to his chambers for some much needed downtime. mom pools it. i call a fuzzy.<br /><br />it is decided that dad shall remain at the guesthouse tonight while mom and i venture out in search of grub. we pop across the street to an italian place and ask for the "quickest" item on their menu, receive overpriced pasta bolognese, nip back up two flights of stairs to deliver the piping foodstuffs to our patient, then skip merrily down the main street of karon.<br /><br />i am feeling jaunty and critical, and i make derisive comments about the general state of attire of the average karon tourist. we have woefully left our camera back in the room, so i have just attempted to find a suitable photo on the web. intriguingly, many results for "farang" come back with pornography. i did manage to root up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_slang_terms_for_white_people_in_non-Western_countries">this</a>, though, which i found on the fair side of interesting. mat sellah!<br /><br />we scoot like galoots to the <a href="http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/general/14290-red-onion-resturant-karon.html">red onion</a>, which mom has heard is marvelous. there is a line sprawling out the front, which we figure must indicate something inside worth a line, so we join it. i gallop off to a mini-mart to grab a tall frosty <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_beer#Tiger_Beer">Tiger</a> to stave off thirst during the interim between line and munchies. many onlookers found it necessary to comment upon a well-dressed young lass sauntering down the road with a delicious beer in her delicate hand, but i paid them zero mind.<br /><br />the wait is not long. based on the posts of internet creepos on the linked-to forum, we order the duck red curry, along with a fried crab/pork combo and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_mok">ho mok</a>. i am especially jazzed for ho mok, as i read a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Female-Nomad-Living-Large/dp/0609809547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268157034&sr=8-1">pretty awful memoir</a> about a year ago and have been salivating for the dish ever since.<br /><br />the food arrives and it is, in fact and in deed, a series of marvels. it is the first legitimately spicy thai food we have savored on this trip, and i am in chile paradise. our noses valiantly run and our tear ducts swell with pride. a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singha_Beer">Singha</a> completes the experience.<br /><br />ever so slightly giddy on thai bubbly, we venture down to the end of karon's main drag just to take a peek. the scene is hoppin' as much as aging, overweight white tourists with no sense of fashion ever hop, and the people watching is fabulous. we know we are going to be in for a treat when it comes time to explore the raunchier corners of the island.<br /><br />it's past our bedtime, and we waste no time in conking out. we have nothing slated for the morrow. how delectable.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-60800133278068567302010-03-06T01:26:00.000-08:002010-03-19T19:01:17.058-07:00Amazing Bike Tours - Khao Sok N.P. to Chiao Lan Reservoir(Rich's 2nd post)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">The cool night air and even cooler night forest sounds are the perfect accompaniment for our sleep. Cicadas that sing a solitary soprano note dominate the song, while frogs, birds and lizards provide a fascinating harmony. In the morning, the extremely peculiar call of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokay_gecko">tokay gecko </a>starts our day out on a smiling note. "Toe!-ka-ay"<br /><br />Breakfast at 8:30am, Linda, Janel and I join Lek and Nang at the table. My morning ritual lime juice is excellent, following by 2 fried eggs (with very golden yolks) and bacon.<br /><br />We're readying our bikes by 9:15am or so - the schedule is pretty relaxed. The plan is to avoid the van today in entirety if possible, and Linda makes it her goal to try it. Janel, still on antibiotics, decides to invest further in her flu recovery and avoids the bike today.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq25WKqolWi4sJwSTbs1nZ0T9bKl5CUAtPTM7qRAXUEtEe5umsA7-lp0NF_6yMpne8oEqC0p5qyDrv9fHLBzPXv_VNJahO5Lwj3zFMYJKXbGLNi80e4kF34sA6_tyPyxtSbqs864RaNBTP/s1600-h/IMG_5729.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq25WKqolWi4sJwSTbs1nZ0T9bKl5CUAtPTM7qRAXUEtEe5umsA7-lp0NF_6yMpne8oEqC0p5qyDrv9fHLBzPXv_VNJahO5Lwj3zFMYJKXbGLNi80e4kF34sA6_tyPyxtSbqs864RaNBTP/s320/IMG_5729.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446192532893877970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Rich and Linda prepare for Day 2 riding<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLw_X_YEH7X8Rg2_SzMhtEqydiV7Qnzx_4QPCLdjWS73_3cVHYTC5xRSN85FypD87HFeoqa3t0aMfoV5DemyE0nbQODobpwm3GDnyY-vS4TO4AIag08MLZNdAEUHu8ZJi1hyphenhyphen-kBKWCW4r/s1600-h/IMG_5736.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLw_X_YEH7X8Rg2_SzMhtEqydiV7Qnzx_4QPCLdjWS73_3cVHYTC5xRSN85FypD87HFeoqa3t0aMfoV5DemyE0nbQODobpwm3GDnyY-vS4TO4AIag08MLZNdAEUHu8ZJi1hyphenhyphen-kBKWCW4r/s320/IMG_5736.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193010763953570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The "team": Rich, Lek, Janel, Nang, Linda, Vicky, Gunther, and James</span><br /></div><br />Gunther and I take off right away. Gunther has shown yesterday that he wants to keep up a healthy pace, and since Lek and James are staying with the girls, I decide to pace with Gunter as long as I can. We pedal eastward on 401 over a stretch of sustained rolling hills, about 20 km or so, finally stopping at a shady clearing. The scenery is stunning southern Thailand: limestone mountains jutting skyward from the rolling hills covered in foliage, orchards of banana trees, orchards of palm trees, orchards of rubber trees.<br /><br />The girls join us in about 25 minutes. The ride has been quite warm and humid, and Linda's face is getting pretty red. Still, she is fit and I'm proud she's made it in good shape.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsaXdsgFn6aSaopCDuKPAt5AH1dCDgF1dsFCdqlOzEcMBkihxjRdmghZDRXGS_FJbHOg4J10kNi_jnvelRScJJlwJccI6nRFltqje7iVjSYPWkBqs7qXn1Rmh5ooVBUhPyEkT3xuLvJjw/s1600-h/IMG_5743.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsaXdsgFn6aSaopCDuKPAt5AH1dCDgF1dsFCdqlOzEcMBkihxjRdmghZDRXGS_FJbHOg4J10kNi_jnvelRScJJlwJccI6nRFltqje7iVjSYPWkBqs7qXn1Rmh5ooVBUhPyEkT3xuLvJjw/s320/IMG_5743.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193016268553650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Completed the first segment!<br /></span></div><br />Our stop is located at a cave considered as a religious site by Buddhists.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnL1kGbHinSkFxxjljUYS3Niy5s2R1etGxlgCDqTql-11TAHLvTj15f5wWnaMivSCoAbb_Wdiuw7AQIxjP3dRztgjQ7qBwzRmKxz7NFOGoWJC1GEmD0UK1oj6_JSEKE1fYXlkxP4BnNKw/s1600-h/IMG_5745.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnL1kGbHinSkFxxjljUYS3Niy5s2R1etGxlgCDqTql-11TAHLvTj15f5wWnaMivSCoAbb_Wdiuw7AQIxjP3dRztgjQ7qBwzRmKxz7NFOGoWJC1GEmD0UK1oj6_JSEKE1fYXlkxP4BnNKw/s320/IMG_5745.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193022249225138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Passing by Buddhist shrines inside the cave<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">On the other side of the cave is a large creek that is loaded with fish. James has purchased fish food from vendors (which smells curiously like seaweed and fish). When we start tossing it, the fish appear so thick you could even walk over them. James laughs and suggests I try it.<br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX49LG2yZjuKnQYMI9_uJZHKlzD5S6o1Gjv5jUy2-Tdm6IS8vhViWwoiREEEAzZaV4kklK68v301Or_9-J-78GsBJpNvHDGfpnsVgdykZ6K5kkn19-gnGz7yTXVjeehiGO4mMZz0JKN1V/s1600-h/IMG_5752.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX49LG2yZjuKnQYMI9_uJZHKlzD5S6o1Gjv5jUy2-Tdm6IS8vhViWwoiREEEAzZaV4kklK68v301Or_9-J-78GsBJpNvHDGfpnsVgdykZ6K5kkn19-gnGz7yTXVjeehiGO4mMZz0JKN1V/s320/IMG_5752.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193026348144466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lek, Vicky and Linda check out the thousands of fish</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfkDE9xTxtUnW5nBh28v5I6WbXKcqnON39Ff06GGANufEbYF43O9dCSSah6ZZ7ls_RukOe1j1aoIUPl65EmatWSrOHgKvlagTRdfiAXWe1shuYGNME_a06Bns_3folLAgb63KZehsxtA0/s1600-h/IMG_5754.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfkDE9xTxtUnW5nBh28v5I6WbXKcqnON39Ff06GGANufEbYF43O9dCSSah6ZZ7ls_RukOe1j1aoIUPl65EmatWSrOHgKvlagTRdfiAXWe1shuYGNME_a06Bns_3folLAgb63KZehsxtA0/s320/IMG_5754.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193033025688866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Exiting the cave - check out the huge limestone overhangs</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfkDE9xTxtUnW5nBh28v5I6WbXKcqnON39Ff06GGANufEbYF43O9dCSSah6ZZ7ls_RukOe1j1aoIUPl65EmatWSrOHgKvlagTRdfiAXWe1shuYGNME_a06Bns_3folLAgb63KZehsxtA0/s1600-h/IMG_5754.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6RWumE3ul7i2GH1wSXnvVfS9aW4QG5FVhHCVKz1mbUewcYq2dUmOUh3YQPbx-hmcZk1tz6SrxTgOiFeDnLEdQMrc6NT9KgydHsrhKZEUQwnQ2FZVJo4KkY5gIxB4oDKKQsE6YGIMKLLF/s1600-h/IMG_5755.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6RWumE3ul7i2GH1wSXnvVfS9aW4QG5FVhHCVKz1mbUewcYq2dUmOUh3YQPbx-hmcZk1tz6SrxTgOiFeDnLEdQMrc6NT9KgydHsrhKZEUQwnQ2FZVJo4KkY5gIxB4oDKKQsE6YGIMKLLF/s320/IMG_5755.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193703370106578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ubiquitous Buddhas - these ones at the entrance to the cave</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">As we prepare for more riding, I spotted a big spider hanging in on a web spanning two trees. Did I say big? This guy is about the size of a softball across. He must catch small birds for a living.<br /><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pW0_qppn-WZViSrMFDR_8pG1Kijuhdyc3yKA16E4rr8OJkiPqYCOlb400YnmCipvKIHrK9TSYi4VehUM1ksjAoKNQaL1ppjMoxa6rTrUjI6LLF0VRHeo61O6X_rlz_i55nbX8T4Vkg_B/s1600-h/IMG_5757.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pW0_qppn-WZViSrMFDR_8pG1Kijuhdyc3yKA16E4rr8OJkiPqYCOlb400YnmCipvKIHrK9TSYi4VehUM1ksjAoKNQaL1ppjMoxa6rTrUjI6LLF0VRHeo61O6X_rlz_i55nbX8T4Vkg_B/s320/IMG_5757.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193700249820466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">B-I-I-IGGG spider <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Gunther and I took off from the group again. After the stop, Gunther is raring to go, and he really starts to motor. I keep up, though, and when we start hitting the rolling hills, I'm zooming past him on all the inclines. We keep a nice pace together on average - with him speeding past me on the downhills. The gorgeous views keep rolling by.<br /><br />After another 27km or so, I'm just about to pass out. The day has gotten hotter and steamier, and I'm actually getting dizzy from dehydration. I'd been rationing my one water bottle for many kilometers now, and finally I'm at the break point. "Water stop," I call out and we find the shade of a big tree. Gunther is less affected because he is carrying 3.5 liters in a Camelbak. After I gain my wits and down the last of my water, we roll a few more meters up the street and find a tiny store that sells me a cold bottle. Sweetness!<br /><br />We ride only a few more km and roll into a town, I believe it is called Ban Ta Khun. Decidedly not a tourist site, we are especially oddballs in our cycling clothes. It is a typical Thai town with sidewalks full of shops and food stalls. We find some shade on a step and Gunther tells me much about his career as a scuba diving instructor in Italy and then as a tourism manager in United Arab Emirates. While we spoke, I was thinking to myself, if Linda comes rolling up on her bike, and not in the van, I'm really going to be impressed.<br /><br />James, Lek, Vicky, and (drumroll) ... Linda! They pedal into town and stop for us. I am really impressed that she's made it. She says she drank about 7 bottles of water on the way.<br /><br />By the way, the temperature on record for this date was 38C (100F) and up to 94% RH.<br /><br />James says that our restaurant is just around the corner, about 5 minutes. We take off and the 5 minutes turns into about 15, another 2 or 3 km further. We're all ready to get out of the sun.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTZarJUqP0W5bjNPx1-dgzfCWa1OUHmMoEVeIlSR4RUvh7j09uYD3r0taXmmFrZT0m_Ovwo-q6UOCuz5QX9kxt4gtUjNbj11fEze7xCTEfyAIPpQpHTqxzw-TDTPFGv7OEv4n9oazbpwD/s1600-h/IMG_5766.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTZarJUqP0W5bjNPx1-dgzfCWa1OUHmMoEVeIlSR4RUvh7j09uYD3r0taXmmFrZT0m_Ovwo-q6UOCuz5QX9kxt4gtUjNbj11fEze7xCTEfyAIPpQpHTqxzw-TDTPFGv7OEv4n9oazbpwD/s320/IMG_5766.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193692809847554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lek and Vicky up the final rise of the day</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviUQ2pi25ZW5lSqVco4SC7xERBh8CqeaeuN8Qg1kR1rZBgjiOEem8rutJkJE90ox2g-nNcZgOw1WkTeXXr9zzLnF1lp3T5eetuk3_wmp4k6lzK2yAJ0x5cl2BFoU2avxzj8cpzo55n2WC/s1600-h/IMG_5769.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviUQ2pi25ZW5lSqVco4SC7xERBh8CqeaeuN8Qg1kR1rZBgjiOEem8rutJkJE90ox2g-nNcZgOw1WkTeXXr9zzLnF1lp3T5eetuk3_wmp4k6lzK2yAJ0x5cl2BFoU2avxzj8cpzo55n2WC/s320/IMG_5769.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446193687097551314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Linda conquers the final climb</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">James has found an unassuming place you'd probably never find on your own. Hardly looks like a restaurant until we go inside and find tables. Cold water and then food starts coming out and it's really delicious: curries and soups and stir-fried prawns and vegetables and potatoes. Lots of steamed rice. As we eat, the plates keep coming out, and with each one we are raising our eyebrows - more food?<br /><br />Pretty soon, James is getting concerned as the table fills up with plates to the overflow point. It turns out that our 8 dishes have mistakenly been prepared as 16 - we have twice as much food as intended!<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjKeruL1QY4-5mayRW7QUq2kmYiKjzSFfUpAN5i1kLT5z6BaAiq_g0iLSE_sOw78GyYJ56ywUiKAJXc9LC2osJgCoCFfa8qdiL1guPcIeys-IiHaf0f1hFhfssejEzDR7xWpgOfbZmEaW/s1600-h/IMG_5773.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjKeruL1QY4-5mayRW7QUq2kmYiKjzSFfUpAN5i1kLT5z6BaAiq_g0iLSE_sOw78GyYJ56ywUiKAJXc9LC2osJgCoCFfa8qdiL1guPcIeys-IiHaf0f1hFhfssejEzDR7xWpgOfbZmEaW/s320/IMG_5773.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446200615308769122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Tastes great after our ride!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRUdM_7JhYbJJ8hewaX7w1jHI1Ic3jUuPOi4CFQAM694Z-70mQ9BIfgU2XPuwY2QiBKGN6kInwUIGQ3PUyzz8uYYRnbf3sU0T7FEZj7L1i9jK0WVkHOoRjbVJ1LcOveIcbeOzrMap0-UM/s1600-h/IMG_5775.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRUdM_7JhYbJJ8hewaX7w1jHI1Ic3jUuPOi4CFQAM694Z-70mQ9BIfgU2XPuwY2QiBKGN6kInwUIGQ3PUyzz8uYYRnbf3sU0T7FEZj7L1i9jK0WVkHOoRjbVJ1LcOveIcbeOzrMap0-UM/s320/IMG_5775.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446200610153064306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">C'mon- there can't be more?<br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvEW49TrW4V-0wjv3OqtK8fVT0ZszzdWxda18qhALchWhAk_hSrMgtiyEtR169fuLLR_m5Wcpy1s7pADMK-50AD7u5TxyROMKFSzQLXdPSyNHtUxnGhhcIKJy6S44ixgOpykMDOSFL34X/s1600-h/IMG_5784.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvEW49TrW4V-0wjv3OqtK8fVT0ZszzdWxda18qhALchWhAk_hSrMgtiyEtR169fuLLR_m5Wcpy1s7pADMK-50AD7u5TxyROMKFSzQLXdPSyNHtUxnGhhcIKJy6S44ixgOpykMDOSFL34X/s320/IMG_5784.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446200607542497842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Maybe Lek will finish the leftovers<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Stuffed, we mill about the place, digesting. Janel and I examine some very unusual scaly hides mounted on the restaurant walls. She postulates that they might be echindas, but she later looks it up and finds out they are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangolin">pangolins</a>. I've never heard of them before - a small large-scaled anteater that lives around here (and is routinely eaten).<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QYnfdLMib6lYf1O3U09nEMBLgmpBq9w3FAr3vdmz1_CRuKOWbvS8U08uzt_HyhO5wUWjDhj7tA062-ivGuJ6nOg4CnWK32W5pTgzpbfkI_F568HHMa5MTB7MWHPkT6dd8aYHeKYshtPS/s1600-h/IMG_5785.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QYnfdLMib6lYf1O3U09nEMBLgmpBq9w3FAr3vdmz1_CRuKOWbvS8U08uzt_HyhO5wUWjDhj7tA062-ivGuJ6nOg4CnWK32W5pTgzpbfkI_F568HHMa5MTB7MWHPkT6dd8aYHeKYshtPS/s320/IMG_5785.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446200596445560418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Rich, Janel, Lek, and Vicky after lunch<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The final optional leg of the ride is about 12 km</span> and climbs several hills on the way out of town. Vicky and Linda decide to cool off in the van on the way, and they get a few photos of the guys on the road. The road indeed does a few moderate climbs, but through some gorgeous tropical scenery.