Late March – Final Days, Final Thoughts

When we arrived in Dec, the weather was very pleasant – even a bit cool – approximately 18C in the early morning, mid 20Cs in the afternoon. Gradually it got warmer, and by mid-March, it was truly hot! Mid-day temperatures reached 34C and dropped to only 27-29C overnight.

As the heat increased, things changed. The air became still, soft and saturated. The Thais began carrying umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun and heat, mangoes dripped from the trees, my skin was constantly wet with sweat, and the night air was filled with the fragrant scent of frangipani and jasmine.

While the heat could certainly be uncomfortable and oppressive, it was also an experience to be observed, savoured and enjoyed rather than simply something to complain about.

On Apr 1, we left Hua Hin and the heat behind, and took our fond memories with us.

Until next time …

Time to Leave

Often I tease people with tales of "chicken buses" in Southeast Asia. Such buses are uncomfortable, old, not air conditioned, and transport all imaginable goods including chickens. Thailand has such buses, but they also have luxurious ones that transport people to all major cities in the country.

The VIP bus pictured below is one example of a luxury bus. It has only 3 seats across, seats are reserved, lunch is provided and there is a bathroom on board. Marianne and Bill were transported in comfort from Hua Hin to Phuket.

Marianne and Bill ready to board

More Hua Hin Activities

Our March guests settled in quickly. Some of their activities included: beach time, golf, sampling Thai food, cooking classes and a visit to the elephant sanctuary.

Yet another warm (hot), sunny day on the beach in Hua Hin

Colourful kite boarders, walkers and sunbathers share the beach

Bill, Lance and Ken on the course

Our favourite cook and restaurant: Moon Smile and Palatoo

At the cooking school. Looks good, and tastes even better!

March Guests

After four weeks on our own, we welcomed our next guests. Marianne and Bill arrived Mar 5 and left on Mar 15; Ken and Pam arrived on Mar 7 and left on Mar 12. They all enjoyed their stay with us and the town of Hua Hin.

Bill and Marianne

Pam and Ken

News from Home

While we are away, people keep us informed about what’s happening at “home” and let us know when there is something we are missing. Here is one example provided by our brother-in-law, Paul:

"We're so sorry for you to hear about the hot and sunny weather that continues in Thailand. Hopefully you'll get a break from that pattern soon. The winter weather in South Western Ontario has been wonderful. We have had an abundance of snow and we seem to get more every day. We've had so much snow we're running out of places to put it. Road and weather conditions can change every hour and that keeps travel conditions very interesting. At night we're experiencing freezing fog and hoar frost which adds to the excitement of driving. It is also one of the coldest winters on record and we've had constant cold weather alerts from the Health departments. Weather stations have added “Polar Vortex" to their vocabulary. We had a pipe burst in our basement in early January, so now we get up in the middle of the night to flush the toilets and run the water taps. It's so invigorating to get outside and hear the snow squeak when you walk. I'm having lots of fun using my snow blower and we're getting lots of exercise shovelling snow. The cats are loving the fireplace running extended hours. It's unfortunate and sad that you're missing out on all this great winter weather!"

Melaka, Malaysia

When you arrive by air in Thailand, you are granted a 30 day visa at no charge. Since we were staying for 4 months (actually 125 days), we purchased two 60 day visas before we left Canada. The first visa was activated on arrival, but to activate the second, we had to leave the country and then re enter. To accommodate the visa limit and our departure date, our decision was to leave Thailand Jan 26 and return until Feb 3: this gave us two 59 day blocks in Thailand.

Where to go? Our answer was Melaka, Malaysia. We had never been to Melaka. It is easily accessible via Air Asia through Kuala Lumpur, and the town itself is interesting. In 2008 it was designated a WorldHeritage Site because of its multicultural history and significance as a major trading port from the 15^th to 18^th century.

Trishaw, ready for hire

Trishaws, like fireflies at night

It was a good choice and worth the visit. The historic centre is small, easy to walk, and filled with museums, churches and temples as well as a thriving China town. Chinese New Year was Jan 31 – year of the horse – so we were there for the festivities and decorations and the streets were filled with families enjoying the holiday.

Entrance to Jonkers St, China Town Melaka

Small Chinese Temple

Huge Joss (incense) sticks decorate a temple entrance

Airport Pickup/Drop Off

Our airport taxi driver of choice is Preecha. He met us at the airport and also transported all of our other guests to and from BKK. He is careful, punctual and talkative. On Feb 5, Larry and Mary Beth left for the airport with Preecha. The last trip he will do for us until March when others arrive.

Bangkok Hospital

Both Butch and Larry made a trip to the Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin. Butch had a skin rash and Larry had food poisoning. Both were very impressed – and both recovered!

Bangkok Hospital is a private hospital network with many locations in Thailand. Initially started in Bangkok in 1972, the hospital is one of the largest privately owned hospitals in Southeast Asia, and has grown to one of the most advanced hospitals in the world.

The one in Hua Hin opened in 2012. Service is excellent, staff are well trained, and English speaking doctors are available. As stated on their website, the hospital is “your trusted partner in health care.” They market their services within the country and internationally. As you can see below, they take every opportunity to promote their brand and services.

Hosting in Thailand

As hosts, our initial tasks were to orient our guests to Hua Hin, outline house rules, suggest tourist activities, and direct them to travel agents as needed. Within a short time, they were able to find their way around, hire their own taxis, and discover new places and activities.

