Ban Chang, Beaches, and BBQs

Last weekend, Audrey and I traveled to the beach town of Ban Chang in the Rayong Province to meet up with our friends Alex and Katie, a British couple who we met on the island of Koh Samet.  Katie is teaching English in Rayong at an International School, and the two of them have met other ex-pats in their area, establishing quite a fun crew.  Friday night, we hit the town in Ban Chang, and two of their American friends, Chris and Neuman, joined us at the Taxi Bar and at The Drunk Pub (love it).  We were quite a hit at both bars, which typically happens when you get a group of farangs (foreigners) in an all-Thai setting.  Thai people are super nice and friendly, and want nothing more than to talk to you, help you out, and buy you alcohol.  It’s not uncommon to be surrounded by a group of Thai people, all vying for your attention and wanting to take a picture with you.  Being a local celebrity is fun!

Saturday morning, we headed towards Pattaya (scroll down for my previous post about Pattaya) after picking up Dan from Wales, his Thai girlfriend Tah, and Robin from Norway.  Dan has a pretty nice boat that he keeps docked in the area, and after Shari made her way from Chantaburi, we set sail on an all-day excursion in the gulf with the intent of finding our own private island for a late day BBQ.  Even though I couldn’t go swimming in the oh-so-inviting turquoise water because of my still-healing foot, I still had so much fun.  We ended up staying on the island until after sunset, making our way back to Ban Chang later in the evening, where we hung out at Dan’s house until after midnight.  What a great day/night!

The whole crew- gotta love camera self timers

Christmas card- girls using coral as reindeer antlers

On Sunday, after a sight-for-sore-eyes English breakfast at a pub in Ban Chang (eggs, toast, beans, sausage, french fries….yessssss), we headed to Silver Lake, which houses a winery, lake (obviously), and a Buddha carved on a huge rock wall.  We also went to an elephant farm, and after leaving, saw an elephant in the wild a few miles down the road.  Really cool stuff!

Check out the elephant behind me

The King’s Birthday is December 5th, which means a 3-day holiday weekend this weekend (woot)!  Two interesting facts about the King: the King of Thailand was actually born in Massachusetts, and pink became Thailand’s unofficial favorite color after the King left a Bangkok hospital wearing a pink shirt and pink blazer (I have to wear pink to school on Friday).  Friday is also Father’s Day, and my school has a 3 hour party planned in the afternoon; the kids have been working on cards and pictures all week.  After school, Audrey, Alex, Katie and I (and I think a few others) are heading down to Hua Hin, a beach town which is still on the gulf, but in the other direction (west and heading south down the peninsula-type part of Thailand).  There are at least 10 different day trips offered from Hua Hin; everything from kayaking and snorkeling to exploring temples and caves (and even exploring temples IN caves).  Suk san wan gert (Happy Birthday) to you King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and thanks for the day off on Monday!  Until next time….Sawatdee kah!