DAY 6 - SATTAHIP & BANG SARAY

Sattahip

  We were picked up at about 11 am and travelled south to a small fishing village called "Sattahip". This is where the land transfer office is for the entire region. Pon had sold a piece of property and needed to transfer title. Abe explained how there is an underground economy regarding these types of transactions which requires a  "special fee" to be paid (which goes directly into the civil servant's pocket). This can vary on the amount of transaction involved and, like many transactions in Thailand, can be negotiated.  Another interesting thing - the funds for the property sale are all in cash, not wire transfers or bank drafts!  While Pon was attending to her business, the five of us went for a walk down a main street of the beach area.  We're a little taken aback by the stench of raw sewage and the appearance of abject poverty that is present in this typical Thai village.  In the photo above, you can see the tangled mass of wires hanging above the street, to the left.  This is typical of every street (where they have services); it's pretty clear that construction methods and safety standards here are very different from what we're used to.  Without thinking, I adjusted the exposure on this photo as it was so dark.  In hindsight, should have left it as it was.  This photo does not really capture how dark and almost grimy this street felt.  I purchased a small tube of sunscreen for 80 baht ( $2) which may be the only sale that shop makes that day; didn't see any other pedestrians during our walk up and then back down the street.  It was a humbling experience and reminds us to appreciate what we have all the more.

As far as we can tell, every town, regardless of how impoverished it may seem, has a beautiful temple for the people to worship at.  These temples also act as a "community centre", influencing life, culture an education.  The temples are built and maintained by donations from the people.  The average income here is 200THB ($6.00) per day...


We went to another village called "Bang Saray" and had lunch at a seafood restaurant right on the beach. The food was wonderful, we had both deep fried and steamed grouper fresh from the tank, shrimp cakes, calamari, golden honey (a type of boccoli) cashew chicken, barbecued river shrimps on skewers (about 8" long, head to tail), soup and something we cannot remember the name of.  A beautiful setting and another spectacular meal. 

Bang Saray

Did a little window shopping on the way home.  Went to a shop where they sell all types of snakeskin, alligator and stingray hide wares.  Interesting to look at, but illegal for us to bring back to Canada.  Then went to a "trinket shop". Lots of stuff you can get anywhere but catering to Russians who have become the primary tourists in the area. They tend to be loud, demanding and rude; even the Thais, who are a very tolerant people, dislike the Russian tourists. Hopefully we do not have to interact with them too much.

As we headed home, there was a huge downpour.  Abe kept saying it wasn't bad - that we should see when it really pours….  Well, within a very short period of time there was a good 6 inches of water on the low side of the street (you could see the scooter tires were submerged).  Can't imagine what it's like around here during monsoon season.