More Thailand

ไน้กฟำ --That is just a little Thai for you all. I don't think it is a real word, i just typed some Thai letters, but it gives you a taste of just how foreign the writing is. Ao Nang, where we got scuba certified, catered to tourists, so they had English words as well as Thai on the menu. The Marriot was a huge resort, also catering to tourists, so they spoke decent English there as well. The last couple of days however, Nick, David, David's brother Jon and I have been hanging out in Chachoengsao and other less tourist friendly areas where there is no English writing, and the only ones speaking it are us. It has been an interesting switch, and I'd say a pleasant one. We spent our days at the Marriot lying in the sun, reading and sipping drinks. Nick let me go sailing with him one day, to say the least we had a pretty relaxing existence. Thanks again Greg. After the Marriot I had the choice of going back to Ao Nang with Greg while he got scuba certified or to go back to Chachoengsao, and I already told you which I did. When we got back to Chachoengsao we had another amazing dinner at the restaurant on the river. This time the owner of the restaurant was there, and since she is good friends with David's family we were treated like royalty. Like I said, everyone is speaking Thai, but I have learned a few key phrases like the polite way to say hello, thank you, its good, i don't want it, i am fine etc so that I can speak sometimes, but I am no where near following the conversation or knowing what people are saying to me most of the time. But everyone is extremely friendly, and I get by smiling and nodding and accepting whatever they offer. The next day another family friend ( I swear they know everyone in this town) took us to a farm up near the border of Laos, in the north east region of Thailand. It was great to experience such a remote region, where Nick and I were the only white people, or "falongs", that we saw the entire time. On the way our guide "Pi-Ow" stopped at a small shop near his house and got three huge, live fish from a bucket, which he put in a bag under his drivers seat. At his house he transferred them to a converted plastic gas container with a little water in it and so they were kept alive all the way to our destination. We made numerous stops like this, picking up whole chickens (these were cooked) and rice and other snacks until we at last reached the farm. A word about Thai car rides: On a two lane road in Thailand there are really three lanes. What I mean is that all drivers feel free to pass at anytime, even if another car is coming at them. The car they are passing moves over, as does the car coming at them, and so two lanes becomes three. Needless to say it took some getting used to. Anyway the farm was a good time, we had a feast. Nick, Jon and I saw the last part of a cow getting butchered, David opting out because it was the middle of dinner. The next day we went to a bull farm where they were milking a bull. Yeah you heard me. After that we spent the day going to a royal library/garden, vistas, a military support base converted into a museum, and a military monument. Then we began the seven hour drive back to Chachoengsao. Did I mention the car did not have air conditioning? That night we went to a different restaurant with its owner, got some more VIP treatment there and at a nearby club. At the club a popular band was playing, it sounded like Thai pop music. It was kind of intimidating being the only non-Thais, but it also made it a really enjoyable cultural experience. Yesterday we played 18 holes of golf. Golf is golf, but it is slight different in Thailand. For one, we had to use caddies, which I have never done. It was weird to have someone hand you your club, pick up your ball etc. Also, It was extremely hot and humid. We all drank gatorade and water constantly, and David and I had huge umbrellas that we carried around, and our caddies held for us while we took our shot. Overall it was loads and loads of fun, despite the sweat. I shot a course record! Highest score ever! Not really though. Now today we are updating the blogs (duh!) and then going to Bangkok. Kevin will meet us there. Greg will hopefully be there Sunday. He had more bad luck in Ao Nang. The doctor he went to for his sinuses had given him bad meds, so they did nothing. So diving was still a problem. So he has to dive again tomorrow. It is really a bummer and we are all hoping that Greg's luck turns around! Could it get any worse? On Monday we go to Cambodia. Once again David's mom has been amazing and made some arrangements for us so we are being very careful. Thanks Bubpha! I am not sure when I will update again. Hope everyone is safe and happy!--Mark