So This Is Christmas
Trip Start
Jun 02, 2008
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68
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Trip End
Jun 09, 2009
Mai Khow, Phuket, Thailand
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The near-deserted beach stretches out for kilometres in either direction. A pleasant wind blows through the casuarinas, tempering the heat of the midday sun. Amid this, Malcolm, an expat Brit, and Koy, his Thai wife, own a few well-designed huts along the beach.
It was here that we had to part with our new friend Glyn who was moving on to a different beach to meet up with his girlfriend. Glyn is a British expat currently teaching drama in Singapore. His theatrical career has taken him on interesting adventures around the world including performances of Hamlet in Tehran.
There has been no shortage of performances here, either; Tigger the kitten has made sure of that
Our Tiny Taxi from Phuket Town
. We've watched him duel with a crab, bat at toads, carry around crickets and pounce on geckos. When he can't find an animate playmate, a stick or flower will do.Glyn's departure left only a few guests for Christmas Eve. We and two other couples gathered around a bonfire on the beach, Leo beers in hand courtesy of Malcolm's generosity, and kept an unorthodox Christmas vigil.
Christmas Day we had a barbecue. Koy fired up the grill just as Malcolm returned from walking the two retrievers, Baby and Kanum (Jackfruit). Koy invited her family (they own the land) and we shared a Christmas feast with a dozen Buddhists (they just wanted an excuse for a party). We feasted on grilled king prawns, a whole sardine-tasting steamed fish, pork and chicken skewers, all with sweet chilly sauce and a spicy chilly oil for dipping. Accompanying this was a very spicy cabbage and cashew salad and some steamed rice to cool things down. After dinner, one of Koy's very sweet cousins brought Malcolm a bottle and opener and asked him to open the wine he had bought for this occasion. Malcolm refused the opener - the cousin had bought champagne by mistake. His embarrasment was quite cute. The champagne went quickly and was enjoyed almost as much as the concoction of Sprite and Pimm's No. 1 being served from a large pot.
We were the only guests at the small resort that night and it was lovely to be included in the family's festivities.
This blog isn't about advertising; but, if you come to Phuket and are looking for quiet and undisturbed beach, stay at Seaside Bungalows (http://www.mai-khao-beach.com).
