Last night I lay awake listening to the rain pounding outside, and I became so worried I woke up goldenbear70 to say how I was frightened that we would not be able to leave Ao Nang on Thursday as planned. "It will be fine," he replied sleepily.
A little later I was awakened by the silence - the rain had stopped! Hooray! It has rained a little more during the day today - but only light sprinkles. The flooded road we waded down yesterday mid-afternoon has drained dry now, and we walked it after breakfast this morning. Now the sunshine is beginning to creep through the canopy and clouds.
For a little while we have had our fill of Pat Thai noodles, pineapple fried rice, Tom Kha, Tom Yum, Panang and Mussamann curry, Satay and even fresh mango, papaya, pomelo and pineapple. We have befriended the cook here - her name is pronounced "Rahm." I have no idea how to spell it, but it means "umbrella." She is such a kind person. Alan mentioned he missed having rice for breakfast Tuesday, and today she made sticky rice - sweet rice wrapped in a banana leaf with coconut and mango - tastes like rice pudding - only better.
We prefer to eat here at the resort, because Rahm makes such nice meals for us. (And, we really did not enjoy the adventure of wading down that road yesterday.)We have to overlook the four kittens that roam in and out of the kitchen at will, climbing on the counter tops. I am not sure Rahm washes her hands before she prepares our food, but so far we have remained healthy. Thank God for his blessings.
Our dear friend, Toy, calls us twice each day to make sure we are happy and safe. We will get to see her in Bangkok when we return from Perth. Tomorrow, early in the morning we have a confirmed ride to the airport for our flight to Oz.
As I look out our cabin window I am amazed at the beautiful plants that grow here and how clean each leaf is from the great washing they have had this week. Some of the plants with larger leaves bowed down from the pounding of the rain - the same as heavy wet snow weighs down the tree branches in the winter. Speaking of winter: Bangkok's low was only forty-something degrees Farenheit today, and we heard there is a freeze warning in Charleston. El Nina? Global Warming? Climate Change? How about just plain old fluctuating weather patterns?
Our next post will be from Down Under if all goes according to plan, so listen for an Aussie accent.
goldenbear70 & his honey
1343, Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Still Raining - Where's the Ark?
Three days of steady very heavy rain! We are starting to see a lot of flooding. We read that in this week alone there has been more rainfall than the average yearly rainfall in this area (41 centimeters in the past 24 hours). We walked to the beach at 1100 to get some lunch and walk around a bit. Became completely soaked through our clothes in spite of carrying umbrellas. As we attempted to walk back to the resort, we found the road impassable to vehicles. Within only a couple of hours, we found flooding as deep as one meter - walked through the rushing water, praying that we would not encounter any snakes. I am sure the water we walked through was full of trash and maybe worse, so needless to say, we showered and sent our clothes to the laundry immediately. That's enough adventure for me.
I am staying close to the cabin and hoping the rain lets up enough to allow us to get to the airport on Thursday, 31 March. A couple of people have commented that I am on the computer a lot for 'vacation.' Thank goodness we have a good Internet connection, because that is our main entertainment. It is fantastic that we can post photos and read responses from people all over the world - that Chris could post Chase's video of Karate competition, and we could see it all the way over here - that we can call our friends and family using Skype, talking to Australia and the US.
For photos go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21984041@N08/sets/72157626246244921/
goldenbear70 & his honey
1754 Local Time - Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
(only two more sleeps and we can leave)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Another [Rainy] Day In Paradise
Another day in paradise, monsoon version 2011….It stopped raining long enough for me to explore around town and work up a sweat climbing the monkey trail to the Centara Krabi Resort. The trail starts at the end of the beachfront road at Ao Nang and rises about 175 feet over a headland protecting the resort from the “riff-raff” at Ao Nang.
