Chonnapha Resort Adventure

This is my second venture up to Chonnapha Resort at Khanom Beach, Thailand.  I really wish Noi could have come with us, but it is cool to have some time with Caleb as well.  Our first day here was yesterday, and it was great to get up here and get our feet wet in the ocean and sandy from the beach.  Of course, we got here at noon and Caleb hadn't eaten anything yet, so our first adventure was lunch.  We walked to the resort's restaurant, but it was closed for yesterday, so Mai at the main office had the driver take us to a wonderful little restaurant just about a mile up the road called Khun Lee's Restaurant.  It turns out that Khun Lee and her crew do just about everything around here (well, sort of).  They are also the people who rent scooters and cars, do the fishing and exploration tours, schedule beach weddings, etc. 

Lunch was great.  The menu at Khun Lee's is very extensive, and I have to say, that's the BEST panang curry I have ever had...I want to take them back with me.  I don't have any pictures of Khun Lee's yet, but I will before we leave.  The restaurant here at the resort opens up today, so they are bringing breakfast to our villa (yes, I said villa).  I had originally just rented the el cheapo room here for $27/night.  It would have been adequate for just Caleb and me, and it was in my budget.  However, when we got up here, they gave us an offer we couldn't refuse.  For 2000 baht (about $62) more for 4 nights, they gave us a villa with two beds ON THE BEACH with four free mornings of breakfast. 

Actually, at first, they put us in the same villa that Noi and I stayed at in November, but that one only had one bed, and we needed two twin beds.  That was no problem.  They moved us next door to a nice one the same size but with two beds, and it has been perfect so far.  Yay for Chonnapha.  They have my deepest gratitude, and they are the place I will refer all of my friends to who want to come to this part of Thailand.

We are hoping to go kayaking with the pink dolphins either tomorrow or Thursday, which is an all-day adventure to one of the islands close to here.  We could have gone snorkeling today, but the dolphins are one reason I wanted to come, but I have to wait and see if they will have other people who want to go (they need at least 6).  I love the fact that most of the people at Khun Lee's speak enough English to joke around with the tourists and make our eating experience pleasant.  Caleb really liked the fact that he didn't feel so confused (okay, I did too) by all of the conversations going on around us.  I seriously think that Lee could give the Thai restaurants in Pullman a run for their money because she has the personality to attract people for return visits...in other words, it's not just the food; it's all about atmosphere.

Anyway, today we are going to rent scooters (they call them motorbikes) to explore Khanom a little bit.  Unlike Bangkok and Surat Thani, Khanom is not quite as crowded and the traffic is not as dangerous (a little bit in town, but not horrible).  I want to go in to town and take pictures of the cool fishing boats in the harbor and see what else there is to see out here.  In November when Noi and I came, we had a great time, but we didn't go very many places other than the resort (which was completely fine then).  Caleb is not so much into fish spas, so we will just get our bearings and reclaim a sense of the independence we have back home.

Speaking of home, we head back to Moscow in about 5 days.  It's been a mixed bag here for Caleb, but I have had a great time spending more time with the Thai people (wonderful and friendly folks) and experiencing a little more of the overseas experience (my longest trip prior to this has been only 12 days).  In November, it looks like Noi and I will go to Phuket for our honeymoon, but for now this has been a great opportunity for both Caleb and I.  I do miss Moscow and Pullman and the pace of life there.  I miss going out and taking my nightly walks to take pictures and just see what's happening around town.  However, it's good to change the pace a bit too.

Okay, not much more for now.  I will probably write another post to the blog later today after seeing what the day holds.  I hope all of you are happy and well.

David