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9PUKB3Wmds6QFfMpQpYjnVcgsoHt7JuY2kLeilKDE_TjkIoGyC4yx8p9lLbMcNocO9x6SGlgkcC9NxuO7KvpPr-G5q-V9RgsvE7Gk7bAvKWDKU-LRAgYAwqYMyJL-aeTf4LOuvlvymnC/s1600-h/IMG_5790.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9PUKB3Wmds6QFfMpQpYjnVcgsoHt7JuY2kLeilKDE_TjkIoGyC4yx8p9lLbMcNocO9x6SGlgkcC9NxuO7KvpPr-G5q-V9RgsvE7Gk7bAvKWDKU-LRAgYAwqYMyJL-aeTf4LOuvlvymnC/s320/IMG_5790.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446200593959591106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I'm starting to like this mountain bike thing<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3U5-tpQLI2lVF6hE4bNn1uIwwOsAI1a55oZAR1YElflywdTQr_i-0BgMyses3lixwmr8bmTtZxaa52s8iQ8V1Jiai5tNs6Ea3WsD7wtTB0oO_h7KuSjpDKa8-ItcvArM6PAFcdsDJcuN/s1600-h/IMG_5793.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3U5-tpQLI2lVF6hE4bNn1uIwwOsAI1a55oZAR1YElflywdTQr_i-0BgMyses3lixwmr8bmTtZxaa52s8iQ8V1Jiai5tNs6Ea3WsD7wtTB0oO_h7KuSjpDKa8-ItcvArM6PAFcdsDJcuN/s320/IMG_5793.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201318577340194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Chugging up another hill<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Riders and van stop at a small convenience store and go in for provisions (beer and ice). We make our selections, and then are entertained by a very prolonged discussion with the clerk in Thai about how the bill should be separated. There is adorable tiny dog there and the girls go nuts for him (Tolek).<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqppyXIjoHEuHckDdRLlbL30B7bq1pc5YaR2-nwttF2G4MpJ0ASGcdAw0xgk2pkNv4d4Z7G6lOrXnRYrlyGXWCwwitbSI0shWRNzcd-j0Pm5DVfxY6hnjr3oz3whZ8ZnOk2gh088DCiwsA/s1600-h/IMG_5798.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqppyXIjoHEuHckDdRLlbL30B7bq1pc5YaR2-nwttF2G4MpJ0ASGcdAw0xgk2pkNv4d4Z7G6lOrXnRYrlyGXWCwwitbSI0shWRNzcd-j0Pm5DVfxY6hnjr3oz3whZ8ZnOk2gh088DCiwsA/s320/IMG_5798.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201315710942338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cu-u-ute<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Jia6vg1jfHGqOVU3N6ZIhNvXHOVysZ_nYLRXPF_EWgdO2XNNqoQQmdUVAV4zgOvQ6ZIISeTrfedW17sAP-2QL4QpS3L-skoy-xOZNL3-rBRuOW9rzguFo5KRB7iZ-brFXGVwypKkt1I/s1600-h/IMG_5806.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Jia6vg1jfHGqOVU3N6ZIhNvXHOVysZ_nYLRXPF_EWgdO2XNNqoQQmdUVAV4zgOvQ6ZIISeTrfedW17sAP-2QL4QpS3L-skoy-xOZNL3-rBRuOW9rzguFo5KRB7iZ-brFXGVwypKkt1I/s320/IMG_5806.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201309837433026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Tiny Tolek<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span>A couple more climbs, one of them steep, and we reach Ratchaprapha Dam and the Chiao Lan Reservoir. We're immediately struck 1st by the slightly cooler breezes coming off the water, and then by the gorgeous shade of turquoise blue.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKfB0UPAHVbaNOENc8M3s6I5mge7dBfiChnBLHuwZ_3pz8AhZkCon7JNdisYplOXhhZ35700_RfwmirjWegCmPjp1Qs6fbMWrFZciZUWspt3gKpZSp1iGb3lSgWZCa7DfSoW0UB54KfB0/s1600-h/IMG_5814.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKfB0UPAHVbaNOENc8M3s6I5mge7dBfiChnBLHuwZ_3pz8AhZkCon7JNdisYplOXhhZ35700_RfwmirjWegCmPjp1Qs6fbMWrFZciZUWspt3gKpZSp1iGb3lSgWZCa7DfSoW0UB54KfB0/s320/IMG_5814.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201303341126850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Arriving at Chiao Lan Reservoir<br /></span></div><br />Final mileage for the day was around 65km, or around 40 miles. But what great miles - you couldn't ask for a better way to see this part of the country. May be the sweatiest ride we've ever done.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_rArfRUgYvxwlDtCazFggmv3bdYIpB4Mpxk0VEXx4fZE3A5q5Sc5-LC5KjKRkyfnDvJ834L_HJ6sQXobEUhIR8xFc7ulnNvFG7I2J6oxSDhyB_bKtZhS242x1mM9i4c03b9pkQT1tffa/s1600-h/khaosok_map1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_rArfRUgYvxwlDtCazFggmv3bdYIpB4Mpxk0VEXx4fZE3A5q5Sc5-LC5KjKRkyfnDvJ834L_HJ6sQXobEUhIR8xFc7ulnNvFG7I2J6oxSDhyB_bKtZhS242x1mM9i4c03b9pkQT1tffa/s320/khaosok_map1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201990600241426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Map of southern Thailand - red line is our bike route<br />and blue line is our boat route</span><br /></div><br />We load up bags, gear, and bikes onto a long boat. We won't need the bikes, but there is no secure way to store them on the van in the parking lot. Then a real treat - a 35 minute ride on the glass-smooth lake, complete with wonderfully cooling breezes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIVK3Ah9tG3xDKl8dNepcnTY2pX7VPlo952wMXomXG2G3G4tZnbOcJZvRy-z_g_nFKXmqz4qMzgbU6KghEJAa7ELzG6zoAZV7gLndevvM0UpozpqHRX8l9DfDs2118y7Tw7A3_cFYBGZd/s1600-h/IMG_5825.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIVK3Ah9tG3xDKl8dNepcnTY2pX7VPlo952wMXomXG2G3G4tZnbOcJZvRy-z_g_nFKXmqz4qMzgbU6KghEJAa7ELzG6zoAZV7gLndevvM0UpozpqHRX8l9DfDs2118y7Tw7A3_cFYBGZd/s320/IMG_5825.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201292845809890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Finally getting some cool breezes<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The gorgeous color of the lake disappears into ancient Thai forests of great variety. We learn that the </span>Chiao Lan Reservoir<span style="font-size:100%;"> is manmade - </span>the Ratchaprapha Dam was built in 1982 at the Khlong Saeng River and flooded thousands of hectares. We finally approach our accommodations for the night - a row of tiny huts built on floating bamboo rafts!<br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk3BDvq_f9ZuUhQg9AlfyLWWiVG6mz7rjXuqeEDftmFUQwP6n8dXBxVhAjENmw32NhzZZOdVnbRUVhEz3BjbV3K0iwIKxNYq1sfPHXhhNAELki0T_ojNY_xOeLO7aqVZ6iCythBOIhPAH/s1600-h/IMG_5834.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk3BDvq_f9ZuUhQg9AlfyLWWiVG6mz7rjXuqeEDftmFUQwP6n8dXBxVhAjENmw32NhzZZOdVnbRUVhEz3BjbV3K0iwIKxNYq1sfPHXhhNAELki0T_ojNY_xOeLO7aqVZ6iCythBOIhPAH/s320/IMG_5834.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201662558205138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">No TV, no towels, no bed, no plumbing<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoosKewqmZyrIDeNSgirXflE7lJPmzhdBBp3vk_M9FAOLDlfUfFIWY_J_E60E8FyXG291yozyWsJHdh22SEgVryiEzTr3kNqnZO1Njmk2wqakI9AA5BV4LASH2yyhDKZtGFkaVc24WfUq/s1600-h/IMG_5838.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoosKewqmZyrIDeNSgirXflE7lJPmzhdBBp3vk_M9FAOLDlfUfFIWY_J_E60E8FyXG291yozyWsJHdh22SEgVryiEzTr3kNqnZO1Njmk2wqakI9AA5BV4LASH2yyhDKZtGFkaVc24WfUq/s320/IMG_5838.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201658845465362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Unloading our long boat<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The huts are truly simple and great. About 8' square, with a single 6' mat about 2" thick in one corner, with pillows, cover sheet and blanket. Group bathroom 50 yards up the hill (across many steps with missing pieces of wood).<br /><br />Mostly Thais are here, and one tour group. It feels like only those really in-the-know would come to this simple idyllic place. James lets us know that we can take out our long boat for a cruise of the lake at sunset, but since it's already 5pm, we all elect to simply get settled in our rooms, pop on swim suits, and dip into the warm water, which feels somewhere around 88F.<br /><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2erZh6smW6r_TVj_j6nvX6D-yTPVX97L4KRPB5-MndG8BHFJWEjm3tSF61jXKmsKjo6Rf8RWRzLwAIL6prtg4EZi7DB9pqYtsZwo0gW9Wbl3vEpYxAuU0F2ONx7hloxWSZUDBGPPqRHeb/s1600-h/IMG_5839.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2erZh6smW6r_TVj_j6nvX6D-yTPVX97L4KRPB5-MndG8BHFJWEjm3tSF61jXKmsKjo6Rf8RWRzLwAIL6prtg4EZi7DB9pqYtsZwo0gW9Wbl3vEpYxAuU0F2ONx7hloxWSZUDBGPPqRHeb/s320/IMG_5839.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201651267378306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Vicky, Janel, and Nang on a kayak</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8ltf3naBQNmJ3aAT77hUKJAQ6klPH394z1mBnXvSAVkBZMXeUTQnjyoADi_7vrR8d8NOEidgOiEEh6LcRUPlr5GEE1L-DlzN-afNpg3KADogIOJd4NFCXkzKJxT4eKpb0gaQx002Offf/s1600-h/IMG_5848.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8ltf3naBQNmJ3aAT77hUKJAQ6klPH394z1mBnXvSAVkBZMXeUTQnjyoADi_7vrR8d8NOEidgOiEEh6LcRUPlr5GEE1L-DlzN-afNpg3KADogIOJd4NFCXkzKJxT4eKpb0gaQx002Offf/s320/IMG_5848.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201646328068210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Rich, Linda, and James and a few beers<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">At one point I challenge everyone that I can jump off the dock with a glass of beer and still have it to drink when I surface. James warns that the fresh water doesn't provide much buoyance. I make the jump fine and I can feel the glass still above water the whole time. But only a half glass of beer left! Linda tells me that half flew out on my initial jump, but it brings claps and laughs.<br /><br />Linda brings out some shampoo and we take turns lather each other's heads, trying to stay afloat. Other visitors are doing the same, and in tranquil evening waters, there seems to emerge a very comfortable cameraderie with all on the lake.<br /><br />Among the conversation, a comment is made that the community bathrooms have no paper. They have only a flexible tube with a dishwater nozzle on the its end plumbed somewhere behind the toilet tank, used to hose down one's bottom. Gunter comments that he used paper for a few years, but switched to water, which is much more efficient and ecological. James proposes that he'd like to patent the concept of the "bum gun" worldwide. I state that I'm a 53 year-old paper guy myself.<br /><br />Gunter then takes the stage, and says he'd like to show us an old army trick about how to properly use only a single square of paper. It's a visual demonstration but I'll try to describe it here...<br /><br />Take the square and fold it in half, then again, then into a triangle, then into a thinner triangle, etc. Tear off about 1/2 inch of the point. Unfold the square. You should now have the origianl square with a hole about 1 inch in diameter in the center.<br /><br />Place your index finger all the way through the hole. Insert finger in bum and complete all maintenance required, using the paper as an apron for the rest of your hand. When finished, use your opposite hand to remove the paper, wiping upward to clean your business finger. Use the remaining 1" circle of paper to clean under your fingernail.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliy_E50QEXLbd1oa0pvu3LW_Fv6K1oWrC0SZ1WcwZM5Ofp6ZwKT3MrzRRxIaUEeh3AWQjlwDzO0KTqNc97zys_hAjiQwUxJPWffhUbOUCkZjPdd3ntLzbr1EExXWCAvWg_uO_G-6o4UUe/s1600-h/IMG_5855.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliy_E50QEXLbd1oa0pvu3LW_Fv6K1oWrC0SZ1WcwZM5Ofp6ZwKT3MrzRRxIaUEeh3AWQjlwDzO0KTqNc97zys_hAjiQwUxJPWffhUbOUCkZjPdd3ntLzbr1EExXWCAvWg_uO_G-6o4UUe/s320/IMG_5855.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201641120341410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Taken while treading water<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">On that note, it's finally time to start a group dinner. Food is served at a central building and is really quite excellent Thai fare. There is an tour assembly of seemingly disinterested Thai men next to us with a talkative leader who jabbers for at least a half hour. We joke that he almost sounds like an auctioneer. Our food is delicious. </span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr5utAaqril7I_uYoz2hcoxHCULAUYmSZpbBCyt5rcJoMHQUg0hnh0FDdTUFh67vWKMIY-Ymm_jkxEiRz_T_t5WeDHfF_dJH3DyMgDYA2Z6UFgCuhhGdBEXf7sIMpjTNc1qiRvaOBuLtd/s1600-h/IMG_5883.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr5utAaqril7I_uYoz2hcoxHCULAUYmSZpbBCyt5rcJoMHQUg0hnh0FDdTUFh67vWKMIY-Ymm_jkxEiRz_T_t5WeDHfF_dJH3DyMgDYA2Z6UFgCuhhGdBEXf7sIMpjTNc1qiRvaOBuLtd/s320/IMG_5883.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201986526199314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ready for dinner<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4es-TOvTqdVKQi6PZbGaKKu6EBE2GDURmfjRgAvpRwlJVNHXtoVrVuuwf2n6pkezD0uPrb8IO7ikTZdQOavGIdzib1O9UEoobJgZ1YDpDG7nKd0vUWhhQieZ9jm_AgZFAQEw6gSO4KUoG/s1600-h/IMG_5885.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4es-TOvTqdVKQi6PZbGaKKu6EBE2GDURmfjRgAvpRwlJVNHXtoVrVuuwf2n6pkezD0uPrb8IO7ikTZdQOavGIdzib1O9UEoobJgZ1YDpDG7nKd0vUWhhQieZ9jm_AgZFAQEw6gSO4KUoG/s320/IMG_5885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201978549541650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Soups, green curries, and giant gouramis for dinner<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Nang especially likes the gouramis, and devours the entire head of one of them, including the eyes. After dinner, we retire to our #21 cabin. Everyone has commented on the prominence of springs in their thin matresses, but ours doesn't seem to have any. #21 is the lucky cabin.<br /><br />The stars promise to be great here, but the cabin lights are just bright enough to impair the stargazing. James says they'll go out before midnight and Janel wants to stay up for it. But Linda and I are pretty tired from the day's activities. We take a final dip in the lake and swim out a ways to find the stargazing improved. Then a 15 minute drip dry on the dock (no towels) and we're ready to pass out.<br /><br />I awaken numerous times throughout the night, hoping for the lights to be out, but they seem to stay lit the entire night. The cabins are very rustic, but comfortable enough. We hear the sounds of other people swimming and walking on the dock all night, but everyone is quiet and respectful, and we sleep pretty well.<br /></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL45APSFCdZ2ZtmFIluTYizDU9oV1KetXWXwsqFWk0AIavxirfUk3zdzxyMnrwbWm6-_QTXqgmp7L9t7i76lbw5WA3aGGc9iN-QH8GhNzggPOmlH9bRgPjtbWWSHO3O_k-fFBGT8t-kiZ/s1600-h/IMG_5896.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL45APSFCdZ2ZtmFIluTYizDU9oV1KetXWXwsqFWk0AIavxirfUk3zdzxyMnrwbWm6-_QTXqgmp7L9t7i76lbw5WA3aGGc9iN-QH8GhNzggPOmlH9bRgPjtbWWSHO3O_k-fFBGT8t-kiZ/s320/IMG_5896.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201975822482386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Night tranquility on Chiao Lan Reservoir</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-84554489516535233392010-03-05T04:38:00.000-08:002010-03-19T19:06:13.243-07:00Bike Day!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">FRIDAY<br /><br />We slept fast last night because we had to be up early to start our bike tour today. We got ready and went down around 7:15 to try and snag some breakfast at the hotel (they told us they opened at 7). The restaurant part was closed up. So - we wandered the street for a bit and couldn't find anything open. We knew we needed to eat before riding so we Janel and Rich ended up heading next door to the ubiquitous 7-11 (they are EVERYWHERE) and grab a few "food" items and an iced coffee for me.<br /><br />The van from <a href="http://www.amazingbiketoursthailand.asia/">Amazing Bike Tours</a> shows up right on time and we meet our host (James) and his driver (Nong) and co-leader (Lek). We like them all immediately. We alse met the other two riders on this trip - Gunther (living in Phuket, but from Germany) and Vicki (dive instructor in Phuket). We like them, too. Yeah! When you are living with a small group like this for a few days it can make or break the trip if the personalities clash. We already can see that we are in for a great time. Our bags are quickly stowed and we are on our way.<br /><br />We first have about an hour van ride north to the Khao Lak area. We stop in a beautiful area off the road where it is shady and nice. Finally time to ride! Janel has had a relapse of her flu symptoms and opts to ride in the van with Nong - no problem. She has a book and Nong is very nice. James and Lek get all our bikes unloaded from the top of the van and we prepare ourselves.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1-i9K85SJip7sBCrskqZ9oH3_dt8jpBu-vWtpRH_uPP1Yuy1WCDfq80GThb1oNMG1Vv70oblgsVLrYKNfDQ-yRshX6YsGIXwBiPjzHURjg-EN2dVwJSHBWgR9_vupSXrIAhU5yyDU4BH/s1600-h/IMG_5612.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1-i9K85SJip7sBCrskqZ9oH3_dt8jpBu-vWtpRH_uPP1Yuy1WCDfq80GThb1oNMG1Vv70oblgsVLrYKNfDQ-yRshX6YsGIXwBiPjzHURjg-EN2dVwJSHBWgR9_vupSXrIAhU5yyDU4BH/s320/IMG_5612.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446067104084951538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Getting the bikes ready<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RPHr_QB4d9DcFLGGcnEr0YR59yTdmarBaG-ZcXCtlxRSd1W57zkxII7dd3I_gDQ0K1v5LdMv-PcOWj7bo5jUUcZPRbVJrd7aoN1G37YDwMC0RohqEolrp4APK2PmfKzFb6oiRlflPGkT/s1600-h/IMG_5616.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RPHr_QB4d9DcFLGGcnEr0YR59yTdmarBaG-ZcXCtlxRSd1W57zkxII7dd3I_gDQ0K1v5LdMv-PcOWj7bo5jUUcZPRbVJrd7aoN1G37YDwMC0RohqEolrp4APK2PmfKzFb6oiRlflPGkT/s320/IMG_5616.