Friday I had a pedicure done by about 100 little fish in a tank. I laughed so hard I drew a crowd and made a sale for the guy as a woman “wanted what I was having.” Saturday I had a manicure on the beach by a lady who did a great job and charged $3, which included a pineapple slice on a stick and a banana. Her “shop” was under a tree on the beach, and she worked while I watched the ocean and swimmers at the beach. It was certainly a unique experience!
More rain last night, and more rain this morning. We must have had 10 inches of rain since we arrived on Thursday, and the forecast is for rain every day until we leave. No wonder the jungle is green!
Otherwise we have stayed close to our cabin especially when we found there is a restaurant here with food as good as or better than in town.
We thought about taking a boat excursion we saw advertised in town – a sunset tour with ‘Captain Yum Yum” to one of the surrounding islands. The cruise included dinner and snorkeling in an underwater cave with phosphorescent lighting. We were psyched to go until we read a review about the tour that indicated there was no First Aid kit aboard, and a previous tourist found himself swimming among sharks while bleeding, after cutting himself on some coral. The reviewer also mentioned that Captain Yum Yum is a woman who did not appear to know anything about the boat. A word to the wise –
Today (Monday) we met the owner of our resort who also owns a resort on the other side of the cliffs. She recommended that, if the rain lets up, we take a boat there (Phra Nang) from Ao Nang. At this point it is hard to imagine the rain will let up. I think we are up to 15 inches now. The weather guesser says 100% chance of precipitation for the next three days.
Friday I had a pedicure done by about 100 little fish in a tank. I laughed so hard I drew a crowd and made a sale for the guy as a woman “wanted what I was having.” Saturday I had a manicure on the beach by a lady who did a great job and charged $3, which included a pineapple slice on a stick and a banana. Her “shop” was under a tree on the beach, and she worked while I watched the ocean and swimmers at the beach. It was certainly a unique experience!
More rain last night, and more rain this morning. We must have had 10 inches of rain since we arrived on Thursday, and the forecast is for rain every day until we leave. No wonder the jungle is green!
Otherwise we have stayed close to our cabin especially when we found there is a restaurant here with food as good as or better than in town.
We thought about taking a boat excursion we saw advertised in town – a sunset tour with ‘Captain Yum Yum” to one of the surrounding islands. The cruise included dinner and snorkeling in an underwater cave with phosphorescent lighting. We were psyched to go until we read a review about the tour that indicated there was no First Aid kit aboard, and a previous tourist found himself swimming among sharks while bleeding, after cutting himself on some coral. The reviewer also mentioned that Captain Yum Yum is a woman who did not appear to know anything about the boat. A word to the wise –
Today (Monday) we met the owner of our resort who also owns a resort on the other side of the cliffs. She recommended that, if the rain lets up, we take a boat there (Phra Nang) from Ao Nang. At this point it is hard to imagine the rain will let up. I think we are up to 15 inches now. The weather guesser says 100% chance of precipitation for the next three days.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Blame It On Living In Charleston
My Uncle Conril used to say that when he asked his Charleston friends where they were going on vacation, they replied, "We're already here." Maybe that is my problem. I live in such a nice place, I cannot be pleased when going on vacation.
Seriously, though, this place is a big disappointment compared to what I had pictured. Goldenbear70 did not even mention in his post about the 1/4-inch-long hard-shelled beetle-like insect that flew into my eye last night. And that smell? Well, I was not the only one that noticed. When the team of staff members came to check out our malfunctioning TV and safe, one of the ladies went out and came back with several little sachets which she proudly hung all around the room. No mater how many sachet pouches you hang, sewerage still smells like sewerage.
The rock-hard bed was not too bad. I think I turned often enough to prevent bruising, and I safely passed the night without any "skeeter" bites. When I showered this morning I was pleasantly surprised as I stepped into the rock-lined stall with exposed aggregate floor. It was like standing outside in the rain. Then I looked up to see an entire squadron of mosquitoes swarming and ready to make a dive for the kill.
