Summary
I traveled to Ko Samet, Thailand, after celebrating my aunt’s 90th birthday in Oregon. I experienced heavy rain, visited a massage shop, and enjoyed the daily routines of beach relaxation, massages, and exploring the local area. I also participated in the Loy Krathong celebration, honoring loved ones and letting go of negativity.
I usually leave mid-September for warm climates, but this year I delayed my travels until after celebrating my Aunt’s 90th birthday in Lincoln City, Oregon, on October 25th.
I broke my left ankle on August 6 and got my cast removed on October 21. This was a good change of events.
I would’ve had to cancel my normal reservations. Check out my previous blog entry for details of this accident, along with my aborted hike to Canada from Stevens Pass
My older brother, Jim, joined me to drive from Seattle to Oregon to celebrate my Aunt’s 90th birthday.
On our way down, we stopped by to see Jefferson, Jim’s son and my nephew, who works at an E-bike store in Portland.
I also visited the Ole Bolle troll in Oregon, who is peering into a small Scandinavian house on the grounds of the Nordic Northwest center just outside Tigard.
After a windy drive, we arrived in Lincoln City and celebrated at a Cliffside house set up by her kids, Colleen, Lura, and Drew.
We met relatives and new acquaintances. Here are some pictures from the event.
We returned to Seattle by car on Monday, October 27, during a torrential rain storm with winds up to 70 mph. The next day, I had my final physical therapy session and received take-home exercises to strengthen my ankle. I also had another blood draw for the Covid research project I’ve been with since March 2020.
Leaving Seattle for Bangkok, Thailand
On October 29, I took the light rail from Seattle to the airport under gloomy skies.
I arrived three hours early due to uncertainty about the government shutdown’s impact on TSA security and my later Korean Air flight.
Despite receiving multiple emails and texts from Korean Air inviting me to get my online boarding pass, the only available seats cost $50 or more.
The Korea Air ticketing desk was empty, and I requested a free aisle seat. Both legs of my journey were at the back of the plane, but it was quiet, food service was quick, and it was close to the bathrooms.
I was disappointed they didn’t show “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” and I wasn’t interested in other choices, so I read a book and slept.
I obtained an eVisa online at the Thailand immigration kiosks upon arrival.
Despite long lines due to simultaneous arrivals, I found a section for diplomats and seniors, expediting my process. I received a 60-day eVisa.
The airport train ran until midnight from the bottom level for ฿45, taking 40 minutes to downtown Bangkok with connections to the skytrain at Phaya Thai. I then rode the skytrain for another ฿35 to Nana. I walked to my Orchid Inn hotel on Soi 4.
Halloween morning, I visited a local pharmacy to get blood thinner pills since I didn’t get my 90-day refill before leaving. The pharmacist advised me to go to the hospital for a doctor’s prescription.
I was already going to Bumrungrad Hospital for a dentist appointment and to repair my glued front veneer. Dr. Pacharee was on vacation, so I scheduled an appointment for November 19th morning.
I had to see a nurse and a doctor to get my blood thinner prescription, which cost $50. I thought the pills would be cheaper or the same as back in the US, but they cost $7 each, compared to $1 per pill for my mail-order 90-day supply.
On Saturday, I took the skytrain from Bang Sue station to buy my night sleeper train to Hat Yai on November 19th. These sleeper trains fill up quickly, and I’ve found it unpleasant to ride in the third-class carriage without air conditioning or a place to lie down.
From Hat Yai, I planned to visit Ko Lipe Island, a place I’d never been. I was curious because a popular blogger named Nomadic Matt was inspired to begin his travels and business after experiencing time on this island.
The train station had a beautiful model of a ceremonial boat.
I boarded the skytrain to Chatuchak weekend market to shop for a new Hawaiian shirt, elephant-patterned PJ bottoms, lunch, and browse the shops again.
Queen Sirikit, a revered figure in Thailand, passed away on October 24th at the age of 93. Flags will be flown at half mast for 30 days, and people are expected to wear dark clothing and act respectfully for 90 days. Government employees will wear black clothing for a year. Sirikit significantly advanced the Thai silk and design industry and supported numerous initiatives benefiting the poor, especially in rural areas. She was widely loved and held a great influence both domestically and internationally.
Visiting the Soi Cowboy entertainment area, famous during the Vietnam era, felt like business as usual.
After four nights in Bangkok, I took the Sky Train from Nana to Ekkami, then a big new bus to Ko Samet—a three-hour ride to Ban Phe for ฿184.
Evenings often brought torrential rainstorms that flooded low-lying areas and streets. On the drive to Ban Phe, we stopped at a flooded bus station where passengers waded through water to board our bus.
Before the ferry to Ko Samet, I visited Laksika Massage Shop, opened by Chollada Naka in Ban Phe. She’d given me massages at Sirion Massage for years and dreamed of opening her own shop.
She finally found a shop in Ban Phe near her aging parents. I took a short taxi ride there.
The shop was beautiful, with foot massage chairs and massage beds.
She plans to move to a hotel under construction to attract more traffic, especially foreign tourists.
After a motorbike ride back to the Nuanthip pier, I walked to the end and boarded a ferry to Ko Samet for ฿70.
I usually stayed at the Runa-Runa or Blue Ocean guesthouses, but they were full. So, I booked a 2-week stay at the LaBella Guesthouse, just a block away.
The clean, spacious unit had a covered patio with greenery views. It included a hot pot, mini fridge, and A/C. France 24 was the only English channel, while the rest were Thai and mostly shopping channels. I used YouTube to check the recent election results, especially the close race for mayor in Seattle.
We’ve had tremendous rainstorms with thunder and lightning during several nights and early mornings.
Most mornings, I’d have coffee, orange juice, and a banana at my guesthouse before heading to a restaurant for an American breakfast of coffee, toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, and cabbage salad—usually Chilli’s.
I had daily oil massages at Sirion Massage for ฿400–$13USD, including tip. After the hour massage, I’d relax at the beach, rent a chair for ฿100, and explore.
I’d stop at a smoothie shop run by Da’s brother and sister-in-law, Wut and Toot, for delicious mango smoothies.
I also bought pomelo, mango slices, or whole coconuts from vendors for about ฿60 or under $1.75 USD each.
I’d take a daily one-hour walk along the beach, sometimes going for a swim, and usually stop at 7-11 to pick up food supplies.
On November 5, it was Loy Krathong celebration, and Da had come over to sell these beautiful floats at a table across from her brother’s smoothie shop.
The candle venerates the Buddha with light, while the krathong's floating away symbolizes letting go of all one's hatred, anger, and defilements. Many Thais use the krathong to thank the Goddess of Water and to honor loved ones.
She gave me a large float made from a cross-section of a banana trunk, resembling a lotus plant with incense sticks and a candle. We took it to the temple pond with the owner of the Sirion massage shop, for whom she used to work.
I placed the float in the water in remembrance of my brother Steve and his wife Nona, who had recently passed away, and to celebrate my Aunt Glenda’s 90th birthday. It joined many other floats on the pond.
This small celebration, combined with the Ping Yai festival, where large lanterns are released into the sky, is a unique experience.
The staff at several restaurants, including Buddies at the entrance to the beautiful White Sand beach area and the Reef restaurant, where my old Pudsa Bungalows used to be, remembered me. My favorite meal was a filet mignon at the Reef restaurant, which cost ฿560—$17 and included roasted potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
At Buddies, my favorite was the Penang curry.
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