It was a bit of a whirlwind, moving into my new condo and then trying to make it to the Expat party that same evening. I really did not want to go. But I forced myself to get unpacked, somewhat organized and then slapped on my Happy Hour shirt to make the best of it.
I had to take a cab, knowing I was going to be drinking. Costs about 20$ each way- which seemed like a lot to me. But I guess better than driving Tia drunk and ending up in the hospital or Thai jail. I felt awkward arriving to the party. There seemed no place to sit that wasn’t taken by what looked to be close knit groups already conversing.
I ordered a drink and sat next to a rocker looking dude who was alone. He was a 67 year old Aussie, who was very clear about liking to hook up with Thai women. “The darker the better.” He had stunning blue eyes and seriously looked much younger than his actual age. He retired in Phuket also, leaving a ex wife and 15 year old son behind. Later an Indian man sat with us, who came over 6 months ago to run a hotel business. He was very quiet about a lot of subjects, but bought the Aussie and I drinks.
After the Aussie left, Abishek and I talked for another hour and I found him completely insightful, quiet mannered, ambitious and diverse. I enjoyed our conversation and it made it worth my trip out. He told me about a street famous in Patong which I hadn’t been to yet, so I wandered down to check it out before ending my evening.
My kitchen. No stove, but I will invest in an electric grill of some sort. Fridge magnets up and towels I got for my birthday!
Living room complete with my bags packed and ready for my Dublin trip.
Bedroom where JJ and Maxwell are settled. (my stuffies)
View from my bedroom window complete with Buddha Man and Lucky Dog. (my good luck charms from Traci and Grandma Bott)
Got my travel map up and some personal things from home. A painting that Denise bought me in Thailand about 12 years ago, my daughter’s Disney silhouettes and Kim TADA’s inspirational cut work butterfly. Feels comfortable enough to say it’s home for a year.
Ready to go, make up on for the first time all month 🙂
Crazy Patong street lined with bars, Thai girls and boys:), and live music!
This guitar player was so good. Had to stay for two drafts before peeling myself away from their energy.
Then I wandered to this Hip Hop bar, mostly for the music. A large roach boldly ran across the floor. The server gave me a shot to forget about it 🙂 I ended up taking a tuktuk home, but unfortunately had to ride up front with the driver since it was raining and I needed to navigate him to my place. I didn’t do a very good job navigating as I had about 6 drinks and am still not too familiar with my new location. He was a good sport about it because I gave him extra for my inabilities.
I have been snapping photos of things that I find interesting that are not necessarily related to any fun adventures. But I thought I would share today in my blog, since today is a very boring packing day for me. I move tomorrow to my condo!!!! Very excited to finally get settled. Plus I think, stress on the word THINK, I have all the paperwork I need to get through the next phase at immigration. (fingers crossed!)
HOT DOGS- Yes these are all at one grocery store. And they are all hot dogs. For some reason they love them here. Its the only meat you can find sold at the 7/11 stores. The variety they offer is hilarious to me. I can’t remember the last time I ate a hot dog except maybe at Skyline.
SHOWERING with your toilet. It’s a very normal thing here. I had to seek out an apartment/condo that offered a separate shower stall. But now that I have lived in this hostel with this arrangement its really not that bad! Quite convenient to be able to sit down and shave your legs 🙂
RABBITS and CATS are the motifs of Thailand. This was a shoe store. Nothing to do with children, but obviously he was enjoying the sculpture.
DOGS literally are passed out like this throughout the city. ON streets- I swear sometimes they are dead! I almost hit one with my scooter. They don’t react or move. They are always somewhat fat, never thin, but look un-kept. Here they are laying in front of the shop door since it is air conditioned.
CANDY is so unique here. These are colored shaped marshmallows on a skewer that you then dip into the chocolate or strawberry fountain. Then they freeze it with some black ice type box. Such an interesting process. I bought some for Min’s daughter to try.
Everything has CHARACTER or a personality to it.
