Paradise

Thailand. Wonderful, beautiful, an extraordinary paradise. We were greeted at the airport by clean smells and even cleaner facilities. Everyone was primped, professional and ultra efficient. We're reaching that time when our trip is about to end and we thought nothing could cure the weary homesick travelers that we have become. But we were so wrong. After 15 minutes in Thailand we were revitalized with energy in a way that we didn't even remember we could be. You want to get to Hua Hin? Here's your bus ticket be back here 10 minutes before departure. It was truly magical. And the food court where we waited for the bus? It was a Thai food paradise. So many gummies, fruity drinks, and noodles. It was so overwhelming it was nigh impossible to choose. I settled on a noodle soup with octopus stuffed fish balls. And for dessert? A delicious blend of gummy-fied chestnuts with dried kiwi over a giant syrupy ice ball. Just thinking about it makes me salivate.

Our bus was easily the nicest transportation we've taken in months. The plush leather seats reclined both ways and it was ultra air conditioned. In the smoothest travel day we could have, we soon arrived in Hua Hin the beach for old royalty near Bangkok. I don't know if we saw anyone "royal" but we definitely got old covered. I have seen one too many very middle-aged white men coupled with a young tiny Thai girl.

But Thailand. The beach. We splurged on a hotel here that had American channels, air conditioning and even a shower curtain! We were 100 meters from the beach and 200 meters from a massive three story shopping mall, complete with cineplex and bowling alley. We spent a day on the beach. I could tell you that we spent the whole time lounging on beach chairs working on our tans (ha!) but that would be a gross lie. We spent the day hiding under umbrellas accepting the fact that we were the two whitest people on the beach. Unfortunately the water was so hot that it offered no relief from the searing weather.

Our time was at night. Sweet night, when we emerged from our air conditioned favorites to experience the night markets. We frequented two that both were overwhelming for the senses. Lace, floral patterns, and strange accessories lined every stall. From massive head-bows to Beats knock-offs, you could pretty much find anything. The food smelled...hot. In any other circumstance, we would have been all over the street food but, you approach the stands and you're hit with a wave of heat that sends you reeling. So we ended up sticking to smoothies. The mild brain freeze they provided made the heat slightly more bearable. Many of our meals in Thailand have consisted of various smoothies.

All too soon our time here ended and we headed to Bangkok to enjoy our last few days in Thailand. But that is for another day!

Cheers,
Liz

P.S There aren't any pictures because all we've been doing is lounging and enjoying our re-introduction to western influences.