Is There a S-U-P-E-R-M-A-R-K-E-T??

I'm likin' my hammock
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My day started off with another morning run! Feels really good to get the legs moving, and letting the waters cool off the feet!  Had a tasy breakfast of Thai Porridge, and had a mid-morning appointment for a traditional Thai Massage! It was only $6/hour! Where else can I get the best massage in town for that price?

I was already feeling a little homesick, and was thinking of my reunion with my parents in Hong Kong in a few days. As I approached the massage tent, facing the ocean, I met the massesuse, and she was the spitting image on my AUNT NORMA!!!! This woman had the same physique, height, petite, great smile, but she had longer hair pulled back in a ponytail. Auntie used to have long hair too!  I just wanted to put my arms around this woman and give her a big o'hug!

The biggest pothole(s) I have ever seen!
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For the next hour, she pulled my body in directions I didn't think possible, my bones cracked, she had her foot on parts of my body for leverage and for an even more intense stretch. The move of the hour has to be the one where she placed her body underneath mine, and she had her knees up against my back, and had me hanging in the air!!! OMG, Aunt Norma! I was afraid I was going to hurt her, since she was so tiny!  Again, another interesting session of physical therapy!  I was so relaxed, afterwards, I fell asleep in my hammock, amidst the light rain drops falling.

Thong Nai Pan Yai beach
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The rain cleared up after lunch, so I decided to go to the other side of the Bay! Got into my shorts and trail shoes, and off I went. The locals said it would be a 10-minute walk, so I followed the main road, despite it's hellacious potholes! It was hotter than hell, and the climb was steep! So many cars and mopeds passed by, and not a one stopped and offered a sister a ride! Was it my rock-hard calves that made it look like I was enjoying the hike? Sheesh! And it was not 10 minutes! It was more like 30! I'm never listening to the locals again. Did not see a single local walking anywhere! They all ride mopeds!

I love it here!
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As I wandered into the village (to get to the beach), I see other tourists walking by, so I greet them with my usual warm self, "hello!". The one woman steps up and says hello back, and then she grabs both my shoulders, and looks me in the eye, and says slowly, and loudly.."DO YOU..KNOW..WHERE IS..THE S-U-P-E-R-M-A-R-K-E-T?"  I had to chuckle, and simply told her, "not sure, but I saw a convenience store up front".  Seriously, did I not look like a tourist, too? The locals won't outwardly say hello to you unless you say it first, nor would they be walking around in this awful heat, and didn't my attire say "foreigner". Gosh, come on, some common sense, please.

As soon as I get to the beach, this is it, this is where I'm suppose to be! The waters are so clear, and as blue/green as far as the eye can see. The water was so calm, like a swimming pool. Since I'm not a strong swimmer, this was much more my style. It was truly breathtaking. I found a spot to park my gear, and got out of my shorts!  Couldn't wait to get in the water!  It was so warm and inviting, and the tides were low, so I walked out pretty far and then just laid out with a back float. Ahhhhhhhh...I'm in heaven!

This side of the bay, Yai, is a tad bigger than the Noi side, and is more suited for families and couples alike.  The kids love it here since they can swim like a dolphin in these shallow waters! Whilst I was sunbathing, I noticed a father playing with his two kids. They looked like they were having a blast!  The dad wore a speedo bikini, figure , he must be European or Latin, probably European cuz he's pale! Anyhow, no harm in the speedo, until he turns to his backside, and OMG!!! It's a THONG!!!! hahahahahah  Now, I've seen it all! Had a good laugh!

I love this place! Found a new bungalow at the Dreamland Resort. Definitely not like the Panmivan on the cliffs, but this one was a lot cheaper, $21/night! Even cheaper than my bungalow with no flushing toilet! Dreamland offered the ever important toilet, hot water, A/C, and it was so much bigger and newer and cleaner! The only thing I had to give up was the ocean view. I could do that.

Tomorrow is moving day!