Last report from Thailand

Dinner at Mooban Talay, Thailand

The big surprise for us at Mooban Talay was that the resort was catering to hundreds of Chinese tourists each day.   They came off tour boats starting as early as 8am and boats continued to visit Mooban Talay until well after 3pm.   The idea was for the early visitors to stay only in the cafe area and take a drink but that was not what actually happened.   Groups spread out to explore the resort and if not for sentries posted they would have taken the parasols, hammocks and crowded into the pool as well as the roped off area of the sea.   

Mooban Talay Resort, Thailand

The great chef and his fixed fish menu was the big draw at lunchtime and the dining pavilion was overflowing each day for several seatings.  The mounds of food looked delicious and the waiters were literally running to serve the tables.   After the first day when we were quite early, we could not find a seat for lunch.

Seeing what was about, I asked at reception where the residents of the hotel were meant to eat and the man in charge said quite matter of factly that the best would be to order room service.  And that was what we finally did.    

I know Americans are loud compared to the French but the Chinese take the prize.  There seemed a huge need for the visitors to fill each minute with volume:  shouting at each other in the water, on the beach and at table. 

   It was irritating and entertaining at the same time. After a walk along the main road, Dave and I lounged, splashed and read by the pool while I enjoyed the spectacle of the "selfie" taking tourists.  

And what a show that was.

It seems that the objective of the female Chinese was to be photographed in matching costumes, playing with scarfs wafting overhead, walking in the sea in long gowns or gamboling in sand full of sand fleas.    The men and boys were charged with taking the photos and the women were there to change their costumes and act as models.  There were not just young women, but also women in their fifties.

A trio of women dressed to impress, taking one of a dozen photos with these outfits,  Thailand

Later I learned that the aggressive behavior of these tourists is a noted complaint throughout the islands of Thailand. The truth remains however that the Thais need the income from tourism, and the Chinese need to get away and enjoy themselves like everyone else.  

By evening we were back to eating dinner on the sandy beach and in love with the chef once more.   I tried the famous green mango salad which is a popular specialty.  The unripe mango tasted a bit like Jicama. ...not really very interesting, but the sauce was good.  The fish dishes were all excellently prepared.

Mary and her Kamakazee drink,  Mooban Talay, Thailand

Dinner,  Mooban Talay, Thailand

Baked scallops in Cheese, Mooban Talay, Thailand

 Dave at Mooban Talay, Thailand

Let me say that we are pleased with Tell Tale Travel and their teams in Bangkok and England giving us just the right combination of natural beauty and culture.    We felt we had had a varied look at Thailand from top to bottom while making friendly connections along the way.    I wrote this all down in these posts to cement it in my mind and share my photos with Dave, but for those of you who have followed, thanks...it's always gratifying. 

6am departure for Bankok from Ko Samed pier, Thailand