February 21,

Up and about. Someone was playing loud music last night!!😠😡 Jeff uses his ear plugs all the time, but I put mine in for the night as well. It helped. And the music stopped by 2300, I think. Anyway, we didn't have great night's sleep. But good for Jeff – the bed is soft. Maybe this will help his back.

We don't have a kettle in our room, but they have hot water available. So we had our Javas, in our room and then went back down to have the included breakfast. They offer three sets to choose from. We both went for the second- Muesli, yogurt, fruit and toast. We both enjoyed this as we haven't had it in awhile. When we were eating four people were talking with the main lady about the noise last night. I guess the one man tried to talk with the offender, and sounds like there was a ruckus. One lady said she was scared. I chimed in agreement of the noise. Anyway, the main lady said she would take care of it.

After that excitement and we were finished; we went out and about to check out the beach on the south side of the island. It was low tide and this beach this very shallow, so the water was out a long ways! Immediately, we saw “hundreds” of small sand crabs scurrying as we stepped on this beach. It was a crazy amount and fun to see. This beach is more a working beach, lots of long-tail boats were stranded in the sand of low tide! We then cut back through the town on the main road from the pier. Jeff checked out speed boat prices for when we leave in a week. It was here we saw the German kids booking to leave. I didn't think we would see them again. We said hi and did small talk. Then we walked about more, checking out restaurants to eat at.

Finished and hot from our walkabout, we walked the beach back from the pier to our place. It was definitely cool down time! It was crazy hot solar, already. Afternoon was siesta time. We had light lunch of crackers and PB we had bought on this mornings outing, with some left over peanuts. Afternoon turned into early evening and we dared to go back out.

We went to Seaview Restaurant, which is just north of the pier. We each had a Mojito – me a mango one, and Jeff a pineapple one. We had a BBQ Snapper with a Black Peppercorn Sauce; Deep-fried Potatoes; Slaw Salad (without dressing); and Toasted Garlic-buttered Bread. The fish was nice and fresh with a smokey taste, but the sauce made it great. We both had a second drink as it was happy hour… Drinks were almost half price, but small. Anyway, I had a Tequila Sunrise (that’s what it was supposed to have been) and Jeff had a Pina-Colada. Our bill was 740 Baht – with a 100 baht tip, total was $25.03. Jeff gave such a large tip because we asked if they undercharged for the whole fish (300 Baht instead of the 500 Baht on the menu).

When we finished, we hired a “taxi”, a motorcycle with a cart attachment, a side car thing. The driver was Mr. Thao. We had him take us the 2.7 km, which is about 1.7 miles, to Sunset Beach. He knows everyone and greets them and they greet back. He seems a jolly fellow! Arriving we paid the 50 Baht ($1.49) each for the ride. (This is the charge wherever you go on the island in one of these!) We told him we would walk back. He tried to get us for a return journey, but we did not bite. (Later, I saw him taking someone else, so it worked out).

Anyway, we watched what we could of sunset. It went behind a big bank of clouds, early on. But did catch some rays on the water under the double hull of a catamaran. That was cool! We had some entertainment watching some local kids playing and running about, which was best. We walked back – it was good, laid-back day!

     February 22,

We woke up at 0200, due to a call- back in the US. Jeff had found a pending charge he was trying to clear up at 2200 last night, and they were supposed to have called back – not four hours later! Long story-short, I was able to go back to sleep, but Jeff not so much – solidly anyway. Around 0700, we got about. We got hot water for our Javas, and had them in our room, then down to breakfast. We both had set number one: eggs, ham, sausage (hot dogs), toast, and fruit. Jeff had his eggs as an omelet; I went with fried sunny-side up.

Finished we for a walk about. First though, we turned in dirty clothes for laundering at our place. There was 3 kg worth of dirty, sweaty clothes – which is 6.6 #s. It costs 60 Baht/kg, so total of $5.37. It is a two day turnaround. We went walking along the road to a travel booking booth, that Jeff had talked with couple of days ago. We booked our speed boat to leave this island on the 27^th, and we also booked an excursion for tomorrow. Then we walked back along the beach to our place for cool down time and maybe a nap for Jeff. It is still hot, and very muggy today. I haven’t mentioned, we seem to get a little rain everyday on this island, usually late afternoon. But today it was early – just after 1400. We had just finished our light lunch of crackers and PB, and heard the familiar patter-patter.

Around 1700, we walked over to Sunset Beach, or Charlie Beach – I have seen both names. I prefer the sunset name. (as if I have any say!) Anyway, we chose one of the local stands set up on the beach itself – there were several options, my goodness! The stand was called Nong Champ, Thai food. We had Stir-fried Green Curry with Chicken on Rice; and Baked Pineapple with Fried Rice and Chicken. Both were great! Jeff had a Chang beer. I had a Watermelon Shake, but I think they had to grow the watermelon first. 🤣😂  I didn’t receive it until the last thing, which is unusual. Usually you have your shake and finish it before you get your entree. Anyway, the food was good, but the service was bad. With other options on the beach, if we eat on this beach again… it won’t be here, sadly! We paid 410 Baht ($12.22).

But sunset was nice, and it came the closest to ‘kissing the ocean’ since we have been here. We walked back to our place and stopped at Forever Mango. We had the Coconut Ice Cream and a Mango Shake. We found out the ice cream is a 60 year old family recipe!! How about that!!! It is sooo good… 😋  The recipe will be around much longer!