Billie in Town
4 May 2006 — So the big highlight of last week was that Billie came to town. And seeing how I might not be so adventurous as to head to Bangkok on my own later on, especially when I only have a single day off, I thought yup, this would be a good time to go. Not only would I be able to spend some time with Bi there, but more importantly, we get to have our little reunion with Joerg, and meet Tina, his new wife! So on Tuesday, right after work at 5pm, I rushed to catch the last van to Bangkok. Not too bad, the ride was of course a bit bumpy, but we got to Bangkok in one piece and in good time too. We actually reached Bangkok by 8pm, and just a little later, I found myself in the arms of Billie and the good company of Joerg and Tina over a bowl of ramen in the Thong Lo district. Fantastic! It was such good fun, catching up after 6 years, in Bangkok! Who would have thought?!?
And Joerg and Tina are so much in love and so affectionate with each other that it’s infectious.
Over the next couple of days, amidst lotsa catching up ourselves, Billie and I managed to get almost everything on my big-trip-to-town shopping list: chockies, speaking of which, he actually got me a box of Godiva Platinum range ones from the US. I love him so much at that point I could kiss his toes!
Look, aren’t they BEAUUUTIFUL?
Also, some cutlery and plates, and bowls and cups. I know I can find them in Hua Hin, but the ones here are not aesthetically pleasing… and ‘cos I really want to pick up Thai much faster than the one class per week we’re getting at work, we also got me some Thai language books, CDs and a dictionary. Yup yup I’ll be spilling Thai from my mouth in NO time! So what did Billie get? A really really crap haircut. He says so himself. I was in fact the more forgiving of the two about it. He was so fuming mad he refused to talk. It was really quite bad, he looked EXACTLY like a Thai ah-beng, not a great look by any stretch of the imagination.
Other than shopping, we caught up more with J&T, one night they brought us to Khao San road. Cannot believe it right? Back in Jan ‘05, Billie and I went to Bangkok for 8 days, travelled all the way to Ayutthaya but never did make it to Khao San road?!?
Well, this time we did, had a pub dinner, but no steak or burgers, instead we had Thai food and while Billie had a beer, I had my favourite fresh coconut juice. Great crowd around Khao San, everyone’s a tourist it seems, and of course, they were all in hippy happy camper mood. All except for ONE dude, otherwise known as “the Jesus guy” who was standing right in the middle of the street, ranting at the top of his lungs about Jesus and condemnation. You’ve got to hand it to him, he was there raving before dinner, and he was there raving after dinner AND shopping. If nothing else, the guy sure had stamina.
And this time too, we finally had the infamous beef noodles at Peninsula.
Yes, yes, the one that everyone keeps going on about, especially Peiling. But she was damn right, it’s definitely worth the trip, and save yourself the trouble — just order 2 bowls from the start. Trust me.
Other foodie highlights included ze BEST BEST BEST BEST BEST mango sticky rice ever!
We actually had this for dessert the first night after ramen. Apparently you just have to say “Thong Lo” (the suburb where J&T are) and everyone will be talking about this sticky rice place. And truly, IT WAS ORGASMIC! The mango, so effortlessly ripe and sweet, but the rice, the rice, cooked to absolute perfection and drenched in this rich delicious sweet-salty coconut cream. Oh yes, yes… And if that wasn’t enough, to top it all off, the owners came up with this ingenious crispy rice sprinkle thing. Man… this is the stuff we live for.
Sadly before too long it was time to leave Bangkok… I mean, I do like Hua Hin very much, but Bangkok’s got its own groovy kind of vibe too, and I wouldn’t have mind staying for a couple of days more. Hmm… and on retrospect, those were probably the best couple of days Billie and I had together, save for the final day just before he left. ‘Cos work-wise, this was the most harrowng week yet. Yes, slowly but surely, I’m starting to see why so many advisors before me had burnt out and move on…
This week we had have 100% occupancy and a bit more at CS. Worse, they come in groups and stay for days on end, all demanding a million and one treatments, and preferably together all at the same time. It’s impossible! Within a week, I’ve graduated from seeing 2-3 guests per day all on 3-night stays, to seeing 7-8 guests per day all on 10, 11, 12 night packages! It’s a sinking feeling in the mornings when you come in, click on your schedule and see that the whole thing has been fully booked back to back with no room to breathe. The most stressful part was the very fact that Billie was in town, and needless to say, I’d much rather be spending time with him, not stuck in an office for 12, 13 hours a day till 10, 11pm at night! I felt so bad. The tables have surely turned. Where previously I used to whinge about how he wasn’t giving me the time of day, now I’m apologising for doing exactly the same back to him. It’s so funny, he says now he feels like “the wife”. It’s no life being a wife. Oh well, what to do… guests to see, and bookings to make…
Nonetheless, I think Billie actually managed really well without me. For instance, on the very first day, he had somehow figured out how to rent a motorbike (the staple mode of transport here) so we were self-sufficient.
Like Geez… I didn’t even know the guy knew how to ride a bike, and I doubt he has a bike license, not that any of that matters here in HH. So with his new found freedom, on a daily basis, he would report to me all the funky places he’s been to have breakfast and lunch.
Here are some photos he took during his daily excursions, which also gives you an idea of what Hua Hin looks like:
He also found himself another hairdresser who was able to reduce the damage of his Bangkok haircut. And ‘cos I’m working most of the day, he also did the same, on his laptop at Starbucks in Market Village (MV). Hee hee apparently he was on first-name basis with all the staff there by the time he left. And then, (now this is REALLY out of his league usually) he somehow managed to find himself a place to get a Thai massage even! Boy are we impressed or what?!? Hmm… a kampong boy at heart, probably felt like he has finally returned to his roots or something. And I dare say he has grown quite fond of Hua Hin too ‘cos on the last day he was here, he even insisted we go to the local real estate agent and just check out the laws regarding acquiring property here?!? So siao right?
And finally when we did have time together, we headed out to MV, the night market which was good fun (here we had 2 bowls of fish ball noodles, a fried kway teow and coconut milk dessert for only 100B = A$3.60! And the hawker even called me “m’am”?!?), the “Hilton” area, so called ‘cos it was close to the Hilton hotel, where we had two “very fine-dining” experiences for Hua Hin standards.
One was at Mama Mia for Italian, and then Hagi for Japanese.
Mama Mia
Hagi
Billie was duely impressed, especially by Mama, said it restored his faith in Italian cuisine after 3 failed attempts during his US trip. We also met up quite a few times with my colleagues, farangs and locals alike — as usual, everyone said what a nice guy he was. And my favourite bit: a sunset back at Khao Hin Leck Fai.
And as we descended from Khao Hin Leck that evening, these were the sights and colours we beheld:
Sadly, before very long, it was time to say goodbye again. So sad… oh well, this was a desicion I made, and I knew what I was in for, so… Billie did leave behind a beautiful reminder of his love though…
On her wings are written: To the world you may be just one person, but to one person, you are the world. Aww… isn’t he a sweetheart…