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446067117510707890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Changing into bike clothes</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Right away I am thinking that this won't be so bad. It is shady, warm - but not really too hot. I can handle it. James give a quick briefing on the gears, etc. I think I get it. Give me my bike and let's go! Vicki is a little concerned since she hasn't really used gears before and vows that she will ride for "ten minute, ten minute."<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9fwxhBkwDSa93-_-bRwZhzs1ce1ObIncwVLEfxM8xO96hoOoqqI32cVmQ38DUS8OGHlmiZUp62hgYIHS31Q0dFCyMlBB1YYWpTQvbiVQPG1RY-EYXlG3AQDPYo2s1Jo-c6RVyaRhFha4/s1600-h/IMG_5627.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9fwxhBkwDSa93-_-bRwZhzs1ce1ObIncwVLEfxM8xO96hoOoqqI32cVmQ38DUS8OGHlmiZUp62hgYIHS31Q0dFCyMlBB1YYWpTQvbiVQPG1RY-EYXlG3AQDPYo2s1Jo-c6RVyaRhFha4/s320/IMG_5627.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446067140096374530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Trial run<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4b2_PWxvB-ixi-dKUkvUvE_dRUT4MpshloKH8cOaemRuERKCutYpg7Qgk1pS5hI8sF8N_UUiS0rIUvjBYs_4BydCXU09fVNtsjMnjTHzb9veuCvxL_yxoXgr3RomH0_BuSRE-xzSPeel/s1600-h/IMG_5628.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4b2_PWxvB-ixi-dKUkvUvE_dRUT4MpshloKH8cOaemRuERKCutYpg7Qgk1pS5hI8sF8N_UUiS0rIUvjBYs_4BydCXU09fVNtsjMnjTHzb9veuCvxL_yxoXgr3RomH0_BuSRE-xzSPeel/s320/IMG_5628.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446067154994769026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">This is easy!</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ozVgsxka1oJd965o913nAJjcML1sAnQ88PpAQSg1bjamlY-hKGsO7IUHvDBQIBm2f0QxVlfJQy_SVhfEhMv9ODXqKsIRJZvkh9NNuLtWX93PT24gaxg_mWNQDOvDqGQMnRpQ7dhdU2x9/s1600-h/IMG_5630.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ozVgsxka1oJd965o913nAJjcML1sAnQ88PpAQSg1bjamlY-hKGsO7IUHvDBQIBm2f0QxVlfJQy_SVhfEhMv9ODXqKsIRJZvkh9NNuLtWX93PT24gaxg_mWNQDOvDqGQMnRpQ7dhdU2x9/s320/IMG_5630.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446069106764262450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">This is too hard!!<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Ok - so we start off in a relatively shady, jungle-y area and are riding on basically a hard-packed surface. Pretty easy and not really too unbearably hot. James warns us that up ahead is a pretty rough patch with lots of sandy areas - how bad can it be? Well. . . I found myself zooming along quite nicely right up until I hit the sand. The back tire fishtails and I come to an abrupt stop. Not fun. I get off and walk my bike through the sand. Fortunately the sandy areas are over with very soon and I am back in the saddle.<br /><br />We get back on the hardpack and the riding is easy but HOT. I don't think I have ever been this sweaty. It is probably 98 degrees and 98% humidity. I continually refill my water bottle from the van that is following us - I probably drank 5 whole bottles of water in the course of an hour and don't even have to pee (too much sweat).<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmGu1tr7o-uLgOllYWSCvI45uWx7DDyHVl2I3w8SN8yz8jPXZJa5pdcrf78sECeXH_haGwMJGZONRNgmHfN3Suf_opwkdExygtVMYiqOofe79-g_KtFHJHNu4phEBZvMt1haY8miC1t2l/s1600-h/IMG_5636.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmGu1tr7o-uLgOllYWSCvI45uWx7DDyHVl2I3w8SN8yz8jPXZJa5pdcrf78sECeXH_haGwMJGZONRNgmHfN3Suf_opwkdExygtVMYiqOofe79-g_KtFHJHNu4phEBZvMt1haY8miC1t2l/s320/IMG_5636.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446069114634328722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Rich is lovin' this</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYhqei3ftq4_Lt782HV1yUwRssbZMVSSt0WilIPcog7Gisl9aecEyL2z9xOYIRD71kjyZJK-I2sKfUEbOALAR-d7FLcNheuFmSzyMbg77fVcvTl-L_3XJuH-WxPmNyHj21YcFBnKcgEe9/s1600-h/IMG_5638.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYhqei3ftq4_Lt782HV1yUwRssbZMVSSt0WilIPcog7Gisl9aecEyL2z9xOYIRD71kjyZJK-I2sKfUEbOALAR-d7FLcNheuFmSzyMbg77fVcvTl-L_3XJuH-WxPmNyHj21YcFBnKcgEe9/s320/IMG_5638.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446069122708462914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This is the "shady" part (note that Linda is leading the pack. . .)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">When we finally stop I realize that Vicki has been in the van after riding "ten minute." She got a little spooked since we started out on a hill and she was out of control. She says she will try again after lunch. Janel has enjoyed her company in the van and they are having fun with Nong who doesn't speak English (Vicki speaks both Thai and English).<br /><br />The place we stopped was a rubber tree forest. There are about 100 rubber trees each equipped with a cut out strip around the trunk and a little 1/2 coconut "dish." Lek shows us how the rubber is made to start dripping and challenges Janel to harvest some. You have to make a deep cut along where the bark is trimmed and then kind of guide the "juice" to fall into the dish. Lek tells us that all of the 100 trees are harvested by hand with the workers usually starting in the middle of the night to escape the heat. (did I mention it is HOT?)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVhrfed17evHfqawHN1c4M_E36to-a2D2LJANsQiq-m5_qIe5pxM7KYeT2lU08rfHKvIXtRHfRsZbijulPJW3_Xf_UrDI9NHb6GJTveLJ-mOxK3Q4jJ1ZBaq92nx_jlNSwoO8nFporM-n/s1600-h/IMG_5643.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVhrfed17evHfqawHN1c4M_E36to-a2D2LJANsQiq-m5_qIe5pxM7KYeT2lU08rfHKvIXtRHfRsZbijulPJW3_Xf_UrDI9NHb6GJTveLJ-mOxK3Q4jJ1ZBaq92nx_jlNSwoO8nFporM-n/s320/IMG_5643.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446069131357541730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Lek shows Janel how to make the cut<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh8sJxRo4wkq-mWASjijA5bD2RdAQY_Odms3UOld0RjKF06I-xX2__QlHJMbc3AEGq_Hla8gwpy-eot8BXokSac7uO943JkdSBTTtymhDF6HvkgHztC2sOLHIGB-H0VLqhseXfqKZ0d_L/s1600-h/IMG_5644.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh8sJxRo4wkq-mWASjijA5bD2RdAQY_Odms3UOld0RjKF06I-xX2__QlHJMbc3AEGq_Hla8gwpy-eot8BXokSac7uO943JkdSBTTtymhDF6HvkgHztC2sOLHIGB-H0VLqhseXfqKZ0d_L/s320/IMG_5644.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446069140712272610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Janel's first attempt<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCm2g_bEeAM0HbY3QqRGaCFdTQZJsNng__YP8Vi7_XAFuv95Pi-w7MJOMr9___iDzfAOleQVFASvsI-LiCsoi6bJvAQnMqs3sdD3twhlwcPmU-dsq_NppH4tX7Btjmc9dFCA_lIBmpDZ_/s1600-h/IMG_5645.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCm2g_bEeAM0HbY3QqRGaCFdTQZJsNng__YP8Vi7_XAFuv95Pi-w7MJOMr9___iDzfAOleQVFASvsI-LiCsoi6bJvAQnMqs3sdD3twhlwcPmU-dsq_NppH4tX7Btjmc9dFCA_lIBmpDZ_/s320/IMG_5645.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446070820105771426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Linda and Vicki offer encouragement</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeMMVULejDU8GL3UI1JqEO3zaBUduls-0L6bOp3GMjsYBrLPS3V3zREmn_aSsli_-9hICpMrsMYivSt9sPFEvqc8Hr59JHUZF2v__VO6ZEmhEgeaw9ibLfpXXHPmhTxTOnURcGMYOv9Gw/s1600-h/IMG_5649.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeMMVULejDU8GL3UI1JqEO3zaBUduls-0L6bOp3GMjsYBrLPS3V3zREmn_aSsli_-9hICpMrsMYivSt9sPFEvqc8Hr59JHUZF2v__VO6ZEmhEgeaw9ibLfpXXHPmhTxTOnURcGMYOv9Gw/s320/IMG_5649.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446070836401367234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"C'mon muscles"<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIc6Y92b8i43E5jiyR9_b6z0UTH8qOW2nMjn016TkETMhe6hyd08mcKus9Xwv2dCMQy2OGt2Mhm0BdwFG2i-0rF_1jp9Cf_xehK5xuJSc6ePtZyGUfUomNmDQAUt_vE6m-r1kuH4r4iTeg/s1600-h/IMG_5650.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIc6Y92b8i43E5jiyR9_b6z0UTH8qOW2nMjn016TkETMhe6hyd08mcKus9Xwv2dCMQy2OGt2Mhm0BdwFG2i-0rF_1jp9Cf_xehK5xuJSc6ePtZyGUfUomNmDQAUt_vE6m-r1kuH4r4iTeg/s320/IMG_5650.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446070846828046322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">almost<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKjOm7_24ICldAl8TOoselLM3JbUV5jAUi79AbHRZtB12Hg5Tsr09HM2hP6z5Brd8WTP0hDBQMals-xm1l72LQmmO0qfcDV_rHG2TOi9BhGkhXbckJvgk-nTfoc3iyx2sn7oYNEf240Dj/s1600-h/IMG_5648.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKjOm7_24ICldAl8TOoselLM3JbUV5jAUi79AbHRZtB12Hg5Tsr09HM2hP6z5Brd8WTP0hDBQMals-xm1l72LQmmO0qfcDV_rHG2TOi9BhGkhXbckJvgk-nTfoc3iyx2sn7oYNEf240Dj/s320/IMG_5648.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446070830716268722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Success!! Can you imagine how long it takes to fill the bowls of 100 trees?<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Time to saddle up again and ride to the lunch spot. We have probably ridden only abou 15 miles, but it feels like 150 in this heat and I don't see a sign of any kind of restaurant looming on the horizon. But I put my head down and keep on pedalling. We ride through some small villages and many people greet us with "Sawasdeeka" (hello) and lots of children wave to us. Kind of keeps me going. (not really - the whole time I am thinking that I signed up for this mess and that Rich will owe me BIG TIME when this is over - if it ever is over - when will it be over?)<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXQOGbUfzFK1Bylsaj1qNWaK6z6fux2Ydii0rncubcfjB8IeAWeZ6yYle-OO9L6SqrqDCPUy0S3lYe0ltB-4QnuDBmN6lAcaIEBp1-jPA2RD-BanMimlZewIFi2-3ZP518lIwTt47qsw0/s1600-h/IMG_5656.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXQOGbUfzFK1Bylsaj1qNWaK6z6fux2Ydii0rncubcfjB8IeAWeZ6yYle-OO9L6SqrqDCPUy0S3lYe0ltB-4QnuDBmN6lAcaIEBp1-jPA2RD-BanMimlZewIFi2-3ZP518lIwTt47qsw0/s320/IMG_5656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446070859300764402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Linda brings up the rear with the van trailing on her backside<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Finally, we pull way off the main road to a restaurant that is literally in the middle of nowhere. James has pre-arranged our arrival with the staff. It is in a beautiful garden area and is shady and "cool." Oh - and there are real toilets (I'll let you ponder that one. . .)<br /><br />I am really not feeling hungry, but once I cool down and there are plates and platters of food on the table suddenly my appetite soars. The food is awesome! Some of the best we have had. We are very suprised and happy. My favorite dish of the entire trip is presented - deep fried soft shell crab - outstanding! We also have some kind of curry, tom yum goong (prawn soup), omelet, and another soft shell crab dish that is fantastic. We eat and eat.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4FK-uzBFtIJAGMJhm48ilr8vGTe7ihgs7ZvpmU81jN67AoeNG89xIASuJSJ260its0xqsteB38bgiG1fdIRHbRC5XUf_HtUadT2qeYOw323fyCMPTcu_qyzmYCn5YRNLafmGO1Mc1DwG/s1600-h/IMG_5661.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4FK-uzBFtIJAGMJhm48ilr8vGTe7ihgs7ZvpmU81jN67AoeNG89xIASuJSJ260its0xqsteB38bgiG1fdIRHbRC5XUf_HtUadT2qeYOw323fyCMPTcu_qyzmYCn5YRNLafmGO1Mc1DwG/s320/IMG_5661.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446072388757686578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">What a feast!<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />After lunch we lounge around for quite a bit</span></span> and the bikes are loaded onto the van again. We drive for a bit and then stop to unload the bikes. James tells us that the next portion is a long downhill into <a href="http://www.khaosok.com/">Khao Sok National Park</a> - great! We first stop at a beautiful vista before flying downhill.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUvaQbCJSvdry4qLfw0jP5lwD-32wef4gBv92sqf3TcgVd5Q6P8TFnEU0klsevnddHZuzAru3-QaOOqi0javcheSDOGlNsgScJ-H7ti8eYG0aI0cgpU7xYzjoUDbBKaM-uNVIAdY5A38L/s1600-h/IMG_5683.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUvaQbCJSvdry4qLfw0jP5lwD-32wef4gBv92sqf3TcgVd5Q6P8TFnEU0klsevnddHZuzAru3-QaOOqi0javcheSDOGlNsgScJ-H7ti8eYG0aI0cgpU7xYzjoUDbBKaM-uNVIAdY5A38L/s320/IMG_5683.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446072407163799266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Refreshed and ready to go again<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The downhill portion would be great except that I am a chicken and this is REALLY downhill. I tell James that if he sees flames coming out of my bike it is because I will be riding my brakes all the way!<br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc59VjGehGbJzr2HIbP6wXbnXXE9zy24ndKd6IDAAvrLEUPLZHyoLk-s-fjG-JafnxAyYLisdt2r93eiAaKGOcFevOiBSTyTC6GnZahS0KMWCkG7sBOlMwR75Tm5LD-2dfBfvpAw6NRClO/s1600-h/IMG_5686.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc59VjGehGbJzr2HIbP6wXbnXXE9zy24ndKd6IDAAvrLEUPLZHyoLk-s-fjG-JafnxAyYLisdt2r93eiAaKGOcFevOiBSTyTC6GnZahS0KMWCkG7sBOlMwR75Tm5LD-2dfBfvpAw6NRClO/s320/IMG_5686.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446072419176785522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">WHEE!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We ride through a small village at the entrance to the National Park that is really cool. We like this place. We ride onward on a gravel road deep into the forest where</span> we find our accommodations - Our Jungle Lodge. Wow! We are lead through a dirt path through the jungle to our treehouses. Janel has her own treehouse that is connect to ours by a little bridge with a door. They are situated right on a flowing stream backed by a limestone mountain. The view is tremendous.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKALLWgMqNJgMrLNH7vk0xcOJJBNwmxFFbqK1v5ABzxB0hXou8vDf6jDbPKfufQQNgxDga9OBYkjmoVkwFI8B_Y89VChChUW0XkJ2wpZVMESRn4-Uy3SEtMnI8Li8E1NF8gMLM50MkNnW/s1600-h/IMG_5692.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKALLWgMqNJgMrLNH7vk0xcOJJBNwmxFFbqK1v5ABzxB0hXou8vDf6jDbPKfufQQNgxDga9OBYkjmoVkwFI8B_Y89VChChUW0XkJ2wpZVMESRn4-Uy3SEtMnI8Li8E1NF8gMLM50MkNnW/s320/IMG_5692.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446072434985769506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Home Sweet Home<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAILpGUv_yooOb1SV1Hnj7iomSbKCwrGDVXWXUe3dYQd3V3Mg4RDs_8c4idtx-JLW1oYpgp_A30ZiYXteUvvPM833tQRbPVC-uyTDxtfPuyHWzuC0eNp8lTzA2W9SfBTXaN_PCnXYfBcnE/s1600-h/IMG_5693.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAILpGUv_yooOb1SV1Hnj7iomSbKCwrGDVXWXUe3dYQd3V3Mg4RDs_8c4idtx-JLW1oYpgp_A30ZiYXteUvvPM833tQRbPVC-uyTDxtfPuyHWzuC0eNp8lTzA2W9SfBTXaN_PCnXYfBcnE/s320/IMG_5693.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446072445726013938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our house complete with outdoor bathroom<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We quickly notice that the room is super clean. However, there is no a/c, no fan, NO screens on the windows which we are certainly going to need to have open and a large mosquito net over the bed. I am trying to get mentally set for a hot, hot night with buzzing, biting critters annoying me all night. To make me even more miserable I am armed with the knowledge from James that tonight's accommodations are "luxury" and tomorrow's will be "basic." What have I gotten us into?</span></span></span> The jungle sounds are incredibly loud and we are certan they will continue all night. Kind of cool and kind of not. . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zQPbWe8vxdLd2OmFm_uCv4Zd1n3rwg500DdF_dz5hZrPzN0CQRZ2JpEqlr5u7flD27NxiXaAYKmwLYlddLkEywU8iK3rxln7LrF_LaPM6Pg6nw8TZ5nlExAiOLURmCBDKFztkH3nCDni/s1600-h/IMG_5694.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zQPbWe8vxdLd2OmFm_uCv4Zd1n3rwg500DdF_dz5hZrPzN0CQRZ2JpEqlr5u7flD27NxiXaAYKmwLYlddLkEywU8iK3rxln7LrF_LaPM6Pg6nw8TZ5nlExAiOLURmCBDKFztkH3nCDni/s320/IMG_5694.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446073850306963938" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Our patio<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRGhFJ7DIYXko8VhQxLK4aqK_uzUK-hA0s571rufQ6h1JG8SQ9U2pqyfQLbq_nmel7MfX9mHbHwyKxETAAMboZZWpTA2fko2_kng1AY_LZ_9sO6ZUi3lRYzVmdIFnsPPvLC14M653azOv/s1600-h/IMG_5696.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRGhFJ7DIYXko8VhQxLK4aqK_uzUK-hA0s571rufQ6h1JG8SQ9U2pqyfQLbq_nmel7MfX9mHbHwyKxETAAMboZZWpTA2fko2_kng1AY_LZ_9sO6ZUi3lRYzVmdIFnsPPvLC14M653azOv/s320/IMG_5696.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446073859622744978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking down into the stream (walkway between our houses)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OE16LgHCVe18UU6ndyYmB355pvvUKuTPvTvMWIxgVyTtpLCc8p9vQZ3IDOqyZ6lDFF5cTeBDpYMuqRVL3984w_1-L0RXOI5JwEg95ayp5P65FXf5fon_0-xrYXTkjzkSneB2N0P7II2b/s1600-h/IMG_5699.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OE16LgHCVe18UU6ndyYmB355pvvUKuTPvTvMWIxgVyTtpLCc8p9vQZ3IDOqyZ6lDFF5cTeBDpYMuqRVL3984w_1-L0RXOI5JwEg95ayp5P65FXf5fon_0-xrYXTkjzkSneB2N0P7II2b/s320/IMG_5699.