Playing with fire the night before left us worn out physically and mentally (it definitely wasn't the cheap liquor we drank by the bucket), so we slept in until noon. At lunch, we were told about a scenic viewpoint at the top of the island, so we made the trek up the mountain, and were rewarded by a view second to none. Our guidebook was right when it told us this was one of the top 10 most beautiful places on Earth. A thin sandbar connects the two parts of the island, with ocean waves coming in to both beautiful auqumarine bays. It was so pleasant that we spent the next 4 hours reading and taking in the views on the observation rocks. It was a great way to spend the afternoon and the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Our tans have hit a new high. At dinner, the waitress/cook turned to Danny and asked, "Are you Muslim?" After making her repeat herself at least three times, we finally realized she was serious and were rather surprised. Danny laughed and respectfully told her he was not. As she was Muslim, we think she may have been loking for a prospective husband. Minutes later, a group of men came in to the restaurant and sat at the table next to us. One of the men turned to Ashwin and asked, "Are you Muslim?" and pointing to his own beard said "You're face looks Muslim." Twice in 5 minutes. We were surprised.
Not wanting to miss out on the incredible island nightlife, we got our usual liter beers from 7 Eleven (which they actually offered to open for us in the store), and headed to "Reggae Bar" which is outfitted with a Thai boxing ring. As we walked in the door, we saw 2 tourists going at it (yes, all you have to do is volunteer to step in the ring), and within 2 minutes one of the men was knocked out cold with an impressive kick to the side of the head. This was serious stuff. Despite our limited decision making capacities at the time, we were luckily smart enough to know not to get anywhere close to the ring - fire jumping is as far as we go.
After claiming our free Thai whiskey buckets from "Tiger Bar" (not quite as authentic as the June Lake version), we headed back to the fire-show beach bars and sat down with a group of Irish girls. Midway through our conversations, one of the girls asked Danny what the American stereotype of Irish people is. He replied tentatively by saying that the joke is that all Irish people do is drink beer. At this, the girl became flustered and replied with, "You know what we think of Americans. You're all dumb." She then proceeded to give Danny an intelligence test by asking what the closest city is to Dublin, to which he responded "I'm an American, the only city I know in Ireland is Dublin." It was a trick question, as the closest city is, in fact, Liverpoo, England. Danny redeemed himself by knowing the capital of Germany. Luckily the two of us are comfortable with our intellects, but she and her friends sure lived up to our stereotype as they downed bucket after bucket. Later in the night, we met a few Israeli girls that refused to believe Danny was Jewish and said he looked more like a Muslim. Go figure.
We ended the night with spring rolls and the most amazing shish kabobs we have ever eaten - all for 50 cents. We love Thailand.
Our tans have hit a new high. At dinner, the waitress/cook turned to Danny and asked, "Are you Muslim?" After making her repeat herself at least three times, we finally realized she was serious and were rather surprised. Danny laughed and respectfully told her he was not. As she was Muslim, we think she may have been loking for a prospective husband. Minutes later, a group of men came in to the restaurant and sat at the table next to us. One of the men turned to Ashwin and asked, "Are you Muslim?" and pointing to his own beard said "You're face looks Muslim." Twice in 5 minutes. We were surprised.
Not wanting to miss out on the incredible island nightlife, we got our usual liter beers from 7 Eleven (which they actually offered to open for us in the store), and headed to "Reggae Bar" which is outfitted with a Thai boxing ring. As we walked in the door, we saw 2 tourists going at it (yes, all you have to do is volunteer to step in the ring), and within 2 minutes one of the men was knocked out cold with an impressive kick to the side of the head. This was serious stuff. Despite our limited decision making capacities at the time, we were luckily smart enough to know not to get anywhere close to the ring - fire jumping is as far as we go.
After claiming our free Thai whiskey buckets from "Tiger Bar" (not quite as authentic as the June Lake version), we headed back to the fire-show beach bars and sat down with a group of Irish girls. Midway through our conversations, one of the girls asked Danny what the American stereotype of Irish people is. He replied tentatively by saying that the joke is that all Irish people do is drink beer. At this, the girl became flustered and replied with, "You know what we think of Americans. You're all dumb." She then proceeded to give Danny an intelligence test by asking what the closest city is to Dublin, to which he responded "I'm an American, the only city I know in Ireland is Dublin." It was a trick question, as the closest city is, in fact, Liverpoo, England. Danny redeemed himself by knowing the capital of Germany. Luckily the two of us are comfortable with our intellects, but she and her friends sure lived up to our stereotype as they downed bucket after bucket. Later in the night, we met a few Israeli girls that refused to believe Danny was Jewish and said he looked more like a Muslim. Go figure.
We ended the night with spring rolls and the most amazing shish kabobs we have ever eaten - all for 50 cents. We love Thailand.
Right about "Thai boxing ring" I started getting anxious. By "all you have to do is step in the ring" I was close to a wreck. At "impressive kick to the head" I was reaching for my medical insurance card and looking up the number for the Thai consulate in LA. Finally.... "Luckily we were smart enough to know not to..."
ReplyDeleteThe day you spent at the beach sounds…just perfect.
ReplyDeleteI’m still amazed that you’re in the middle of Southeast Asia, surrounded by all these unique foods (also one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite places to eat) and 7 eleven is still your favorite place to go, lol.