I was up early today. I needed to go get my bus ticket for next week. For this bus, you need to buy and pick up the ticket 2-3 days in advance. You can't just walk up to the window on the day you leave and buy it. And, you can't purchase online, it must be in person.

I caught a songthaew (baht bus) not far from my hostel . As they come along they tap their horn slightly just before they get to you, if you are walking in the direction they are going. If you want them to stop you lift your hand. They pull over and you jump in the back. If it is full, you hold on to the back and ride the bumper. You pay when you ring the bell to get off.

I have to transfer to a different baht bus to get to the bus station. A bus taxi (looks just like a baht bus) pulls up while I am walking, waiting on my baht bus. 

 "150 baht" he says. 

 "No", I tell him. "I will wait for the baht bus". 

 "100 baht" he says, "Long way." 

 I refuse and catch my baht bus a few minutes later. It takes 10 minutes in heavy traffic for me to get to the bus station and costs me 10 bahts.

At the end of the route I have to get off the baht bus . A girl points that the bus station is that way. I walk across the street, and about a block later ask a guy sitting on the sidewalk. He points right across the street. I am right in front of the bus station, but it's across 10 lanes of traffic.

There are 5 lanes of traffic on each side of a medium for me to cross. I look up and down the street for a signal light to cross by. He laughs and takes my arm and points for me to cross right here. He starts me weaving in and out of the lanes of traffic while the cars are still moving. Then he leaves me on my own. I feel like I'm in the Pac Man game again. Eventually, I get to the other side. That's the way they do it here. 

After getting my ticket he sees me trying to cross again. He laughs at my hesitation. If it was a Thai person they would just take off making their way through all this traffic, without thinking about it. I have to get my courage up. He shakes my hand when I get to the other side of the street where he is .

Going back, I decide to walk for awhile before getting a baht bus. I pass a super market. These are rare to find. I stop in and find a small carton of banana flavored milk. 

I walk a little further and, all of a sudden, I am at the corner where I transferred songthaews. I could have walked it instead of rode it. It was not far at all. And, the truck taxi tried to charge me 150 baht. I knew it was a scam and that is why I waited for a 10 baht bus. I could have even walked the distance if I had known it wasn't that far.

Once back at the hostel I head for the beach. I can walk right outside my hostel and swim on a beach that is not very crowded. For a short swim this is great. For all day, though, I like to go further down the beach where there are umbrellas for shade.

I see some coconuts scattered along the sidewalk. Then, I notice some men are cutting them from the trees . I stop to watch and some other people stop, taking pictures as well.

I buy some finger size bananas in a bunch. They are a little sweeter than a full size banana. I notice posters on poles as I walk. They are advertising some Muay-Thai fights. I want to see one, but I will be riding on my bus all night.

There is a banner across the street about the Chinese Market on Feb 9-10. They are getting ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year here.

I started early this morning to get my bus ticket taken care of. It is around 10 a.m. now and I am enjoying the walk to the beach.

This part of the beach is the most shady and most popular. There are lots of high sugar palm trees here. Dongtan beach is in the area of The Royal Thai Fleet.
 
Since there are lots of sugar palm trees at the beach, Thai local residences here named the beach, Dongtan which means the area of plenty of sugar palm trees . How clever! 

The length of this beach is quite long. There are not as many tourists here as further up the way in Pattaya, so it can be seen as a little quieter beach. There are places to rent a sailboat and take a sailing course and, if you want, parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skis, etc.

I pull my sunglasses down and close my eyes. I'm listening to the soothing ocean sounds while lounging on my beach chair. It is underneath a canopy of umbrellas. Lounging around this way on Thailand's beaches has been my way of life for nearly a week.

The large umbrellas stand side by side, overlapping each other just a little. They create a large shady area to relax under. It reminds me of sitting under some big oak trees to escape the summer heat in the U.S. But, here there is sand instead of grass under my feet. There is a small table in front of my lounger to sit food or drinks on .

Some people are getting massages from the masseurs that walk through the area. The fees they charge are ridiculously low. One person is getting a manicure while another is getting a pedicure. All of them while relaxing in their beach loungers, listening to the same ocean waves as I am.

Out over the water I can see the ships on the horizon. The ocean seems to disappear in the distance. To the left and right, on the horizon, I see mountain ranges. This is the Gulf of Thailand and the horizon presents a beautiful picture.

Walking vendors pass through the area with pastries, cut up fruit wrapped in cellophane and styrofoam cartons, cooked chicken, shrimp, or ice cream, as well as almost any other foods you could desire. Also, some carry trinket souvernirs or even dvd's for sale. They are not intrusive. If you want what they carry you just nod or lift a hand. No need to get up, they will bring it to you while you relax in your lounger .

I have been at the beach since mid-morning. Once I secured my beach chair (30 baht for the day-$1.00), I headed for the water. The waves are coming in nicely and the water is warm. I ride the waves and taste the salty ocean. Just beyond the buoys that mark the swimming area, I see all kinds of activities going on. I swim out to get a better look at everythig, especially the windsurfing and paragliding, both of which really interests me.

I lay in my lounger talking with my Swedish friend. He was here the first day I came to this part of the beach and we talk a little each day. 

 A beach vendor walks by with a tray of meat. He has chicken, shrimp and chicken rolls. I take the chicken. It is in a little wrapped package. He unwraps it and puts it on a plate on my table. Then he pours some sauce in a small cup to dip the chicken in. I pay him and he wais me.

Another short swim and I return to my lounger and fall asleep. With the sound of the waves and the gentle breeze blowing under my man-made shade, it's easy to do.

I wake up and it is early afternoon. A lady with ice cream comes by. I lift my hand just a little, not exerting too much energy (I am retired). 

She comes to my lounger carrying her cooler full of ice cream . I lift a finger just slightly (I am retired) and meekly point to the picture of the strawberry/chocolate drumstick. 

She unwraps the strawberry/chocolate drumstick, leaving just enough wrapping on the cone to hold it by and puts it in my hand.

I give her a few baht and she gives me a Wai. I feel humble. She has been carrying this heavy container around all day in the sun. She brings it to me, unwraps it, and then she wai's me.

I visit with my friend from Sweden and, after awhile, I decide to order from the restaurant right behind me. I raise my hand just slightly (I am retired).There is a small wooden desk with drinks and people that come to take your order. I order a curry meal with rice and chicken stock. 

He phones the restaurant that is just through the trees and across the small walkway. It is just far enough away not to interrupt the peacefulness of the ocean experience, yet close enough to get your order to you quickly .

I go in for a swim and, by the time I get back, my little coffee like table is filled with my food order. It is a good Thai meal. I wanted something with rice this time and this just fit the bill. You can order any type of food or drinks all day long, western or Thai. They keep a tally and you pay for the food and lounger when you leave at the end of the day. Yesterday I had a wonderful banana milk shake.

I check the iphone (there is free Wi-Fi here on the beach). I see where New York City is bracing for a foot or two of snow later today and tonight, Feb 8-9. Thousands will be without power.

 A little tired from the day of swimming, and full of food, I lay back and close my eyes, listening to the sound of the ocean waves. I enjoy the perfect weather under my umbrella shade complete with the gentle breeze for added comfort. 

 There may be a better place to be somewhere today, but it's sure not New York City.