Thursday was very nice, with no rain at all. I began my morning with a watermelon juice at Karma Sutra. While there, I glanced at their ice cream menu and was very, very tempted to order something, although it was barely 10:00 a.m. There was a combination called Dream of the Boss with caramel, fleur de sel, speculoos (aka COOKIE BUTTER), nutella and white chocolate. The one called Spring of Summer has apricot, peach, rosemary and honey ice cream. Don’t those sound refreshing?
I talked myself out of indulging in ice cream at 10:00 a.m., though, and rewarded myself with a one hour foot reflexology massage at Sakura Spa. Most of the spas seem to have nearly the same prices. I chose Sakura Spa because they were offering a special discount of 10% off of any service. Two days in a row of Thai traditional massage had been torturous enough for me. Wanting to forego any more bending, twisting, kneading and such to my neck and back, I thought a foot massage would be safer. The owner was a French man. He said that he remembered me walking by several times the previous day. When I asked where he was from and how long he’d been in Bophut Beach, he said that he’s from a little town in the south of France (the mountains, perhaps?) and had been here for 4 years. He asked if I knew France. Do I know France?! I explained that my ex-husband is from the South of France, and that I’ve been to France at least 10 times, possibly more. He agreed that France is very nice, but too expensive these days. After washing my feet, the masseuse led me to a reclining-type chair right next to the huge window with the ocean view. She asked if I was traveling alone, if I was single or married, how long I’d be in Bophut, where I was staying and what my plans were. When I said that all I wanted to do was get spa treatments, eat, drink and relax (mostly by the ocean), she asked why I don’t go dancing. “I’m nearly too old to go dancing any more!” I laughed, to which she inquired my age. Once told my age, she seemed in slight disbelief and said that I don’t look it at all. Actually, what started our conversation was her commenting several times that I have very nice skin. I’d explained then that my skin is exceptionally dry so I constantly douse myself in lotion and baby oil. Anyway, since she’d given my ego a boost for the day, I gave her a nice tip!
After searching in vain for Namcha Samui, I ended up at Happy Elephant for lunch, sitting on their outdoor terrace. I ordered fried rice with garlic butter, som tom and a Singha. The fried rice was simply fried rice with garlic butter – no veggies, meat, seafood or anything else at all – but it tasted so good. Reminded me that I used to fry rice in a combination of olive oil and butter, then only add mushrooms and leeks, yet everyone always commented on how good it was. So my next version of it will have garlic butter! The som tom was fine, but slightly too sour for me.
By then, the ice cream was screaming my name. It was back to Karma Sutra to eat the Summer Time combination – a scoop each of jasmine, rose and violet ice cream. It was DIVINE!!! The jasmine ice cream hooked me immediately, with the violet being a close second. That’s not to say that the rose wasn’t good, but I’ve had that before. Right then and there, I pledged myself to eat jasmine ice cream every day of my stay!
The food was making me slightly comatose. What better way to take a nap than to get a facial? I returned to Karma Sutra and was helped by the French man’s wife, who was incredibly nice. I wanted their deep cleansing facial using some type of machine and including extractions. Of course, I fell asleep! That was my intention. That facial was the best I’ve ever had, though; the difference (to me) was immediately noticeable. My skin was all soft and glowing.
Many people on Trip Advisor had recommended a place called Coco Tam’s for sunset drinks. It was only about 3:30 p.m., but I headed on over there. They had little low tables set up all over the beach, each with a candle, an ashtray, a potted plant/flower and two cushions. In addition, there were two four-poster beds with billowy curtains (tied back) and lights. I plopped myself on one of the beds immediately. For the next hour and a half, I downed a strawberry margarita in a little mini pitcher, as well as a Heineken, all the while listening to chill house music and the sound of the ocean while a slight breeze blew.
Believe it or not, all of that wore me out (or it might still be jet lag). I came back to my Zen apartment and called it a day.
