Day 40 – 41

31.07.23 – 02.08.23

So it’s my last day today and it’s been raining all morning! This is the first morning rain I’ve had since I’ve been here! Chiang Mai is crying because I’m leaving! 😂

Today is my final opportunity to get a massage and to make it more exciting it’s a free one! The loyalty card paid off. 

I opted for a 1hr foot massage and OMG it was absolutely the best one yet! She really got stuck into the tops of my feet which is where they ache the most, and was very mindful of my calves, It truly was the perfect last visit. 

I try and log on and check in for my flight but it won’t let me as it’s saying I’ve been allocated an exit seat, not sure what this means exactly but I can only check in at the airport. 

I share a Grab to the airport with a lovely young Spanish couple, and as the Cab arrives and I’m just about to get in I go through my leaving mantra; Money, Tickets, Passport? And realise my passport is still in the safe At reception 🤦‍♀️ Oops! I grab it and we’re off. I jump,out at the airport and just as I start to walk through the doors I realise I’ve left my backpack in the Cab! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I manage to get it before the Cab leaves, this is so unlike me, I’m not sure what’s going on? 😳😂 

I check in and I’m no longer in an exit seat, check my case through, then start to worry that I’ll be stopped with my backpack at security as it’s got a 1/2 full bag of washing powder, which may be mistaken for some other powder! It isn’t and security is a doddle. 😂

Unfortunately my flight is delayed, initially for 2hrs then for another hour. I don’t mind too much although it would have been more pleasant if there was a bar in departures! 😀🍹 

I’m reading a book called ‘The Nightingale’ which is about the German occupation of France and the French resistance. It’s a tad disconcerting to be reading about vile SS officers and their behaviour whilst being surrounded by lots of large blonde people speaking loudly in German!! 😬 The language and accent is very harsh anyway without the added trauma of what I’m reading! 😳

The flight is fine a little bumpy but OK. I finish my book on the flight, so I’m sitting there weeping! 

By the time we land get my luggage and sort out a cab, which is taking multiple people, it’s getting on for 12.30am It’s pouring with rain and I’m knackered and a tad grumpy when I get to the hotel. 

The guy at reception welcomes me and then tells me I need to download an App for the hotel!!! You What?? WTAF! How? why? An App? What in the name of Christ am I going to use a fucking App for!! It’s not a Virtual Hotel? 😠 After some tutting and faffing around I eventually manage to download it. It will now sit unopened on my phone until I leave! 🙄😂 

My room is lovely, the air conditioning is good, the bed is huge, the pillows are soft!!  I unpack a couple of bits have a quick shower and get into bed. Sleep is a little tricky due to the sound of the torrential rain, thunder and howling wind! I think the design of the hotel funnels the wind and amplifies the sound. 

I do eventually get to sleep. 

I had set my alarm for 8am as I didn’t want to sleep late. I wake to no rain or wind and check out the view from my room. It’s fine, looking towards the big stone cliffs. It’s not sunny but at least it’s not raining.

The Hotel breakfast is good. It’s busier than I’m used to but OK. There is so much choice. Fruit, Cereal, yogurts, eggs, cakes, toast. All what you’d expect then there is a stir fry station, curry’s, roast chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce (which looked yum!) rice, tortillas, samosas, salad. It’s so weird to westerners that these sorts of things are for breakfast but they are in other cultures. 

I’m afraid to say I had eggs and then Toast & Marmalade 🙄 I did try the chicken in mushroom sauce and it was nice. I’m going to try some different things tomorrow, especially the stir fry as it’s made to your specification. 

I had a wander down through town and straight to the Ocean or to be correct the Andaman Sea. It’s good to be by the water again. I’m sure if it was sunny and less cloudy it would look glorious, it looks pretty awesome in the wet. 

I sit at a lovely beachside Cafe and watch as another big front comes barrelling in. The wind really picks up and the rain slams into everything. 

I really don’t mind the stormy weather, what isn’t so great is that it’s a Buddhist Holiday today & tomorrow so there are no alcohol sales at all! Oh well! 

The slippery floor issue is going to be huge here in the hotel! So much rain, so many shiny floors! I’ve nearly gone over twice already. TBF the little slider shoes I’ve been wearing are just not going to cut it. The best things I have are some elastic, slip on boating/beach shoes or a pair of sandals that I bought the first time Clint & I went to Africa, which is 29 years ago!! They are Velcro strap things which are now back in fashion!! (I’ll pop in a picture) 

I popped out for dinner and am delighted to see a beautiful Barn Owl. It flew right past me then sat on a telegraph pole for a little while. This sighting makes me ridiculously happy! (For any budding Ornithologists I did check and Barn Owls are native to this part of Thailand!) 

I think I might have spotted a couple of potential replacements for Kats, I stop at one and have a simple vegetable rice. Tasty! 

I’m heading to bed early as I’m knackered.

Books read 18

The Nightingale. Kirsten Hannah. Excellent book, I’ve now read a couple about the French Resistance, absolutely fascinating.  Thanks for the recommendation Laura.