Sunday, May 24, 2009
Exhausting and full weekend.
Exhausted!
Could write lots but maybe this will have to be very brief.
The trip to Krabi was not as expected and we came back the same day.
Jamie had organised rental of what appeared to be a lovely villa for one night. There would be 4 bedrooms and a swimming pool.
Simon, the pompous prat who had agreed this deal is trying to sell the house and he explained that there are 4 bedrooms - but just now he is using 2 of them for other things.
If somebody put in an offer for the house he would get a pool built.
So we had 2 bedrooms - one was nice and with air con. The other had mattresses on the floor.
Mam and I were immediately unhappy. Jamie felt he should honour his agreement and we should make the best of it.
We went out for lunch and to plan the afternoon. We found ourselves in Krabi resort and all felt uncomfortable. Lots of traffic and tourists being ripped off - perhaps they didn't know they were being ripped off and were happy; but really - simple dish of fried rice was on sale for 4 times what we are used to.
We later found a good place for lunch and we enjoyed our meal by a wide bay. I had green curry.
Then we drove around looking for the fossil beach and each time ended up in the main resort.
Jamie realised that his family were more important and swallowed his honour and said his gut feeling was that we should drive home. We left a note and some money for Simon - Mam thought too much was left.
So, 3 more hours on the road back home. We were very tired.
Today has been dry and very hot.
But there were things I wanted to do. After all we now only have one more day.
Jamie drove us up Buddha mountain. This site has changed since we first saw it. Three years ago the gigantic statue was cloaked in wooden scaffold poles. The views were and still are superb.
But now that the marble covered edifice is nearly finished the tourists are arriving in droves. And where there are tourists there are nick nack stalls.
We walked around enjoying the views of the huge white monument and the countryside beyond.
As we left we had to battle our way through a throng of Russian tourists and their guide.
It felt a little like what was once belonging to us has been handed to the money makers and visitors - but that is a little unfair, because there is a feeling of awe and reverence.
Then we drove to Paradise beach - hitting Patong for the only time this visit. The sea front seemed broader and airier than Krabi - though of course we saw very little of the Krabi area. I wouldn't want to spend time in Patong either.
Paradise beach was small and quiet, found along a steeply undulating narrow road.
I was determined to have a swim in the sea - warm of course. Then we sat in the shade, ate a little and drank lots. For the first time we have caught the sun.
I had been keen to return to Sapan Hin. Perhaps one shouldn't go back in life. It was hot and crowded and all Jessica wanted was to be bought something. When Jamie told her that the cheap plastic hand held fan was out of the question a sulk set in. Actually it wasn't that cheap.
Finally she had a very cheap necklace, a nice little wooden cat and a pair of slippers, though nobody actually wears anything on their feet indoors.
Jamie and Bill ate; I drank; Jessica sulked!
I don't really feel like eating any more today.
Our last day will be much more routine. A little shopping, packing, meet the children from school and so on.
We will buy Jessica's birthday present. She liked the suggestion of a radio and headphones.
It is very hot here again - so you UK people thinking you are experiencing a scorcher can think again!
Could write lots but maybe this will have to be very brief.
The trip to Krabi was not as expected and we came back the same day.
Jamie had organised rental of what appeared to be a lovely villa for one night. There would be 4 bedrooms and a swimming pool.
Simon, the pompous prat who had agreed this deal is trying to sell the house and he explained that there are 4 bedrooms - but just now he is using 2 of them for other things.
If somebody put in an offer for the house he would get a pool built.
So we had 2 bedrooms - one was nice and with air con. The other had mattresses on the floor.
Mam and I were immediately unhappy. Jamie felt he should honour his agreement and we should make the best of it.
We went out for lunch and to plan the afternoon. We found ourselves in Krabi resort and all felt uncomfortable. Lots of traffic and tourists being ripped off - perhaps they didn't know they were being ripped off and were happy; but really - simple dish of fried rice was on sale for 4 times what we are used to.
We later found a good place for lunch and we enjoyed our meal by a wide bay. I had green curry.
Then we drove around looking for the fossil beach and each time ended up in the main resort.
Jamie realised that his family were more important and swallowed his honour and said his gut feeling was that we should drive home. We left a note and some money for Simon - Mam thought too much was left.
So, 3 more hours on the road back home. We were very tired.
Today has been dry and very hot.
But there were things I wanted to do. After all we now only have one more day.
Jamie drove us up Buddha mountain. This site has changed since we first saw it. Three years ago the gigantic statue was cloaked in wooden scaffold poles. The views were and still are superb.
But now that the marble covered edifice is nearly finished the tourists are arriving in droves. And where there are tourists there are nick nack stalls.
We walked around enjoying the views of the huge white monument and the countryside beyond.
As we left we had to battle our way through a throng of Russian tourists and their guide.
It felt a little like what was once belonging to us has been handed to the money makers and visitors - but that is a little unfair, because there is a feeling of awe and reverence.
Then we drove to Paradise beach - hitting Patong for the only time this visit. The sea front seemed broader and airier than Krabi - though of course we saw very little of the Krabi area. I wouldn't want to spend time in Patong either.
Paradise beach was small and quiet, found along a steeply undulating narrow road.
I was determined to have a swim in the sea - warm of course. Then we sat in the shade, ate a little and drank lots. For the first time we have caught the sun.
I had been keen to return to Sapan Hin. Perhaps one shouldn't go back in life. It was hot and crowded and all Jessica wanted was to be bought something. When Jamie told her that the cheap plastic hand held fan was out of the question a sulk set in. Actually it wasn't that cheap.
Finally she had a very cheap necklace, a nice little wooden cat and a pair of slippers, though nobody actually wears anything on their feet indoors.
Jamie and Bill ate; I drank; Jessica sulked!
I don't really feel like eating any more today.
Our last day will be much more routine. A little shopping, packing, meet the children from school and so on.
We will buy Jessica's birthday present. She liked the suggestion of a radio and headphones.
It is very hot here again - so you UK people thinking you are experiencing a scorcher can think again!
