Patong Beach

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

I didn't realize there were this many chaise lounges in the entire world.

As far as the eye can see, up and down the beach, there are rows and rows of umbrella-covered beach chairs.  It's quiet here right now, but I can't imagine what it must be like when the Europeans flood the place.

Watch out for tourists on motor-scooters.  You can rent them here, but I think you must have a little dare-devil in you to actually get out in this traffic on a two-wheeler.  Another oddity -- while most of the streets are left-hand-drive, (like Britain), SOME of teh streets are right-hand-drive (like the US)... I haven't seen the sign that tells you which one is which.  Glad most things are within walking distance!

SO I'm sitting at the beach watching people play in the water (including this one topless woman), and suddenly, a local cleric begins a muslim call to prayer.  I hadn't realized that Islam was so prevalent here, but in fact I had read somewhere that Southern Thailand has a larger percentage of Muslims, and after all we are only a stone's throw from Malaysia, which is primarily Muslim.  Interesting.

And now, for the icon of the day: