We have had a few fun days exploring a little of Hua-Hin on Jon’s 125cc Automatic bike. We purchased a pink crash helmet for Tehya from Tesco for 695 Baht (about 11 pounds) it was more expensive than any other helmet there, but style (Tehya was pleased as it is not only very pink but also has bugs bunny on it!!) and safety are of the utmost importance.

Today Monday 07-04-2008 we decided to take a visit to Khao Takiap and take a look at the beach and temple.

{w:400;h:300} Khao Takiap Temple look out for the monkeys!!!!

Tehya loved the ride down and was constantly chattering away asking questions which were hard to hear and answer on the bike but that did nothing to discourage her enthusiasm. We entered the lower area of Hua Hin and I was pleasantly surprised by the rustic atmosphere. There is a small fishing port with local boats and little restaurants which had hand built tanks full of fresh live crabs for sale/eat. We went up a crazy little but very steep hill which had Tehya and I screaming with laughter and Gavin doing his best to get us to the top with out stalling. The view from the monastery at the the top was great and incredibly hot. I had thought it might be cooler with a sea breeze but this wasn’t the case…..

The first thing Tehya spotted were the monkeys…. for a moment I thought she meant she had seen stone carvings of monkeys and then I saw them everywhere…. sitting on roof tops running up and down the temple steps… stealing food from visitors! Some Buddhist nuns were selling small baskets of food for the monkeys which we found quite off putting - there was a feeling very similar to that of not feeding seagulls in Mevagissey or St Ives…. unfortunately it was hard to refuse and we ended up giving 40 Baht to a nun and through some chopped sweet corn to some very fat and rather aggressive monkeys!!! Tehya enjoyed herself and so did we, it was great to feel we were doing some thing a little more cultural than going to the swimming pool (although we love that!!) and Tehya asked questions non stop. I appreciated giving a donation, offering some incense and sent positive and loving thoughts to all you guys we miss and thankful prayers to Buddha for safe flights and good health!!!!