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446073872755946594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Livin' in the trees<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">James has informed us that there is another planned ride today if we want. It will be pretty tough and mountain bike-ish. I quickly decline and decide the bed looks better than the bike (although just as hot). Rich, of course, decides to ride with Lek, James, Gunther, Nong and Vicki. Janel and I nap. I opened up all our windows figuring that it is too early for the mosquitoes, but it is too hot to sleep. I make my way down to the reception and sit at the bar with a cold "Singha" beer. Yum. Much better than riding.<br /><br />When the riders return we understand that they have had a great (albeit tough) ride. Vicki hung in for the whole thing and everyone is proud of her. Rich says that some of the down hills on rough terrain were pretty hairy until he decided he had to just "go for it." He loved it - since he is a road biker this kind of riding is way different and calls for different techniques. James gave him some hints.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRJzhip0BJ3PCXc3XVlSR6Pow5eVBkgcI0kz8rW-LYYf2vs_OwNA7OwZj8Vvc212zJrvl2bVeMBbANhH37T9t84pD6FA9PHTd5OlUyuZ3jl9CJW7N8aMhE7SyQq-chqoKTf_8-oe9bnMT/s1600-h/IMG_5712.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRJzhip0BJ3PCXc3XVlSR6Pow5eVBkgcI0kz8rW-LYYf2vs_OwNA7OwZj8Vvc212zJrvl2bVeMBbANhH37T9t84pD6FA9PHTd5OlUyuZ3jl9CJW7N8aMhE7SyQq-chqoKTf_8-oe9bnMT/s320/IMG_5712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446073895417056546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Chillin' at a waterfall (Vicki, Nong, Gunther and Rich)</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEjiTXrgQtG7wkdb3Rl2uPCFwPLjdQy-pK05QEazyetORcuPgPH1-cn73myRJzuGCgcokLByluLgoLNNi0js1KHRZuTXNkKLghJ1uS-i2lDU8IL-EXp2ouqbWcxOPnuUHfuGcXdv-Z6mA/s1600-h/IMG_5718.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEjiTXrgQtG7wkdb3Rl2uPCFwPLjdQy-pK05QEazyetORcuPgPH1-cn73myRJzuGCgcokLByluLgoLNNi0js1KHRZuTXNkKLghJ1uS-i2lDU8IL-EXp2ouqbWcxOPnuUHfuGcXdv-Z6mA/s320/IMG_5718.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446074955100183666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Our Hero back from his ride!<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We decide that it is time for happy hour and that our balcony is the perfect setting. Rich heads to the bar and comes back carrying a tray where 2 beers and a lime juice are precariously perched. Perfect.<br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WXa0Z-wGT5-JrGGwAwN6oAFIx29Hru1NF9TPNIaAcGuCen4F_aKlOgbCanbvbErbwuw9ftO8SBxgb4UA3NKb4dJPnLZdjTPO6_hT5ae0TO9xYqRfxTb-CD0RvLxyLbKgJQRb61CzxHOC/s1600-h/IMG_5700.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WXa0Z-wGT5-JrGGwAwN6oAFIx29Hru1NF9TPNIaAcGuCen4F_aKlOgbCanbvbErbwuw9ftO8SBxgb4UA3NKb4dJPnLZdjTPO6_hT5ae0TO9xYqRfxTb-CD0RvLxyLbKgJQRb61CzxHOC/s320/IMG_5700.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446073881742612530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Happy Hour view<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9K8oJjJk8oDW6jtaH99slV_w1SVAUpp458CqMJgG8iOSX3-1BKgmgD8XAig1CmxCJESTibc5RzhvTyrjXRPI7-eY5D5X8gtjHOPAkYr45BpG5bvVHlbGpw1fjQOpQO86MLJdvez6BWhyphenhyphen/s1600-h/IMG_5719.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9K8oJjJk8oDW6jtaH99slV_w1SVAUpp458CqMJgG8iOSX3-1BKgmgD8XAig1CmxCJESTibc5RzhvTyrjXRPI7-eY5D5X8gtjHOPAkYr45BpG5bvVHlbGpw1fjQOpQO86MLJdvez6BWhyphenhyphen/s320/IMG_5719.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446074972657195234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dressed and ready for dinner<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Time to meet the others for dinner. We make the decision to leave the windows open, spread out the mosquito net and light the mosquito coil. I am not looking forward to returning to our house in the dark. We walk the winding paths and finally find our way to the reception/restaurant area. Once again, James has ordered a delicious meal for us. We love the Thai way of having lots of different dishes and sharing them all.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXLQO8SoZ66523UNvMf2Y76EwCltc0FsqB5svW2h0OagZfNwxFYhIeWkiSNM9qnqBxfPr-ycIAGbWX2got8chO-S3ePizbzIfSxFIuQp3YgADQiskWsf9v2vRIckVrvJDW4rbbg0UTAWV/s1600-h/IMG_5726.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXLQO8SoZ66523UNvMf2Y76EwCltc0FsqB5svW2h0OagZfNwxFYhIeWkiSNM9qnqBxfPr-ycIAGbWX2got8chO-S3ePizbzIfSxFIuQp3YgADQiskWsf9v2vRIckVrvJDW4rbbg0UTAWV/s320/IMG_5726.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446074977990456098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Another great meal<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The dinner is excellent and the company is even better. We all share stories, food, beer and laughter</span></span></span></span>. When it is time to head back to our treehouse it is pitch dark. There are several small lights along the trail, but we manage to get lost once. We find our house and say goodnight to Janel. We enter our house and are so suprised that we don't see even one mosquito. Also, since we left the windows open it is actually cool. I think I can sleep here. Yeah! We have an early morning tomorrow so we crash and burn. I fall asleep wondering how in the world I will be able to get back on a bike tomorrow.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">As a sideline - we are making up for several days right now. Janel is furiously writing up the Thursday, Rich is writing Saturday and I just finished Friday. We are in Phuket at the same guest house where we started in Phuket. It is HOT and I am sitting at the bar with no a/c (fortunately our room is air-conditioned). We have a pool and plan to spend the remainder of today and probably tomorrow in the pool just relaxing.<br /><br />Also - the new March issue of LookEast magazine is now online. Janel was sick for a couple of weeks and therefore only has one article - but it is a good one. One of the wine bars she reviewed is the same one we visited in Bangkok - Opus. Here is the link to her article http://www.lookeastmagazine.com/images/features/P.%2054-56%20Wine%20Bars.pdf<br /></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><br /></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-12268278996400486202010-03-04T04:22:00.000-08:002010-03-09T08:07:39.132-08:00aww phuket, let's go to Phuket<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18gFtpEAGywovQ1oNnohwsxv4IJK6OXzMsoQQlg02WcDJ3TOqQw5Bhm7hbHiQn43mfmwUVtmKw8U5zOD2qZME6SalrwTzBjkTbRGIWUNxBI27tIr2n1CpGda0bTjkZl86YCX7yYvYASty/s1600-h/IMG_5608.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18gFtpEAGywovQ1oNnohwsxv4IJK6OXzMsoQQlg02WcDJ3TOqQw5Bhm7hbHiQn43mfmwUVtmKw8U5zOD2qZME6SalrwTzBjkTbRGIWUNxBI27tIr2n1CpGda0bTjkZl86YCX7yYvYASty/s320/IMG_5608.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445870384732124370" border="0" /></a>[nellikins post]<br /><br />on this particular morning, we awaken to sadly discover ourselves fully grown and ready to leave the Nest (but not so adult that we have abandoned terrible wordplay. cha-ching!).<br /><br />my throat is just the teeniest smidge sore, so i beg a lozenge.<br /><br />momma and i enjoy several cup's worth of french press while daddles opts for a tangy limey juice. i work on casa chula housemate biznezz on the wi-fi provided in the middle of the chiang dao forest. tis a most pleasant morn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSGHeqGtGISzeDydNH_CgSCjOLilTL0LNDxEsAl8ZT5BNRHDrHQ18smiHfKGaC5PoGt3EPFBfBsqgSiuI5Uh4VfL8V56GBPWL3r7M0fLnXnFnOtBwXCzdSlXxzjaxKGvVctFppQRPiagh/s1600-h/IMG_5607.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSGHeqGtGISzeDydNH_CgSCjOLilTL0LNDxEsAl8ZT5BNRHDrHQ18smiHfKGaC5PoGt3EPFBfBsqgSiuI5Uh4VfL8V56GBPWL3r7M0fLnXnFnOtBwXCzdSlXxzjaxKGvVctFppQRPiagh/s320/IMG_5607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445870375421686450" border="0" /></a><br />we all agree that, given the chance, we would opt for several more days' stay at this spot on the globe - there are many more possibilities for treks, and we never got around to sampling the thai foodstuffs at Nest 2 down the road. however, island life awaits, and we press dutifully on.<br /><br />momma has chartered a private air-conditioned van specically for the three of us to move from Nest to Port (the Aero variety), and it is a zippy ride from hither to thither. i read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Teeth">my book</a>, which has recently transformed from dully forgettable to scintillating. at the request of momma, we make an approximately 20-second stop at Sawasdee House Chiang Mai to pick up her forgotten phone charger, then carry onward and upward to Chiang Mai airport.<br /><br />after a final lunched indulgence in khao soi (add-your-own-chile), we hop aboard our second AirAsia flight of the trip and scurry in a southerly direction. i read my book (oh samad! you <span style="font-style: italic;">knew</span> poppy burt-jones was bad news from the beginning, and now you must eat your just desserts).<br /><br />immediately upon arrival in thailand's largest island, mom expresses a wish to experience the advertised "<a href="http://www.phuket-fantasea.com/">Phuket FantaSea</a>" - only she pronounces it in the most juvenile of manners, betraying her inner linguistic delinquent.<br /><br />we leap into a taxi-meter <span style="font-style: italic;">and we're off!</span> to karon, which turns out to be a good hour away from the airport (biggish island, remember?), specifically to <a href="http://www.baansuayphuket.com/">baan suay guesthouse</a>. i have a "luxury" room and the 'rents have a bungalow. while my aircon is just this side of "functional," the bungalows are apparently itty-bitty, so i revel in my spacious quarters. however, by this point the teeniest-bit-sore throat has blossomed into a fully fledged threatening head cold, and i am also feeling a tad stressed from house business back in bangkok, so said "reveling" consists of phone calls, makeshift spreadsheets, and kleenex. mom and dad pick up amoxicillan tablets for me from a pharmacy down the way, and we're all pleased that thailand cares little for prescriptions.<br /><br />when i finally venture downways, i discover an interloper. it is marsha! she is a travel guide of sorts and has aided mother in organizing a few phuket activities. she has written 25 books on the delicate and exquisite art of TEFL. this is her third job, can you believe it? also, riding elephants is Sick and Wrong.<br /><br />she asks what my plans are, and i tell her i have applied for an ETA Fulbright in Spain. she questions whether i might be sure of my qualifications for such a post. i respond that, forsooth, it would be folly to speculate on such a future uncertainty, as the Lord does not take kindly to those wishing a sneak-peek of His Plans.<br /><br />a decision is reached that we ought to accompany Marsha and her niece to dine this evening, so we innocently board her automobile (the Cliche Monster within whispers, "<span style="font-style: italic;">like lambs to a slaughter</span>"). we Zip, we <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zoom</span>! Marsha, never one to blush in the face of adversity, comments that she simply loved to drive speedily as a youngster and has just never quite outgrown it, ha ha! our appreciation of phuket's many hills and their hairpin turns grows with great rapidity.<br /><br />we make a quick (naturally!) stop at Marsha's place of residence to gather her niece. Marsha takes this opportunity to share her extensive and varied collection of orchids with us, as well as the fact that her home is protected by <span style="font-weight: bold;">lasers</span>. zip, zap, zoom! we are <span style="font-style: italic;">off</span> again!<br /><br />the SUV scoots to a stop at <a href="http://www.phuket.com/island/beaches_rawai.htm">rawai beach</a>, decidedly low-key for an island famed for its party-hardy scene. no high rises here. a wide sidewalk borders the waves (no real sandy beachiness at our location) filled with rustic tapestry-covered tables and benches that merge into seating areas on the ground, complete with mats and pillows. across the street are a wide range of open-air kitchens, all displaying their collection of alive and recently-alive seafood in the front. it's adorable!<br /><br />we cross the street and pick out a particularly promising batch of critters. squid, prawns, and a fatty red snapper have already passed on from this mortal coil; a fiesty crab is still kicking (but not for long!). we also select cooking methods along with a few accompanying salads, then settle into our pillows and salivate.<br /><br />the food comes in droves. we declare the grilled snapper and the yellow curry crab to be the stars of the show. the perfect pairing with fresh seafood is nothing more complicated than sea breeze, and this we have in spades, and it is a perfectly lovely night.<br /><br />Marsha thoughtfully elects to take the Scenic Route back to baan suay, which consists of black mountains, black beaches, and a black sea. it is 11 PM.<br /><br />my illness has sprouted wings and is now ready to fly. i zippily, zoomily become nauseated, and manage to hold off until reaching the guesthouse for the night. hoorah!<br /><br />afterwards, i call a carlos and we have a nice chat. i despair at the lack of likelihood that i will be interested in joining the bike tour we have planned for tomorrow, but know that i can sag in the van if necessary, and ensure that i bring my excellent book.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-72119929968735826282010-03-04T00:01:00.000-08:002010-03-09T08:07:59.061-08:00To Phuket and Beyond<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">THURSDAY<br /><br />This will be a very short post. We travelled to Phuket today (details later). It is midnight now and we are heading out at 8am for a 2-day bike trip. We don't know if we will be in touch from there, so we wanted to make sure no one worried about us! Back to bloggin' as soon as possible!<br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-63967989553413265582010-03-03T10:07:00.000-08:002010-03-03T16:52:21.770-08:00Adventures and Bliss in Chiang DaoRich's 1st post<br /><br />Chiang Dao is scarcely mentioned in the Thai travel books. It is just the sort of off-the-beaten-path location that we really love.<br /><br />Last night, the air off the mountains got wonderfully cool, a real welcome after the steaminess of Bangkok. With windows open all night, we slept beautifully snuggled in under warm comforters. Not at all what I was expecting in Thailand in March!<br /><br />We're finally seated at breakfast in the Nest restaurant. Linda and I ordered an iced coffee and a lime juice - I'm ditching the coffee since my migraine 2 days ago. For breakfast, we enjoyed eggs, bacon rashers, and bread, and Linda especially liked a big bowl of oatmeal.<br /><br />While we ate, Put asked about our plans for the day, and I asked to schedule a massage for poor old me, since only the girls have been having that sort of fun so far. She asks me, "Just 1, then?" Linda hesitates about 0.01 seconds, "You better make that 2." As if in harmony, Janel chimes in,<br />"Well, I'm thinking three might be good." Man!<br /><br />We readied ourselves for our half day adventure today. We then met 3 fellow trekkers - Martin and Thomas from Switzerland and Rose from the U.K., as well as our guide. All jumped into the back of a pickup truck, and, after a provionsal stop in town, we soon started climbing and climbing up rutted mountain roads.<br /><br />The air was really quite smoky. It is well into the dry season here. Our guide surprisingly explained that the tinder dry leaves are actually ignited by dry bamboo sticks that rub together in the winds, causing friction fires (I looked it up later - it's really true.)<br /><br />Chiang Dao (like Chiang Rai up the road) is a region known for elephants! We finally exit the truck in a clearing, climb a few steps, and are greeted by the sight of three BIG ones with their guides waiting for us. Months ago, when presented with this prospect, I had commented that riding an elephant as a tourist held no interest for me. After all, when I ride horses as a tourist, strange bad things tend to happen, like spontaneous uncontrolled galloping, or chomped feet. An elephant is going to be better?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmTmfHmlKV_1tfZPosUI_PhECulAnpkmvXX_ynND5T2YLhZAqR_hbPJI4PgdENcApsjy02TI_WR72K89LKjMrE3vXn34x3rQQ6WgKiIii4xYzulz1HHulcuP8aRLa50pc4pf4vhNWF9h4/s1600-h/IMG_5470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmTmfHmlKV_1tfZPosUI_PhECulAnpkmvXX_ynND5T2YLhZAqR_hbPJI4PgdENcApsjy02TI_WR72K89LKjMrE3vXn34x3rQQ6WgKiIii4xYzulz1HHulcuP8aRLa50pc4pf4vhNWF9h4/s320/IMG_5470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444473423774302642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >Linda and Janel at the loading dock</span><br /></span></div><br />The guides really left no choice, practically ordering each of us up onto a platform and then onto our seat mounts. Janel and Linda were first, and were soon lumbering off and out of sight into the forest. Rose and I were last - and it felt considerably weird to stand directly on the back of the elephant's head in order to get seated. It was pretty cool, though - our elephant even had 2 big tusks.