After 2 glorious weeks, we finally made our way out of Lamai. Went to check out Chaweng and pick up a new camera (our old one, for a camera that described itself as water proof, shock proof and life proof, wasn't f***ed for no apparent reason proof!)
On our way out of the monstrous, future dictator of the world that is Tesco, an enormous monsoon decided to rain on our parade. It was insane! Scooter riders, 3 per bike most of them, covering their eyes to shield from the downpour (who needs to see the traffic in front, or even the road for that matter!). We ducked into the nearest establishment we could find which happened to be a very odd Russian restaurant. As soon as we sat down the waitress brought over a couple of very nice complimentary vodkas, and a plate of smoked fish, and sliced gherkin. We ordered of couple of pints, but felt obliged to order some food due to the free vodka (the fish and pickles not so much). The menu arrived, and for a country in which most of the citizens speak better English than us Brits, we didn't expect it to be written purely in Russian. In hindsight I should have asked for a recommendation, instead I just blindly opted for a number 22. This turned out to be a pot of white stuff, which they handed over in a brown paper bag (sour cream, we gladly discovered after leaving the premises). There was some obvious communication breakdown with our 2 pints, as what we eventually got plonked on our table was a massive brown pot of some strange weak green tea. Again with the old English spirit of not wanting to make a fuss we persevered. Wasn't bad actually. Not on par with PG tips, but still nice to try something different.
On leaving the soviet cafe, we headed further into Chaweng, Teresa stopping on-route to rescue a small fish from the
middle of a road leading into the local Cash and Carry, a few seconds later and a big 4x4 would have turned it into fish paste. f*** knows how it got there. Either it came down with the rain, or jumped out of some Thai persons pot noodle. Bizarre!
The rain had died down to a mere deluge by now, but still not exactly beach weather, so we decided to catch a flick at the cinema. Sitting amongst a bunch of Thai's watching Johnny English 2, all of us laughing like crazy people, before getting a lift home in a taxi that turned out to be someones truck. A fittingly weird end to our odd adventure into Chaweng.
Got home and with the much needed aid of drinking games, caned a bottle of japanese plum wine (wouldn't drink that stuff without a forfeit), and had a picnic on our veranda, along with a few cold beers. One of the strangest days of my life, and one I'll never forget.
Lamai, as we had already guessed is the place for us. Off to watch some live music, and fire juggling on the beach later this evening. Home sweet home.