PLASTIC SHOES are popular due to heat and rain here. Guess they don’t ruin or stretch like leather does.
This SIGN cracked me up with the visual of the mother and kid walking in the puff exhaust of the car.
Most of their TRAFFIC LIGHTS have timers so you know how much time you have to make it or to wait. Their stop lights can be quite long (90 seconds or more) but it really seems to help regulate the flow. They have traffic mastered. Of course I haven’t lived through a high season yet so will see if that still holds true with double the people on the island.
I was so entertained by this visual. The spider man sculpture is looking at a CONSTRUCTION worker who is literally painting lines down the middle of the street. Traffic is still continuing up and down the road as if no construction is happening. The guy in the full on yellow that you see behind the scooter is carrying water bottles and dripping water onto the painted lines from his coworker in front. Then there is the police, walking behind the crew as if to protect them somehow from tragedy. And this is what I absolutely love about foreign countries. I mean do you really need to shut down traffic to do construction? This is totally proving that it can be done with no disruption. There is no fear. No regulation. Just living life. Doing a job. They can wear flip flops if they want to do this job- nobody is telling them what they have to wear. Their life is theirs to live.
Lastly the TUK TUKS. Complete with flashing lights and stereo speakers blasting music in the back. These are the cabs for tourists and I can’t wait to actually ride one! No reason to yet. But maybe I will hitch a ride in one on my way home from my expat party tomorrow night. Stay tuned…..
Yesterday in preparation for my upcoming trip to Dublin, I decided to primp a bit and scheduled a spa day. I did a lot of online research to read reviews and expat blogs hoping to find a local place that I could afford to get my hair done. All women know how tricky that can be!! And in a foreign country no less! Cassie, my amazing hair dresser at Valenti Beechmont in Cinci, wrote down the formulas she used on me which I discovered means nothing to these guys. They are not about mixing a color. It’s all about just picking one from a swatch box. I was getting worried.
I entered the spa at 1pm and did not leave until 5pm. I started off with an allover body scrub. (If you haven’t done this in your life I highly recommend it!) They gave me some disposable underwear to change into which never made it over my American hips! Got my toes done (cost about $10) then off to the dye house where the Thai lady didn’t speak a lick of English. She put plastic caps over my ears, so I felt like I was wearing a fun Halloween costume. Honestly though a great invention/idea as no dye got into my ears to discover weeks later with my Qtips.
When it came to my hair cut a woman without a uniform came in with a fluffy chihuahua following her. I knew she was the boss! Well she was amazing! Her name is Sarah and she has owned the salon for 14 years. Once we got to chatting we didn’t stop! Love her! She had a 3 year long distant relationship with an Aussie boyfriend and he finally came over to be partners in her business. She told me expats can own up to 49% of a business. (I had previously heard 30%) Sarah also explained how her taxes, once partnering with him, tripled. As a Thai business owner you don’t pay much in taxes but as an expat they get ya! She did an amazing hair cut and later attacked my eyebrows! The lighting in my hostel is so bad, I can’t see anything to pluck!
See same same”. After selfie.
Looking so polished, I decided to check out the Hard Rock Cafe since I had only eaten half a baguette before I took off to the Vayo Patong Salon. I always like to see memorabilia but have to say the Phuket Hard Rock did not have much on display. I ate there anyways and overpaid for my pulled chicken sandwich. I went into their shop thinking I would buy a tee shirt for my girls, but they cost 40$ usd. So not worth it. If I were in The States I probably wouldn’t think twice about it, as that’s not too unfair of a price for a Hard Rock tee. I’ve become quite the cheap ass over here.
Most impressed with Jimi’s embroidered vest.
Of course on my ride back the sun was setting so I pulled over to snap a few photos of Karon Beach and soak in the beauty.
On the scooter it’s so easy to pull over and step onto the beach. Love the freedom of driving Tia!
