The garden and the swinging sofa hammocks on the lawns leading down the water are shaded by trees with the odd hen scrabbling about. I originally booked in for four nights but have decided to stay at least another two. There are also some great people staying here, and some odd ones. One German couple have been here since November and the man makes an appearance but the woman is a mystery, only occasionally seen. Another guy has been here for a while, an Austrian who is editing his book. On the first night I met a couple of English girls who work at the International school in Bangkok who were here with their lovely black labradoodle, Leo (this is a pet friendly place, perhaps I'll bring the Dyl next year...). And a great couple from Kentucky. Went for an early walk with them up the road outside the fishing village this morning and took a look at the sprawling monastery and temple.
On the way we looked at one of the wooden fishing boats unloading it's catch of small white slimy looking fish. No idea what they were but they didn't look at all appetising as they were shovelled out of the hold into their plastic boxes, perhaps they are destined for fish sauce...
And we went past a swish looking school, the sound of the kids playing before the school day began sounding the same as everywhere else in the world. And the local clinic was there too. But as you walk back to the Mairood through the fishing village with its ramshackle buildings hanging over the water where the women were sorting prawns and cracking and cleaning crabs, life looked as if it has been the same for ever. I wonder just how many of those children, now receiving their education will be satisfied to follow in their parents' footsteps and stay and run the family fishing boats. From what I can see as an outsider it's a life of very hard work with little reward. But I guess it's a no win situation, use their education and move on and the village dies, or stay on here with so many fewer opportunities. Difficult.
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Location:Khlong Yai,Thailand
