Gotta Get out there

Another sticky day…..I decided to not go out until the sun settled to give my aching head a rest. I decided after passing some beautiful groups in the park exercising, that I needed to get that into my routine. So I’m signing up for 5 yoga classes to complete my stay here in Phuket Town. Should be interesting because from what i saw in the park these folks are mad limber! I honestly wanted to just get behind them and see if I could do it….but I wasnt wearing the right colored shirt and didnt want them to be insulted- not sure how those classes work. They seem quite organized into groups.

My attempt to exercise- and maybe meet a few people

I love these purple flowers- they are everywhere !

An interesting combination for ice cream eh? and no, I didnt try it! I mean its green people! with bean paste and costs 9$

Vodka Blackout

I was excited to start my day with a happy hour date with Stephanie! We promised to try not to let the “half way around the world” issue get in the way of our monthly dates. So I woke up at 6:30 am, took a shower, prettied up as if i was going out…..Mimi delivered me two cups of ice at 7 am with a knock on my door and me wrapped in a towel…..Let the fun begin

Us being ridiculous…..me playing with options and steph yelling at me to take it off, even though i dont really know how…..so i must have snapped this photo while trying….. We ended the call about 10 her time, so I jumped onto having further drinks with Justin via video chat. And according to him, I told him to go to bed, and i passed out 🙂
Only to wake up at 10 pm my time…..total day LOST> but so worth catching up!

Aimless Adventure

Started thinking I was going to go the the Cat Cafe and get some of their delicious pad thai noodles I love…..but as I was walking I remembered wanting to find a church to attend on Easter Sunday. So I turned to walk toward what I thought may be a church, only to find it was a mosque. So I googled and there was a church very close by- so my day continued in this manner….just rolling with it. Wandering to see what part of this Phuket town I hadnt yet discovered.

This was the first sign a church was close by. I was walking and it appeared to be a jungle area beside me – but it was fenced in with a cross iron fence Then i spotted a grave inside. Cement above ground, not a tombstone like ours. I wondered who this was 🙂

Found the church. Catholic— so I will be lost while all others know what to say exactly at what time….but they have English services at 11 am. So thats on the agenda Sunday.

Turned the corner to see this….not sure what is was but looks Chinese. Found it humorous, the mosque, church, graveyard and now this on the same block

Starving at 2 pm with only peanuts for dinner last night, i stopped at this “tent cafe”—-so adorably designed I couldnt resist. They had real cappuccino and awesome bread! I had an omelet- and it was amazing. Before i left, i wanted to use the potty….which i discovered was outside….hmmmm……walked past the kitchen on the way out….and i really wish i could un-see that.
Their kitchens here, even in such a nice place are so…..home like/not industrial,clean or regulated.

This is the view of the wall and ceiling, i love how unique it is! individualized and using their batik fabrications

Stumbled into a book store, just to see what they had. Tons of these cartoon/anime romance – or bromance novels. Love how open minded they are and cater to all sexual preferences.

went to the major grocery store here- and it was interesting. there are night market booths around the entire grocery selling food and clothing….cosmetics etc. then inside the air conditioned store, before you enter the grocery, there are lots of little boutiques set up also. Most have electronics or clothing- but this one had the cutest pens!!!

this mini booth was selling these decorative chocolates!
**for my super women friends this is for you!**
I had to waste 1/2 hour because i wanted a bottle of vanilla vodka for my morning happy hour cocktail with stephanie- and they wouldnt sell it to me until 5 pm.
So thats a new rule i learned. Its not even Sunday 🙂

selfie of the day….me and the rasta grafitti advertising a kitchenware store. which i went into a purchased an ice bucket.

*apologies for those offended by my lazy non capitalized format today

Monday Mansion Tour 15th

I actually set out today to get back into a routine and try to get into smart habits to not be a slug since Tiff left. After getting partially through my am in attempts to get my butt out the door somewhat today- My daily read “Trust me and don’t be afraid. Many things feel out of control. Your routines are not running smoothly”—I kid you not! So that helped- mentally. My goal was to go see the Blue Elephant Mansion today- a small walk 25 minutes or so.

But I got lost. Ended up on a local dead end street- was actually great to see true Thai living- but boy did I turn some heads in my all whiteness.

Came across this mansion, which obviously is abandoned. But love the architecture of it. Reminds me of New Orleans in a way. On this street they were setting up for a water festival night market- I may head down later.

Stumbled across this local fruit market which i found beautiful.

Chinpracha House- they call this architecture Sino- i stumbled across this while thinking i could cross over to the Blue Elephant Mansion next door.

Can you believe this flower?! it was a black purple like color- caught my eye on my walk out

The blue elephant mansion, taken from the street to get the house fully in view. It is now used as a culinary school.

