Monday, November 17

Another good night's sleep!  We gathered our laundry together today and took to a lady here in the hotel who charges 40 baht for 1 kilo - 40 baht is about 1.25.

Met Cheron and Jim at the Baan Bakery for breakfast coffee and wonderful French pasteries

 They then showed us around the local market and a few nearby sights. This market is partially outside, partially inside and has all types of fresh veggies, fish, fruits, meats as well as prepared foods, flowers and more.  We bought some pineapple, bananas and papaya as well as some bottled water.  Everyone drinks bottled water here.

 Cheron showed us a lovely old garden with lots of terra cotta. There is a Terra Cotta business across the way and this garden contains their cast-offs. Very tranquil.

There are quite a few ex-pats living here and Jim and Cheron seem very active with this group.

When Jason arrived to make arrangements for an elephant trek tomorrow, he had two small sons with him, one of whom was wearing a Texas A&M t-shirt!! They had no idea what it stood for or meant but had picked it up at a local market!

We walked to a local electronics store to try to find a battery charger for Beth's camera battery - we "donated" the original one to the Mandawee Resort :(.  No luck here, but they pointed us to Pantip Plaza on Chang Klan Rd, so we waved down a red taxi (pickup with two benches in the back and a cover) that took us directly there.  Success!  Got  charger and then walked this area.  Many shops. This is where the nightly Night Bazaar takes place - another big market which we will probably do one night.  Found a hairdryer for about $4, and Sue found a beautiful scarf. Many tailors along nearby streets.

Walked along the Ping River for a bit, through more markets including the flower market.  Stopped at Wawee coffee shop for a cold drink, found a post office and Pung Tao Gong Ancestral Temple which was built in 1876.

We have noticed quite a bit of construction and were suprised to see many women workers. Some were carrying concrete from a truck to a building site by small buckets.  Thai's are very sensitive to skin color, with lighter being more desirable, so many workers wear hats with flaps that shield their ears and necks and some even wear hand protection to avoid getting darker.  As Mam says, they admire our skin tone while we try to tan to get more like theirs.  Some of the workers we saw in gardens and outdoors are quite dark.

Passed the Governor's Residence, lovely teak home, big gardens.

Relaxed, showered and had dinner at Gai's again. Yummy fried rice with shrimp, curry, etc.  So far we have not run into VERY spicey food, but they do make allowances for us foreigners and often serve fish sauce with hot red and green peppers on the side.