Friday, 24 March 2017

Trying Durian


Whilst you are in Thailand you must try the fruit Durian - it is not for everyone however...


The durian (/ˈdjʊriən/)[2] is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio. The name "durian" is derived from the Malay-Indonesian languages word for duri or "spike", a reference to the numerous spike protuberances of the fruit.
The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species.

Some people regard the durian as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance; others find the aroma overpowering with an unpleasant odour. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. The persistence of its odour, which may linger for several days, has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia.


The local markets near the side of the road will sell you it to you whilst they are still in the spiky casings and some of the shops will sell it to you wrapped in clingfilm.
The local markets is my choice to buying it - they may well offer you a couple of pieces and this is certainly worth doing.
It is entertaining watching the people purchasing the durian hit it with something and listen carefully to ascertain whether they are going to purchase one!

I don't know where this image came from though...

NOTE: I cannot eat Durian - but I tried it...



Wednesday, 22 March 2017

Supercheap



Super cheap is certainly a different shopping experience!

It sells things for the homeowners in Phuket and it is not a place for the tourist to go to buy the copied items and the DVDs.The building seems to be an enormous warehouse which seems to sell almost everything - now that I write this it doesn't but it only seems that it does.

Image from Asia Web Direct
I did find a map which they tell me is on the wall... Super cheap did totally burn down October the 16th 2013 and it has since been rebuilt.

So where do I start?


Do you need a rice cooker to take home?


A different way of taking your food out?




Then there is the glorious amount of fruit that they have there.


In the front of the building there is even more food for you to eat!


Did you know that there was that many brushes?


Found out where the motorbike baby chairs...


Then there are the ever popular Eskys...


Do you need a pestle and mortar?

There is a pharmacy there as well. But I cannot last long because it does have any air-conditioning. It is open from about 8am and closes about 10pm.





Monday, 20 March 2017

Wua Art Gallery - Artist Road




On this visit I was surprised to actually meet Mr Zen - the owner and founder of this studio.



He was certainly welcoming and allowed me to take a number of photographs inside the studio - something that I had not been able to do previously...



Then I found that there is an online book where you are able to look at a great number of his paintings and understand a number of them - really quite fascinating...




I have a feeling towards another artist (Andy Warhol) with these two images.

Always worth a visit here - thank you

the attitude club
Previous visit

Website: Wua-Art Gallery
Phone Number: 076 258 208 / 081 415 4008
Address: 1 Pang-nga Road
Hours: 9:30 - 21:30

Saturday, 18 March 2017

Klong Mudong


Klong Mudong is the village which was very close to our home so we have seen a lot of things change, no we haven't - not a lot has changed, which has meant that there was a lot of the original attraction of it was still there - a 7/11 and toilets at the market are all that has changed.



At one end is the local market - in the middle there is a long promenade with shops opposite and at the other end 



is the fishermen boat yard 


and the monkeys waiting for the food that they could not sell at the local market...




It is a focus for the local people and that is really half the pleasure - it is full of local character.


I was in the area for a number of reasons 
 1) Fishing boats - September 2016
 2) Canoe Race - June 2015
 3) Borae Market - September 2014
 4) Pizza Nuch - now closed
 5) Borae Marshes - July 2013
 6) Canoe Race - July 2011
 7) Bicycle Ride - December 2015
 8) Borae Market - September 2016
 9) Drone attempt - March 2015
 10) Borae Market - Giant sea snails - June 2010




Tuesday, 14 March 2017

Layan Beach


This was a deserted beach when we visited in 2012 and it looked very similar when we visited 4 years later.


There was some development adjacent to the beach but I was a little skeptical that it was going to be completed - but let's see.


Then there was the much written about Dream Beach Club - not been there but there was nobody there when we visited - maybe it is not open all year?


But we were there for the beach and it was divine - the snake shook us up a little it but it did not stay for long...



Nothing more than the beach there when we went - we were looking for a bite to eat but this was a perfect location for a picnic...



Previous Visit







Saturday, 11 March 2017

Food markets are everywhere


We read so much about Street Food sometimes there are markets which are devoted just to the food.




They may be interesting for the visitor but they are not something which we are encouraged to visit! One of the most interesting things is that the food is very rarely priced! However if you do make an effort to go in you will almost certainly be rewarded by the price that is offered to other local Thai people - wonderful if you are on a budget...

This particular spot is next to the junction of two roads - Takuapa road and Soi Talingchan.



What do they have here? Wow they have so much I would not know where to start.



The crispy chicken and sticky rice is always a popular for my family and



then the eggs.



Please tell me how I am supposed to eat this piece of animal...



Then I guess I know what this piece is... and there is a lot more...

To find this particular market use the map below - 'Roadside food market'