An exceptional day in Patong. I decided to hit the beach after a couple of days of lying low after the 24+ hours of getting here from th US. I brought my snorkling gear to hit the rocky area at the north end of the beach. In the past, it's been a secret spot of mine to snorkle along the rocks. Lots of fish and scenery. While walking along the beach I was surprised to see some waves. Usually this time of year the sea is glass.
As soon as I sat down I realized snorkling was out. Sets of large waves were washing in! There is nothing in the world I rather be doing (maybe one thing)than body surfing and the waves were breaking perfectly for it. I'd guess they were 6-8 foot waves. The first one I rode for 50 yards to the beach. It was heaven. I stayed out there for an hour.
The waves actually started to get bigger to the point where you couldn't ride them any more because they were breaking too close to shore as the tide came in. I walked home and had spicy chicken curry, my favorite meal at Restaurant #6 on the way.
Bought Cloverfield, the movie, on the street and watched it while drinking a couple of Singhas. Fell asleep and woke up at 10. Showered and hit the Mai Thai bar for some conversation and drinks. Golum was in with a broken elbow after a bike accident the other day.
It reminded me of sitting that afternoon and seeing a European couple go by me while I was eating lunch. The man and women were all bandaged on one side of their bodies. I could see the blood on the bandages. But here they were speeding down the street. I don't want to hurt myself while on vacation. Here these people are back on the bike within hours of a nasty spill?
Soi Eric was happening. Next it was on to the Tiger Bar. The place was packed. Everyone had sticky valentines on. The place was pretty drunk. It was an exceptional night of partying. Then, for the first time in years of coming to Phuket, a fight breaks out. Two big muscle bound guys with friends on both sides went at it. Dance floor cleared as security wrestled these guys to a stand still. It took four guys on each of them to stop it. Not many punches but it was exciting. I was upstairs looking down at it. The guy standing next to me made me laugh, "Big muscles, little brains, little dciks". It always amazes me that you see so few fights here.
From there I was off to the Tai Pan. Same scene. Packed. About 3:30 the day of body surfing and Singhas hit me and I hit the road.
Damn, I love this place.