<br /><br />These elephants are trained, of course, but it seems like an uneasy balance of who's in charge. The elephants respond to the guides' commands of stop, go, left, right. They even will move a branch out of the path or even out of the riders' way on command. Still, they stop at will to rip huge swatches of plants away from the path, and they ate almost the entire time we rode.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCTZNn_PL4DrFXnuHRPL631S1cRlWcBs9wvwuPBmiy3C680SBVgoONlS1k6dsu9PCPX2Maht_XGzLbOHQxW3EzeZQNa6FmK5EachTMKc5krXrGrShQ_VDullPxqz4KbGxVI7etsBJwUUi/s1600-h/IMG_5471.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCTZNn_PL4DrFXnuHRPL631S1cRlWcBs9wvwuPBmiy3C680SBVgoONlS1k6dsu9PCPX2Maht_XGzLbOHQxW3EzeZQNa6FmK5EachTMKc5krXrGrShQ_VDullPxqz4KbGxVI7etsBJwUUi/s320/IMG_5471.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444473959720505298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Do I look comfortable?</span><br /></span></div><br />At one bend in the path, our elephant decided to go straight, and made a beeline for a very small banana tree. Our guide started yelling him off, then tugging on his ear. The elephant continued, however, and the guide finally used a small metal "persuasion" tool, something to apply some sharp pressure. This pissed our elephant off, and he swayed his shoulders widely back and forth and started loudly and repeatedly trumpeting his disapproval, stomping the ground. At this point, both Rose and I were frantically looking down, trying to find a clear spot on the ground to land in just before we got tossed off.<br /><br />The guides gained control, however, but there was definitely some nervous laughter among them. We continued the walk and even managed to transfer the camera from me to Janel midway through the journey. Our guide eventually motioned for either me or Rose to get up on the elephant's neck. Rose strongly refused, so I went ahead and did it. I noticed that our guide had his bare feet located just behind the elephant's ears, with his knees sort of folded upward. There was no damned way my long legs were going to do that, however. The only place for them was straight down, inside the elephant's ears, past his cheeks, and right next to its mouth. Did I mention the large tusks?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYApFXaBcdN0csDpiUSHT9YX0II27yhQzGBCnr_gAA5ttb52ZXtkV_Kzd6eYNIf7GlXpuRiChF-ApynYsehwyVC55-FTbbxjIglvPex29HBLiJhwcLwlEBd6lLl4x5NHzu06rKXP7QkvU/s1600-h/IMG_5519.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYApFXaBcdN0csDpiUSHT9YX0II27yhQzGBCnr_gAA5ttb52ZXtkV_Kzd6eYNIf7GlXpuRiChF-ApynYsehwyVC55-FTbbxjIglvPex29HBLiJhwcLwlEBd6lLl4x5NHzu06rKXP7QkvU/s320/IMG_5519.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444474838543840018" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >Eat all you want, Big Fella</span><br /></div><br />The guide even pushed my butt way forward so I'm looking right down the trunk, just behind the elephant's forehead. When we started moving, it was time to hang on for dear life. It was really difficult, at first, to balance with all the elephant's muscles shifting beneath you. Among other unsettled emotions, I was also incredulous about the strength of these animals. Carrying at least 400 pounds, pushing straight up inclines or stream banks. Amazingly strong.<br /><br />Rose finally took a turn at the "helm" and managed it quite well. As she dismounted, we snapped a few pictures of her with her own camera.<br /><br />Following our elephant safari, we took a walking tour of one of several mountain tribe villages. The 1st village was characterized by scrap wood shanties with corrugated metal roofs. About 30 families live here. Seems like each family likes to keep at least 1 pig, which is tethered to their house. The village is Catholic, and a priest from Chiang Dao comes up periodically for mass in a church they've buit. We also saw solar panels and C-band dishes. These are gifts from the Thai government to provide TV, along with remote educational classes for the village's children.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteiss4pl4XJuVuZdYnYCge0kknU8t8WQRlO9dwxiSZpWueL8cbLRaWrhcZSP6XnX0BT1mrTlzb8KQIiXwwGEtBGADqdlYKcURcVbVNWRi2OcJfHOtkR3auoZFQT6_2tC_DQKW2pwyMiDY/s1600-h/IMG_5538.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteiss4pl4XJuVuZdYnYCge0kknU8t8WQRlO9dwxiSZpWueL8cbLRaWrhcZSP6XnX0BT1mrTlzb8KQIiXwwGEtBGADqdlYKcURcVbVNWRi2OcJfHOtkR3auoZFQT6_2tC_DQKW2pwyMiDY/s320/IMG_5538.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444475355343564370" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" >The (now dry) rice fields around the 1st tribal village</span><br /></div><br />We got shy smiles from some of the children and pretty much no reaction from the tribal adults. It was hot here at midday and everyone seemed to be in a siesta mood. Still, we also wondered what they must think of tourists walking through their village staring about. Gratefully, I saw that everyone in our group was exceedingly respectful with their voices and cameras.<br /><br />We took a short drive to a different village and stopped for a box lunch prepared by the Nest. While enjoying salad and chicken pieces beneath a wooden roof, a big black bee patrolled noisily right above our heads throughout lunch. The tribe sold water, cokes and beer there, too. A nice long stop, and we conversed with our trek-mates at length.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliTmc32cTDTiKUv0434yRvXqML9g1-ruKxH_BEKHxgZsMJYnidEdgQhbtepmxHxJJB6khJvtqy9c0hfZRGt2B6_BNXltomGIC3ubOvBxxW_c8-1OmVfDxBa92V2p0MrR1EMtB9tAb1nLN/s1600-h/IMG_5541.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliTmc32cTDTiKUv0434yRvXqML9g1-ruKxH_BEKHxgZsMJYnidEdgQhbtepmxHxJJB6khJvtqy9c0hfZRGt2B6_BNXltomGIC3ubOvBxxW_c8-1OmVfDxBa92V2p0MrR1EMtB9tAb1nLN/s320/IMG_5541.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444475748942450018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thomas, Martin, Linda, Janel, and Rose</span><br /></span></div><br />A few tables were out in the village with handmade goods for sale, and Linda soon selected a dandy looking cap. I'm not really sure what one can do with it, but it is definitely dandy. As she shopped, I captured a candid pic of one of the tribe's little boys nibbling on a snack at a nearby table.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQpJyBeVI9OPyIz-M-qKrs-KRz7wUHeronjnrxToFYv8lR5pD3sJDWFa2kg5tV0_y7JSnzEdx0slcLARR42bWT1PEBm5UpQYZDQyT7JmLrtHV2RoFuPzYFlrLnJ6BO8NWyD1IFjhbChzT/s1600-h/IMG_5554.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQpJyBeVI9OPyIz-M-qKrs-KRz7wUHeronjnrxToFYv8lR5pD3sJDWFa2kg5tV0_y7JSnzEdx0slcLARR42bWT1PEBm5UpQYZDQyT7JmLrtHV2RoFuPzYFlrLnJ6BO8NWyD1IFjhbChzT/s320/IMG_5554.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444477069359933922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">One dandy hat</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cKpXVN1djM7mWh3mZtkWGXzW3txeqb5-id9i1INKu5_17rvElbGzXAHeZiATFcJA-jubw4-YmNDrRpa4FNU1FiUb4hrPAwXr8O9Yv04Gb-IrltaEDljtpznOFwZr_ay3uDYsCikzNcZk/s1600-h/IMG_5550.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cKpXVN1djM7mWh3mZtkWGXzW3txeqb5-id9i1INKu5_17rvElbGzXAHeZiATFcJA-jubw4-YmNDrRpa4FNU1FiUb4hrPAwXr8O9Yv04Gb-IrltaEDljtpznOFwZr_ay3uDYsCikzNcZk/s320/IMG_5550.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444476148025773650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This kid is NOT sharing any of that snack<br /></span></div><br />We learned that this tribe is Buddhist, and viewed their nearly completed temple further through town. We found it interesting that these mountain tribes live so close to each other, yet practice totally different religions. Our guide told us that some are quite unfriendly to others.<br /><br />The group then took a long hike through the mountainous countryside, probably 2 or 3 miles. It was quite hot but not too humid. I was especially struck by how dry and brown the ground was, however. This is not what I expected of the Thailand forests at all, but I learned that this is very typical of the dry season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRkYWBA6N0cWDFWHp1Iik_Pq6VgwNtNH-kSOi506aohRdiV06oF9JsFGYXkYRLun67dUrLCCVs177MfAz3_tcxYGcOA7aGrLBY3rYAgFQLVC-EGcfRRXrkBfYkF9cXDrHFaS1JBbflNAD/s1600-h/IMG_5557.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRkYWBA6N0cWDFWHp1Iik_Pq6VgwNtNH-kSOi506aohRdiV06oF9JsFGYXkYRLun67dUrLCCVs177MfAz3_tcxYGcOA7aGrLBY3rYAgFQLVC-EGcfRRXrkBfYkF9cXDrHFaS1JBbflNAD/s320/IMG_5557.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444477578400231522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A surprisingly dry Thailand<br /></span></div><br />We emerged onto another village tribe, this one a Protestant group. We converged on the tiny store there and everyone got a much-needed water. So far, the vendors in these villages were very meek, but here, about 6 came out of the woodwork and aggressively started pushing their wares into our faces. "You buy, you buy," they said.<br /><br />I did my best to ward them off, and finally our guide and I told them they'll have to see "mama" (who was in getting water) because "papa" doesn't shop. They laughed, apparently understanding those two words, and giggled even more when Linda emerged and they saw that such a tall papa has such a short mama.<br /><br />Linda was through with her shopping, however, and she firmly let them know before strolling off. Most of them dispersed at this point, but one very short older lady persisted for a while. The whole group was walking out of town, and she alone continued with us, hounding and tugging on various sleeves. "you buy, you buy?" No one responded and yet she continued.<br /><br />She finally fixated on me. For the life of me I don't know why. The soft touch, the benevolent soul, the man with the wallet, shit I don't know. She stayed at my shoulder, rapidly speaking her tribal dialect, then "you buy, you buy." I tell her no, no, no thank you, no. Thank you very much, no. Mai, mai, mai. "Talk to mama, papa no buy." This kept up for another 3 minutes. She'd been on my case for 500 yards - by now we were almost out of the village.<br /><br />I even considered giving her a few bhat just to get her off my back, but decide that would just be rude. Finally stooping down in the shade of a telephone pole, I took a look at her handmade wares and picked out an item (any item). The conversation went something like this:<br /><br />Lady: "You buy hunred bhat."<br />Me: "One hundred bhat?"<br />L: "Hunred bhat, hunred bhat."<br />Me: "No way. One hundred bhat is too much. Too much."<br />L: "Hunred bhat, hunred bhat."<br />Me: "Too much. Fifty bhat." (I decided that 50 bhat ($1.50) was worth it just to get rid of her.)<br />L: "No fitty bhat. Hunred bhat, hunred bhat."<br />Me: "No, no. How about sixty bhat?" (I was getting desperate by then.)<br />L: "Hunred bhat, hunred bhat."<br /><br />At this point I'd had it, and stood tall again, beginning to stroll off.<br /><br />L: "Fitty bhat OK." (She apparently didn't know the word sixty.)<br /><br />The whole group was laughing by this time. I told the lady that she is cute and certainly persistent, and she giggled and finally took off. Whew. Free at last.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0gdePA1oUvqVbjgKfBRHfEu26KBVQNyd1FiTlTB0gTxKbJX0XMYdFgCwtmOOqfFC_yQmfcSPoSXUtB30Gms4W2Hit1wY3dyXIVHwg7yRlgtK433LkrKY4bo-IVZlHE97QQPA2MJ84gAa/s1600-h/IMG_5567.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0gdePA1oUvqVbjgKfBRHfEu26KBVQNyd1FiTlTB0gTxKbJX0XMYdFgCwtmOOqfFC_yQmfcSPoSXUtB30Gms4W2Hit1wY3dyXIVHwg7yRlgtK433LkrKY4bo-IVZlHE97QQPA2MJ84gAa/s320/IMG_5567.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444478090401524898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Not buying, lady. Go talk to mama.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYLxHADBgi0Pbea3mbOn-VwjPzCxO1JPkm0JPv4fFXNiLuLZygHFe9_g8sxHDhOFpKyoeCO-A1yTlHdXcjEfWcM9HqVPlHtW6QByHI59dqfpTWoFZ6_SBbNTeVftTCEjllJGlJLsLOuvi/s1600-h/IMG_5569.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYLxHADBgi0Pbea3mbOn-VwjPzCxO1JPkm0JPv4fFXNiLuLZygHFe9_g8sxHDhOFpKyoeCO-A1yTlHdXcjEfWcM9HqVPlHtW6QByHI59dqfpTWoFZ6_SBbNTeVftTCEjllJGlJLsLOuvi/s320/IMG_5569.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444478097116600290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Beginning to crack<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ80nIt_MSJ0t5Pw1KhdPBbnrPXioLlaKs13sd4My2hcFGxgAsdH5ubzyPIe4w5gL0u3tpoNXFgu4GrftBMO-yxGy9UWZdOYv7tdjQv3GYenyhudUEycHdR5Szv2meQPPa0H7tDUsedGxM/s1600-h/IMG_5571.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ80nIt_MSJ0t5Pw1KhdPBbnrPXioLlaKs13sd4My2hcFGxgAsdH5ubzyPIe4w5gL0u3tpoNXFgu4GrftBMO-yxGy9UWZdOYv7tdjQv3GYenyhudUEycHdR5Szv2meQPPa0H7tDUsedGxM/s320/IMG_5571.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444478102926697986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Oh alright! Show me what you got.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1bGiwvI4ZAfLWMCo9CVYNKsvd4TakPRtzWM9rxZKlF3R5WXfVnRii3S4qqST6ygeL9_ak9PmWygrT2BuqWL7_MnILTg8-74BTHPzpSw3dM2R5QXL-xRd48gM-LrlutJw3b7HvfvG-qTN/s1600-h/IMG_5572.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1bGiwvI4ZAfLWMCo9CVYNKsvd4TakPRtzWM9rxZKlF3R5WXfVnRii3S4qqST6ygeL9_ak9PmWygrT2BuqWL7_MnILTg8-74BTHPzpSw3dM2R5QXL-xRd48gM-LrlutJw3b7HvfvG-qTN/s320/IMG_5572.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444478110244909570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"You buy hunred bhat"<br /></span></div><br />We jumped back into the truck and travelled to an area close to the Ping River. Ditching our shoes in the truck, we hobbled slowly over rocks and dirt on bare feet to the river's edge, where there were about eight bamboo rafts tied up. Linda and I teamed up with a guide on the first raft and got seated. We were then handed Thai "coolie" hats to wear. Travelling down the river on bamboo rafts in the hot sun is such a traditional Thai activity that the hats actually seemed like a good touch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9l5iUr0YipzvWkIPIER6rSQBBXL-eERE6JsaxUC-JIWOiKPkeoRG-kUAUi28bLuGIB8juTvr8cRB2vss7ptUSzABcH3lIqFq66QcDjIds3fBxT4Hh3XhteDvjjvgSjXN3I5ohnsuQBdv/s1600-h/IMG_5596.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9l5iUr0YipzvWkIPIER6rSQBBXL-eERE6JsaxUC-JIWOiKPkeoRG-kUAUi28bLuGIB8juTvr8cRB2vss7ptUSzABcH3lIqFq66QcDjIds3fBxT4Hh3XhteDvjjvgSjXN3I5ohnsuQBdv/s320/IMG_5596.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444479383494995282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Janel and Rose conversing onthe Ping<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-TxKy1ZiwfDPsthYX06ITBOoIbTq6axVoFPqk25-3ghm9y0mh2OwAZbLf8XjccrY7gm1zmkFJ6gAUpNRULG7SqBVegCBwWyOFiLUAOsIwDNE_0DU5t17lihzysHqH34fFSbQcY7Y5L0_/s1600-h/IMG_5594.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-TxKy1ZiwfDPsthYX06ITBOoIbTq6axVoFPqk25-3ghm9y0mh2OwAZbLf8XjccrY7gm1zmkFJ6gAUpNRULG7SqBVegCBwWyOFiLUAOsIwDNE_0DU5t17lihzysHqH34fFSbQcY7Y5L0_/s320/IMG_5594.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444479382060663266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Coolios<br /><br /></span></div>Our soothing hour long glide encounterd plenty of peacefulness and about a half dozen water buffaloes half submerged in the river. Our raft nearly crashed into one of them until our guide smacked the water with his pole, scaring the buffalo into motion.<br /><br />A quick ride back to the Nest, then a good shower by all. Our clothes were drenched in dust and probably elephant sweat. Up next: a 2 hour massage.<br /><br />The girls were already massage veterans, but a Thai massage was new for me. But there's really no way to describe a 2 hour massage - it was a long drawn out mixture of pleasure and pain and more pleasure for me. The last half hour - application of a hot herbal lemongrass compresses from head to toe, was a slice of heaven. <span style="font-style: italic;">Sa bai dee mak mak.</span><br /><br />For the next hour, we discussed our massages while sitting around the fire with wine and beer. Another beautiful evening in paradise. We considered eating Thai, but in the end decided that one more Western meal wouldn't hurt at all. Linda's white sea bass was the hit of the table, and Janel's devil's food cake with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream went over big as well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yjkeMpD3ZEWmKKmawHDSnPCYLWkd1FlyiSKJ51OsFQbBy1HFQ8bGZtVamnkfYZ9Hhp2Iwjign0TE-dcqvzng7YuerjI1CJpaz4BoXRwxh3vMmd_qSQKRvNVd_ENkpbQJhO0_MBCwoNlY/s1600-h/IMG_5602.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yjkeMpD3ZEWmKKmawHDSnPCYLWkd1FlyiSKJ51OsFQbBy1HFQ8bGZtVamnkfYZ9Hhp2Iwjign0TE-dcqvzng7YuerjI1CJpaz4BoXRwxh3vMmd_qSQKRvNVd_ENkpbQJhO0_MBCwoNlY/s320/IMG_5602.