I’m attempting to express the drawn out Thai accent as they call out from the streets. It’s almost comical and entertaining, especially the street my hostel is off of. There are literally about 6-10 massage parlors begging for you to come in. I love how they never get upset with the answer “no”. It could teach anyone in sales a lesson watching them. Each parlor dresses in a color. So there’s the green, the orange, the black, the sunflowers, etc. Its effective. I’ve gotten to know the gals at each as I walk by daily.
There are scooters with side cars commonly here that are literally shops on wheels that sell everything from brooms, to fresh crabs, to complete meals that they cook on the spot while you wait. They drive by and have what sounds like bike horns on them so you know they are coming if you should want something. A Thai version of a food truck. The massage gals love to get their meals from these guys, and often times when you walk past the ladies are all huddled on the cement in front of their shops eating together. Of course, they will look up from their meals to holler “maassaaagge?”
My back has been killing me for awhile now. I’m sure its the stress of driving Tia as well as the crap mattresses I’ve been sleeping on. (I’m praying my condo has a decent one!) Today I decided to go spend the 15$ and work the kinks out. Being a little bit of a snob, I sought out a location that I felt was clean and was hoping not to be massaged after someone just ate off the floor. I mean, the little things, but nonetheless.
The place I found was gorgeous! Entry and elevators up. This place had 3 levels.
Doi scrubbed my feet with a salt scrub before entering the table area.
I hate to admit I nearly cried during the massage. The woman (Doi) was intense! I have no idea what body part she was using to massage me with, but she was going in deep. She was all over me! Straddling me, doing all sorts of elbow techniques. It was an experience!!! Will see if it worked as that’s all that really matters to me in the end.
Afterwards since it was around 6pm, I took a detour to the beach to catch a bit of the sunset before I headed back.
I will miss being beachside. I’m very happy I decided to stay a month here to explore. I made a promise to myself watching this that I would try to make it to A Beach, once a week after I move. I know I will be poolside by my condo, but its just not the same.
I decided that if I’m going to live here, I need to learn how to surf. I headed to the south part of Kata Beach where all the surf shops are. I stopped at a couple different ones to get information about price and the likelihood of me being able to learn. They acted like it would be no problem. I liked the Quicksilver School best. Jimmy seemed pretty confident he could work with me. (Little does he know)
This low season he agreed is starting off very slowly and he felt maybe next month the waves would be bigger. I will say the past two days have been amazingly mild and swimmable even though the red flags are still raised. I asked if we really needed the waves to learn 🙂 I guess that was a dumb question.
Surf lessons getting started. Later saw them all in the water just floating as there were no waves. A waste of a lesson.
You can see this part of the beach is nothing but surf shops. Very close together. They had paddle boards to rent also.
Since I wasn’t testing the waters today I stopped here for a couple drinks
Was called the Rasta Bar.
Sun was glistening on the water as I watched the two surfers out there. Maybe you can’t even see them, but you can see how calm the water was.
I was entertained by these twin boys who were having a blast running around the beach together. I never did find who they belonged” to. Here they were chasing a crab and they kept digging him up and giggling.
My only goal today was to get Tia up over the hills to Patong to meet up with Carla’s daughter Katie and her bo’ Alex. It was such a relaxing scooter ride along the coast with very little traffic. I had to stop and snap a few sunset photos along the way.
Bow to Mother Nature.
Karon Beach view
A later shot from Patong.
I loved hanging with these two! So easy to talk with and such fellow adventurers! They hung out with elephants this morning. I want to do that when Zoe and Sedona come in December.
Thanks to Carla for picking up the tab!! Was an excellent thai meal!
The local singer in the background entertained us and one tambourine playing local who I couldn’t figure out if he was high or just happy. Difficult sometime to tell the difference 🙂
Then I headed back over the mountain back to Kata. First time I’m driving Tia at night. I’m such a lady driving in a skirt eh?
