TEMPERATURE SCREENSHOT
ITINERARY FOR THE DAY
We started the day with a yummy breakfast Omelette. Amethyst and Sapphire Cafe’ is in the making. We’ve already had one unexpected guest to our Balcony Café.
Scooter Practice, Practice, Practice. Richard feeling more confident and ready to take Mandy for that ride of her life.
The first “Amethyst and Sapphire” Scooter trip started off very cautiously with a few hair-raising intersection challenges. We both gained confidence as we rode along (the driver gained confidence in the driver and the passenger gained confidence in the driver).
The roads on the island were definitely a challenge to the rusty scooter driver. No street signs, no stop signs or traffic lights at most of the intersections. The roads are quite narrow and parts almost resemble a mini 4X4 testing area. Potholes and disrepair in sections can cause quite a bumpy ride. The driver wished at time that he had as much cushioning in the rear end as did the passenger. LOL
Then there are the Songthaews, taxis, trucks and other scooters and pedestrians AND stray dogs thrown into the mix to make for a very focused and almost paranoid driving experience. Needless to say, once we got used to the mechanics of “Thai” scooter driving, we felt more relaxed and could actually enjoy the freedom only felt by motor-bike riders. The wind blowing past as we scooted along was exhilarating. As were the various food aromas as we zoomed past food vendors along the side of the road.
The trip was so enjoyable we soon found ourselves back in the vicinity of the Big C Shopping Centre and decided to pop in for a few needed items. (coffee was getting low – a cause for alarm). And Mandy triumphantly found Tim Tams (one of the most delicious biscuits in existence) for much cheaper than in Cape Town. (36 Baht) The treat for the day.
So it was then back to the hotel to drop off our goodies and triumphantly this time for Richard, who smugly avoided the Hotel Sign (which is still standing somewhat askew).
Next stop, the local market.
Experiencing shopping at the local market was amazingly interesting. Not recognizing some of the vegetables and fruit was a crazy feeling. Hardly anyone speaks any English at all and could not help identify what they were selling. We resorted to a “well this could be a …” or “well that looks like a …” or “didn’t we see that on Masterchef Australia?” LOL-Great fun.
Everything was however very fresh and clean. The markets sell everything from fresh seafood to meat (chopped up as you want on a board – including the “offal”), fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs (all colors?), spices, condiments etc. So we will definitely no longer be shopping at the “westernized” shopping malls or supermarkets unless we really need something specific.
After wandering from market to market Mandy eventually decided on some fresh fruit (recognizable) and eggs (from a chicken). We still have to find out what the pink and other colored eggs are.
After we left the market we decided to go off the main touristy streets and scout around the more local streets. We by chance drove past the entrance to the private airport on the island. All the streets along the way look the same. Local eateries and stalls one after the other. Once again we were reminded that many of the local Thai people live to survive.
On the way back we stopped to take photos of a roadside bar Mandy spotted named the Gypsea Beach Bar, and the fishing boats in the bay.
We treated ourselves to a Pizza and Beer at the B B Café. Richard was craving loads of melted stringy cheese. B B Café is owned by a Turkish gentleman who is married to a local Thai. We were honored to have him come and chat to us about his love of Thailand and his aspirations for the restaurant going forward which will soon offer Turkish cuisine. His description of the preparation of the various meals and just thinking about these spicy beef kebabs with yoghurt dipping sauces was enough to make our mouths water. If their Pizza is anything to go by, we will definitely revisit the B B Café’.
The evening is ending off with another bout of cooling rain and distant flashes of lightning. Actually come to think of it, it has rained at least once every day (or evening), since we arrived on Koh Samui. Another thing we did not expect. Pity we cannot send any rain to our home country.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Arriving back safely from our scooter ride. Even the Choengmon Beach Hotel Sign sighed with relief and the heavens opened up with a welcoming rain. What an experience.
Love the helmets.