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Beach Bungalo

Yesterday was one of those that just started wrong. No I take it back, it started wonderfully and then an hour into it at about 8:53 am, it turned south. It began with a wonderful walk down a silent beach in the city of Hua Hin. I was still riding my monkey high, as I walked blissfully down the nearly deserted beach reflecting on the little furry critters and my speed demon scooter. Then I continued back to the guest house and found on that wonderful stupid scooter a ticket. There was not question what it was for as you could see my scooter was one of the few vehicles on that side of the road whereas most of the vehicles that were parked there the night before were on the other side now.

This is when I began to question my scooter in Thailand plan. Yes I was parked under a sign written in Thai, but I have more sense that. We'll call it scooter instinct. I ask our receptionist if it's ok to park there she says yes, but to move it tomorrow. "So I can leave it here through the morning and move it tomorrow morning?" I ask with precise intuition. "Yes" "Ok" Well, I think maybe Thai mornings are different than American mornings. Sure enough a parking ticket issued whilst I carelessly strolled the sandy stretch. Fortunately, my timing was good because as soon as I asked the receptionist to translate the ticket the copper showed up stated his case and offered me the favor of paying him $200 instead of going myself to the station and paying $400. A deal for both of us no doubt.

The end? No. That same morning just after checking email 1 block from the guest house, I was scooting the 40 yards back to the guest house only to be stopped by Copper #2 who happily gave me a ticket for driving with no helmut for that dangerous 40 yards. I thanked him for his "service", and made sure he knew that his town was making good money off of me, paid the $200 and fastened my helmut for the final 20 yards of my trip. Then I polished off the night staying in some nasty little guesthouse for $100 Bhat, as I mumbled myself to sleep with curses of Thailand.

Well you might be able to tell by the picture that Thaland has totally redeemed itself. Today I caught the 6 am Catamarand to the Island of Koh Toa. Walked up and down the strip of guest houses renting bungalos on the beach until I found one who for $225 USD 4 days of training and diving for me to be a certified diver and 4 nights free in a bungalo maybe 30 feet from the best beach I've seen yet. This afternoon I began my scuba training, which means watching a series of videos for the time being.

Now after a couple of strolls down the beach, petting a couple friendly strays and treating myself to a Mexican (barely) food platter for $5 USD. Tomorrow I will get the pool training to prepare me for some open water action. And tonight... all is well.

Nighty Night.

posted by Travelin' D @ 6:43 AM