Breakfast was very nice - lots of tropical fruits. I think they grow the bananas right here on the property. The gardens surrounding the cabins are beautiful. Homeowners in the States pay a fortune to have their place landscaped like this, and I think it is natural. They like to serve baked beans here along with eggs, sausage and cereal. The pool looks pretty inviting, and I think the sun is trying to peek through the canopy.
This post is starting to sound like the song "Hello, Muddah, Hello Faddah." I do feel a little like I used to at summer camp. "HELP!"
Still goldenbear70's honey
Day One of our Week-long Sentence Here at Phu Pha Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
("Krabi" is pronounced krahBEE - not CRAbee)
Seriously, though, this place is a big disappointment compared to what I had pictured. Goldenbear70 did not even mention in his post about the 1/4-inch-long hard-shelled beetle-like insect that flew into my eye last night. And that smell? Well, I was not the only one that noticed. When the team of staff members came to check out our malfunctioning TV and safe, one of the ladies went out and came back with several little sachets which she proudly hung all around the room. No mater how many sachet pouches you hang, sewerage still smells like sewerage.
The rock-hard bed was not too bad. I think I turned often enough to prevent bruising, and I safely passed the night without any "skeeter" bites. When I showered this morning I was pleasantly surprised as I stepped into the rock-lined stall with exposed aggregate floor. It was like standing outside in the rain. Then I looked up to see an entire squadron of mosquitoes swarming and ready to make a dive for the kill.
Breakfast was very nice - lots of tropical fruits. I think they grow the bananas right here on the property. The gardens surrounding the cabins are beautiful. Homeowners in the States pay a fortune to have their place landscaped like this, and I think it is natural. They like to serve baked beans here along with eggs, sausage and cereal. The pool looks pretty inviting, and I think the sun is trying to peek through the canopy.
This post is starting to sound like the song "Hello, Muddah, Hello Faddah." I do feel a little like I used to at summer camp. "HELP!"
Still goldenbear70's honey
Day One of our Week-long Sentence Here at Phu Pha Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
("Krabi" is pronounced krahBEE - not CRAbee)
We Put Ourselves Down for the Week
Well, today we left the comfort and opulence of the Renaissance Bangkok for a trip south to the resort town of Krabi. We spent a few hours at the airport before boarding a Thai Airways jet full of crying babies and tourists from all over the world.
Our taxi driver was waiting for us when we exited the baggage claim, and his only words to us were “long way,” indicating how far away he parked. Nothing else was said on the 40 minute drive, even when he ran three red lights or crossed into the oncoming traffic lane to pass a slower car. Quite an experience.
When we arrived at the rustic resort centered on a swimming pool about a mile form the beach, Debbie said, “I thought it was on the beach!” Other comments were: “there’s a mosquito in here,” “the TV doesn’t work,” “how much did we pay for the flight here?” “are we committed for the whole week?” “the bed is like a board,” "there is actually mold on these pillows" and “if we come back (to the restaurant we ate at tonight) tomorrow night do you think they’ll play a different song?” Or how ‘bout this—“what’s that smell in the bathroom—did you flush?” Not a very auspicious start to our vacation.
Now there’s a monkey or some other animal running around on the roof of our cottage—“what’s that noise, a rat?” Oh boy—it will be a long week…
goldenbear70, himself - she's not speaking yet
Our taxi driver was waiting for us when we exited the baggage claim, and his only words to us were “long way,” indicating how far away he parked. Nothing else was said on the 40 minute drive, even when he ran three red lights or crossed into the oncoming traffic lane to pass a slower car. Quite an experience.
When we arrived at the rustic resort centered on a swimming pool about a mile form the beach, Debbie said, “I thought it was on the beach!” Other comments were: “there’s a mosquito in here,” “the TV doesn’t work,” “how much did we pay for the flight here?” “are we committed for the whole week?” “the bed is like a board,” "there is actually mold on these pillows" and “if we come back (to the restaurant we ate at tonight) tomorrow night do you think they’ll play a different song?” Or how ‘bout this—“what’s that smell in the bathroom—did you flush?” Not a very auspicious start to our vacation.