Had to stop in and try a new local Pale Ale….again delicious and expensive. But fun to try all their Phuket brews!

Everything in this mansion is blue – and so airy! They offer a set menu lunch for about 1000 baht which is about 30$. It would be an amazing place to test some local foods and feel they were safely prepared.

Me- gonna be in selfie mode for a bit here 🙂

the royal blue with yellow is so fresh- i loved their interior

They have strands of lights hanging down from the trees, which I imagine make this place a stunning place for dinner or a cocktail at night.

Their tea set- which i felt was so modern and a great inspiration.

Sad Sunday

My sister headed back to the States last night, which left me quite sad….tired, and aimless today. I did get out some – and tried to find something new to take in. I’m trying a new herbal bug bite formula i purchased at a store—-I keep getting my legs bit at night….just part of the adventure of living among an all new insect world….plus had to purchase some moisturizer as my hands look like I’m officially 82 at this point! (already—–from sun) By the way not sure if I’ve mentioned this but their sunblock only goes up to 50! help……anyone that comes to visit is require one tube of 110 proof neutrogena.

The humor of the yoke in this egg as a character cracks me up! But also reminded me to explain that their eggs here are orange. very bright- not yellow like ours. Makes for an interesting omelet

Sadly my big adventure out today was to the grocery store- where i took in every isle to understand what i could buy/eat there. the humor in the packaging was awesome….and the emphasis on fish as a snack entertaining.

I mean why not have a chocolate bar as a dog dressed up like someone famous? entertaining that they used michael jackson as the US representative

just don’t know what to think about these guys…..do girls buy this candy or boys or? who is this marketed to? so funny….never seen anything like it.

Songkarn Celebration

This photo captures so much of the beauty of this water fight holiday. Families and friends get together, some wearing literal matching themed tops…others like in this truck just wearing very loud floral or tie dye tops. They pile onto the back of trucks compete with a very large bucket filled with water that they use to fill their water guns, or simply to take a full bucket to dump onto anyone they pass by on the streets or sidewalks! Notice also the chalk on their cheeks and faces- they sold different colored baby like powder that they mixed with water and then would come up and put it onto your faces. Its a celebration of cleansing, newness, New Year. But basically the most fun you could ever have in a water fight where the entire country is just in it to have a blast. Sanuk= their key living goal/to have fun.

Four per scooter is definitely the norm here, but i love how drenched this family looks and how they have buckets in their basket in the front and the kids are armed and ready! Many of the children also had plastic hello kitty or other character back packs that were also filled with water to fuel their guns. Everyone, young and old, farang or local- a target! There is no escaping getting wet today. Tiff and I totally embraced it. Purchased squirt guns on our walk to the beach where all the action took place. Danced, threw water, shot off our guns at any kids that got us first- embraced it all and truly enjoyed this holiday in Phuket!!!

This was my view from the hostel i stay at, once i dried off after hours of fun, i sat inside and watched. Notice the large black buckets- every shop keeper had them out on the streets and you literally put a smaller plastic bucket in and then throw it onto all scooter riders and people walking or on back of trucks. You have to be careful not to get it in your mouth….as we saw some people filling their buckets from the muddy river. We were lucky that the Art C Hostel is right on the main road in Phuket Town that leads directly to the beachfront where the cars were all heading.

The kids were the greatest! So cute and happy to catch you off guard!

Notice the large block of ice in the bucket on the right. This was an important touch also to add to your water….so when they got you” it was literally freezing! Now most days here so far i wouldve welcomed being drenched but today felt like 88—-so that icy cold water was quite a shock!

Since Tiffani had to head to the airport tonight, and her clothes were still wet from the afternoon water fights, we couldnt risk hitting the streets and getting attacked again for dinner. So i snuck over to the 7/11 and got us a bag of chips and cokes. Yep…dinner of champions. We sat with a roof top view from our hostel which captured the perfect end to the evening —I cried when she left me. Its going to be completely different without her spirit and sense of adventure! Loved having her with me these first few weeks, and i promise to adventure on solo but I was soooo glad we got to celebrate their New Year together!!!

April 12- Sister tattoo day

My sister researched the best Phuket Town tattoo place based on reviews. This guy won best at a Bangkok contest and his boss travels internationally doing bamboo tattoos. It was an awesome experience to get sister tattoos. We risked not truly understanding what was being written.
*very time we would type in the word sister….or sisters….or middle sister etc…the translation came up differently.*

But I felt comfortable that Pim, the lady helping us would not do us wrong and they wouldn’t risk their reputation. Later when enjoying a coconut rum pina colada- our server told me she loved my tattoo- and told me i had three sisters and i was the middle one! “confirmed”—-to a better detail level than even expected.

