CHRISTMAS EVE

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Trip Start Oct 01, 2008 Previous
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  Koh Chang, Thailand
Wednesday, December 24, 2008

December 24,

I feel much better this morning. Today we are going to the fishing village at the end of this road. The road does not go all around the island, it is not connected by 20 kms.

It is really unique with the stores, cafes, and boat/diving/trip stores out on this very long pier. All are built on cement pylons, most are made of wood with tin roofs. and every form of whatever material put up to keep the sunlight off the main walkway. We went out to the end of the pier where there is a light house. It does have stairs inside and we climbed up to the top for a bird's eye view. At the end were several shrimp boats and we got a close up look at all those lights on one of them. They are kind of grubby looking and I said to Len they must get into a rut and accept the state of disrepair the boat gets into.

We had lunch at a café off the main pier, overlooking the water. We did stop in and looked at a couple of places out on the water with rooms. One wasn't too bad, fan, washroom ensuite with cold water shower!

We then walked back to the mainland and we're going to go to the narrowest part of the peninsula where you can see the ocean on both sides. We had a hard time finding the path, went way past it and then asked and went back to the path. We head off down the path and go around a resort and then off down a country road and ended up on the other side of the resort (we probably could have cut through it). It is hot and I say to Len you go ahead I am going to stop at this little café. I ordered a bottle of water and sit, flicking the flies away. Len shows up in a few minutes and says it's just around the corner. So away we go. It is quite picturesque as the sitting area is out over the water on stilts. There are lots of places to sit, hammocks hanging all over and several of those swinging cocoon basket chairs, or settees with lots of cushions. I sit and off Len goes to have a swim around the bay. Quite nice and comfy and the fan is going so it is cool. Dam, we didn't take a picture. Lots of young people coming and going, we missed knowing they rented snorkels and masks. I am sure Len would have enjoyed it more. When Len comes back he tells me it is the same as what it was in the bay where we are, maybe a few more fish, but all are the same as he has seen.

We ask about his cottages and he tells us 300 baht ($10) you get a bed, netting and fan. Toilettes, showers are located in several places throughout the resort. We thank him. We began our walk back, this time we take that little path that takes us to the resort! It cut off about 20 minutes of walking on that country road!

We were going to stay at the fishing village for dinner, but it isn't even 4 so we decide to go back to our place. We stopped at 7/11 and picked up some water and snacks.

We had a dip in the pool and then surprise! two vans pulled in and let out a lot of people. There is one very large family, from Holland, of parents, adult children and 3 grandchildren. Then there are several Asians, 2 young 20+ year old girls. Well, they started taking pictures of each other around the pool, in the hammock, here and there. One was in the hammock and the other in the settee across from the hammock and both girls were on the phone. The one girl got up and walked towards the beach past us. I said to Len I bet they are talking to each other. Len looked at the one left in the settee and using signs asked if they were talking to each other and she shook her head yes! We all laughed!

We came up and got cleaned up for diner. We went down and our plan was to pay our room bill from the 19 to the 24, which we did and then Tip was trying to find the words about or rent tomorrow.

(We knew that it was going to go up being the holiday season, Dundee had told us the night of the barbeque that 2 days, Dec 25 and Jan 1, our rent would double in price from 800 to 1600 baht. The other days it would stay 800 bahts. We averaged it out and it would work out to 900 bahts/day which we could live with.)

So I wrote for Tip, Dec. 25 = 1,600 and Dec 26-31 = 800/day and Jan. 1 = 1,600. She looked at me strange and said she would speak with the manager. Dundee then tells us no, it is now 1,600 for the 25 and 1st and all other days would be 1,200. We said no that at the barbeque he told us and then it went on in an argument with Dundee saying he could change it as he said right from the first day we came here. He said his boss told him this is what to charge and I asked him when did his boss tell him that and he said two days ago. I said to him 'and you didn't come and tell us'! I was livid, I said to him don't you have any integrity? He said he didn't know what that meant. I shut up because I was so mad. Len tried to talk with him and I finally said lets just go.

We went out down the road and found a place, that is new, more tv channels, a fridge, but we have to give up the pool. She only has a room until the 29th so we will leave on the 30th and head back into Bangkok. If we didn't have these hick-ups what would I write about?

We went out for pizza for supper and it was very good. We had a beer to celebrate Christmas eve. And then we walked down to the store for an ice cream and then a walk through the posh place next door. Today all the workers have the red Santa hats on and we say Merry Christmas to each one. Tonight they are playing Christmas songs as we walk around the centre area and then head out to the beach. Well, everyone is eating out by the beach, they are having a buffet. Santa and Santaette are both here. All the workers, servers and cooks have the hats on too! We are greeted by the social director, I guess, and we chat about what they are eating and what is happening later on and tomorrow's dinner. She is from Australia and tells us about her customs when she was at home there. She invites us to go and have our picture taken with Santa and Santaette, which we did. In between the locals were having their picture taken with Santa, she told us they are quite taken with our holiday.

We walked by the dessert table and were so tempted to take a piece of Tiramisu cake and enjoy, but didn't. We went and sat in a beach chair and listened to the staff come out and sing 'Silent Night, Jingle Bells and Santa Clause is Coming to Town'. It was very enjoyable as their tune and actions were so different from what you would expect. They were swaying to Silent Night.

We were quite happy when we left and in a better state of mind. So we will pack up after breakfast and move on tomorrow. Who knows with others around we probably wouldn't enjoy the place like we had.

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