Looks like Phuket wants to keep me longer. My original flight to Bangkok (12pm) was cancelled. I was able to rebook to 12:55, but the projected take off time is 13:40. Hot here, in my new suit, but I do have access to a fan anyway. Very hazy today.

Bangkok will be hotter still, but then, when I get to Hong Kong, it will be  little cooler, and Boston will likely be in the 50s  so says the weather channel.  I'm not looking forward the the big change in temperature. I don't like winter. Yes, it's pretty, and nice to sit by the fire, but I wouldn't want to go out. It's all the ice, and cold snow. I don't do winter sports, and if it isn't clear, I wouldn't feel like going out at all. It should be interesting with the bus.

Another gate change announcement. They haven't announced us yet. The plane isn't even here yet. Oh well, maybe I'll see a Bangkok sunset. Sun sets round 6, and the flight is a couple of hours. We probably won't get any refreshment, as it's a low cost airline.

Rawai Beach

Yesterday, I went with my hotel neighbors, Peter and Hazel to Rawai Beach. They had been there before, so we all went. It was cheap to get there - 30BHT the same as any local bus. We got to our stop, and looked around the shops, looking for pearls, cheap The quality was not the best. None were cultured, so I bought a few things. We had lunch there. We looked at all the fish and crustaceans, at the venders' booths, then to the restaurants to have them cook it. It was more expensive than the meals I have had here, but the $11.38 for the freshest fish possible was well worth the price .

There wasn't much in the way of the beach where WE were, but I did get some nice pictures anyway.

It took quite a while to get back, between rush out (at 3?) and roadworks. The driver took a couple of detours to get back but it took about an hour, (twice the outbound time), and we were able to catch the 4:30 bus from Phuket City back to Patong.

Night before last, I went to a pajama party. It was a staff party, but I was invited too (see, being alone can sometimes open doors). Of course I did not understand a word, but they had wonderful food, karaoke, some jokes, and a raffle. Even without language knowledge, I had a good time. I actually sat with the owners of this property They were very gracious. I have no pjs, but I had elephant pants I will lounge around the house in, and a tank top. I thought they were very kind to invite me. It's nice to see the culture from the inside. I was the only farang (foreigner) there.

Pum's again

I went back to the cooking school to eat some satay, and had a lemongrass drink (very refreshing).  Pum continued to educate me. She wants to make me Thai, so she introduced a dish for special occasions, called Mueng Pla Too. It's sardines (the big fish, not the salty ones), Chinese cabbage, rice noodle angel hair, a sauce with garlic, cilantro, You eat it with your hand. 

You start with the cabbage, put a lettuce leaf on, pile on the fish, sauce, and noodles, and then eat. It was really good, and I was touched that she was willing to share with me. 

I've had some nice chats about politics (theirs) and other stuff. It's nice to chat with a local while you are traveling along. It can get really lonely sometimes. 

She knows I am looking to retire here, and suggested the area where she lived, and Kathu, about 7 miles from Patong, so it's cheaper than Patong or Phuket City, near the grocery. There are busses that stop on the way to, and from Patong and Phuket. Also not much chance of flooding, nor tsunamis. It's definitely a thought.

Raya Beach and Coral Islnd

I went here to both islands yesterday. It was bittersweet for me because, although it was beautiful, I lost a close friend, a roommate from High School. As I was taking the boat, I got the news, so I cried a little, then had to pull myself together. The other people on the boat are there for fun, so they didn't need to see that.

I liked Raya Beach. I got a all in face mask to make it easier to snorkel . I had a little difficulty getting used to it, and trying to get good pictures. Sometimes I was shooting blind, because of the reflection on the plastic waterproof pouch, turning the camera off by mistake, but I did manage to get a few good pictures. We didn't stay there long. We went to the other side of the island so we could swim, have lunch before going to Coral island.

I could have stayed on Raya Beach. Coral Beach now has limits. No scuba, or snorkeling allowed. The coral is so fragile that if you step on one, even for seconds, you can kill it. It's a good thing they are trying to save it, but it now becomes a cash cow. You can parasail over it, scuba on the beach itself, not where the coral is (it becomes a lesson not real scuba diving), shower 40BHT, toilet 20BHT  ( REALLY???) I couldn't even sit in a chair without a cost.

