The Fern Cafe. Chiang Mai

In need of hydration we stumbled into this adorable cafe. The far end of Old Town seemed to have a bit more touristy feel to it. This cafe had a wonderful atmosphere and was quite professionally designed and serviced.

The theme inside the cafe was ‘blue. This curio reminded me of Maida’s glassware I inherited. I’ve always loved cut antique colored glass.

I ordered a honey lemon soda. The honey was literally a honeycomb placed on a stick. It was the most amazing drink! The coconut cake on the other hand was a tad disappointing. Karen Grimley made a coconut cake once and to this day I have never tasted anything better. Not sure why I thought Thailand could top that.

I am not a fan of blue home decor, but this room definitely had a calming effect.

Looking outside from our table’s window view.

This outdoor area was obviously what the cafe was named after. There was a waterfall and misters creating a literally cool atmosphere. If I were to review this place, it would receive 5 stars 🙂

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I convinced Jason to go out and celebrate St. Patrick’s with me. I headed to Patong to catch the sunset on the beach and was supposed to meet Jason at Molly’s Tavern right across the street afterwards.

I love this local carrying a charcoal grill roasting and selling ears of corn.

Was a peaceful reminder of why I’m here.

The workers were doing their best to spread some Irish cheer.

I ordered an appropriate Corona to toast today- the day Kassie, Bobby and Jeff should have arrived. But sadly the virus kept them safe at home. I vowed to do my best to party in their honor.

Jason texted me that he was at the bar. But he wrongfully ended up at The Drunken Leprechaun instead of Molly’s. So I took my Corona with me and walked a quarter mile to where he was. The bar he landed at was definitely more happening.

We ordered green beers and kept them coming!

Met this authentic Irish couple. Adorable.

End of the evening. We were dancing and being absolutely carefree.
“Irish tonight—-hungover tomorrow” 🙂

Paradise View Point Restaurant

As the world is reporting continually about the coronavirus-19, everyday I wake up grateful that I made it back to this paradise called Phuket. The weather is perfect. The scenery filled with natural beauty. Anyone following my blog regularly will see how much I have taken in these few short weeks since I’ve been back. I am making it a point not to stay still.

In continually seeking mode, I wanted to try to catch a sunset this week. Wednesday night was the only night I wasn’t booked with English classes. I reguarly work 7-10 pm every night, making a 6:40 pm sunset on the opposite side of the island a bit challenging to see. I only had one student scheduled at 8 pm today, and the only reason she was reserved is because she is one of my favorites and longest loyal students.

There is an area I always pass by along the coastline that has little mom and pop dive restaurants. I never seem to think about stopping ahead of time and usually regret it after I am further up the road. Tonight I decided to make one of them my destination.

I took this photo as I was leaving and the sky was turning an interesting shade of purple.

Unfortunately my planning wasn’t great. My view was blocked by trees.

Still beautiful, but I don’t think I would go back to this location because of it.

Looking the opposite direction was a picturesque view.

When I pulled up to the restaurant, I parked by an elephant sign. After dismounting my scooter, I realized down the path were elephants. I started walking down to see if I could sneak a peek. As I was doing so, a huge male elephant was coming off the main road and down the path. I had to move out of his way. He was magnificent! The man riding him asked if I wanted to take a photo and I eagerly responded “yes!”. He then said, that will be 200 bht, so I then said, “no thank you.” I whispered to the elephant as I was face to face with him and I know he heard me. It was a cool experience.

Ironically, and not so pleasantly, this elephant camp was right next to the restaurant. I snapped this photo from my table. I ate with the smell of elephant dung surrounding me and many dogs laying around the restaurant. I watched a spider crawl down the bamboo overhead and observed mini ants running amok on my table. I quickly finished my meal once it arrived.

There were three elephants in a very small area. The one that came off the road that I met on the way in was being hosed off. There was a pool-like pit dug out where the workers were swimming and acting like it was a refreshing hot tub. Their regulations crack me up. I’m pretty sure that water is where the elephants bathe.

I was sitting on the lower level which was oddly slanting down the hill. This is the view when looking up.

On my way out, up to the third level, this was the view looking down.

As I was heading back to Kathu, I snapped this photo of the sky along the rocky beach. The colors of nature.

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Mickey Monkey Beach Bar

When I was driving down the private dead end roads in Mai Khao, on every block there appeared a sign with a gorilla’s face on it saying to come to this venue. I wondered what the heck it was. It was offering free shuttle services from the resorts to this place. I decided still being a bit hungry I would try to find this joint and see what they had to offer.

There appeared to be a chicken coup on the premises as well as some tents and huts to rent overnight. I saw a sign to the shower, but it did not look promising.

