Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday sunshine in Thailand
It is now Sunday evening.
It hardly seems possible that it is still less than 72 hours ago that we left home.
Yesterday evening we all met Jamie after he left work at a cafe close to the Big Buddha on what has become known Buddha Mountain. We feel we have seen Big Buddha rise to a point of being close to completion - a huge white marble monument, seen for miles. We will go to the Buddha for a proper visit later on.
The cafe was friendly and with tremendous views to the sunset over Karon Bay - where Jamie works.
Tourists to the mountain are still few - but this will surely change and I fear coach parties from Patong and the greed of the money makers.
So there were no other diners - and the other half of the ceiling of the barn like cafe was being painted. Well, this is the low season.
The food was of course good and tasty.
I had a good night's sleep - much needed after 2 poor nights.
Today Jamie and Jessica and John took us out for the day. Mam stayed for a day doing things on her own - mainly making sure all laundry was done for the start of school tomorrow.
The sun has shone all day from a brilliant blue sky - and yes it is hot. But I seem to thrive. Bill is Ok - but gets sweaty, but then so does Jamie.
We took a lovely road through the tropical jungle covered hills.
We stopped at the Phuket Museum, well set out and cool, showing the history of this island. There were more details about the heroines 0f 1785. These 2 women formed a small army and managed to trick the Burmese invading army that had taken over, that their army was huge and the ensuing battle saw the Burmese retreat. There is a famous statue of the heroines at a main road junction.
We had driven north - close to the airport. But we turned off to Nai Yang - a long sweeping bay with fishing boats and a certain amount of tourism, for those that want somewhere peaceful and free from resort attractions.
Jamie knows somebody who runs a kite surfing business - but Willy was not in today and the cafe he had suggested was not open.
The cafe we chose, though, was just a great choice. There were little wooden "sala" - raised wooden small pagoda like huts for each table, right on the beach.
Food cost twice as much of course in such a prime location, but was really good. We had beef with garlic, chicken green Thai curry and chicken satay with loads of rice - this for the 3 adults tucking into each dish.
We sat for ages enjoying the view and then played on the beach - walking, paddling, digging in the sand, drawing on the sand and taking loads of photographs. Sorry you will have to wait to see those, though Jamie has downloaded his. But he has not done anything with them yet.
We came home to enjoy more wonderful food that Mam prepared - so tasty, without being at all overpowering. Thank you Mam!
This evening there is battle in the house. After 2 months of holiday the children ought to sleep early in readiness for an early start an long day at school.
Jessica starts at quarter to eight and John just a little later. They don't finish until 4 o'clock - and then have homework.
But do they want to go to bed? Not likely!
Bill and I will go out quite early too. We plan to leave the island and visit a waterfall and a see a big reclining Buddha in a cave temple - and anything else we might find.
Bill has just seen the end of the Spanish Grand Prix!
It has been a very happy Sunday.
Goodnight.
It hardly seems possible that it is still less than 72 hours ago that we left home.
Yesterday evening we all met Jamie after he left work at a cafe close to the Big Buddha on what has become known Buddha Mountain. We feel we have seen Big Buddha rise to a point of being close to completion - a huge white marble monument, seen for miles. We will go to the Buddha for a proper visit later on.
The cafe was friendly and with tremendous views to the sunset over Karon Bay - where Jamie works.
Tourists to the mountain are still few - but this will surely change and I fear coach parties from Patong and the greed of the money makers.
So there were no other diners - and the other half of the ceiling of the barn like cafe was being painted. Well, this is the low season.
The food was of course good and tasty.
I had a good night's sleep - much needed after 2 poor nights.
Today Jamie and Jessica and John took us out for the day. Mam stayed for a day doing things on her own - mainly making sure all laundry was done for the start of school tomorrow.
The sun has shone all day from a brilliant blue sky - and yes it is hot. But I seem to thrive. Bill is Ok - but gets sweaty, but then so does Jamie.
We took a lovely road through the tropical jungle covered hills.
We stopped at the Phuket Museum, well set out and cool, showing the history of this island. There were more details about the heroines 0f 1785. These 2 women formed a small army and managed to trick the Burmese invading army that had taken over, that their army was huge and the ensuing battle saw the Burmese retreat. There is a famous statue of the heroines at a main road junction.
We had driven north - close to the airport. But we turned off to Nai Yang - a long sweeping bay with fishing boats and a certain amount of tourism, for those that want somewhere peaceful and free from resort attractions.
Jamie knows somebody who runs a kite surfing business - but Willy was not in today and the cafe he had suggested was not open.
The cafe we chose, though, was just a great choice. There were little wooden "sala" - raised wooden small pagoda like huts for each table, right on the beach.
Food cost twice as much of course in such a prime location, but was really good. We had beef with garlic, chicken green Thai curry and chicken satay with loads of rice - this for the 3 adults tucking into each dish.
We sat for ages enjoying the view and then played on the beach - walking, paddling, digging in the sand, drawing on the sand and taking loads of photographs. Sorry you will have to wait to see those, though Jamie has downloaded his. But he has not done anything with them yet.
We came home to enjoy more wonderful food that Mam prepared - so tasty, without being at all overpowering. Thank you Mam!
This evening there is battle in the house. After 2 months of holiday the children ought to sleep early in readiness for an early start an long day at school.
Jessica starts at quarter to eight and John just a little later. They don't finish until 4 o'clock - and then have homework.
But do they want to go to bed? Not likely!
Bill and I will go out quite early too. We plan to leave the island and visit a waterfall and a see a big reclining Buddha in a cave temple - and anything else we might find.
Bill has just seen the end of the Spanish Grand Prix!
It has been a very happy Sunday.
Goodnight.
