Krabi Day 3 & 4 - Cooling Off & Home Sweet Home

The sunrise and sunset are most glorious but how many of you have seen one and when was the last time you have seen one? No? They happened everyday in case you have forgotten! However, capturing a perfect sunrise or sunset is a bane for photographers in case of rain or on cloudy days. More often than not, you won't get a good one.

In the old days, when single and carefree, we do not need to observe time. We would hire a beach buggy jeep for $20 a day, grab a map and search for waterfalls. We go where the wind blows. We would retire late and drink at the beach bar. Sometimes, we got too tired and slept more the next day. On other days when we got up early, we would play beach soccer with the hotel staffs. This time, with young and old in toll, we just took a stroll. Such rustic charm can put you in a trance: "I wake up in the morning and the sun begins to shine....." listen to classic Scorpions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdofgSFWzjw (I make no apologies that I am a rocker!)

Still saving the world - one day, one place at a time. 




Afternoon sea, afternoon delight!

I told everyone that to come to the land of a thousand smiles without experiencing a Thai Ancient Massage is a crime. It's a double crime when it is like $8 an hour. 

Guess what this was? This was during massage and I was facing the floor. 

And this? Of course it's the ceiling when I turned over.

In Rome, do what the Romans do. Even Ronald knew how to do it. 

 

You can buy wigs or bandanna here. Time to invest in them bandanna as we go balder by the day. It looks cool to be anti-establishment or look like a pirate these days. Let's do Carlos Santana and be as "Smooth" (featuring Rob Thomas): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp413NynFk

Che Guevara's name and face is on my bandanna. Who is Che Guevara? He was an Argentine Marxist Revolutionary, a guerrilla leader, author, intellectual, military theorist, physician and diplomat. He was also a major figure of the Cuban Revolution who eventually became a symbol of rebellion. As a young medical student, he travelled across Latin America and he saw endemic poverty and economic inequalities which transformed him.

He believed this was an intrinsic result of capitalism, monopolism and imperialism. The only remedy to him was "world revolution". He was involved in Guatemala's social reforms and the Cuban Revolution. He was a prolific writer and created a manual on guerrilla warfare. He was unsuccessful in Congo-Kinshasa and later Bolivia where he got captured by CIA-assisted Bolivian forces and executed. Guevara remained a revered historical figure as he was about class struggle and always driven by morals and never materialism. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

"Wish you were here" moment. Sipping on Bacardi rum would be really nice.

Road side stall peddling Catfish and BBQ chicken wrapped in banana leaf if you fancy and can stomach them.

Shopping again. Ah, so Eden is right there. 

It was around here that I saw hammocks on sale and later forgotten about it. I need to get my hands on a hammock. 

Spot the difference?

Any?

It was here at Rialto that I released a couple of photos and a few words on facebook. The young man helping to serve was limping as he had a motorbike accident. Still he was joyous!Motorbikes are very popular in other places like Koh Samui too but over the years, it got dangerous. When we wanted fresh coconut shakes they had none and when we opted for young coconuts they had sold out so what they did next was this man rode his bike somewhere and came back with eight coconuts. Though these coconuts were older ones, I was very pleased with their going the extra mile. That is the epitome of good customer service!!

May be the people here are more accustomed to serving groups of 2-4 but not more than 10 so our mere patronage each time was a little stressful for them. 

As we wind down, we went pool-soaking. Egged on by my fans, I did Bruce Lee flying kicks landing into the deep end of the pool floor. I realised that being an action star or stuntman is tough as my photographers and directors were demanding making me run, jump and fly as they pleased and when all they took was a big splash in the pool totally missing the flying kick they just say cut and do a retake.

Here is Bruce Lee's flying kick! Bruce could leap 8-9 feet at his prime when you see him reached the head of Kareem Abdul Jabbar (7ft 2ins) so if an old man could leap 5 feet it is more than acceptable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsSoX6qB9N0

Then the dolphin leaps. 

I say set the dolphins free!!

Energy spent and final slack.

Dinner at next door Golden Beach. All seemed calm above the table but down below fighting like mad as mosquitoes buzzed around our legs. It was like a buffet for the mozzies. Surprisingly, all the farangs (Westerners) at nearby tables appeared calm throughout. From my power of deduction, mozzies only bite intelligent persons or they just do not like Western food! 

We survived Krabi!!

When at the airport do no think that those seats nearest to the entrance for boarding are not being occupied. Those a little behind are for the elderly or young children. Those right at the front are for monks. Monks are well-respected ane reverred in Thailand. I saw some passengers sitting there and thought they were modern monks. There were even western ones. When they realised later, they quickly moved away.

My favourite only nephew showed me what is the best coffee in Thailand - the "Black Canyon" coffee. He got the last one at the airport as they ran out of ice. 

We want you to come with us the next time! Yes, you!

Thanks for the memories and home sweet home!

We had a great time together but still there is no place like home! Khob Khun Krab!