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 ...