Now there’s a monkey or some other animal running around on the roof of our cottage—“what’s that noise, a rat?” Oh boy—it will be a long week…
goldenbear70, himself - she's not speaking yet
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
We Have Arrove!
Just after posting at NRT, we felt another earthquake - I did not hear what the magnitude was, but it lasted a good 15 seconds and made the building creak and lights sway.
Our flight on Thai Airlines was great with excellent service. My only complaint: too many announcements over the PA. You know how it goes. Your pilot makes the announcement about the anticipated duration and altitude for the trip (as if that information makes a difference to the passengers?) and then tells you all the places you will be flying over and what the weather is like at the destination. All I really needed to know is how long the flight would last. Instead we had to hear him babble on and on, first in Thai - then in Japanese - and finally in English. It was useless information to know that we would be flying over Viet Nam, the Me Kong River, Laos, etc., because it was dark the entire flight, and the shades were down. It would not have been so bad, but we were trying to watch a movie at this point.
We are now settling in to the Renaissance Hotel on Ploenchit Road in Bangkok. It is one of the newest hotels here - if not 'the' newest. The candies at the front desk were wrapped in pink paper in honor of it being Tuesday.
goldenbear70's honey
0015, Renaissance Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Our flight on Thai Airlines was great with excellent service. My only complaint: too many announcements over the PA. You know how it goes. Your pilot makes the announcement about the anticipated duration and altitude for the trip (as if that information makes a difference to the passengers?) and then tells you all the places you will be flying over and what the weather is like at the destination. All I really needed to know is how long the flight would last. Instead we had to hear him babble on and on, first in Thai - then in Japanese - and finally in English. It was useless information to know that we would be flying over Viet Nam, the Me Kong River, Laos, etc., because it was dark the entire flight, and the shades were down. It would not have been so bad, but we were trying to watch a movie at this point.
We are now settling in to the Renaissance Hotel on Ploenchit Road in Bangkok. It is one of the newest hotels here - if not 'the' newest. The candies at the front desk were wrapped in pink paper in honor of it being Tuesday.
goldenbear70's honey
0015, Renaissance Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Never Have So Many Done So Much For So Few
Here we sit for a little under an hour at the United Lounge in Narita. Our flight on ANA was exceptional! There were less than a dozen people in our class, so the service was superb - young ladies strolling the aisles ready to attend to our every need before we even knew we had a need. As our Thai friend says, the definition of perfection = "Japanese wife, American house, Thai food." If you cannot have a Japanese wife a Japanese flight attendant is the next best thing.
I think we ate about 3000 calories in the 14-hour flight. We had the sirloin steak meal, which was billed "Beef is from U.S. and has the original taste of beef."... er- as opposed to what? I was so comfortable, I did not want to land - slept about six-to-seven hours and watched "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" and "Life As We Know It." Both movies were delightful. Arigato gozaimasu, ANA!!
Not only was the plane uncrowded, but the airport here at NRT is very quiet. One of our flight attendants told us she was at her Tokyo home during the quake and had never before experienced such a long or strong temblor, even though she is used to earthquakes. She said that the day of the quake some of the ANA flights had to do touch-and-go and land at other airports. Incidentally, there was another quake (aftershock) measuring 5.9 today.
I looked so fresh as we boarded, but after sleeping in my clothes and makeup, I am not fit for a photo. Suffice it to say we shall shower and freshen up when we get to our hotel in Bangkok.
goldenbear70 & his honey
1607, local time, Tuesday, 22 March
Narita Airport, Tokyo, Japan
I think we ate about 3000 calories in the 14-hour flight. We had the sirloin steak meal, which was billed "Beef is from U.S. and has the original taste of beef."... er- as opposed to what? I was so comfortable, I did not want to land - slept about six-to-seven hours and watched "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" and "Life As We Know It." Both movies were delightful. Arigato gozaimasu, ANA!!
