Well I’m back!
What do I think was the best of my holiday to Thailand?
Well, no disputing it was seeing the family really enjoying themselves. Especially Ava and Hattie in the pool. James and Kirsty seemed so relaxed as well.
Next – the food. I reallly got into it. Such a shame that I can’t get on with too spicy a food. But I enjoyed the various experiments I did try – which I thought was very brave of me.
The people – very friendly and unaggressive. If they resented us Europeans in any way , they certainly hid it well.
The Beaches – are plain awesome. And we didn’t get to the very best at all.
Now I am back I miss the early morning wake ups with the order to “Swchim” One morning Hattie was in the room waking me saying “Schwim, schwim”. I tried to ignore her but still the cry was insistant, “Schwim, Schwim!” I closed my eyes, only to have one eyelid lifted up by a two year old thumb. I saw another eye directly in front of mine, so close that the eye was all I could see. “Schwim” it said. I gave up, got up and schwimmed.
The worst of the holiday?
Bangkok was too noisy and too crowded for me. That said, I would go back as there is still so much to see and do and getting my feet trodden on is a small price to pay. I shouldn’t have such big feet.
Not being able to replace my damaged camera until late in the holiday. It was, generally, a photographers heaven.
Regrets? Not photographing the Buddhist monk sitting in the temple on top of Monkey Mountain. Presumably there to welcome visitors and ensure no damage done etc etc. The photograph would have been great, he was watching a TV under his desk !
Another missed photo opportunity was the old rubbish lady. At least I think she was an old lady by her mannerisms. Sanpan wicker hat, thick coat in such heat. Gloves, mask, boots. She pushed a cart around the streets going through all the rubbish bins salvaging God knows what. Sorting all that rubbish into various sacks on her cart. We saw her several times during the day, always scavenging. Then one day I saw as she sat down, crosslegged on the dirt pavement for a break. She pulled out an Iphone and started tapping !
Apart from missed photos there was nothing to regret. It was a great holiday and I am so glad that I managed to join the gang for it. I do hope I get the chance in the future.