As we are spending our time leisurely, I don’t have much to write about as it would all be repetitive – lying on the beach, going for a swim, reading, stroll on the beach all in between breakfast, lunch and dinner!!
However yesterday Gerry enrolled to take a refresher course for diving – he was together with a Canadian of similar age and they spent a long afternoon handling a multiple choice test, go through the equipment and first, geared up in their wetsuits, they took their first plunge in the swimming pool. Their young German instructor needed to know how familiar they were and they spent a good hour going through various manoeuvres.
By the time they came out of the pool, it was gone 5pm and they weren’t ready yet as the next part was to go into the sea! By that time I had gone up to our cabin to read. That meant I hadn’t taken any pictures!
It was gone 6 pm when I started wondering whether Gerry had made it back to the beach so I went down to the diving school and on the way I met the Canadian guy returning – I was relieved to see him and joked about how please I was that they hadn’t drowned!!
I found Gerry at the bar chatting to the Dutch couple whom we had met in Khao Sok and were also spending some time on Koh Tao.
Well Gerry was completely exhausted especially getting back to the beach with the waves beating him, it was all too strenuous – he had second thoughts of going out with the boat tomorrow for a dive near a wreck!!
We were staying at the resort in the evening as we planned an early night just in case Gerry changed his mind about going out for the dive!
13th Day – 25th January
Apparently we had torrential rain all night but as I had my earplugs in, never heard anything – I slept right through it and when I woke up at 8.30 I had to wake up Gerry to let him know that it started raining! That’s when he told me it had rained all night!!!
It had cooled down a bit and it was actually quite pleasant – the wet soil and trees had a dang earthy smell and I could just imagine the shrubs and trees feeling grateful for the rain. No wonder it’s all so lusciously green here!
By the time we wanted to go down for breakfast, it was dry – however the restaurant was full and we shared a table where a young German couple was sitting!
Something I like about this trip is that everyone is interested in their fellow travellers whether they are old or young. Where have you been, where are you going to? are frequent questions………
Well Gerry cancelled his second diving session but that was also due to the stormy weather. By the time we were back in our cabin it started raining again! And this time I did take a video even though the rain was not always visible but the sound of falling rain was crashingly loud!
With the rain pouring down, we just relaxed in the cabin however Gerry had to be out on the deck to have his smoke! It was clear that most of the guests were in their cabins as the internet was very weak! Anyway the rain cleared up round noon so I decided to go for a walk round the resort and even go down to the beach to watch the huge waves. The wind that was blowing was actually quite warm – like a hair dryer!!!
Scenes of stormy weather on the beach front
As the weather seemed to hold out, we decided to go into town and as there was no shuttle at that moment, we paid 50baht per person to have the pick up truck take us. While we were waiting, the Canadian couple joined us and they decided to go into town as well – they hadn’t been there yet.
When we were dropped off at the jetty, it was chaotically busy as a ferry had just arrived. Travellers, old and young with backpacks or gigantic luggage, were wandering around trying to find out with which pickup would bring them to their resort. These were the brave travellers as the sea was very choppy and there must have been a few passengers who were sea sick and now thankful to be on safe ground!!
Chaotic scenery at the ferry – tourists arriving and pick up shuttles waiting
Our next stop was at Cafe del Sol where I could charge up my phone while enjoying a cappuccino – and Gerry enjoying his second ice cream! While sitting there watching the world go by, we were surprised – or not – to meet up with the Dutch couple from Ibiza! They too had decided to leave the resort and wander around town!
Gerry enjoying his addiction to ice cream
We wandered around town and one thing for sure – there’s no lack of diving schools offering PADI certification and no lack of Thai food stalls if all sorts including juice bars with mounds of exotic fruits
Also as cannabis has been legalised there are quite a few shops that have sprouted in Thailand https://www.dw.com/en/thailand-legal-uncertainty-dampens-thriving-weed-businesses/a-64109306
Some time later it started drizzling so we decided ( as it was still early for dinner ) to have a full body massage. Massage parlours are fully abundant on the Main Street so it was quite difficult to make a choice ! The first one we tried could only squeeze us in at 8pm ( and it was only gone 5.30 pm)!! But the second massage parlour that looked decent could take us both in at the same time.
This parlour had four cubicles separated by curtains and we were led to the last two – as we were together the curtain between us was left open allowing more space to move around. Anyway we were given a really good massage; the masseuses using their body weight to put pressure on various pain points. We had a full hour massage and then we added a manicure and pedicure for the both of us – first time for Gerry to have manicured hands!!! And all this for only 1.600 baht for the both of us so we left a very generous tip for the girls!
By the time we were ready and feeling more supple, it was gone 7 pm so we decided to go to our favourite Italian Cafe del Sol for dinner https://www.cafedelsol.ws/
Once again we had a lovely meal starting off with our usual cocktails ( gin tonic for Gerry and for me a Mojito)- the photos above are evidence of our delicious meal; tuna steak for Gerry, mixed vegan salad for the both of us and for me a vegan spaghetti ( of which I forgot to take a picture as I was so hungry!!)
For desert we had a crème brûlée for me and of course a dame blanche for Gerry ( that’s an overdose of vanilla ice cream for him today!)
As we had still some time before we had to take our shuttle back to Montalay, we ordered an Amaretto as a digestieve together with the bill.
We had such a good meal – one can live and eat very comfortably here in Thailand – the same meal back home would be triple the price!! Should I seriously think of spending winter in Thailand? Or perhaps move here ? Life is good here – even when it rains!!!
Our shuttle arrived on time but this time Gerry and I climbed into the back as some young Germans decided to crowd into the cabin – showing lack of respect for older citizens!! But never mind, we enjoyed the ride feeling the breeze through our hair and feeling young at heart – and it was dry!!!
Good night all!
