We seem to keep running into celebrations! Ranong is a pretty little city, somewhat off the beaten tourist track except for its proximity to Burma which makes it a border run town. When we arrived they were closing off the main street for a celebration. All along the street hordes of people ate, drank, and watched the various performances: little kids dressed as bugs rhythmically spasming to Thai techno-pop, teenagers hammering out riffs mimicking 80's metal bands, low key bongo drums and steel sounding guitar that seemed more at home in Hawaii. We wandered and ate, ate and wandered. Ranong also has a natural hot spring, and people buy eggs raw and cook them in the water. All in all, a pretty laid back and happy scene.
We have since moved on to Prachuap Khiri Khan, another out of the way place, where by chance we pulled into town just in time for the "Prachuap seafood and Thai-sky festival" Hordes of skydivers from around the world have descended on this small fishing town to make jumps, drink lots of beer, and watch with wonder the multitude of Thai sports in the park. We were walking up the main drag, taking it all in when we ran into a huge crowd of people. A beautiful Thai woman smiled at us, handed us plates full of steamed mussels, grilled squid, and crab curry saying only "free for you". I noticed several smiles as Rick and I tried to negotiate the squid while trying to avoid eyes, guts, etc. All the other foreigners were with the skydiving group, and had eaten at the hotel, they also looked on smiling as we devoured our fare.
We spent the rest of the evening watching several Thai sports. The most awe-inspiring to watch was Takrow Lot Huang, a game where teams of 3 kick a small rattan ball over a volleyball like net, blocking and spiking with moves that look right out of a Bruce Lee flick. We watched the tournament for hours, getting into the different teams. I think the most amusing part was when foreigners would walk up, exclaiming "did you see that!?" or "holy ****" in utter amazement. There was also a full evening of Muay Thai, or Thai kickboxing, just down the street. 7 different 5-round fights, ranging from kiddies barely old enough to stand to the big boys.
Prachuap is also known for its spectacular Chedi (part of Buddhist temple) that sits on a cliff side overlooking the ocean and towns below. It is over 400 steps to the top, and a most perilous climb as the stairs are crawling with ill-tempered monkeys. Rick got into a stand-off with one of them on the way up, teeth bearing and all. Then, just as we though we were to be devoured by monkeys, came our savior. At the top of the stairs, just within the fortified monkey proofed walls of the Chedi, sat a golden robed monk, slingshot in hand. If any monkeys got sassy, or tried to get past the front door, he got a big surprise, monk style. We stayed there for hours, waiting for the sunset and enjoying the breezes. We must have let our guard down, being inside a holy place and all, and unfortunately, became the victims of a purse-snatcher. I got a good look at the perpetrator, but probably will not contact the police as he dropped the purse when Rick gave chase. He was about 20 lbs, brown-eyed, a foot and a half tall, large fangs, long tail, and hairy all over. Almost got away with wallets and passports. We felt especially lucky when leaving the Chedi, there was another scoundrel beating a golden medallion with a rock. Monkey Trouble.
We have since moved on to Prachuap Khiri Khan, another out of the way place, where by chance we pulled into town just in time for the "Prachuap seafood and Thai-sky festival" Hordes of skydivers from around the world have descended on this small fishing town to make jumps, drink lots of beer, and watch with wonder the multitude of Thai sports in the park. We were walking up the main drag, taking it all in when we ran into a huge crowd of people. A beautiful Thai woman smiled at us, handed us plates full of steamed mussels, grilled squid, and crab curry saying only "free for you". I noticed several smiles as Rick and I tried to negotiate the squid while trying to avoid eyes, guts, etc. All the other foreigners were with the skydiving group, and had eaten at the hotel, they also looked on smiling as we devoured our fare.
We spent the rest of the evening watching several Thai sports. The most awe-inspiring to watch was Takrow Lot Huang, a game where teams of 3 kick a small rattan ball over a volleyball like net, blocking and spiking with moves that look right out of a Bruce Lee flick. We watched the tournament for hours, getting into the different teams. I think the most amusing part was when foreigners would walk up, exclaiming "did you see that!?" or "holy ****" in utter amazement. There was also a full evening of Muay Thai, or Thai kickboxing, just down the street. 7 different 5-round fights, ranging from kiddies barely old enough to stand to the big boys.
Prachuap is also known for its spectacular Chedi (part of Buddhist temple) that sits on a cliff side overlooking the ocean and towns below. It is over 400 steps to the top, and a most perilous climb as the stairs are crawling with ill-tempered monkeys. Rick got into a stand-off with one of them on the way up, teeth bearing and all. Then, just as we though we were to be devoured by monkeys, came our savior. At the top of the stairs, just within the fortified monkey proofed walls of the Chedi, sat a golden robed monk, slingshot in hand. If any monkeys got sassy, or tried to get past the front door, he got a big surprise, monk style. We stayed there for hours, waiting for the sunset and enjoying the breezes. We must have let our guard down, being inside a holy place and all, and unfortunately, became the victims of a purse-snatcher. I got a good look at the perpetrator, but probably will not contact the police as he dropped the purse when Rick gave chase. He was about 20 lbs, brown-eyed, a foot and a half tall, large fangs, long tail, and hairy all over. Almost got away with wallets and passports. We felt especially lucky when leaving the Chedi, there was another scoundrel beating a golden medallion with a rock. Monkey Trouble.
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