My tour said all included, so mostly yes, but you need to take money if you want to rent fins, the mask like I wore, parasailing. Lunch was okay. I had spicy chowder, vegetable with pork, a sweet and sour chicken, water, and there was fruit for dessert. I got a few nice pictures, and got to see the Big Buddha of Karen back on the mainland.

What I brought back were  few shells, and a sunburn. I brought sunblock, but I didn't put it on early enough, nor had a chance to reapply it. Anyway, it looks worse than I feel. I have had much worse.

Now I just have to be careful for the next few days. They had a deal on Aloe Vera at Boots - buy 2 get one free, so I did. I keep it in the fridge so it's really nice to put on.

My hotel neighbors mentioned a restaurant on our street that they went to Sak Sa it was called, and nearly every dish was 100BHT, which is about $3. Rice is another 20BHT, and I got a Singha beer because it was cheaper than juice, and I thought it would help me sleep with my sunburn.....yep.

Next couple of days I will have to take the sun umbrella. When you want sun, it rains, when you want rain...sunny weather. The umbrella will help. I will go later to the tailor to have a couple of shirts made, and change some money.Th have a rate to $100. i'll see if I can get a better rate for $260. If not, I will change $160, because the rate will be poorer if I change only $60.  I found a nice Chinese style shirt for 700 BHT I might be able to get a cheaper price for, and it's long sleeved, something I will need for the sunburn IT will go beautifully with linen slacks I have.

Phuket City

Yesterday I went to Phuket City. I had planned a long trip, but called called in by the dentist as he was able to finish faster, and wanted to check my new teeth.

It rained  (of course), but only part of the time. I of course had to go back to the B Cat café, and play with the kitties. and got myself a nice iced caramel coffee. Most were sleeping, but I was able to pet them gently anyway. I pet a Siamese cat in Siam! I wish we had them back home.... the cafés.

I bought a beautiful indigo skirt and blouse. The skirt was too long, so I went to my tailor, and he is able to shorten it from the waist (due to the design),  for only BHT 100, (about $US 3. and some change). I will get it today, in the evening. I mostly just walked around, looking around for the hair bands I got last year, but didn't find. I'll go back next Sunday. After today (most likely), the teeth will be done, and the rest of my time here will be vacation. It's the 22 Oct. here, and I leave for BKK on the 31st. I'll have time for Coral Island and anything else I can see to do. I will also be able to snorkel as the gums have healed.

Today I am just being lazy. I had a 10:30 appt with the Dr, but he had to cancel, so I will keep the 2nd appt for 4. I may, or may not have to go back for a final check, so I won't plan on anything until I know.

Sunny right now, hot 86F so I am outside on my little porch writing this. Maybe I'll study a little Thai also.

Part of me says I should be out doing stuff, but part of me says relaxing is good on vacation too.

Pum Cooking School

Near my hotel is a cooking school. I thought about it, but wasn't able to do it last year due to dental work.

This year, when I thought I would have more surgery on my mouth, so I thought it would be now or never.

There was a choice of doing an appetizer, or a better deal, 3 things. I decided on the 3, pork satay, green curry soup, and Thom Yun Goong, another soup. Faith, the teacher was vey good, made it a lot of fun. She even had a song for when you use the mortar and pestle for combining the spices. People were looking at us through the window, and a guy actually came in to tape the song. It comes with a cookbook, but I bought one, so Pum subtracted the cost of the book, because everything I would cook was in the bigger one, plus many other recipes. The directions for Massaman curry was not in that one, but I bought another, with recipes all over Asia. It also had the Penang Curry.  I ended up having to buy Chinese spoons as that is the measurement base.

There was sooo much food, that I didn't have to eat out for another 2 days. When did the portions get so big?

Of course I checked online for ingredients, like fresh galangal, and kiffer lime leaves. I have both dried, and they recommended doubling the amount of dried to fresh.

I understand you can cut up the spices and bag them for later use, for up to a week, so it's good for the work nights.

I decided to buy an induction plate which will make it cook faster, but also make more room for tenants who might want to cook at the same time.

There are other classes, so I might go back.