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444479392704162946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Great end to a great day</span><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-32087974363907420772010-03-02T16:55:00.000-08:002010-03-03T04:10:16.661-08:00Onward to Chiang DaoTUESDAY<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Today is a travel day. Janel and I get up and head to our cafe for rice soup and bloggin'. Rich had a headache the night before and didn't sleep very well so he is sleeping in.</span> We chat with the worker at the cafe (Nam - a young girl who is very friendly) and we relax with our coffee. The only thing we have to do today is get to Chiang Dao (about 1 1/2 hours away).<br /><br />Our plan was to catch a bus, but we have no tickets or firm schedule and don't really even know where to go to get the bus. But - we have all day, right? I check with Sam and he says we can take a songthaew to the bus station - very easy. Ok - let's load up and give it a try. Yes - we were trying to pack very lightly. However we had already added another bag (from shopping at the markets). We have to drag all our stuff down 4 flights to the lobby.<br /><br />Sam hails a songthaew and asks him to take us to the station for 60 bht (the going rate). They guy refuses and they get into a small tiff. The driver screams off and Sam is irritated. It seems the driver realizes he could have gotten a lot more if he dealt directly with us - the "farangs" (foreigners). We don't see any more rides on the road so Sam gets his keys and declares that he will drive us to the station! We love this guesthouse!<br /><br />We arrive at the bus station and head to the window to buy 3 tickets to Chiang Dao. I ask him (by pointing to my watch) "what time does the bus leave." He points to the clock on the wall and says "noon." (It is noon right now). I shake my head "no" - "not what time is it now? - What time does the bus leave?" He points to the clock again. I am getting frustrated so I try to pantomime again - "bus - time - leave???" Finally a woman who speaks a little english says NOW! oops. . . We stash our bags on the bottom of the bus and we are off.<br /><br />For some reason I had in my mind it was a 3 hour bus ride and we were all prepared to hunker down and endure. The bus is hot, but not stifling. There are many people and the seats are about the size of seats on a kindergarten bus. The terrain is interesting and we go rattling along. I am trying to be aware of the surroundings since I am not really sure how we will know when we get to Chiang Dao.<br /><br />After about 1 1/2 hours the conductor looks back at me and says "Chiang Dao." I am shocked and wonder if we are at the right place. He is booting us off nevertheless so we disembark. Right away a songthaew comes up and says "Where you go? - Nest?" Why yes we are! 150bht later and we are on our way the last couple of miles up into the hills of Chiang Dao before arriving at the Nest - our home for the next couple of days.<br /><br />The Nest is in a gorgeous setting - up in the mountains surrounded by woods. It is breezy and almost cool. There are little thatched huts for accommodations and a wonderful common area with open air restaurant, spots for sitting/contemplation, a pool and wi-fi!<br /><br />We are starving and don't even head to our rooms yet. The Nest is known for their food (one reason we chose it, of course). The Nest I has a wonderful gormet, Western-style restaurant and Nest II is Thai food. We chose I since we will be eating a LOT of Thai food.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmF_O7QN9iCPEiezsDQv2jGUZqocE0sFrRiwqIO0grkSdNXPQzv7Xt4nAGIXp_PXUWh4_evtlnPwzirGThsRkvtGfs0BG3ZnXFl1Ceg-I0VHbQyMF-QrYKRogKXw6OneqGizwfD-chm8t/s1600-h/IMG_5423.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmF_O7QN9iCPEiezsDQv2jGUZqocE0sFrRiwqIO0grkSdNXPQzv7Xt4nAGIXp_PXUWh4_evtlnPwzirGThsRkvtGfs0BG3ZnXFl1Ceg-I0VHbQyMF-QrYKRogKXw6OneqGizwfD-chm8t/s320/IMG_5423.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444207893320948546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Menu at the Nest<br /></span></span></div><br />We order a buffalo burger, zucchini fritters and a croque monsier and eat it all up. I don't think we realized how much we were missing "real food." After lunch we perform one other most important task - Janel and I schedule a Thai massage for 4:00pm. We are told it is a 1 1/2 hour massage followed by a 1/2 hour herbal treatment. Sounds like a little slice of heaven to me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLghyphenhyphenHWfBf9x2kldXAKx-lB7BsEh2ZeslJsUCTVly48tYnc57ug0EK6ZK_Vg6xLt4Zhko82n6XswbtfKt-XEry-545xD8zD06pIAwH-3DNsPYSMTi8cldCO5PI5xDyJOi1Yx28O4UUwTlH/s1600-h/IMG_5424.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLghyphenhyphenHWfBf9x2kldXAKx-lB7BsEh2ZeslJsUCTVly48tYnc57ug0EK6ZK_Vg6xLt4Zhko82n6XswbtfKt-XEry-545xD8zD06pIAwH-3DNsPYSMTi8cldCO5PI5xDyJOi1Yx28O4UUwTlH/s320/IMG_5424.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444207896747726130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lunch at the Nest</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyj6P7-A9d1Mmxtu6Ot8VwQwFV213BaiB7Ka3bsdBG7AofJvBB8-P4F6Y_NYZU2yxL4WBR56Bf2VHQ7vtjCEOJrv13mxidzpeIkxbe4HrE7cvpLN39kTBdi5q98QRxI9Uy87SmrSojH0ak/s1600-h/IMG_5425.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyj6P7-A9d1Mmxtu6Ot8VwQwFV213BaiB7Ka3bsdBG7AofJvBB8-P4F6Y_NYZU2yxL4WBR56Bf2VHQ7vtjCEOJrv13mxidzpeIkxbe4HrE7cvpLN39kTBdi5q98QRxI9Uy87SmrSojH0ak/s320/IMG_5425.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444207904340497250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Zucchini Fritters (Croque Monsier in background)</span></span><br /></div><br />Finally we go to our little cabana. It is lovely - a large room with a King bed and another smaller room attached with bunk beds. I am a little concerned since there is no a/c and in the afternoon it is a bit warmish. We'll see. . .<br /><br />We don our swimsuits and head to the pool thinking a quick dip before our massage would be wonderful. I dip one toe in and quickly pull it out. The water is a refreshing 62 degrees! How can that be? We end up sitting on the side (Janel won't even put her feet in). The whole think is complicated by the fact that there is a hive of very large bees that come to the pool every afternoon to get water (we have been warned). They don't really bother us and we sit for a while in anticipation of our upcoming massage.<br /><br />Massage time! Janel and I make our way to the massage hut where two Thai ladies are waiting for us. The massage hut is a beautiful open-air facility with a wood floor and 4 mats. We are given some lightweight flowy pants and change right away. We are shown to our respective mats and get comfy. Thai massage is different from a regular oil massage in that a lot of pressure is used and a lot of stretching is involved. The ladies killed us (but in a good way. . .). After a 1 1/2 hour moan session they start in with hot herbal compresses all over our bodies. It is truly heaven. This 2 hours of bliss set each of us back 600bht ($18). If we did this same massage at the Joya Spa in Phoenix (which I have done) it would be at least $250. AND - I have to say that this was the best massage I have ever had. (sorry, Janet - you should have come with us)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaoBOYroik_Aj09TaayH165pGSlgk-NDb9-vn2LcJCshTCx51BzdFPjfzcGUocNgNrDJ4355dAovNI5Eu9F5sBSrusbZFidwaq-HceXF9zrg6cIEzHxIAZwmOVrJD7FsTk_n7nTYa67Sf/s1600-h/IMG_5428.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaoBOYroik_Aj09TaayH165pGSlgk-NDb9-vn2LcJCshTCx51BzdFPjfzcGUocNgNrDJ4355dAovNI5Eu9F5sBSrusbZFidwaq-HceXF9zrg6cIEzHxIAZwmOVrJD7FsTk_n7nTYa67Sf/s320/IMG_5428.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444211192969667426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Massage Hut<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoODUmZx6gHyGwS0nZILvXUPme3EIK2RZ-JunIxO0yEPGprrVD6uwZszj28yGtQ43s_PdvIZ7IBivUGi66agTlivQJIHM76Kd1ADE6fV1UXlFyApdRy21WQQQ9FlBlOJFNt3XVpnFkVWRP/s1600-h/IMG_5427.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoODUmZx6gHyGwS0nZILvXUPme3EIK2RZ-JunIxO0yEPGprrVD6uwZszj28yGtQ43s_PdvIZ7IBivUGi66agTlivQJIHM76Kd1ADE6fV1UXlFyApdRy21WQQQ9FlBlOJFNt3XVpnFkVWRP/s320/IMG_5427.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444207916757832066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aaaaah<br /><br /></span></span></div>We somehow manage to pour ourselves "home" and get ready for dinner. We went to the restaurant at The Nest which is highly recommended by anyone who comes near this area. Nest I is a Western restaurant and the choices are written on the blackboard. We start with Pumpkin Soup and Green-lipped mussels. Rich chooses the ribeye, Janel the tangine of lamb, and I have the "local farmed goat cheese" risotto. They are all delicious and help our craving for a little Western sensibility.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBt1y0Fu6vPS_UL-9_zYt03YcGbtAHqzHChxaP5n5jpVTyc54ae71Mn8vuFQ9aGDahfvcGcd3CujW1vTJAnV1lVMzWB9iODKRkpBYIefv1CyfJPhm508ahGKY2-me45MwpfSpvD6Gmja6/s1600-h/IMG_5437.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBt1y0Fu6vPS_UL-9_zYt03YcGbtAHqzHChxaP5n5jpVTyc54ae71Mn8vuFQ9aGDahfvcGcd3CujW1vTJAnV1lVMzWB9iODKRkpBYIefv1CyfJPhm508ahGKY2-me45MwpfSpvD6Gmja6/s320/IMG_5437.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444211219817757122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Evening at the Nest</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHLRAntvErdF6eubyCMc5ACRE9udwaFKzD4VUsp6EMVCW8WuN8lBhy3QIyjfdrNcyHcC_58vpEiL87Nt-E6zIJpeqPnDCYAPJXE43qbclCISpu8_hwF5gitkkd_2FCVcSHkeVbM3FjF5M/s1600-h/IMG_5448.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHLRAntvErdF6eubyCMc5ACRE9udwaFKzD4VUsp6EMVCW8WuN8lBhy3QIyjfdrNcyHcC_58vpEiL87Nt-E6zIJpeqPnDCYAPJXE43qbclCISpu8_hwF5gitkkd_2FCVcSHkeVbM3FjF5M/s320/IMG_5448.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444211227899764738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Happy at dinner time</span><br /></div><br />We lingered for a while and then we were ready to turn in for the night. We have a big treking day tomorrow and want to be ready.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDq2-GeRHzLKfcYjUXXzRozG2IoNSXvaEkgKFGP3W6dklFz6frk6A2MNjAYlHv8rNj1X1zIMl3B0FJqhJSMHD327q9Ctr0ifQ1HpTt95zybyvQ4bJzwRZzd8BCKx_nE5Wo_6A3-XHf38e/s1600-h/IMG_5435.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDq2-GeRHzLKfcYjUXXzRozG2IoNSXvaEkgKFGP3W6dklFz6frk6A2MNjAYlHv8rNj1X1zIMl3B0FJqhJSMHD327q9Ctr0ifQ1HpTt95zybyvQ4bJzwRZzd8BCKx_nE5Wo_6A3-XHf38e/s320/IMG_5435.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444211211141478322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ready to conk out</span></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-7254477319054986022010-03-01T18:31:00.001-08:002010-03-01T20:15:57.574-08:00A Perfect Day in Chiang Mai<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAqb_WnSNQ5z5Ed-LhyphenhyphenHVxOkk1z4slHQOB9zqS5A9BGYp9mUGQUh2WA_3HJJNg_bCD6FQQXq25t1niHrH1ecR-wGJpwsROMc_iNWCdV1yMdGsoLXL09vxrv6GaVRDKRdE78__JDc1ciO8/s1600-h/IMG_5334.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAqb_WnSNQ5z5Ed-LhyphenhyphenHVxOkk1z4slHQOB9zqS5A9BGYp9mUGQUh2WA_3HJJNg_bCD6FQQXq25t1niHrH1ecR-wGJpwsROMc_iNWCdV1yMdGsoLXL09vxrv6GaVRDKRdE78__JDc1ciO8/s320/IMG_5334.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443859484009608194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">In front of Sawasdee Chiang Mai Guesthouse<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">MONDAY<br /><br />We had such a great day in Chiang Mai. To start off, let me say that the weather is soooo much more pleasant here than in Bangkok. It is still warmish, but not nearly as hot and humid as in Bangkok. We like that.<br /><br />We got up and headed down to the little cafe attached to our guesthouse for the complimentary breakfast. There was coffee, tea, toast, and a great assortment of tropical fruits - pineapple, little bananas, papaya and star fruit (which I tried and liked). Then they also hesitantly added that we could have the rice soup. YES - we want to try that! It was awesome. Chicken-y, garlic-y and a little spicy. Perfect breakfast food. Nice and light before our cooking class.<br /><br />Kwan and Yui from "A Lot of Thai" cooking school come to pick us up in their VW Microbus - cool. We pick up a few other people and end up at Yui's home which has a beautiful outdoor kitchen/school area. We chose this particular school (out of many, many in Chiang Mai) for the homey atmosphere, intimate setting and wonderful teacher (Yui) - all according to TripAdvisor (my bible for travel advice). It looks perfect!<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMCrpoolWMyfFgBnznKhZlWc-FQKfIUBZuRDSvTP2ypKBfY3Hie9b6sBXUFpUjERtGUsScIg7j8qETgGN_ni1W9izQRYCJRY-E_ERE4RsYHBiRATgAEYHi24p08DMn_4q-gazFUS8Nm3N/s1600-h/IMG_5338.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMCrpoolWMyfFgBnznKhZlWc-FQKfIUBZuRDSvTP2ypKBfY3Hie9b6sBXUFpUjERtGUsScIg7j8qETgGN_ni1W9izQRYCJRY-E_ERE4RsYHBiRATgAEYHi24p08DMn_4q-gazFUS8Nm3N/s320/IMG_5338.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443859515492822146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">A Lot of Thai Cooking School<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrNk1PzptnkT63rSyVtrmqxyX2_y2_kaYVv-Z2XXHnIDAQ_vH0d5AVdgOEovPTWkgWHIi-5Qwb6lRVNl7RIUJQx2blSjPi4HvywvNUhpVRvh97_eOtH7ns_q3NMnHI6k8vYzPiK7corR9/s1600-h/IMG_5336.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrNk1PzptnkT63rSyVtrmqxyX2_y2_kaYVv-Z2XXHnIDAQ_vH0d5AVdgOEovPTWkgWHIi-5Qwb6lRVNl7RIUJQx2blSjPi4HvywvNUhpVRvh97_eOtH7ns_q3NMnHI6k8vYzPiK7corR9/s320/IMG_5336.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443859497190417154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Chatin' it up with Yui<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />We are going to cook 3 dishes today and get right to work. Yui demonstrates the first dish - Pad Thai - and then we all head to our stations where our ingredients are laid out just like on a cooking show. We chop, dice and fire up our woks. Of course when the Torks are involved there is a little edge of competition and Janel and I finish first (brown - nosers) so we "win!" Then we all go to the table with our own Pad Thai and sample our work.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKrlnCBsDheqKHl67McuCaHGJQfxTmLdWhzm0WddMtGLypIvGaSfbTor-v1tkWFHTokqVDe7QtKW-V7wfQDRo4GLkwOxWIOhtg4drzOW4urVl5YvtvFJXjmgeSY0PKWA0-nWXtxTp31XS/s1600-h/IMG_5342.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKrlnCBsDheqKHl67McuCaHGJQfxTmLdWhzm0WddMtGLypIvGaSfbTor-v1tkWFHTokqVDe7QtKW-V7wfQDRo4GLkwOxWIOhtg4drzOW4urVl5YvtvFJXjmgeSY0PKWA0-nWXtxTp31XS/s320/IMG_5342.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443859527262614258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Yui demonstrates<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrqsiSktU0chPsITiYLEqunVXs15YoNjeZwUmLGEWzYdfQP8UIwhUBoivuuhZftWpEzyhco2cgMqKU1gpSsfgcjmVf3432OQx_O3pco96ajwOoa1L_5IssN2iNPIna5NN2XKQrV-twGFv/s1600-h/IMG_5343.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrqsiSktU0chPsITiYLEqunVXs15YoNjeZwUmLGEWzYdfQP8UIwhUBoivuuhZftWpEzyhco2cgMqKU1gpSsfgcjmVf3432OQx_O3pco96ajwOoa1L_5IssN2iNPIna5NN2XKQrV-twGFv/s320/IMG_5343.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443859542971437170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here we go!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKShnaV38dzbwfEosGkxq1A4pTVmTf9mAjjALRnzVLenhItj-f8ZzhP4lrf1lK0w6KMJzAVzELLEWpYC28acnQfuMiHx_xwqYtecN0Zas505kEk6xbiyH-I8ve9L3YYUjii5huEoaBTFT/s1600-h/IMG_5344.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKShnaV38dzbwfEosGkxq1A4pTVmTf9mAjjALRnzVLenhItj-f8ZzhP4lrf1lK0w6KMJzAVzELLEWpYC28acnQfuMiHx_xwqYtecN0Zas505kEk6xbiyH-I8ve9L3YYUjii5huEoaBTFT/s320/IMG_5344.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443862237701622930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Janel cannot wait<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We move on to Tom Yam Kong (Hot & Sour Prawn Soup)</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span>. Yui discusses the ingredients and shows us how we can tailor to our own tastes.</span> Once again, Janel and I are the first to finish and as usual Rich brings up the rear. He is trying to make his perfect and chops his lemongrass into tiny pieces (which later turns out to be a BIG mistake). We sit and taste our soup and declare it delicious. However, since you are not supposed to eat the lemongrass (it is only there to extract the flavor) Rich has a problem "fishing" his tiny, perfect lemongrass pieces from his sample. Too bad.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-NQ0-EB1eL5n7q_W7brwFRzuNHyNFc0jCjyqywcPgFdvocxprULploncOuqo-Sbdt_AFSQj55YdudnoEa7J9ynRsDNjT_MN-hyQp99DIIt6qWKKcAG-9VuAbub7OXBRDFugd-4_oi2xd/s1600-h/IMG_5346.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-NQ0-EB1eL5n7q_W7brwFRzuNHyNFc0jCjyqywcPgFdvocxprULploncOuqo-Sbdt_AFSQj55YdudnoEa7J9ynRsDNjT_MN-hyQp99DIIt6qWKKcAG-9VuAbub7OXBRDFugd-4_oi2xd/s320/IMG_5346.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443862256142499250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Rich bringing up the rear<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The last dish we make is Gang Keow Wan Gai - Green Curry with Chicken. It has very complex flavors with coconut cream, kaffir lime leaves, palm sugar, fish sauce, basil and eggplant. We make it as spicy as we each like. Super delicious!