Yesterday I spent too much money on a great meal and fixing my scooter, so I decided Wednesday was to be a day of rest, reflection, and reading. I finished the book “Girl, wash your face” that was recommended to me by Rebecca and Joan. I had never heard of this author before, (anyone that knows me knows I rarely read ) but being that two very close friends of mine thought I would benefit and enjoy it, I was in! Sedona ordered the book for me on Amazon before I left and here I am 1.5 months later, cracking it open.
I read the entire book cover to cover and underlined things I personally needed as reminders. I reached out last night to several of my friends with insights I read that I wanted to share. (you know who you are) One of the many instructions from the book was to write down your dreams in detail. I honestly have never done that before. I’m not much of a planner or dreamer. Sometimes I actually feel I am not passionate when it comes to my future, I’m more of a fly by the moment seat of my pants kind of girl.
At the coffee shop this morning I set out to give my dream writing a shot and I could not believe what spilled out of me. It was actually fun. I laughed at myself for the extravagance of my thoughts but also found it enlightening to dream. As this is part of my journey here in Thailand, I just wanted to share.
Today I woke up with a tad of a hangover. Drank one too many Changs last night. I really do miss US beer. I need to find my new poison. I haven’t found the IPAs over here like I had in Phuket Town. I decided Mexican food was on the agenda and googled my way to Chalong to locate what was rated a decent restaurant.
After eating another tasteless Thai version of Mexican, I decided to find the Orchid Farm for something to do on Mother’s Day. Know Yvonne loves orchids, and visiting flowers seemed appropriate.
When you walk in it looked more like a chicken farm. The constant crowing of the roosters ended up on my nerves later. I don’t think I could get used to it if I lived on a farm. When I was walking in the farm-greenhouse area there seemed to be a small but significant chicken coop also.
Thought this was a very sweet write up regarding the orchids. I also never knew they didn’t grow in the ground. I later saw that in the farm area where most were hanging with roots below.
I was greeted with a bouquet of orchids when I paid to go in. A nice Mother’s Day surprise.
These were some of the few in pots.He turned off the overhead sprinkler system when I went in. Considerate as that would have been a shocker and I didn’t bring my rain poncho.The baby ones were put into these pipes which had water constantly draining out of them.
Check out the roots.
Purple my mom’s favorite color.
I wonder if I will have to tell customs I was at a farm’ when I go back into The States 🙂 or if that only pertains to livestock.
Truth be known, I am getting a little too cocky on the scooter and today, it definitely showed me who was boss. I want my Tia back!! She’s much easier to handle and not half as heavy! This beast I am now driving climbed the steep hill that google maps took me on to check out the new Roof Top Yoga nearby. As soon as I peaked at the top, it literally went about 50 degree angle straight downhill. I panicked! It had just down-poured, and the roads were slick, I could see this ending in death ….or at least a broken leg.
I stopped and tried to turn around, only to end up off the road which had a drop off. The scooter was too heavy for me to lift to get back onto the road and when I tried, it tipped over and crashed to the ground. I managed to lift it back up. Then prayed as I turned it off and walked it down, with me on the pavement and it in the jungle grass. I was pleading please, please do not get away from me and fall in the ditch that was close by the grass. I knew there was no way of me getting it out of there.
I managed about 10 minutes of break and then a slight movement, then break, as we climbed down the incline. There was finally a flattening in the depth of the pavement and I was able to get it back up on the road. I seriously need to figure out how to make google maps understand incline limitations!
View from the yoga studio.
Well after gathering the pricing, I really wasn’t sure if I want to adventure back up to ever go again. I exited out a different direction but it was still very steep. I’m now thinking I should invest in a pair of shorts and just start running early every morning. Yes, I know, I’m not a runner but I have to get my ass out and do something!
After the 5 minute down pour, the skies opened up and since I had spent 15 minutes applying sunscreen this morning, I decided to hit a new beach! One Tiff and I had seen from a distance when we were watching the sunset at Panwa Cape. I googled mapped my way to Nai Harn Beach. (by the way I figured out if I just shove my iphone up inside my helmet by my ear, I can hear the directions -clever right?!)