Just a great street shot showing all the colors again, along with scooters and Tiff teal!

Tiff and I decided to explore some different streets today….and so glad we did. These colorful buildings are apartments—-which i was like “yes please!!”- but when i went in to inquire costs, it was too much. And not really worth it. But couldn’t you all just see me living there?

The indigo batik dying is a craft here in Thailand and many shops take pride, such as this one, making their own- every piece being unique. I bought my daughters a few things to support her shop. And then asked if i could take a photo with her to show my appreciation

Graffiti is alive and well on the sides of many buildings, I love how Banksy made this art form a truth in cities again. Also art galleries are frequent as this photo taken. I also found one where they make the art out of wood cuttings and the details were stunning! Third world country? Impressive.

Ice is a big industry over here. I see huge trucks filled with ice, that then goes to these smaller delivery services and get unloaded into every restaurant and bar. So far i have only had trouble from one coffee shop that uses crushed ice…”- please do not make me describe in detail…..lets just say i lost a pair of undies in a bathroom and thank God i was wearing a long shirt that day—

Found another great beer venue. Of course very expensive….I swear I am going to have to cut my drinking in half to survive financially here- which is why i may have been called to move here”- just sayin. But I could not resist trying this IPA named “smiling evil”- my sister could not resist attempting the expression:) Their IPAs over here i LOVE- very different than any i have tried before. I of course am ONLY trying 6$ beers if brewed locally here.

April 11 Birthday Beach Phi Phi

To finish my birthday celebration I enjoyed a local IPA and found a roof top bar where they seem to always play an entire album of one artist, instead of a mix of artists. But they had Maroon 5 and John Legend so it was bareable….and better than the live tone death artists at the other clubs. Kassie gave me the necklace for my bday and Justin an awesome basket of wine and chocolates and teddy bear!!! Was spoiled even here!

Roosters are a part of everyday life here even on the beaches. I captured this beauty while scooping out a beach chair on Phi Phi Island.

Tiny Tiny ants are also a part of Thailand’s everyday life, and I kill about 3 on my computer screen during every blog 🙂

I personally was not that impressed with this very tourist driven island. The water wasn’t as clear as Banana Beach, the tourists came in droves off of ferries- yes i was one of them, and we went to “Don” the first and cheapest stop. Possibly Leh would have been a different experience. These canoes were for rent, but no SUP.

In reading Thai news, they really crack down on outsiders taking any of the tourist industry from local people and are investigating the Chinese as they are illegally bringing in droves of tourists and only having them allowed in their visits to ride on Chinese owned buses, eat at Chinese owned restaurants, and stay at Chinese hotels. I also have been observing and the boats work together somehow- one boat pulled up to this beach, took a canoe and left. Wondering does he own that particular canoe? or needed a canoe to take to another island and they are all part of one company? Anyways fun to watch and wonder.

Tiff and I have seen this shop booming since we got to Phuket City. We walked over to see what it was all about and it appears to be a sort of dessert shop. We had NO CLUE how to order any of it, but as you can see the people here cannot get enough of whatever it is. It has something do so with shaved ice, and toppings.

They also weigh and cut up durian fruit which is in season- and is forbidden in many hotels due to the lingering scent. I figure once I’m friends with a local, I will go with them to see how to try it out.

Things I didn’t want to forget

*baby powder is going to be my new best friend- may even gain some calluses on my inner thighs from them rubbing together in this heat!

*we watched a police block in action today during breakfast….they set them up randomly all over. We’ve seen three in the one week we’ve been here….so we watched for a bit see what exactly they pulled everyone over for. Since I dont plan on getting my license due to all the difficulties in obtaining….i need to avoid these with a vengance! so helmet at all times is the main reason for people getting stopped. Note to self, free flowing hair while driving a scooter may feel great in this heat, it is not an option for this gringo. Was fun to watch people trying to avoid the pullover by- literally jumping off the scooter….throwing on a helmet from their baskets…pulling their jackets over their heads and one guy even did a U turn in front of the police officer who literally chased him down. Kids though get through without helmets. Go figure. We costed out the helmets on our way back to the hostel, and they only cost 250-400 baht- so about 12$USD. Seems worth it to not wear a helmet.

*drivers of scooters like to wear their jackets backwards to avoid them blowing open (least that is my thinking as to why- i may try it and see what it does for me )

*carried on scooters with people (up to 4 people per bike of course) we have seen crutches, weed wackers, cats, dogs, suitcases and much more. Seems anything is possible here on a scooter, hence why i am going to master my skill of it.

Tonya Takes Thailand