Day 5 Morning Ao Chalong

So incredibly nice to wake up alone and have time to myself. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy Ken and Ed's company however everyone needs alone time. It's when I am alone I feel most like myself. Woke up around 6am,  watched the sunrise from my room, thought about doing a workout but that's as far as I got. Yea I’ve put on a couple pounds from being confined to a boat for 4 days. I suppose I could make a workout happen if I tried harder. The heat definitely creates lethargy. Swimming has helped but haven’t had much chance to do it yet. If anchored with so many boats around you may as well be swimming in a sewage tank. Its hard to forego all of my western sensibilities here.

Walked to 7-11 to buy sunscreen since I had lost mine. I could have spent several hours looking at all the strange products in 7-11. I’ve attached a few photos. Whats the deal with all the whitening cream? I guess its pretty popular in all of these asian, south asian and middle eastern countries. I feel fortunate I’m free from the extremes of such vanity to chemically or otherwise alter my appearance. 

Very happy to find an American No. If you’re wondering what that is, its an americano haha. The streets are typical second world. Not as bad as third world (I don’t know what the criteria is but for my personal criteria if drinking the water may result in diarrhea and parasitic infections or if there is any human defecating done in public I consider this third world, this was my experience traveling India in 1995.) There is still litter, heavy traffic congestion and after an hour outside you’re covered in a paste of sweat, dirt and diesel exhaust. It almost makes the polluted marina look like a pleasant reprieve. Almost.

My hotel is located in a high tourist area and fishing and touring boats are everywhere. There are hundreds or thousands of tourists from all over the world here. The US passport has moved down to 4th rank of being able to freely enter foreign countries without a visa (German passport is first). I believe the number is 175 countries we can enter freely. Very lucky indeed we are. 

On my way to meet Ed and and Ken for breakfast. Ed texted that the bilge is still taking in water so he is concerned.  More later from party ville Patong.

Photos are a slideshow. Click on photo to access control arrows.