Khao Lak - Part II

  Khao Lak, Thailand
Friday, December 14, 2007

Khao Lak - Part II - The Last 4 Days
Our first night in Khao Lak we thought we saw satalites, UFOs or very small planes in the sky. What we were looking at was the nightly release of the Khoom Loy (Sky Lanterns) that are symbolic of releasing your problems and worries.
Time in Khao Lak is coming to an end, eight days of rest and relaxation, morning dips in the pool that we step ino from our room (see Khao Lak Part I for pics), daily swims in the sea (no jelly fish, yeah), strolls on the beach where the sand is like silk. And cocktail time at the beach bar, watching the prayrer lanterns lite the night sky like floating stars.

During a Thai dance show at our hotel we heard and fell in love with a style of music called Poong Lang. It's from the North (where we were headed to next).
It has a funky beat, a bit tribal and something I want to use in my dance.

One night we had dinner next door at the Ramada (beachside of course) , watched a Polynesian dance performance . They pulled guests up to join them, and of course I volunteered.

We loved our La Flora Xmas tree at night, especially the lights as they reflected in the infinity pool. The lobby tree was really cute.

After six days into relaxing at the beach we were finally ready to venture up the road to the little town of Khao Lak (or what's left of it/been rebulit post Tsunami).

We checked-out a day market that was about a mile up the road from the beach.  The Tsunami waves went all the way up to the road, and beyond. The bars and market weren't allowed to rebuild on the beach.

After a hot afternoon of shopping in the market we were in search of a very cold beer. One look at Mamas Bar and I knew this was the place to relax with a old brew, hot food and friendly conversation. If you've ever been to Hamburger Mary's in Hawaii or San Francisco you have a sense of how an eclectic, ad hoc decor actually creates a sense of continuity. Mamas was one of the bars that was wiped out on the beach and now rebuilt on the roadside.

Directly across the street is the Tsunami memorial/museum  and the police boat that was out to sea that morning.

While at Mamas a tuk-tuk (taxi) stopped and a couple got out. The first thing they did was run up to Mama and throw their arms around her. They started sobbing and all they could say was 'we didn't know if you were alive'. This was a common experience the whole time we were there.

On our walk back to the hotel we stopped by Songs Bar. We met the owner over beers at Mamas. A Dutch and Thai couple - young, hip, beautfiul and very, very happy.

Visiting Khao Lak, walking the beach, seeing the destruction and re-birth, and meeting the orphans and children of the R35 school was a spiritual experience. I am a richer person because of it.