DAY 21 & 22 - MARKET DAY

After the busy day we had yesterday, took another pool day to recharge again.  Temperature has been averaging low 30's which translates to feeling like high 30's or even 40's with the humidity.  It's bearable on the beach or by the pool or in the shade if you're not moving around but trying to walk around in it can be really exhausting.

Day 21 - Market day

We were woken up this morning at 6:30 by a loud explosion at the complex and learned a little later that the main transformer blew. A small fire was quickly put out and the Thai hydro authority got right to work fixing it. There is a saying here, "T I T" ( This Is Thailand). Given we had no power the four of us got ready and went downtown for some air con shopping where we met Abe and Pon. The girls went for a pedicure while Phil, Abe and I  sat and talked at a Starbucks. They then  took us to a huge Friday market which was a mass of souvenir and cooking stalls with over 1,000 individual vendors. These stalls are erected in the morning (about 4:30 am) and disassembled at 4:30 that afternoon. An amazing feat in itself. Corinne was successful in finding two dresses (cover-ups) to buy - approx $5 CAD each. 

The heat was too much for the guys so we found a small bar and had a beer while the girls shopped. A street vendor came by selling fans that she wanted 350 baht each for (about $10.50 cad). Abe negotiated the price down to 200 baht ( ($6.60) so all three of us bought one. We then went to another market which sold foods to the locals, many interesting and unique sights and smells, most of which are not for us farangs (foreigners).  There were delicacies like eel, snake frog, turtle, fried bugs, (all still alive) and, of course, a variety of seafoods. We didn't stay long and moved on to a Japanese buffet restaurant where we had dinner. It was about 39degrees and very humid so we just came back to the condo after dinner and vegged out (the power was restored by mid afternoon).

During our drive back Abe pointed out another "lady boy". They are transvestites (sometimes transgendered) who work in the sex trade. It is quite amazing as they are often extremely beautiful and it isn't unusual for an unsuspecting guy looking for a girl to not know they are boys until it's too late...

On the road to Rayong

Thai version of "Lindal Log Homes" - pre fab teak & red cedar homes

The markings on the ceiling of Abe's SUV were put there by a monk.
You can take your vehicle to a temple and have a monk bless
it for you which provides good luck for safe journeys.  Kind of like
the Christians' Saint Christopher.