However, before we write any more about Khao Lak, we need to spend a moment praising the experience of flying in Asia and we say this without the slightest hint of sarcasm. It is truly a pleasure spending five minutes checking your bag, not paying a cent for it, getting through security in another five minutes, and just boarding a plane that leaves on time. And we are talking Bangkok Airport here, a major hub in Southeast Asia. The planes are modern and have plenty of leg room, even in coach. You pick your food from a menu, there is no “chicken or pasta”. You will not get charged for alcoholic beverages, they even come through with a bottle of cognac after lunch, also at no charge. They will not charge you for pillows or blankets or head sets. It is all included. On top pf that, they are even very nice to you. Sorry, but screw the “Friendly Skies”.
Back to Khao Lak, a small town on the western coast of Thailand that was hit hard by the Tsunami in December of 2004. Five years later, they need the Allied Forces to arrive and stage another D-Day because the Germans have taken over. Of the 20 million retirees in Deutschland, about one third must be spending their … well … spring vacation in Thailand, mostly Khao Lak. There are German restaurants serving Schnitzel and Weihenstephaner and bars advertise when the next Bundesliga Spiel will be shown via satellite on an HD TV. Other than that, the vacationers are harmless, unless you run into one at dinner who is a little too excited about the “lady boys” at the Moo Moo Cabaret.
The food is fabulous, if you like Thai food. The prices are pretty negligible. If you rent a motor bike for 200 bath a day (about $6) and drive to a place that doesn’t serve “Euro food”or “Swedish pizza” and is actually frequented by locals, you can easily have fantastic dinner for two for less than $10 including a large bottle of Thai beer, Leo or Singha.
On a different note, Jenn wants a pet elephant. Her name is “Gay” (Thai for “pretty lady”).
Sundays are great days in Thailand. Most stores are closed, at least in the morning, the weather is cooler, and there is not much traffic. So, we took the motor bike and spent the day “on the road”.
First, we took a walk on a sand bank made of coral.
Then, we played fetch with our elephants.
After that, we said hello to the hair-biting, glasses-stealing, shoe-eating monkey.
For dinner, we had “who the hell knows what’s in it” soup.
Finally, we didn’t lose money betting on our favorite Muai Thai fighter.
We really like it here.