Did you ever think I would see a turkey in Thailand? He was just chilling on the pathway and gobbling loudly at everyone that walked past him!

The bar was cute and looked like it could be a lot of fun with a group of friends.

Peeping between two boards there was a pool table and dart board.

My view looking out from the table. Not a bad place to end my day. I ordered some overpriced spring rolls and a frozen blue drink.

I enjoyed the decorations which seem to be randomly comical.

I was a little sad that I didn’t stay to watch the sunset. I decided I was going to make that a priority next week.
I know such decisions I have to make here… Which beach. When to watch the sunset. If I should swim today or not. Which bathing suit should I wear. Do I need to stop for filtered water.

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Samet Nangshe Boutique Restaurant

Virlane told me about this place and we wanted to go there together before she moved but never found a break in our schedules. I ‘what’s apped’ her at one of my beach pit stops on the way up and asked for the name of the restaurant. Even though it was midnight her time, she linked me to it.

Before getting into the back of the truck, which was your only option this time, I went to the bathroom and rinsed my feet off using the convenient butt cleaning hose. Yep, I went there. Then I washed my hands 🙂 and splashed luke warm water from the facet on my face to try to cool off a bit. They took everyone’s temperature before getting onto the truck. I was starving at this point and was looking forward to lunch with a view.

I felt only a little guilty taking a photo of someone else’s children, isn’t it the cutest!?

There was nothing I wanted on the menu, so I decided on coffee and dessert instead. It did not disappoint! That is peanut butter ice cream beside a delicious, not too sweet, chocolate cake! The ice cream flavor was made with bits of chopped peanuts.

Mai Khao and Sai Kaeo Beach

As I continued my drive north up the highway, the road curved sharply to the west and next thing you know I was driving parallel to a new beach. Of course I know you all won’t believe that, yes, there are still beaches I haven’t yet explored. This one in particular was completely secluded with literally nobody in sight.

I parked Mia in the sand and walked through a wooded area to find this beautifully long beach.

No humans and no garbage in sight. Just pure beach beauty for miles.

“Every time I stand before a beautiful beach, its waves seem to whisper to me: If you choose the simple things and find joy in nature’s simple treasures, life and living need not be so hard.”

The water itself was a bit sandy and not clear like at other beaches on Phuket. The waves were a tad rough, but nothing that would keep anyone from swimming. I sat on the beach for a bit, just soaking it in. Then headed back onto the highway and within 5 minutes pulled over at another stop I couldn’t resist.

I mean doesn’t this look like a postcard?

I decided to sit down at one of their outdoor bamboo picnic areas to again admire the view.

Nobody here. So sad to see what the virus has done to the tourism industry. I know many of these places will not survive without customers for this long of a period.

I was literally feeling like the luckiest person alive. I was soaking in the sun and flying by the seat of my pants exploring. I ordered up a couple of fried eggs since it was still morning and a soda water, my new go-to to quench my thirst. Total price 50 BHT- aka $1.50

Later in the late afternoon, on my way back from the viewpoints, I decided to settle here on my beach mat for an hour and take in the sun. I did a U turn and went down a one way road past many high end resorts. I parked my scooter by where the taxi guys were napping and found my way to the beach again.

There were some people walking along the beach this time, which I imagine you could do for literally hours. (I googled and this beach is 11km long) Was thinking next time maybe I will do that and check out what is along these empty shores. This beach goes all the way up to the bridge and down to the airport. I later saw a sign that said there was no swimming at this beach, which is probably why there are so few people here.

Lunch and a Massage

I needed food and was debating my options. I decided to see if the Simplism Cafe was open. Last time I took my daughters there in December it was closed for renovations.

There is also a herb sauna on the premises. Last sauna my daughters and I endured was hilariously torturous. It was a challenge to remain in the heat, like a game of mind over matter. Eventually, just when we were about to crack and break our way out thinking we were forgotten about, we were greeted to exit 🙂

I planted myself at a counter looking out with this view.

Just a cute little place with great coffee and dessert options.

After lunch, without thinking, I wandered over to the spa and inquired how much a massage was. My back has been hurting since I returned to Thailand. I don’t know why I put off getting them. They are super affordable at 20$ max including tip! I always feel so much better afterwards!

The massage tables were on the second floor and this was the view looking out. It was awesome laying there and feeling the cool breeze coming in from what I predicted was rain on its way.

Snapped this photo just walking by in the hallway.

Gorgeous porch you can sit out on afterwards and enjoy the complementary hot detox tea.

