Another Early Start Today,

Diana has an appointment with the dentist,

 but on the way out I noticed that one of the amaryllis had developed a flower spike,

 so I will take a few pictures of it over the next few days as the flower opens,

 the dental surgery, for any one that needs a dentist out here this is Dr. Chanis, just opposite Friendship supermarket in Pattaya Tai,

 leaving Diana there I made my way to Pattaya Nua (North) road, to the pharmacy there for a few tablets, the sky was getting a little overcast,

 maybe a spot of rain later,

 on the way back I just had to stop at the now refurbished Ducati shop, it is on Third Road,

 this is the one for me the Ducati Monster 795, only 399,999 baht (£8,080, $12,780) in my dreams!

 this one looked nice but out of my price range,

 the sales team has been busy, this one has been sold, the label on the seat,

 as is this one,

 and this one,

 and this one in black, 

 also this one in red and black,

but back to the one for me, also with a sold label on it, but the good news is that there were plenty of bikes here that were not sold, so if you are tempted by a motorcycle that has a sporting pedigree bring your cheque book here!

 the heart of the beast,

 coming back down to earth I parked opposite what was the Gossip restaurant, for some weeks now it has been in a state of repair, which is a shame as we have had many meals there, hopefully the restaurant which is at the back of TukCom will return soon,

 I made my way along to the Soi Bukaow entrance to the market,

on the left of the road is the second hand market,

mainly for clothes and shoes,

the market proper on the right,

 with pretty much everything from fruit to plastic goods for sale,

one of Diana's favourites,

 coconuts,

 when there is not a market here this is open ground, but every Tuesday and Friday a huge 'roof' of canvas is erected to keep the sun and rain away from the shoppers and the stalls,

 there are some permanent shops here like the aquatic outlet, but most traders move around to different venues,

 we had arranged to meet in one of the market cafes,

 Diana had been shopping and bought me a new shirt,

 ice coffee finished it was back to 388, then on to the 3BB office to pay for our Internet connection,

 I played with the computer whilst Diana went to the hairdressers, then it was glad rags on,

 a self portrait of Diana and myself with Diana holding the camera,

 around 05.00 in the afternoon Mr. Tony and Booie arrived, it was a special occasion,

 Diana looking as lovely as ever,

 the clouds in the morning did not amount to much, but there were still a few about, also the wind was starting to pick up, so may be some rain later,

 the special occasion was that Mr. Tony is going on a diet, so we went to the Cafe des Amis to celebrate it,

 Diana, Mr. Tony and Booie had to pose for a picture,

 the restaurant is tastefully laid out, situated away from any noise or traffic,



the address is 391/6, End of Soi 11, Moo 10, Thappraya road,

 after walking past the patio there is a bar area,

 with plenty of seating for a pre dinner drink,

 'Cheers!', from all of us,

 first a complementary starter of liver pate,

 ah!

 there is outside seating as well, this is a view through the window we were sitting next to,

 on to the starters, Mr. Tony went with fresh scallops from the USA,

 Diana had crab wrapped in lettuce, Booie tried the scallops with belly of pork with apple puree and fruity red wine jus,

I went with yellowfin tuna with mild wasabi & sesame dressing,

 next on to our main courses, Diana had chicken with vegetables and a cream sauce,

I tried some it was delicious,

 Booie decided on some traditional Thai food,

Mr. Tony and myself both fancied a steak so he chose for both of us,

 a quick 'Cheers!', from me,

he chose the Tajima Wagyu Fillet, now wait for this, without any shadow of a doubt this was the most tender and well flavoured steak I have ever eaten in my life! I do not think it I will ever look at another steak with out thinking of this one, absolutely superb,

every course was spot on, we all commented how nice the meal was, so if you are stuck for a restaurant to try come to Cafe des Amis, it is first class, 'Cheers!', from all of us,

Blu from the UK with one of the waiters, the service as you might expect was excellent,

off course there was another reason apart from Mr. Tony starting his diet that we were here, it was his birthday, all night long every waiter and waitress kept coming up and wishing him a happy birthday, each time he looked at me and asked how did they know? well of course he now knows, during the week we popped into the restaurant and ordered him a birthday cake,

he was so happy,

all night long I kept thinking he would guess what had happened,

but it was all right in the end,

candles blown out a birthday kiss from Booie,

a slice of cake each,

nearly all gone,

a little more for Booie,

I never knew my camera had this facility, to put letters and shapes onto pictures, must remember to read the instruction book that came with it, but of course Diana knew about it all the time,

Blu very kindly offered us all a after dinner drink,

so a couple of Irish coffees were ordered,

immaculately prepared by one of the waiters,

 

every thing just right,

 

the cream topped off with just a touch of cinnamon,

 

'Cheers!', from Booie to Mr. Tony, there was another treat in store for the birthday boy, as we were having our predinner drink the girls disappeared for some time, they had gone in search of a ATM machine, as a birthday present to him she paid for the meal herself,

then it was time to leave, so back to 388 we went, after watcher a couple of DVDs Mr. Tony and Booie said their goodbyes and made their way home,

for us it was the end of a perfect evening, we can not praise the food and staff at Cafe des Amis high enough, then for us we were off to bed.