Ok! Not too tired anymore!

We had such a surprise evening with the local restaurant owner who we cooked with the other day. Our Alabama friends have also made good connections with them and they were invited to a surprise trip which we were subsequently invited along on.

Ake is the husband and Geeab is the wife and they have 3 children - JJ is the youngest who came with us.

They took us to a national park where the statues of Thai Kings are - a very special place for Thai people. We’ve driven past it a few times but never been up close and the statues really are amazing. Very honoured that they took us here - the monarchy is very important to Thai people.

After the National Park, they took us up to a beautiful view point up a mountain. The mountain looked out over Hua Hin as the sun was setting. The sea almost looked like a glass vertical wall, was amazing. We thought there was a monkey in the trees but it was actually a couple of chickens?! Chickens in a tree! Who knew?!

As if that wasn’t enough the evening continued - they stopped off at a stationary shop that Ake’s sister works at and little did they know we all needed stationary!! So in we flocked for pens, highlighters, folders and paperclips.

We all went for pizza afterwards; Ake, Geeab, JJ, Alex, Gem, Julia-Rae and John (Alabama friends).

Alex’s thai is SO good now. He’s able to hold full conversations with them - it’s amazing. Me not so much!! Nid Noi - a little bit!

They insisted on taking care of us and paid even after all our efforts to pay. We felt super uncomfortable with this but they were so insistent. We went for dinner at their restaurant the night after and put enough to cover it in the tip jar. We went with our whole group of 14 people too so they get a good business from us all!

Was a fantastic night - something we will remember forever.