Some of our activities included: shopping for silk at Rashnee, dinner at restaurants on the beach, a visit to the elephant sanctuary (Hutsadin), visiting Buddhist temples (wats) and shrines, attending a Thai Boxing match (Muay Thai), and experiencing Thai delicacies at cooking classes and restaurants.

Shopping at Rashnee: We made several purchases here from silk scarves and tunics to a custom made dress that Mary Beth will wear at her daughter’s wedding.

Mini museum at Rashnee, explaining silk production process

Linda, happy with her purchases

Dinners: Our guests treated us to various dinners. Here we are at restaurant on the beach on a beautiful evening.

Dinner on the beach

Hutsadin Elephant Sanctuary: We did not take an elephant ride – other customers did. Instead, we participated in the Mahout experience and got to feed, wash, and walk the elephants. The sanctuary specializes in rehabilitating injured or neglected elephants.

Other customers on an elephant ride

Mary Beth feeding the baby elephant

Lance washing the elephant

Larry feeding bananas

Wats and Shrines: Buddhist temples (wats) and shrines are everywhere in Thailand. They range from simple village temples to the grand palace in Bangkok. The caves near Petchaburi are a good example of a shrine. Hundreds of years old, they are filled with buddha images and altars. People visit them to make offerings for merit and good luck.

Deep in the Petchaburi cave

Monk offering a blessing

Muay Thai: While I am not a fan of boxing or “blood” sports, Muay Thai is interesting and unique to Thailand. Boxers use their feet and knees to deliver punches as well as their hands.

Lance with the winner of the main fight

Lance with the loser of the main fight

Cooking Clasess: Like other places in Thailand, Hua Hin offers cooking courses. I attended this one in Dec and Larry and Mary Beth went in Jan. Everything was outstanding - the instructor, market visit, demonstration, organzation, food and reference materials. Highly recommended. For pictures and more details click here.

January Guests

Our first guests, Kevin and Nancy, arrived on Jan 6. They arrived safely and on time; however, they were very tired and not really sure about what day it was! No surprise since they experienced a 12hr time change and had been travelling for ~30hr. After a shower, some sleep and food, they were as good as new.

Our next guest, Linda, arrived on Jan 9. Again she was very tired, and glad to have finally arrived and extremely pleased to have been able to leave YYZ. The day she flew out was unusually cold and many flights were either delayed or cancelled.

Our next guests, Larry and Mary Beth, arrived on Jan 15 - the day that Linda left. Good timing! They were quite happy to sleep and rest for the first few days before they ventured too far.

Shopping

In addition to shopping malls, and large modern stores like Macro (similar to COSTCO), Hua Hin still has authentic open markets where you can buy anything from meat, fish, vegetables, flowers and clothes as well as prepared foods. Pictures can provide the images - only part of the experience - the smells and sounds are missing!

Market vendors quickly become aware that foreigners (farang) have NO idea of the cost of anything! As a result, the vendors who operate in areas the tourists frequent charge higher prices. We tend to avoid these areas, and have found vendors nearby who happily offer us “Thai” prices for fruits and vegetables.

Mango and sticky rice to go. Delicious!

Banana seller

Transportation

We are completely enjoying our spacious, quiet and secure rental home; however, the one drawback is that there are few things that we can walk to. Which leads me to transportation options and the motorcycle. Thailand offers many options from rental cars, taxis (both car and motorcycle), tuk tuks, and buses (of various sizes and quality!).

Sawngthaew

Tuk Tuk

Of course, Lance is my preferred motorcycle taxi driver!

We have rented a motorcycle for the 4 months. It is most useful, and Lance is more comfortable on it each day - he rode for many years at home. I have tried to learn, but I am NOT road ready yet!

King's Birthday

The King of Thailand is the longest serving monarch in the world. People genuinely revere him, and anyone can be imprisoned for making disparaging remarks about the king, his family or the monarchy in general. On Dec 5, 2013, he celebrated his 86th birthday.

This was a huge celebration in Hua Hin since he is now living here permanently. The town was festooned with more pictures and banners than usual. A large event was held at the palace on the day, the road was blocked, the military paraded, dignitaries spoke, and the king himself addressed the crowd.

Like all businesses the Hilton Hotel had a display to honour the king and his birthday. Gold or yellow are the colours used to honour the king. As you can see in the display below even the flowers are gold and yellow. 

Living in Hua Hin

If memory serves us correctly, this is our 11th trip to Thailand; however, this is the first time that we have planned to stay in one location for the entire time – 4 months. We are essentially living in Thailand. Just like at home we have to clean the house, and do the grocery shopping and laundry. But different than home, we have to find where to purchase what we need, and arrange transportation since we don't have a car.

Our first guests in our new home came to help us celebrate Lance's birthday.

Jake and Orn help us celebrate

After 4 weeks, we are settled. We have found the best places to buy what we need, built a list of reliable taxi drivers, joined the fitness club at the Hilton Hotel, purchased a second phone, and rented both a motorcycle and a bicycle. Lance has also joined one of the golf associations, and now qualifies for course discounts as well as being able to participate in weekly games.

Ple, our fitness club attendant at the Hilton

Arrival Nov 29

After approximately 30hr, we arrived on time at BKK, Suvarnahbumi International Airport in Bangkok. Our private taxi driver, Preecha, was there to greet us and take us to Hua Hin. Three hours larger we arrived at our rental home.

When you rent online, there is always some trepidation: will the house exist, will it look like the pictures, will it be what we expected. Yes, the house is exactly as advertised. It is quite perfect, well equipped and well furnished.

Shoreline we left behind ...

Shoreline of Hua Hin ...