Stealing candy from a baby!

Not sure what part of my $7/hour massage I liked best-- her heels in my groin or the punching of my biceps.  It was a full hour of pure torture, my body did things I never knew it could do (and I was a gymnast) but hey, it was only $7/hour, that is reason enough to get one every single night while in Phuket (and we did!!).

We picked up another "random" at the airport in Thailand.  His name is "Robin of the Hood" (when you hang out with us you will get a nickname or two .. he's also known as "the guy with the fake french accent"!).  Robin is a 26 year old from France that just happened to be in the right place at the right time to meet a couple of fabulous American girls.  In our very first conversation we thanked him for french fries and french toast but he was not amused (but that didn't deter him from hanging out with us all week long).  Besides, if it weren't for us he would have never experienced a true “Thai Massage”.  After a day of coaxing he finally gives in.  Although his massage would be like no other we've experienced.  The three of us are ushered into a small room with three mats on the floor separated by curtains.  I'm told to "get naked" .. Robin must have been told the same because in a thick french accent I hear "seriously?!, you serious?! Nah?! Seriously?! (and then finally) .. Ok.  He’s easy!!  After my hour of torture I look over at Robin where all I see is from the chest up (thank goodness!) and there he is laying on his back with his hands clasped behind his head, eyes closed and a smirk on his face .. come to find out, "Happy Endings" do exist!!

Scooters are the norm here but it is a "free for all" on the roadways.  After a week of driving I'm still not sure if I'm supposed to be on the left or the right side of the road.  As you walk down the streets of Patong one side is nothing but beautiful beaches and turquoise blue water where the locals are eager to please the sunbathers. "Cocoa Butter?" .. "Massage?" .. "Wooden Elephant?"  (they even bring the shopping to you!! .. I know, Heaven!!!).  On the other side of the street it's lined with vendors selling anything from DVD home video of the Tsunami that hit here three years ago to fake Gucci bags, fake Rolex watches, bikinis and Billabong board shorts plus lots and lots of jewelry.  At first a simple "no thank you" will work but they hound you to buy and you just want to turn around and say "NO! I don't want a Gucci bag that is "cheap cheap" or a suit made just for me .. and NO! I don't want a Tuk Tuk ride. You say "tuk tuk” I say "back of a pick up truck", no thanks, I'll stick to my two wheeled death trap!"

To escape the vulchers trying to suck our wallets dry we take a day trip to PhiPhiIsland (pronounced "Pee Pee", which is not that far off).  It's the place where the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DeCaprio was filmed.  Apparently our speedboat filled with 30 people was not the only boat to make the hour long trek out to the patch of sand not bigger than a baseball diamond. We joined 700 of our closest friends.  The highlight of the day was when our Thai tour guide told us to "get your driving masks, we're going snorkering". (we know it's ignorant to laugh at the broken English but the sun had definitely gotten to us by then).  That "snorkering" trip ended up saving us about $150.  Their idea of "beautiful coral" was paper cups and plastic bags hanging from the not so colorful coral.  We canceled our dive trip scheduled for the next day.

After two weeks not only are we starting to speak broken English but the funds are running low. Who knew someone could need that many bikinis.  We part ways with our french friend from France and promise to meet up with him in London in June but for some reason the e-mails we send him get bounced back .. HOW CONVENIENT!! Just kidding. Robin is just another one of the wonderful people we've met along the way that has helped to make this journey even more enjoyable.

Until next time,

CJ