Looking forward to updates from Carol and the Dogster himself.

Dogster... the least you can do is hang around BKK until the weekend! Not possible to just blow in for a day, I don't think!

We had a walk all the way down Chaweng Beach today, from Seascape (by Poppies) all the way past the Chaweng Regent. That was quite a walk! We stopped a few times to look at the wares in some shops. Then, there was the Haagen Dazs (there are actually two of them at Chaweng) we stopped at the one nearest to Seascape, but still a good 20 minute walk from the resort. We took a songtau back to our hotel. It was overcast, not too sticky hot, and only a sprinkle once, while we were out walking. Not complaining about the weather! Neither of us is here for the sun anyway!

Had dinner with the co-owner of our hotel (who happens to be a friend) and his wife. We went to a great seafood place at Bangpo Beach (past BoPhut from Chaweng). The place is called Jun Hom Seafood. It is my friend's favorite seafood restaurant on this part of the island. It was really tasty... but a slight bit of adventure, as I bit into a hot chili pepper, accidentally. My mouth was burning for a while after that!

We had shrimp cakes, som tum (papaya salad), deep fried fish with cumin, raw shrimp in seafood dressing (the dressing cooks the shrimp so it's edible... I didn't try it), crispy shrimp with tamarin sauce, bar bq squid, veggies and a dipping sauce of shrimp paste and chilis, salted chicken ... a very nice assortment of food. Samui food is different than Bangkok food (says Maeng) as it is a southern style of preparation. Maeng is trying to explain all this food stuff to me... she should teach cooking!

Tomorrow, a ride around the island, for about 4 hours, with a car and driver. The cost is expected to be about 1200bt. Not too expensive. We have both been to many of the tourist attractions, so we will ask the driver to stop at other sorts of places, like local markets and shops of interest.

Evelyne, hope you guys enjoy Hua Hin! And I hope your day with Tong was a lot of fun.

Carol

Almost forgot! I meant to say that at BKK airport this morning, I took note of the madhouse long long lines at the Air Asia counter. Best to arrive at least 2-3 hours before a flight, as you could be standing in a long line for quite a while! They must be offering some great deals on flights. No other counter was quite that busy (but this was at 5am). I think I'd almost prefer to pay for a higher price ticket with another airline and avoid the madhouse at check in!!! Crazy!!

You should have Brian recommend one of the local seafood restaurants.

Samui has seafood dishes that you can't get in Bangkok, and Brian knows the best places.

This particular one is Brian's favorite. You've been there with him.

See you Friday night at PL!!!

Dog might bark there too. What time?

Warning. Today is the Buddhist lent day - no alcohol will be serve, supposedly! You might find some place that will serve you a drink disguised in a coffee cup...

Dogster, Brad will be getting there about 12:30am, as he will be arriving from ORD/NRT at about 11:00pm. I'm having dinner with Dr Jack and will be at Pickled Liver sometime afterwards, maybe 10ish. Hope I can stay awake! In any case, hope to see you there, if you are around at that time.

Maeng and I had a good day today. We got a driver to take us around the eastern half of Samui for four hours for 1200 baht. We went to see the Happy Buddha (better than the Big Buddha, which is such a popular attraction!!!) which is located way up in the northeastern 'point' of Samui. More to see there than at Big Buddha. The driver made a stop at Big Buddha, but we did not look for very long, as we had both been there before. We also saw the Mummy Monk (which has been changed to quite the attraction since I was there in 2002), and Grandfather/Grandmother rock(s), and a couple of places with fantastic views of Chaweng Beach.

After a short rest, we then walked back down to Haagen-Dazs for ice cream! It's a long hike there... and then we walked all the way back! We are getting our exercise!

A bit of rest, then a shower, and then off to dinner on the beach. We walked (yet again) down the beach road to a place called Naam Jim Rim Talay, where we had a great beachside table with a view of lucky balloons being launched, and a few bottle rocket type fireworks being lit. Dinner was Thai food and it was quite good! We had papaya salad, crispy garlic shrimp, pad Thai, and a glass noodles with mince pork that was Thai spicy (so I didn't try that one). The meal was very reasonably priced.

I recalled the last time I was on Samui and we ate at fancy places all 3/4 nights. Not necessary at all!!! You can get a great meal with a super view for a whole lot less than we paid at The Cliff, Poppie's, and The Library!

We have arranged for an all-day boat tour tomorrow, to the National Park islands. Hope the weather is as nice as it was this evening at dinner!

Carol

See you at the PL on Friday night.

Call me when you get the chance.

sounds like fun

I just have one question.

Will the Pickled Liver have time to restock their liquor after you guys finish and before I get there the end of August?

Deoends on what you drink?

i'll have what brad(hiccup) is drinking.

We call that drink "The Brad" pronounced locally "The Blad" - one shot of snake blood mixed with scorpion venom followed by 100mg of viagra for kuranosuke!

would the PL be a good place for a GTG???

Is PL a restaurant? Where is this located?
At the beginning I thought PL is the name of the area where Maeng lives (not sure where I got the idea that Maeng has cooked for Carol at the PL before) LOL

PL sounds like a must-try :-0

Its a pub the "Pickled Liver" that Maeng runs/owns (i think)

it is a bar that also serves food...

it is on soi 11 sukhumvit i believe

Maeng is manager of the Pickled Liver and she also cooks.

If you plan a special dinner, she will go to the market and buy everything fresh. Then she will prepare and cook it just for you. Some items are seasonal.

When she cooks for us it is the best Thai food I've ever had.