I was in Bangkok when I first saw one. It was trimmed on the sides. It was hit with a sharp machete looking knife to make a lid in the top of it. A straw was inserted and a wide plastic spoon was included. The curious- or happy-customers then drank the juice through the straw. What are these things? I see them around on street carts in different places.

A few days later, I was walking around Bangkok with my new best friend for the day . Everyone you meet taveling like this becomes your best friend if they spend time with you. Tomorrow they may be gone in a different direction, but he was your best friend for a few hours or a day or more.

I see those things again. "What are those", I ask. "I think they are coconuts", Cian says. They don't look like coconuts, but maybe he is right.

I asked how to get to the beach today. "Take a taxi", a couple of the guys staying at the Guesthouse tell me. It is too far to walk. "Well, I like to walk and I will walk until I get tired and then I can always get a taxi or just turn around and come back", I tell them. They give me the directions and I am off. 

I start off walking to the beach, if I can make it that far. I walk along, unconcerned with the time. I know it will take a long time to get to the beach. I know it's a long way off, because I was told it was. I make a turn or two as directed . Then I see water! It's the beach! I have already walked at least 10 minutes. It's so funny how people think about walking.

I walk along the beach and take pictures. One I take is in front of a McDonlds. Yes, they have some American chains here. I have not eaten in one. 

 Except for the included breakfast at the B&B Guesthouse I am staying in now, I have not eaten American food here. I eat thai food and love it. People have told me the McDonalds food here taste a little different from what you get in the states. Maybe the seasoning has been modified to appeal more to the Thais. I don't know. I do not eat at McDonalds today either. But, I want to get a picture of Ronald McDonald giving the wai to his customers coming in the doors. He is at all the McDonalds doing the wai to you as you enter.

There are many, many parasailing kites in the Gulf. It's something I want to do sometime . I take pictures and walk the beach, but never find where to sign up.

Soon, I come to the sign, "The Walking Street". My hostel owner told me I would probably not like it and not to waste my time. That was when I first arrived. I didn't realize I would be near it today. I walk down Walking Street, anyway. It's 11 a.m. and this is primarily a bar scene area and is apparently quite raucous and exciting at night. Still, there are people walking through here and looking, just like I am in the quiet of the day. People not really interested in the bar scene walk the street during the day when it is quieter, just to see what it is like.

Many of the bars are open at both ends. They are open on the street side and these HUGE bars go all the way through to the beach, where they are open again. I tried to take pictures of the ships. You can see from the street side all the way through to the the Gulf, but I don't think you can see the ships in the photos . It is really something to see though. From the street side I can see all these large ships anchored, but maybe you can't in the photos. Maybe you should come to Thailand to see for yourself.

I guess vandalism is not a big threat here, as I see lots of businesses that just put things away, but don't really lock the building up. Often, there is not a way to lock it up. It's the same with these big bars. The chairs are up on the tables but the place is wide open. I'm sure the liquor and things are locked away, though.

As everywhere here, there are the altars set up with food and drinks to chase away evil spirits, I think. I'm glad I am walking down walking street, even if it was not planned.

After leaving Walking Street, I just continue to walk along the beach. Along the beach you pass by taxi boats that will take you to an island. Maybe I can come back another day to give it a try . The road bends and curves in and out along the beach with constantly changing scenery. I have already walked far past where the guys at the hostel said it was too far to walk. I heard one time "It's not too far to walk if you have the time". That has always been my moto. I love walking.

I see a cart selling the coconuts. Some people are getting one. I want one too, but it has not been long since I ate, so I will wait and hope to get one on the way back.

Some of the streets along the beach have opening about 4 inches wide all along them for drainage. I included a picture. In the States it would be a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Today I see a number of bicyclist. The most I have seen since leaving the states. I don't mean just around town bicyclists. I have seen lots of those in different town. I mean the bicycle clothes and helmet wearing cyclists that make it a serious sport . It's good to see them. Riding a bicycle to me is like eating ice cream, it's just a fun thing to do.

As I get to the less populated beach area, I see some guys fishing. The day is nice and the route is interesting. I keep walking.

I stop to take photos at some overlooks. Then, I see a temperature sign. It's a little after noon and 27.4 C. It seems everyone I meet here from other counties use centigrade for their temperature. They do not know how to translate into Fahrenheit and I don't either. I did once but forgot. But, I look it up and 27.4C is 81F. So, a wonderful day to stroll along the beach that is too far to walk (for some) in Thailand.

I pass a police station and they have a weightlifting gym set up outside. The weather here is good enough to do about anything outdoors.

On the way back I see a group of Thais sitting in the parking lot on the beach with their lunch spread out . They eat just about anywhere here they decide to, and no one cares. Try spreading your lunch out in a parking lot next to your car in the states. I am sure there are laws against it. This seems to be a live an let live society. No one seems to claim any personal space. If there is room for you to squeeze in to walk or drive, then it's yours. You don't get the angry looks and yelling and horn honking and road rage like people express in the U.S.

On the return walk as I near Walking Street, I come to the coconut stand. It is hot now and I have walked many miles. I have been thinking about the coconut drink. I ask for one. 30 baht. The lady slices the top and includes the stray and spoon. It does not taste like coconut. Once the juice is finished I take the wide plastic spoon and dig out the meat inside. Still does not taste like coconut.

I took a side trip through an open mall. It has a roof and walls but is open at both ends . It is a regular building. Halfway through the mall there is this altar, again with food and drink placed. If this was in America, some group would be protesting a religious icon being in a public mall.

Once back at the hostel, I have walked down the beach and back about 6 to 8 miles total. It took about 4 or 5 hours to walk the round trip, since I stopped so often to look and take photos.

I met a man from Chechasolvakia (spelling might be wrong, but he was Chech) today, the first one from there I think I have met.

I connected with an expats group soon after arriving in Pattaya. Expats are people that hold citizenship in one country but live in another country long time. I checked with one of the groups and was told where to meet some of them. They sit at a large (10-12) person round table outside a restaurant. The table is on the street, of course. 

I find the place, not far from my hostel, and with a couple of names I had been given, I find a couple of the guys there. They are very helpful and informative about visas and things pertaining to getting around and seeing here. One night one of the wives came, but it is mostly the men that sit around talking. It is not an official meeting of the group. That is held once a month. This is just a group of them that get together to eat or drink and talk.

They all speak english, but with their individual accents. I meet expats from Finland, Hawaii, Texas, NYC, Ireland, and of course England.