I’m trying my best to keep my eyes open to newness. Every time I go out on the scooter, I am instantly happy. I swear I could just ride aimlessly for hours. And I may just try that one day. Unfortunately I know my way around pretty well at this point, so it’s difficult to find those new areas to explore. There is an area about 1.5 hours away over the bridge off the island that I may adventure to tomorrow now that I have Mean Mia. I wouldn’t think of taking Tia that far. So will see 🙂 I am determined to make certain the adventures will not end.

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Tri Trang Beach, Always my Favorite

I was determined to see if the dirt path down to Tri Trang was still open after my months of being away. They were working on a lot of construction before I left in that area and I predicted they would close that walkway off to the public.

I am happy to report, I was incorrect. The path is now fenced with the resort on the other side. It appears as if the resort never opened but is now fully constructed.

There is plenty of shade here. I planted myself in the sun until it was too hot. The water at this beach is always very shallow with a coral/shell bottom. Probably why it’s not as popular as some of the other beach options.

This is a newly constructed sign with a concrete walkway area. You cannot get to the beach from here without walking through the water. There is a resort that cuts you off from crossing over.

I love how deserted it is here. Very few people ever make it to this location.

It remains to me the best view of the mountains and ocean.

The sun was starting to settle so I decided to wander up the hill a bit and try out one of the local restaurants for an early dinner.

All of these restaurants had incredible views. All were completely empty. There are hardly any tourists here at this point. Traffic is empty. No buses. I literally whizzed right through Patong which is usually the most trafficy area.

This is the view from the place I selected. I could see Patong across the sea. I heard some excitement and laughter coming from the waters below so I looked over the balcony to see what was going on.

Discovered elephants bathing with a few tourists who were taking rides and playing with them in the water.

I don’t like seeing humans riding elephants. Many of these elephant experiences are not always what is particularly best for the elephants. But when watching them in the water, the elephants seemed to have fun splashing around. There were two baby elephants too. I watched one of them go under water for quite a long time. I didn’t realize they did that.

View looking back toward the beach I was at earlier. It still seems surreal that I get to live here.

Simply-ism Cafe

Zoe and Sedona are in flight and will be here tonight!!! I cannot wait to jam them into my minimalism condo and show them all I love about Phuket. Avoiding the dishes and bed making that still needed to get done, I followed Virlane to this adorable cafe for lunch today.

I don’t think I will ever get used to the natural views and hidden landscapes in Phuket. If Virlane didn’t know about this restaurant, there is ZERO way I would have found it. These hidden gems are why my adventures never end.

Beautiful landscape, perfect weather, and great food at decent prices.

My adorable friend. I am sad when I think about her leaving. I really gain so much strength from her!

Khao Rang Breeze Restaurant with Min and Mimi

Dinner with Min and Mimi is always a treat. I love that Mimi will shut down the Art C and take off like a rebel to meet up! I honestly don’t think in the 3+ years that she has been working there that she ever did that before I came. (heart emogi)

I wanted to treat these amazing women to dinner before the holidays and before I took off for a few months. I picked the restaurant this time, hoping to offer an experience more high end as a special occasion for them. Found out Min has been here 3 times before, but for Mimi and I it was our first time!

We tried to catch the sunset by meeting up at 6:30 but discovered we were a little late.

The view is incredible. Can see such a large part of Phuket from here.

The weather here has been simply perfect. Was such a great cool night.

Min was in charge of ordering. I tried green curry for the first time! I literally stuffed myself here and they both were making fun of me because they have never seen me eat so much. The bill was only 35$. Amazing. Not sure if I got special pricing because I was with locals.

We were being silly and I was so happy Mimi was enjoying the experience. She kept taking photos throughout the restaurant.

Mimi taught me about Burmese Thanaka. This is a powder that the Myanmar people put on their faces. You see a lot of people in Phuket wearing it. It seems strange to me. So I wanted to know more about it.

It’s a beauty secret made from a log of a tree. The older the tree the better. She was saying in Myanmar the trees are 35 years old before you use it, but in Thailand the trees are younger and so the effect is not as good.

I asked her if she could get some for me to try. She did. I am going to try it out with my daughters when they come tomorrow!! It’s such an authentic natural cultural skin care treatment. I feel so lucky to have friends that are teaching me new things. Mimi said she stopped wearing Thanaka powder when she was 15 years old because she started to think it looked silly, but admitted she still puts it on every evening and sleeps with it as a beauty treatment still.

Min was concerned about the road I took coming to Rang Hill where this restaurant was located so we followed each other out a different way where there were more street lights. It was hilarious because Min was driving her daughter’s scooter and Mimi was driving her cousin’s. So we all looked like kids driving away together. Tia is so small compared to the more modern scooters, and Mimi’s cousin’s bike looked like a boy’s hot rod. 🙂