04 May 2010
May 4th 2010, another day in paradise, and this day was aimed at simplicity and relaxation after the huge post office mission and big night on the 3rd of May.
7.30am and the day stated with a necessary bathroom cleanup, but thanks to its clever design this was an effortless spray with the shower. I then took some Panadol and went back to sleep.
12pm, thanks entirely to a travel must – eye mask and ear plugs. James was up, I did some writing.
The days goals were simple, eat breakfast, buy some water, catch up on writing, and sit on the beach.
Breakfast was a mango, expertly cut up in front of me. I then sidetracked from the days goals and set off to buy some DVD’s. The seller’s approach as I was walking past caught me in an open mood, he showed me the examples he had in his stall but then beckoned James and I to follow him to where he had more “very close by”. Following him down an alleyway and into some building, and then into its back room seemed a little dodgy. Inside you find a well lit room with the four walls (including the door which is closed behind us) covered with DVD’s. I bought the following at $50 BHT each to watch:
- This is It
- Kick Ass
- Mao’s Last Dancer
- The Hangover
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Adobe Software [$80 BHT – Not working]
Annoyingly I found out that my CD drive plays them for a few minutes then f**ks up. I already knew this but had conveniently procrastinated doing anything about it while in Auckland with a laptop still under warranty – what a Muppet.
The day shot by, probably something to do with the midday sleep in. We had decided to stay another night where we were.
I did have a walk along the beach. I still haven’t been for a swim. I did try a Thai pancake with honey and banana, and at another street stall something that appeared to be a baby octopus kebab dipped in spicy sauce and cooked on a charcoal BBQ while you wait.
Later James and I went to a mobile restaurant for dinner, featuring cheap food which would mostly cater for locals.
There is a pool table downstairs in the place we are staying at. The lifestyle of the ladies who run the place is notably laid back, 90% of the time I have come and gone they have been sitting outside chatting. On this occasion they were playing pool and asked if we would like a game after. James and I had two good games; currently the score is sitting at one a piece.
That night I went out with my camera and took some photos and video footage of Patong’s busiest pedestrian street over a couple of beers.
[I’ve since downloaded some DVD playing software which I believe will play the DVD’s fine – perhaps my drive is okay after all]
