Monk Blessing, Monkey Mountain, Mexican Food and The Famous Hua Hin Train Station at Night

December 24

Up early at 6 am and out on the street to pick up some tasty fried doughnuts, sticky coconut cake and fried taro for breakfast. 

We walked a block to 7-11 for several large bottles of water and cold lemon tea and on the way back there was a Monk with his Alms Bowl collecting the food he will eat at his only meal of the day at noon.

I reached in my bag and pulled out a lemon tea, walked to him, knelt down and gently placed the tea in his bowl, making sure I did not touch him or the bowl with my hand. I did glance at him as I approached and he had a surprised twinkle in his eye that told me not many Farangs help out the Monks.

I put my hands together and bowed my head while he gave me a blessing. His words I did not understand, but his deep voice resonated with passion and I was completely overwhelmed when he finished about a minute later. I bowed and without looking directly at him I backed away as I stood up and I walked back to the resort feeling elated.........This was my first Making Merit and Monk Blessing and I loved it!!

Monkey Mountain is very close to the resort but we couldn't walk the beach because the low tide happens to be a (Plus Low) meaning it doesn't go out as far as if it were a normal low tide. We walked up the road to the hill where we saw the large golden Buddha facing the sea. I have seen many pictures of it and to be standing at the feet and looking up was surreal.

We climbed the first set of many stairs, took some pictures and the found the road to the temple on the hill. These stairs numbered 128 one way! We finally reached the temple grounds where the Macaques live. One tried to climb on Steven and one tried to get in the cloth bag I was carrying my water in. Ages of the monkeys were from infant to very old. It was fun to watch the community dynamics and to see who was clearly in charge and which were banished to the outer areas of the area. http://www.huahin-online.com/hua-hin/monkey-mountain-hua-hin-khao-takiab.htm

After returning to the resort we rested and napped for several hours and went into town for, what was to be our first Mexican dinner at Margarita's …..where the sign says....” Real Mexican food by a Real Mexican” We sat down and the owner Hugo came over to the table to chat us up. He opened the restaurant 3 years ago and is getting the fever to travel again. He was very interested in Japan so had a nice conversation with Steve and Lisa.

For those of you that know us, the four of us have been foodies for a long time. We laughed that we had to come all the way to Thailand to find the best Mexican food we have ever had! It was so wonderful that we made a reservation to go back again the next night.

The walk from the restaurant is a few blocks to the famous Hua Hin Train Station. http://www.tourismhuahin.com/railway-station-huahin.php

This is for the Royal Family to wait for their train.

Nice finish to another great day!