<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNZ6zuroDoFrihhvAYx9UgWJxq6tJ0IeTlBvguI_cnoM7oHzm00xs-Ov19-tH5VRcphRCYNQYDX4NAHdVYXoEQQsu95amuGHv9uJxBxbm8AIJQ97wr4XXKSnivvoMHNKZLgcuu2Yj4Xyg/s1600-h/IMG_5352.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNZ6zuroDoFrihhvAYx9UgWJxq6tJ0IeTlBvguI_cnoM7oHzm00xs-Ov19-tH5VRcphRCYNQYDX4NAHdVYXoEQQsu95amuGHv9uJxBxbm8AIJQ97wr4XXKSnivvoMHNKZLgcuu2Yj4Xyg/s320/IMG_5352.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443862272592336290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Red and Green Curries<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Cooking is finished and we pile into the microbus to head to the market. This market is much quieter than the ones we have seen in Bangkok. Yui guides us through the beautiful produce and explains many unusual ingredients. It is a beautiful display.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMal1m2SG-juxHVacfzWckf1JqBALRNluf3tU-aawircJRf7_hxm8S5aDA59Bjs0VYqEl8aA84gP8rqjPAw4M4ChX7Ol5q8YEi00iSXZu97UIfyTgF71p-wbnymku622bsiI8KPG4oR_FI/s1600-h/IMG_5355.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMal1m2SG-juxHVacfzWckf1JqBALRNluf3tU-aawircJRf7_hxm8S5aDA59Bjs0VYqEl8aA84gP8rqjPAw4M4ChX7Ol5q8YEi00iSXZu97UIfyTgF71p-wbnymku622bsiI8KPG4oR_FI/s320/IMG_5355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443862290195532210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Market time<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The others in the class head back to school for another 3 dishes. We had decided that we only wanted to stay for the morning session and we are happy about that decision. No way do we want to cook and eat any more right now! We are full, happy and in a sort of food coma. Time to head back to the guest house for a nap and re-grouping.<br /><br />After a bit of a rest we try to get up the stamina to visit the most important temple in Chiang Mai - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phrathat_Doi_Suthep">Doi Suthep</a>. We asked Sam (the proprietor at our guesthouse) if it is too late to go and he says he thinks we can make it. He tells us where to walk to catch a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songthaew">songthaew</a> - a sort of open truck-like cab - and also tells us that is should cost 50bht one way per person. We flag down a songthaew and the driver asks for 800bht round trip. No way! I tell her no and she comes down to 400. Janel steps in speaking some Thai and tells her 300bht. She finally agrees. She will take us up the mountain to the temple and wait for us. I am already thinking this sounds shady. She will probably dump us at the temple and take off leaving us stranded. . . We hope in the back of the open air vehicle and take off.<br /><br />The ride goes through town and then heads up a huge mountain on one of the most winding roads I have ever seen. We keep going up and up. Around every curve we think we are at the top but then we keep going. We notice several bicyclists pedalling up and can't imagine why. Finally we reach the summit. Suprisingly, the driver does not ask for any money and tells us she will meet us in an hour (my fears are put aside since we haven't paid her anything yet). Time to walk up the 300 steps to the temple.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wlKUhYNiKLziy7WVAjVzc5QWtHdQ6NRVHEH9ssozDywQygePi5kOtG4qhrQ2KCz-Rd1Rml4oJXktCQI4BsjCl3FpKeOnl5XoSMHPmns5IAhwphQ0egMi21UujKD6tTWkV53aWz0zg4n-/s1600-h/IMG_5362.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wlKUhYNiKLziy7WVAjVzc5QWtHdQ6NRVHEH9ssozDywQygePi5kOtG4qhrQ2KCz-Rd1Rml4oJXktCQI4BsjCl3FpKeOnl5XoSMHPmns5IAhwphQ0egMi21UujKD6tTWkV53aWz0zg4n-/s320/IMG_5362.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443862305077600962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Up we go<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">Since it is late in the afternoon (around 5pm), the sun is not so bright and it is much cooler up here. A pleasant climb later we are finally at the top. We have to take our shoes off to enter the actual temple. It is a quiet, beautiful and reverent place. We are in awe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgl9CTHNRGNHtiQ9JjhynbzWTzLrQ7mSi95uXam_eSjuwZ7trskpWHSF-proYmDFLQmmz2UZMV_m2rMAZE-BLJ_psjyXPUO3-nlcKxvz0eSFpV_-UdFoUr-rQmdOrdEBOzdqTHaFdL_lUm/s1600-h/IMG_5366.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgl9CTHNRGNHtiQ9JjhynbzWTzLrQ7mSi95uXam_eSjuwZ7trskpWHSF-proYmDFLQmmz2UZMV_m2rMAZE-BLJ_psjyXPUO3-nlcKxvz0eSFpV_-UdFoUr-rQmdOrdEBOzdqTHaFdL_lUm/s320/IMG_5366.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443863774843691314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">One of the many rooms inside the temple</span></span><br /></div><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1M1TT_WmEDSyp-W68aUV7J9w1qUKxkPU2RrMyI_Sb3DMIaFuDJL6UunqKWfpv-SkfQASj4Fji8j9lt-ra6CFUh3eMdZ5w8o1O-g3FT2ngEbdKo48A0l5nzwHaO4gjIGnn5Iy6rtjwSNM/s1600-h/IMG_5371.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1M1TT_WmEDSyp-W68aUV7J9w1qUKxkPU2RrMyI_Sb3DMIaFuDJL6UunqKWfpv-SkfQASj4Fji8j9lt-ra6CFUh3eMdZ5w8o1O-g3FT2ngEbdKo48A0l5nzwHaO4gjIGnn5Iy6rtjwSNM/s320/IMG_5371.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443863785457167138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Beautiful displays everywhere (scaffolding where they are working on the center of the temple)</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ7ZT-sUDyj4KMkTf7wKL2tX_j_Kn-LmYL7EPbKr2jsIK5-KVf7QNNaZ6HsfJYEXzNTcJuDKy07MyAZlsotfbgSDHx4PGjCVpj6eTSMSCRWuMpA0Jmiy7zopxOE8_zxFQIB7KZQEnYjaM/s1600-h/IMG_5381.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ7ZT-sUDyj4KMkTf7wKL2tX_j_Kn-LmYL7EPbKr2jsIK5-KVf7QNNaZ6HsfJYEXzNTcJuDKy07MyAZlsotfbgSDHx4PGjCVpj6eTSMSCRWuMpA0Jmiy7zopxOE8_zxFQIB7KZQEnYjaM/s320/IMG_5381.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443863801687165426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">You have to kneel in these rooms</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GnzhcO7XjNBe3vEaQD6sJFFNBt8ife-I_hL37VFMxA8g5pOGp9tyvh8GSc573cgFoLt_W9A2iC-Z3yBcPLybESHBGzAICEMigTxndncLdxLbV12yaDEJJ4bPyR_SU_K3AyAhDJnZjrjs/s1600-h/IMG_5384.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GnzhcO7XjNBe3vEaQD6sJFFNBt8ife-I_hL37VFMxA8g5pOGp9tyvh8GSc573cgFoLt_W9A2iC-Z3yBcPLybESHBGzAICEMigTxndncLdxLbV12yaDEJJ4bPyR_SU_K3AyAhDJnZjrjs/s320/IMG_5384.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443863811339570050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Young boys painting with gold leaf</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAQTJkzohs6qi64oecfEZBKiuBcIBpPpCwQS_FjjB4TvJr16Eo8EgyE-5FM71cb-311Vw7P9xGMXVXeiYyomNjlHsncwgvhwXaRWHwyBDGh0C8lVcHSTUGp2vtUM5NJ90nh-Imi5d9OKS/s1600-h/IMG_5385.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAQTJkzohs6qi64oecfEZBKiuBcIBpPpCwQS_FjjB4TvJr16Eo8EgyE-5FM71cb-311Vw7P9xGMXVXeiYyomNjlHsncwgvhwXaRWHwyBDGh0C8lVcHSTUGp2vtUM5NJ90nh-Imi5d9OKS/s320/IMG_5385.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443863820155012546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">You have to find your shoes when you exit<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTDuu1lyGmKtuv1WwJsHpVGXUUhwPVPhS7cKiVQFCq8b6KQoHAQN0_3MTf-a8bpf6SlttWzuR5ytJyOkGDUQ-mExuGwrYYS9_z0i55nLRwQAAr7bJENi5P-YmvqfEgURa2vFNRiCqAYAH/s1600-h/IMG_5394.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTDuu1lyGmKtuv1WwJsHpVGXUUhwPVPhS7cKiVQFCq8b6KQoHAQN0_3MTf-a8bpf6SlttWzuR5ytJyOkGDUQ-mExuGwrYYS9_z0i55nLRwQAAr7bJENi5P-YmvqfEgURa2vFNRiCqAYAH/s320/IMG_5394.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443864729072866530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looks just like MOM<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ajw_s7z8q8olevXCRIPOxSmPnEGXi-v1b8-k5Z2i6c5Rm6U_RZexcsIXRjUUWUHJkf4Ll2IdKI2zi7QxpHVC3iodbAg3kpsBFGvZfqJOPspM07MYV7UtCmxOjCxebGUqRi5yYL4V8JRZ/s1600-h/IMG_5401.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ajw_s7z8q8olevXCRIPOxSmPnEGXi-v1b8-k5Z2i6c5Rm6U_RZexcsIXRjUUWUHJkf4Ll2IdKI2zi7QxpHVC3iodbAg3kpsBFGvZfqJOPspM07MYV7UtCmxOjCxebGUqRi5yYL4V8JRZ/s320/IMG_5401.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443864740794213538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We loved the bells<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh52DhM6A0gqRPYgswj2ICWBkImuboPBrmwkywGfrxrgb9bWuDHmrI67KuKr90AYPlT7fnBqNXwfS14us1SmNr34UFYABVdhLXwFXd3epnPgpp8m_Pfjs6eUN4cM7IKl9DjkytVwHX5uZI/s1600-h/IMG_5406.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh52DhM6A0gqRPYgswj2ICWBkImuboPBrmwkywGfrxrgb9bWuDHmrI67KuKr90AYPlT7fnBqNXwfS14us1SmNr34UFYABVdhLXwFXd3epnPgpp8m_Pfjs6eUN4cM7IKl9DjkytVwHX5uZI/s320/IMG_5406.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443864754517377618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our Songthaew heading home</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">When we left the temple and headed back down the steps, our driver was there waiting for us! She took us back to town and we made a brief stop at our guesthouse before heading out for happy hour. Sam suggested a place down on the river and summoned a tuk-tuk for us. We go zooming through the city and arrive at The Riverside bar/restaurant.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmz_arNnrt-_6qIm2Z3IOMoWikkk2pj9A6bgcaVU1n6SUpAYb9nW_PJooSaWTU9rdWoxohLGfTSZOtH_75tZD6Y2tzHCqRlf8xPBfKK6Vp6oj1qd9X7PgIrs6ABK3YcRz6RT3Y_wcD2Wl/s1600-h/040504xd_tuk-tuk.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmz_arNnrt-_6qIm2Z3IOMoWikkk2pj9A6bgcaVU1n6SUpAYb9nW_PJooSaWTU9rdWoxohLGfTSZOtH_75tZD6Y2tzHCqRlf8xPBfKK6Vp6oj1qd9X7PgIrs6ABK3YcRz6RT3Y_wcD2Wl/s320/040504xd_tuk-tuk.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443881840209710978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The ubiquitous Tuk-Tuk<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />At the Riverside we quaf a couple of beers and nibble on a Chiang Mai appetizer platter with various crunchy, salty things. Nice, peaceful setting for a relaxing time. We had originally planned to go somewhere for dinner, but reconsider and decide to "graze" once again at the Night Bazaar. We then summon our own tuk-tuk and attempt to bargain a price. Janel's Thai speaking abilities come in handy again and even though we feel like we are not getting the "local" price, we are satisfied with our fare.<br /><br />The Night Bazaar is similar to the Sunday Walking Market we went to, but not quite as frantic. We wander aimlessly shopping and eating along the way. This is where we finally find the Roti that Janel has been wanting us to try. Roti is a sort of crepe/pancake that you can get filled with different ingredients. Janel insists that we get the egg/banana variety. It is cooked, folded, cut into pieces and then has sweetened condensed milk poured over the top - decadent! It is yummy and we sit on some steps and eat it up.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7lf5HsTm3UZLdJOiV5Qz_GPDIhEbQ5fq-OmScevcIGrX3EFwO7ywVDi1eAzL85_-RkcW4_zIm7zmhC6ijc6uqI-_J3DNQ70BZ_gYiFzEx97ifXblC5C9Dhv0l8vmL7UaDPr8kW-Xvbv1/s1600-h/IMG_5411.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7lf5HsTm3UZLdJOiV5Qz_GPDIhEbQ5fq-OmScevcIGrX3EFwO7ywVDi1eAzL85_-RkcW4_zIm7zmhC6ijc6uqI-_J3DNQ70BZ_gYiFzEx97ifXblC5C9Dhv0l8vmL7UaDPr8kW-Xvbv1/s320/IMG_5411.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443864760182615650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Overseeing the making of our Roti</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dxiPljVlRX-PTzwE_TEiVvsQEJK_jG_7bRIBc053fOSUff0W5lfg2RN_WTPd7khP6BosD_OwUgZH69S6ZtX8XJFqmVzwSxQHBxePC-cfGHNkenGhpsCnbjWxRvgKucTAQGQpFsh0Xx01/s1600-h/IMG_5414.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dxiPljVlRX-PTzwE_TEiVvsQEJK_jG_7bRIBc053fOSUff0W5lfg2RN_WTPd7khP6BosD_OwUgZH69S6ZtX8XJFqmVzwSxQHBxePC-cfGHNkenGhpsCnbjWxRvgKucTAQGQpFsh0Xx01/s320/IMG_5414.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443864778326473714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">More shoppin' (earrings are cheap and beautiful!)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We shop a little more and wind up our evening at "Food Road" in an open-air Thai restaurant where we share a plate of grilled chicken and catfish with eggplant along with a couple more beers. It is fantastic! (so far we haven't eaten anything we haven't liked. . .). We catch another Tuk-Tuk back to Sawasdee House and crash for the night.<br /><br />This morning Janel and I are up in the cafe blogging and eating while Rich sleeps in.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKBD3Cd4TQtnF-FOGMe477LZOOah93-tAl9RWAhgZGZy-hawecHE956_2QVATLMhfEx3jLz1v9plrjNIsjnKx6GS48nrIxR1ka4lKg9nGt9lIopCMahTrF2qK_qOdDP3S0qz8Axowjcug/s1600-h/IMG_5417.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKBD3Cd4TQtnF-FOGMe477LZOOah93-tAl9RWAhgZGZy-hawecHE956_2QVATLMhfEx3jLz1v9plrjNIsjnKx6GS48nrIxR1ka4lKg9nGt9lIopCMahTrF2qK_qOdDP3S0qz8Axowjcug/s320/IMG_5417.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443864998053215026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eatin' and bloggin'<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So far everything has gone swimmingly and we feel like we have been lucky. We are sure to get some kind of cog in the machinery and I am waiting for the axe to fall! (not really, just being realistic). We are off to Chiang Dao today - north of Chiang Mai. Are we ready for 3 hours on a hot bus???</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /></div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-6340860976353116922010-02-28T08:44:00.000-08:002010-03-01T18:00:14.381-08:00bkk to chiang mai[janel's first post]<br /><br />after an opulent opus dinner last night, i came home to a mega-ill fuzzhead in my room. poor guy - there was no way he was going to be able to accompany us to chiang mai as planned, but i did my best to make him comfy for the time being. we read a heartbreaking work of staggering genius til some kind of witching hour, when my eyelids finally gave out and i succumbed to sleep.<br /><br />then - suddenly - my alarm went off at some ungodly morning hour, and i knew it was time to arise, finish up work on a commercial script i have been working on, and make some muffins. oh yeah, and that packing thing too...<br /><br />mom had woken up far too early and gave the coffee lady a go, but found her crusty-eyed and unready to prepare that most caffienated of morning beverages. it took a second go-round a few hours later to secure the best "cafe yen mai wan" the city has to offer (but consensus has it that is was well worth it).<br /><br />i threw some classy clothes in a backpack and was ready to move. mom did an excellent job of snagging a taxi from down the street and directing it to the bags, then we were On Our Way!<br /><br />... until, 25 minutes into the journey to the airport, mom jokingly asked if i had my passport. nnnnnope!<br /><br />the taxi driver got a kick out of us heading all the way back to praram kao, soi sip sam, just so i could sprint upstairs for my passport (and a very vicks vapo-rub smooch), but we headed back towards suvarnabhumi afterwards without a second hitch. mom's nerves were a bit rattled, but we arrived with a good hour to spare. i had grabbed a bag of chocolate-flavored yam chips (yes, really) from the kitchen, so we munched them during the wait. dad and i assembled the toy that came with the snacky goodness, which took some doing, but ended in immense fun, involving repeatedly launching a plastic disc at the wall.<br /><br />the plane ride was a dream, really just like a bus journey. perhaps a little over an hour long, although i conked out through the whole thing, and thus really haven't a clue.<br /><br />CHIANG MAI! this is where my vacation really began (as bangkok is pretty much permanently categorized under the "Severely Stressful" category, totally regardless of presence of family members). i'd heard on various occasions from both thai and farang friends of mine that it's an absolutely lovely place to be, but other than these vouchers, i really had no idea what to expect.<br /><br />the taxi trip to our guesthouse quickly demonstrated the enormous sense of calm that permeates this city. we'd completely ditched the hustle and bustle of bangkok. the traffic already seemed a memory.<br /><br />the sawasdee chiang mai guesthouse turned out to be just as super-cute as trip advisor had advised, and we loved it immediately. sam, the owner, meeted and greeted, plus gifted us with a map of the city all highlighted with points of interest, particularly the area for the sunday walking market being held this night.<br /><br />i had a cozy room on the first floor (although it would be much cozier with more curls in the bed next to mine...) and the parents had their hideaway positioned on the fourth. they were very pleased about the extra stairs as they always seek out opportunities to stretch their legs.