Not only was the plane uncrowded, but the airport here at NRT is very quiet. One of our flight attendants told us she was at her Tokyo home during the quake and had never before experienced such a long or strong temblor, even though she is used to earthquakes. She said that the day of the quake some of the ANA flights had to do touch-and-go and land at other airports. Incidentally, there was another quake (aftershock) measuring 5.9 today.
I looked so fresh as we boarded, but after sleeping in my clothes and makeup, I am not fit for a photo. Suffice it to say we shall shower and freshen up when we get to our hotel in Bangkok.
goldenbear70 & his honey
1607, local time, Tuesday, 22 March
Narita Airport, Tokyo, Japan
Monday, March 21, 2011
Two Steps Forward - One Step Back
After two or three frustrated attempts since the first of February to go west of California, we are on our way once again. It seems that everything has combined against our going to Australia - runway repairs at Travis; an unusually high number of Space A travelers; even an earthquake and tsunami - c'mon!
Packing has become a Groundhog Day-type chore - you would think I could have just left everything packed, but the dynamic changes with a seasonal adjustment and flying commercially vs. Space A. There is now no need at all to wear warm layers as we do for the military flights. And since we are flying most of the way Business Class, we do not need to pack any snacks!
We had a very smooth Space A trip to McGuire, arriving in time for Chase's baptism in Newtown, PA on 13 March. Afterward Andrew drove us to Dover on his way home [sort of] to Williamsburg from there. We stayed a couple of nights at the Air Force Inn and took a flight back to Charleston. In fact we were the only passengers on that plane. The next morning we attempted to get the scheduled flight to Riverside, but it was canceled and so was a subsequent flight to Dover, where we thought we could connect to a California flight. Carson has just moved to Los Angeles, and it would have been fun to spend a little time with him there but the AMC gremlins had other ideas.
Goldenbear70 always finds things to keep him busy with the yard, the pool, repairing a hole in our screened porch that a critter tore open, and even having a couple of attic exhaust fans installed in our roof. His biggest project, however, was to arrange a flight to Bangkok with frequent flyer miles and then a flight from there to Perth! Hooray, we are finally booked, and it looks like it might be a great trip after all.
This morning we flew to Dulles, where we are waiting for our connecting flight through Narita and on to Bangkok. Mark says I must keep these posts short, or he will not read them. How's this length, Markie?
goldenbear 70's honey
Packing has become a Groundhog Day-type chore - you would think I could have just left everything packed, but the dynamic changes with a seasonal adjustment and flying commercially vs. Space A. There is now no need at all to wear warm layers as we do for the military flights. And since we are flying most of the way Business Class, we do not need to pack any snacks!
We had a very smooth Space A trip to McGuire, arriving in time for Chase's baptism in Newtown, PA on 13 March. Afterward Andrew drove us to Dover on his way home [sort of] to Williamsburg from there. We stayed a couple of nights at the Air Force Inn and took a flight back to Charleston. In fact we were the only passengers on that plane. The next morning we attempted to get the scheduled flight to Riverside, but it was canceled and so was a subsequent flight to Dover, where we thought we could connect to a California flight. Carson has just moved to Los Angeles, and it would have been fun to spend a little time with him there but the AMC gremlins had other ideas.
Goldenbear70 always finds things to keep him busy with the yard, the pool, repairing a hole in our screened porch that a critter tore open, and even having a couple of attic exhaust fans installed in our roof. His biggest project, however, was to arrange a flight to Bangkok with frequent flyer miles and then a flight from there to Perth! Hooray, we are finally booked, and it looks like it might be a great trip after all.
This morning we flew to Dulles, where we are waiting for our connecting flight through Narita and on to Bangkok. Mark says I must keep these posts short, or he will not read them. How's this length, Markie?
goldenbear 70's honey
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