Was good to know I entered a tsunami hazard zone. Very reassuring.
Not busy and the waves were calmer than the other beaches, so I actually was able to swim a bit. I witnessed a Russian couple going out in the water, and I don’t think the girl had EVER been in the ocean before. It was so cute to watch him convince her and show her how to handle the crashing waves.
Overcast day which was nice.
I think I will be back over here for sure.
Shops lining the way to the beach. Colorful!
Just-in” case you all didn’t know 🙂
I wanted to take the bird home- so creative!!!
A pleasant surprise. When I parked my scooter this Buddhist temple was nearby so after the sun, I strolled in and admired their campus. I don’t actually know if it’s respectful to take photos, but I did.
Entrance.
These sculptures seem oddly out of place to me.
Someone needs to help explain these amazing trees and the ribbons, ornaments etc that are placed in them. I literally stood back and breathed her in, because she was quite a sight and it made me wonder the stories she could tell. (and yes I know it’s female because of her complexity)
Started off early this am out the door to go to Phuket town to get my immigration papers and fix my scooter. I stopped by Art C to say hi to Min and Mimi. They still had my bouquet of flowers on the counter, now dead. I said “they are dead”, Min said ” but now they are fragrant.” Mimi told me she cried when she got them. I felt good about getting that gratitude gesture right.
Min took my scooter over to the shop, while I took hers to immigration. ( I mean how sweet right?) Well just when I thought I was going to be done with my paperwork, the office is closed due to ‘Plough Holiday. Really? Of all days?! So instead of getting mad, I set out to find my peanut butter. Spent 1000 baht at the grocery loading up on snacks since in Kata they don’t have nearly the selection.
They are going to have to keep my scooter for about 4 days, so Min arranged for me to rent one. ($ just flying out of my wallet today- had to put down a 5000 baht deposit or else let them keep my passport which- no way! (about 160USD, then 30 USD for rental) Grrrrrr. On the bright side, I now have a rental scooter with a full tank of gas and nothing but miles for me to use it for!
I decided to check out the Phuket Botanical Gardens on my way back to Sleepy Station. Damn glad I did. Was so serene. I have loads of photos to share to recap! Enjoy!!!!! Sorry but it was difficult for me to edit as all are so beautiful If you don’t enjoy nature, just skip this blog 🙂
Cost about 15$ US to get in. I was wondering if it was going to be worth it, but decided what the hell, may as well find out.
Beautiful mosaic.Doorway that they unlock for you to enter. Very dramatic.
Then you enter into paradise. With beautiful music playing and just God’s nature all around you.
Love this feathery palm.
Always an alter out of respect and love these typical Thai statues.
These girly figurines are everywhere but l that love that this one has braces.
This one describes me and how I felt wandering through this Eden!
The orchid section reminded me of Yvonne.
Just such amazing landscape.
This section was called Bonsai.
Check out this shot! I think I should become a photographer 🙂
How clever to have this frame hanging for photos.
Selfie of the day, me being a dork.
Cactus section.
Another gateway, they were cleaning up.
Tunnel to the waterfall .
Then there are these Thai plaques that appeared throughout the greenery.
I mean can’t you just appreciate the art of this grouping of plants and ornaments?! Hope Bob and Ron are getting inspired for their summer landscaping at 222.
The color of green, so calming. If it weren’t for the mosquitos I could have stayed there all day. I think i killed twelve mosquitos on my legs in one slapping fit. They got nothing on the size or effects of the Cincy black striped ones! But hoping they also don’t have malaria.
iphone shot. I love this palm! So majestic.
Palm section if you couldn’t guess.
I wish I could be hired to maintain this property. Also wish I was more knowledgeable about plants.
HUGE fish that whenever I walked by they came over thinking I was going to feed them. Now imagine, I was the only person walking in this paradise, totally worth my money!!!
Tonya Takes Thailand 