<br /><br />we headed out right away and hit up the indispensable 7-11. mom secured her black tea and dad eyeballed the tamarind candy. then - we found ourselves starving, so we sought out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khao_soi">khao soi</a>, local chiang mai specialty. oh MAN was it ever excellent. spicy coconut sauce, crunchy noodles, succulent chicken... definitely one of the pinnacles of our culinary journey thus far.<br /><br />we wandered. the beginnings of the sunday walking market were appearing wherever we looked, and we let our gaze meander from pashmina to earrings to meat on a stick. dad was seeking a breezy white shirt for use on the beach and boat, but other than this, we had no defined goals for the impending spending spree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnKs7-Jyu18Aa9MbtqhKyo9APLccuPJFZMpFubcQMS1o01WlVpLmp4Kmj3OmxJJZ04Q9L6Fyc11iYzyMmgyR8D6BGLwkQXLsvJsfbJ9oQnhqsXb4cN89dmuAE0hapursjf1DG0fQeyNVN/s1600-h/IMG_5312.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnKs7-Jyu18Aa9MbtqhKyo9APLccuPJFZMpFubcQMS1o01WlVpLmp4Kmj3OmxJJZ04Q9L6Fyc11iYzyMmgyR8D6BGLwkQXLsvJsfbJ9oQnhqsXb4cN89dmuAE0hapursjf1DG0fQeyNVN/s320/IMG_5312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443716742401381698" border="0" /></a><br />soon enough we made our primary purchase, a set of hand-painted coasters with case for the tork home in arizona. they were most lovely, and the vendor demonstrated her painting skill for us in person.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHPTXUwRiyrEyceh3iI4jSUp_ITBVQEbOiTJMEz8RQHO5GImJWj7R0kO5l6sqVUapTVva7o3dnIARmRBKzE-oT4yCESROgpc29XNVfCruZ9Z2tlQV3zr0KixZpEvC2AfhumOAZLAi-EPg/s1600-h/IMG_5314.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHPTXUwRiyrEyceh3iI4jSUp_ITBVQEbOiTJMEz8RQHO5GImJWj7R0kO5l6sqVUapTVva7o3dnIARmRBKzE-oT4yCESROgpc29XNVfCruZ9Z2tlQV3zr0KixZpEvC2AfhumOAZLAi-EPg/s320/IMG_5314.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443717506925662930" border="0" /></a><br />mom also decided that, given the comparatively absurdly low price of massages here, we ought to be getting one every day. i had no objections. here on the corner, we watched the market being assembled while our toesies were being carressed by expect thai women. i also learned the phrase "sitting in the catbird seat," which i look forward to using with glee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASR_1p0gtLaXZkQxS1c9j5ByB_4eVbvYDDqOOX_YH1sWYtLD_IYH_RqGlTlnv6jNYN221XYe7WFsy4IGZGZ-vCGA4T0SozxGdAYhVQacIF7bet4GgfsAO9_0HkbQnB1pxOXjgnPg8dPSv/s1600-h/IMG_5316.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASR_1p0gtLaXZkQxS1c9j5ByB_4eVbvYDDqOOX_YH1sWYtLD_IYH_RqGlTlnv6jNYN221XYe7WFsy4IGZGZ-vCGA4T0SozxGdAYhVQacIF7bet4GgfsAO9_0HkbQnB1pxOXjgnPg8dPSv/s320/IMG_5316.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443718126920756130" border="0" /></a><br />the walking market had a much higher concentration of handmade goods than chatuchak, and we quickly zoned in on handmade ocarinas. upon seeing our interest, the vendor immediately played zelda's theme, then the theme from the lost forest. it was most excellent.<br /><br />we then decided the day had been hard on us, and we returned to the guesthouse for a half-hour catnap and subsequent shower. i also changed dresses, because i am on vacation and feeling fabulous. i have lifted pennie's amazing asymmetrical pink ensemble because she has foolishly left it in my closet, and it is breezy and sexy. i feel tops.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumhrmj0WRy7sHGzRVJhNtahxRXPsHF9vmO3k55wuzWLcwN79mtxaFGlz0uwVoq5NxqxZdZgD1zkYvsTP8PruILngvN8G31kkYWkpKKPfRWpv1O8yTdKMlhyphenhyphenjDAWB69X1q3Sc_ul5H0CkN/s1600-h/IMG_5320.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumhrmj0WRy7sHGzRVJhNtahxRXPsHF9vmO3k55wuzWLcwN79mtxaFGlz0uwVoq5NxqxZdZgD1zkYvsTP8PruILngvN8G31kkYWkpKKPfRWpv1O8yTdKMlhyphenhyphenjDAWB69X1q3Sc_ul5H0CkN/s320/IMG_5320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443718690647405314" border="0" /></a><br />the walking market was crowded, but the ambiance was still infinitely chiller than the chaotic chatuchak. we saw unbelievable amounts of artsy whatnot, including paintings, handmade earrings, screenprinted shirts, carved soap...<br /><br />we grazed for dinner, which included a steamed pork bao bun for all, steamed dumplings, smoothies of various sorts, meat on a stick, and unbelievably scrumptious fried chicken (which thailand does far, far better than you might ever expect).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SuFuqG2zBmhN2nBy5QcJS8XVt-mE2L_buKhO0eA2hEGOexLhAJBG5EeM0EDISbeHHWmiibV14kpr6cTS8VnD9HE0EORMMb_2I9hL92JnhmVwHnAGgQ17U2DtNAl8ylCU0Pd3c0CbiBy8/s1600-h/IMG_5327.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SuFuqG2zBmhN2nBy5QcJS8XVt-mE2L_buKhO0eA2hEGOexLhAJBG5EeM0EDISbeHHWmiibV14kpr6cTS8VnD9HE0EORMMb_2I9hL92JnhmVwHnAGgQ17U2DtNAl8ylCU0Pd3c0CbiBy8/s320/IMG_5327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443720198491136498" border="0" /></a><br />it was a special day for buddhism, and we passed many wats on our shopping journey. near the end of our stamina, we elected to enter one of the most intriguing temple areas, and were immediately assualted with what seemed to be tens of thousands of lights. young monks tended the candles and kept them burning (i very badly want to make an earlham joke here, but will leave it be).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGnD6t42cxq7xVK-em5BQ98QROEiHXL8EXLocpAwmz59_KM_pN2kP9C2jLBTkokUXwQVmF0D10HXZa8Bhy7rlfQZVdNMy22H3Tnv-IBNw-oC2VrsMDTTi3vedHhBUcpNirIFu5Fg6u2SN/s1600-h/IMG_5331.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGnD6t42cxq7xVK-em5BQ98QROEiHXL8EXLocpAwmz59_KM_pN2kP9C2jLBTkokUXwQVmF0D10HXZa8Bhy7rlfQZVdNMy22H3Tnv-IBNw-oC2VrsMDTTi3vedHhBUcpNirIFu5Fg6u2SN/s320/IMG_5331.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443720543731249874" border="0" /></a><br />our spines were collectively shivering in tune to the chanting music thickly filling the air. we had absolutely no idea what we'd walked into, and it was marvelous, completely distinct from anything any one of us had ever experienced. even though i'd been here for six months now, i still had to remind myself just a little bit - "hey, this is the real thing - this isn't some sideshow set up in the name of cultural awareness, no. this is thailand, and these are monks, and this is all actually happening, and you are actually here." incredible.<br /><br />our dogs were a-barking, so we headed back to the guesthouse, enormous bag of purchases in hand (including several breezy white shirts for daddles). it took approximately no time to enter into dreamworld, anticipating the cooking class to come tomorrow morning.<br /><br />---<br /><br />also: happy un-birthday mama!! hope it was a great one, even if i am already older than you. and THANK YOU for the phi beta kappa key - i absolutely love it; it's the kind of gift i will treasure for a very long time to come!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444595436693379398.post-81694713698344073802010-02-27T17:00:00.000-08:002010-02-28T18:03:17.164-08:00Shopping!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">SATURDAY<br /><br />Today was our designated shopping day. We started off completely on the wrong foot, however, when we walked down to get "old woman" coffee and she was not there! How dare she take a day off! We trudged back to the house where Janel calmed us down by making us coffee in her new cafetera. She then presented us with a delicious breakfast delicacy of mango and sticky rice with coconut milk on top - unbelievable!<br /><br />We saddled up and headed out via taxi to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatuchak_Weekend_Market">Chatuchak</a> market deep in Bangkok. I hesitate to try and describe the place - it actually defies description. It is a HUGE indoor/outdoor conglomeration of stalls/people and anything/everything you want/need or don't need. If you need something - you can find it there. Well. . .you might not actually be able to "find" it, but rest assured it is there: clothing, housewares, jewelry, shoes, electronics, art, flowers, knick knacks, pets, and food stalls of all kinds. It is not a touristy place (although tourists do go there), but rather a place where Thais actually shop for necessities. It is hot, stuffy, crowded and fun!<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuidBcvuwlr9RcdQgdl0qMZm6W0BZ8hFxxSv8rCM7O5cbkL5QJH9qHX-zo7jifkk5bMEe4ddTsXI12Ty4t1-8zg19nt5_j9kygvAWeejY-xGs-4cC4ohKMUXjcXs1QWkllMZEG-HITvM82/s1600-h/IMG_5295.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuidBcvuwlr9RcdQgdl0qMZm6W0BZ8hFxxSv8rCM7O5cbkL5QJH9qHX-zo7jifkk5bMEe4ddTsXI12Ty4t1-8zg19nt5_j9kygvAWeejY-xGs-4cC4ohKMUXjcXs1QWkllMZEG-HITvM82/s320/IMG_5295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443095335672091010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Entering the market - the tip of the iceberg<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></span><br /></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We had previously decided that we would be "grazing" the food stalls today and started right in the middle of the market. We zeroed in on some bubbling woks of food and followed our noses. We had no idea what anything was, so we just kind of pointed and got two huge plates of some kind of curried chicken and rice. It was delicious.<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34EPQCCfzcFOzFD0ozivSWjwt-tg8RA4X_YsGnZwhErikuViHJJTG4BGgJpD0yKnhy30xKxbqb-V21j85uoCFA5TMHlv7Ui6JtuWqXEOcw-aNptRIe8ZYYsngBPTnY-t7WGTVow6R-XGh/s1600-h/IMG_5284.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34EPQCCfzcFOzFD0ozivSWjwt-tg8RA4X_YsGnZwhErikuViHJJTG4BGgJpD0yKnhy30xKxbqb-V21j85uoCFA5TMHlv7Ui6JtuWqXEOcw-aNptRIe8ZYYsngBPTnY-t7WGTVow6R-XGh/s320/IMG_5284.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443094438532479906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">bubbling wok filled with ???<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4eLjkyy1P7AgkTBCIpG3QGKtbz5ZMHnvEsZmFzkc7jH8ogOpp-MRDIGWPgyeSxwcap5LLinP_A3_H_T-2GutWOb0BuOr3tvwh7vnNU_ry9CVokoXOnbEiwj3tiR3cHeP5EXicV40BLSR/s1600-h/IMG_5283.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4eLjkyy1P7AgkTBCIpG3QGKtbz5ZMHnvEsZmFzkc7jH8ogOpp-MRDIGWPgyeSxwcap5LLinP_A3_H_T-2GutWOb0BuOr3tvwh7vnNU_ry9CVokoXOnbEiwj3tiR3cHeP5EXicV40BLSR/s320/IMG_5283.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443094421529438562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lunchtime<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I realize that much of this blog revolves around food, but seriously, I think Thai people must eat all the time! There is food everywhere and people eating and enjoying all around. It is quite a food culture. Of course, we love it.<br /><br />After lunch we start the serious browsing. It is so overwhelming that I don't even make a single purchase. Janel bought a great dress for about $6. Carlos purchased a few items, but mostly we just wandered and ate "meat on a stick" whenever we wanted a nibble.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf9Yw4J9MmloTbjRqlG-Ae1O22wrB_sgphtaAklXIxwDYlvkKKfKieWC86lBKAcBb7ln-F2q8-kWIQUuXOFXzPPnr3GxlMqwZhgXkULA2uQm8fOzzWEhDg7TEFg0o9eZiEiCb0qY8f9Xt/s1600-h/IMG_5286.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf9Yw4J9MmloTbjRqlG-Ae1O22wrB_sgphtaAklXIxwDYlvkKKfKieWC86lBKAcBb7ln-F2q8-kWIQUuXOFXzPPnr3GxlMqwZhgXkULA2uQm8fOzzWEhDg7TEFg0o9eZiEiCb0qY8f9Xt/s320/IMG_5286.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443094451408651090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Rich and Carlos contemplating housewares<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3aDPDE89dJFi_PgMGZA5xPqD7eKhfu19ifuvdzsv0cbzb40hDY-wghf-_EZQU9xfQ_Vo9VEc-NDGH_-IpAm6fPi_LES9yxmpoM2MQcZsbMxBcRGcCYr_gUcSyAvZ_aGa9qW-dX33ZZmK/s1600-h/IMG_5292.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3aDPDE89dJFi_PgMGZA5xPqD7eKhfu19ifuvdzsv0cbzb40hDY-wghf-_EZQU9xfQ_Vo9VEc-NDGH_-IpAm6fPi_LES9yxmpoM2MQcZsbMxBcRGcCYr_gUcSyAvZ_aGa9qW-dX33ZZmK/s320/IMG_5292.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443095318131409282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Janel looking at earrings<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLKiF-HHcIDF1QXZvYRAJAHuQlUwfB2072C5KeY6-6keiaL76Eol1mMN7PS5GkMTYeq2IWCNpMIGJaWQNf3eTkfeeSuTjds83cawenOR2LGU34yHU-kJgg7KBcDAxvSCuPcLPtYH_QGzE/s1600-h/IMG_5300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLKiF-HHcIDF1QXZvYRAJAHuQlUwfB2072C5KeY6-6keiaL76Eol1mMN7PS5GkMTYeq2IWCNpMIGJaWQNf3eTkfeeSuTjds83cawenOR2LGU34yHU-kJgg7KBcDAxvSCuPcLPtYH_QGzE/s320/IMG_5300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443095375244512754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Janel bought sunglasses for 50bht ($1.50)<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXN8yZ6QD3IkXMxq79OB7FCLgIuRs0HdBWLZtHrbf7Rfc3UveyWQ0Z9HDrUbPaKGE4Is2E35VrNMsi8vWhyphenhyphenR4B0nTopQwWbErZINiDA171c8Wvge6g5Gyg5eQR4XULKUqeNr-uhOuvHZw/s1600-h/IMG_5296.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXN8yZ6QD3IkXMxq79OB7FCLgIuRs0HdBWLZtHrbf7Rfc3UveyWQ0Z9HDrUbPaKGE4Is2E35VrNMsi8vWhyphenhyphenR4B0nTopQwWbErZINiDA171c8Wvge6g5Gyg5eQR4XULKUqeNr-uhOuvHZw/s320/IMG_5296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443095363586984338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Trying to diagnos the "creeping crud" she had last week. . .</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />When we were almost at our point of exhaustion I spied an oasis - a stall for massages! Janel and I indulged in a 30 minute neck/shoulder massage that was heaven - 150bht each ($4). Next time we will add a foot massage. Finally we had to try and fight our way through the traffic to get home.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gnrN9bTc8tfnqlq4koxWZb_0Dbt6KeoiIEVdM_HwpSWXax5zRGTZSaJtF-xQcAcnC6yzcMRn1jtJV7FslppNP3cZ8VPhmOcTCYNO2I2NDQRFroVF7CpbH8TH49YEOc4_d3KFDdcpRX0g/s1600-h/IMG_5301.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gnrN9bTc8tfnqlq4koxWZb_0Dbt6KeoiIEVdM_HwpSWXax5zRGTZSaJtF-xQcAcnC6yzcMRn1jtJV7FslppNP3cZ8VPhmOcTCYNO2I2NDQRFroVF7CpbH8TH49YEOc4_d3KFDdcpRX0g/s320/IMG_5301.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443096072707808594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">How do we get through this???<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">When we get home we relax for a bit</span></span></span></span> and then head out for dinner. Tonight's dinner was supposed to be a treat for Janel and Carlos for letting us stay at their house. However - it is just Janel/Rich and me because Carlos is not feeling well. He probably has finally come down with what Janel was fighting last week. We hope we don't succumb.<br /><br />Anyway - we dress up fancy and grab a taxi to head to Opus restaurant. Janel had been there last week to review it for her Wine Bar article coming out in the March issue of <a href="http://www.lookeastmagazine.com/">Look East</a> magazine (be sure to check in in March). She really loved it and wanted to take us there. It was fabulous. It is an Italian place (we figured we are going to get plenty of Thai food) where they recognized her when we walked in. They treated us like royalty. We chose a wonderful Nero d<br />avola wine from Sicily and enjoyed it with our meal.<br /><br />We started with a Burratina - a creamy, creamy fresh cheese (yes, Janet - I have had burata once again and yes it was phenomenal) and a beautiful Tapas platter. We finished by sharing a perfect small platter of Australian tenderloin. Oh - of course tira misu for dessert. The manager then complimented us with limoncello. All in all a perfect evening of quiet conversation and food.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQczhwxn0ADp_wSQzdEtK3cBkCVoVU-WrO4_m-N6pJuWLp4rcDLESB7Dtw83TlmqiobFdgi_3ofscJIr_BWDF-8qn-Lb8RI3EuPgfB1mrMHWryX4HxlEKI2GKWLzwX3lBLqYYhx8f9Pf0X/s1600-h/IMG_5305.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQczhwxn0ADp_wSQzdEtK3cBkCVoVU-WrO4_m-N6pJuWLp4rcDLESB7Dtw83TlmqiobFdgi_3ofscJIr_BWDF-8qn-Lb8RI3EuPgfB1mrMHWryX4HxlEKI2GKWLzwX3lBLqYYhx8f9Pf0X/s320/IMG_5305.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443096084361886626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Linda and Janel with the tenderloin<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubjsU-PFngdpg_yLRQnybVFbD2fvIahshWxT_4dCyXGhwacO-MeZZWfAKgQ2anukTTVjNI7TDgqSbCSMipZ8IkOokK247T-zdyUTPTMThqx5X3AswaFBYI5wbxFXmwhcQ53fYMA4pBgds/s1600-h/IMG_5307.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubjsU-PFngdpg_yLRQnybVFbD2fvIahshWxT_4dCyXGhwacO-MeZZWfAKgQ2anukTTVjNI7TDgqSbCSMipZ8IkOokK247T-zdyUTPTMThqx5X3AswaFBYI5wbxFXmwhcQ53fYMA4pBgds/s320/IMG_5307.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443096094408411714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Does this photo show how happy we are to be together?!<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Another great day in Bangkok. Today we leave for Chiang Mai. The blog might get a little lighter since I am not sure about internet access during our travels.<br /></span></span></span></div></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1