So, we hadn’t really intended to re-visit Thailand.  But we really were not happy in Malaysia and decided to have some quality beach time in Thailand before heading to Singapore.  And, our second trip to Thailand turned out to be not exactly what we were expecting — it was low season so we couldn’t do some of the activities we had wanted to do and, more problematically, I developed a pretty severe infection in my foot which required numerous doctors visits and precluded me from getting the foot wet (even in the shower).  We still enjoyed our time here quite a bit (and my foot is on the mend), but we have far fewer final thoughts than usual.

Somewhere between Ao Nang and Railay

We heard far too much country music in Southern Thailand.  I just don’t get it.  The crowd that typically likes country music certainly isn’t the type to travel to Thailand so why are the bars playing American country music?  Now the bars/restaurants playing the entire Adele catalog — I totally got on board with that.

The clouds in this part of the world are just amazing.  I don’t know if it is because we are here in monsoon season or if the clouds are always like this, but, wow, just wow.

Ao Nang truly is the Key West of Thailand…

Last night in Thailand

Ao Nang is also a Muslim town, but we hardly noticed it.  Pork was readily available, alcohol was readily available, our hotel directly across the street from the mosque did not serve halal food.  And, our hotel had a book about Buddhism in the room, instead of a bible or Koran.

The food in Southern Thailand was amazing, but not necessarily what we expected.  Although we had amazing Thai food in Koh Lipe, our best meal was Italian.  And, in Ao Nang, we likewise had amazing Thai food, but Lisa’s best meal was Indian and Robert’s best meal had been Indian until he discovered a Thai grilled squid on the very last night.  In fact, pretty much every restaurant in Ao Nang served both Thai and Indian (as well as pizza).

We don’t understand the predominance of Native American dream catchers all around Southern Thailand.  They were hanging up at bars and for sale at the tourist shops.  Go figure.

The beach towns are definitely more expensive than Northern Thailand.  On the other hand, wine is more readily available here than in Northern Thailand.  Yeah!

Visiting a doctor here was an experience.  No appointment necessary.  Staff recognized me on day 2 and greeted me by name.  Three exams by the doctor, four cleanings by the nurse, three injections and 5 days worth of oral antibiotics came to just under $60.  We are so doing things wrong in the U.S.

We would come back and explore more of Southern Thailand in a heartbeat.  Just not in high season.  Shoulder season would be perfect.