December 25
We went down to the restaurant where we were told breakfast would be served. We had barely sat down and a waitress bought us our breakfast. Two fried eggs, 3 cocktail sausages wrapped in something that looked like a thin piece of Spam decorated with dried lettuce, slice of tomatoe and very dried slice of cucumber. The only other thing on offer was tea and coffee and of course rice.
We took a Tuktuk into the main town on the island – Amphoe Ko Yao. The driver said he would take us to the market. What he meant was the small supermarket 24/7. We walked the length of the street and back the other side. We wanted some beer or other drink to take back to the bungalow.
What we hadn’t considered was the island is very highly populated by Muslims who do not drink. Even the supermarket does not sell anything with alcohol in it. Beginning to look a lot like Christmas with no drink!!!!
I wanted a new dress to wear on New Years Eve and managed to find one in one of the little shops. Cost me £14 for a full length cotton dress (made in Thailand).
By luck we saw some cans of beer in another dress shop. We approached the gentleman who invited us into the shop. He kept saying the “alcohol room was at the back”. Well the shop was enormous and went on for ever, selling dresses, t shirts, table cloths, toys and anything else you can think of. Eventually we came to the back room which was a little Aladdins cave full of beer and spirits. The owner explained that he is the only place in the town that sells alcohol. He has been running the shop for 16 years since inheriting it from his parents. He visits England once a year as his in laws live in Brighton. We had a lovely chat with him and purchased our bottles of beer.
He wished us a Happy Christmas and gave us a postcard and some sweets.
Into the pharmacy for ointment to take the sting out of bites (we are suffering daily). I don’t think he sold us anything more than green coloured Tiger Balm but we will give it a try.
We were unable to phone for the resort TukTuk to come and collect us so we paid for a local taxi back. Oh dear – you should have seen the look on the Resorts taxi drivers face. He wasn’t pleased. The Receptionist asked why we did not phone so I just told her we have English phones and they wouldn’t connect.
We walked over to the beach and decided to go to the bottom end where the restaurant is that we used yesterday. We had a very relaxing afternoon.
A couple of cocktails and Paul found a hammock to chill in with his book while I had a stroll along the sea shore to collect some shells.
I have had a pain in my back for a few days now so I asked the restaurant owner if she could recommend a massage parlour. She offered to take me to one next door and explain where my pain was. It turned out that she also owner this along with the restaurant.
The lady was very good and spent a lot of time working on my back which certainly had eased off but not completely better. By the time I went back to Paul (who I had left in the restaurant drinking beer) we were having a thunder storm with very heavy rain. The owner very kindly leant us an umbrella to return to the bungalow with.
A quick shower and change, the storm had blown over, and we walked back to the restaurant for dinner. Baan Chang Restaurant and Bar, the only restaurant and bar in the resort. The owners are so friendly and obliging. We both ordered duck with oranges. The waitress asked if we wanted rice but we showed her the menu which described it with french fries and vegetables. I questioned the vegetables and would they be hot. (We have been given lettuce as vegetables before now). I was assured it would be carrots and maybe green beans. All sounded good.
Dinner was served. No veg. Apparently the choice was veg or fries, not both. Not to worry, the duck was so succulent and it was lovely to have fries after weeks of rice and noodles.
We were given some complimentary prices of fresh pineapple as our desert. It was so sweet and refreshing.
Because it was Christmas day we tried to ask for an Irish coffee to finish the meal off. Well I got a cup of very strong coffee and a milk jug with some fresh milk in plus a separate glass of brandy. Paul only got a glass of white rum.
A stroll back to the bungalow along the lane, where we seemed to be the only people about, even though it was only 10pm. Everywhere was in darkness.
Well that’s Christmas day over for us. Its been a very different day but also very relaxing. No English Christmas stress.!!! I have to admit to getting a bit tearful seeing pictures of the Grandchildren and Comfy Cats, the cat hotel Mauro and Lucky are in. The owners very kindly give all the cats a stocking full of treats. Im sure next year I will be wishing I was back here.
Wishing a very happy Christmas to all our family and friends.