Riding the wind

Waiting
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Well Hua Hin was where we were reliably informed that we would find some wind for the kite-surfing Carl wanted to do. We stumbled off the bus at 3am and wandered the streets with our backpacks until we found Ammy's guesthouse were for a mere 20oBaht (3 pounds) we got to lay down our heads and rest. We eventually managed to find the Kiting place and got all signed up. And (after someone pointed out Andre's arm) we bought long-sleeved tops and bottoms to ward off jellyfish stings. Even so, Carl managed to get stung on his ankles but the fact that he hasn't mentioned it once since makes me think he must have been imagining it.

Combatants
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We each had an instructor and, while Carl was merrily getting up onto the board and riding off into the sunset, I had to go back to basics pretty much as the kite was proving tricky to maneouvre. I got better though and by the end was back to bodydragging through the water - being pulled up and out in one direction and then up and out in the other. Fun. If frustrating. And my neck was agony from looking up at the kite all the time. So I wimped out the following day and left Carl to it, just watching from the shore. There were many many more people with kites too - apparently all the folks from Bangkok come along at the weekend.

That night we went to a Muay Thai fight - Thai boxing. A series of five fights of five rounds apiece - not that all of them lasted that long mind you. REally interesting to watch. The fighters (in distressingly baggy shorts that they had to keep adjusting) would be lathered in some aromatic paste - bit like lanolin? Vick's VapoRub? Not sure. Then headbut each of the four corners of the ring in search of divine inspiration before a gentle biff of the gloves and the ding of the bell. Strangely hypnotic music would play as they swayed heads across from each other pacing around the ring, with the occasional foot flung out to catch the opponents thigh or midriff. Occasionally fury would break out in a flurry of feet and fists and inevitably  ending in a clinch on the ropes with each contestant trying to knee the other in the kidneys. Surprisingly entertaining.

And now we're back in Bangkok, ready to head to Cambodia tomorrow. At least we were ready before Carl ready the "Dangers and Annoyances" section of the Cambodia guide book last night. I'm sure he'll come back round...