This year our condo is looking into the pool
as opposed to the ocean as it was in Panama.
I do miss seeing the magical sunrise and sunsets.
This morning I got up early as I usually do and walked over to the ocean as not to miss the sunrise.
Seeing that we are starting to get more light every day,
watching the sunrise makes it even more special.
I had fun this morning playing around with these photos
in both
"Waterlogue" and "MobilMonet" app.
Today we went on a tour of the Hua Hin Vineyard.
At 13 degrees North, they make really lovely wine.
The vineyard enjoys the ocean breezes that filter up to the mountains
we're it is located.
We had a chance to ride this beautiful elephant,
"Huyon"
who is 48 years old.
She takes tourists thru the vineyards for 15-30 minutes several times a day.
She then takes a long rest when she lets the other
two elephants do their jobs.
We really really enjoyed our day in the mountain vineyard above
Hua Hin.
Delicious!
I never had Roti before, but as we were out
at the Cicada Market again, I saw them making it and wanted
to taste it.
It tastes like a crepe filled with bananas,
quickly fried on a smoking hot pan in oil.
Topped with chocolate sauce and cream, it was delicious!
This is just one of the versions they serve.
Yesterday was moving day,
into another condo unit a couple doors down from our first one.
We had only booked for 2 weeks knowing if we loved it here,
we could stay longer.
Our friends, Sharon and Graham from BC, who have a home here,
came and picked us us for the afternoon
and took us to some amazing places.
We went to " The Artist Village,"
then walked to several viewpoints for wonderful panoramic views of Hua Hin.
We drove about 15 km's from town as to see this
huge statue of a revered Monk.
"Wat Huay Mongkol Huay Mongkol Temple".
Along the way we tried different Thai food at some of the
places they have eaten at in the 10 years that they have been coming here.
What a delightful day we got to spend together.
Here are a few of the sights we saw and
some of what we ate.
Of course, Thai Beer.....Chang, Shinga or Leo
The shell collecting has not gone as well as hoped.
Can 6 shells really be called a collection?
Panama so far has scored much higher than the beach here in Hua Hin.
With the high tides occurring almost all during the day,
it makes it difficult
to find any shells at all.
I am practicing patience,
since I hear that soon we will have much
more sand at our beach.
It just poured this morning,
quite a beautiful sight to see the rain pouring straight down
into the pool beside our balcony.
It really raised the humidity,
but cooled the morning off nicely.
We dropped our laundry off and continue to check
out the small shops that are in this part of town.
We came across this small Thai resort, with authentic
styled Thai architecture, hiding amazing gardens
and very modern rooms.
it was like stepping into a private osasis.
This is gasoline for your motorbike or scooter,
how clever!
We are six kilometers south of the town Hua Hin
in the small village of Khao Takiab.
From our beach you can see Khao Takiab mountain with its most distinct feature, a very impressive golden colored,
20 meters high Buddha statue overlooking the sea.
Khao Takiab is a beautiful and relaxed place to stay, quieter than Hua Hin, with a great sandy beach and a good number of seaside restaurants.
Yesterday, Jim and I took the truck taxi and then walked to the statue.
Even in the early morning it was already very warm.
This is a town where there are still lovely resorts but mostly it is where
the villagers live.
The Golden Standing Buddha is really very impressive.
I climbed up the 152 steep stairs to take my photos.
What a view, it was so worth the climb.
The mountain as seen from our resort beach.
You could walk the several km's when the
tide is low.
Traveling away from home is always a compromise.
I have friends who love their annual traditions so much, they could
never travel away from home at Christmas time.
Since my Mom passed away in 2000 it has never been the same for me.
So we made new traditions.
What I do miss most of all, is my sweet little Claire.
Happiness is knowing that Jeremy and Julie have
started their own tradition with Claire.
This year they will go to Julie's parents in Victoria to celebrate Christmas.
Julie's Grandma is 102. It will be wonderful for both of them to see each other again.
I am so glad Claire has that in her DNA.
Claire and I made up these Christmas cards on my last visit to see her.
We used my iPad, combined with the
"Martha Stewart Craft Studio" app.
She loves the glitter.
Dagmar
