We Know It Is Not Yet Halloween,

but as it was Saturday we decided to hit the town,

so a 'Happy Hallowen' to everyone, but back to the morning, straight on with the post as there is a lot of pictures,

first thing and we were painting again,

the security grill around the water meter,

inside and out,

just in case,

then we were off with friends to the National Stadium on Soi Chaiyapruk,

we were going there for a National sale and authentication of Thai amulets, these are made by many temples and are worn on a chain, they have different properties bestowed upon them such as life safety, invincibility, good luck, wealth, fortune, attractiveness, evil protection, but before we went inside I noticed there was a band, the outside is also used as a training ground for marching bands,

also outside there were a number of food stalls,

once inside I was amazed at the number of stalls,

the hall itself was big enough for almost any indoor sports to be played,
 

so we started our walk around,

every stall had many different types of amulets on display for sale, some in metal but most made of clay,
 

this was the sign behind the main viewing area,

in the front of it a group of experts photographing and authenticating amulets,

as I mentioned before the hall was huge, we arrived in the early afternoon, by then a number of stall holders had already left, but there was still so much to look at,

table after table with different amulets,

as I mentioned by now many had left,

one thing I had expected to see here was some examples of Thai 'bullet' money, but I did not see one example of them like the ones above, in 1857, England's Queen Victoria became aware of the coin shortage in Thailand and sent King Rama IV a coining machine as a gift, this was used to produce the first machine-made Thai coins, until then Mexican coins were especially popular for international use because Mexico was the biggest silver producer in the world, bullet coins continued in use for many years, and were finally withdrawn from circulation in October 1904, it just seemed strange that there were none on display here,

we then went outside for a drink, like some of theses novice monks,

Diana with an ice coffee, if you look closely you will see a battery powered flapping bird just behind her,

then after looking at the amulet exhibition and sale our nest stop was the Saturday/Wednesday market in Soi Khao Talo, if you go towards Sumkivitt on Thepprisitt Road turn left at the lights then right at the next set, over the railway line and it is about a mile along on the right hand side,

 

like most markets there is always a household goods section,

 

but mainly the stalls sell food,

both prepared,

and fresh, now when I go out on a boat fishing why do I not catch fish as big as these?

 

as I am eating more salads it was nice to find some small radishes,

as well as peppers,

 

and tomatoes,

we also found some nice fresh garden peas to nibble on,

lots of grapes too,

and some nice fresh lemons,

did I mention there were clothes stalls there as well?

 

some cooked bamboo shoots,

 

although people do not seem to use it much nowadays this is betel nut and the leaves you wrap it in to chew it, I tried it once and was completely unimpressed by it,

there was plenty of dried fish on display as well,

these it appears at just 25 baht a bundle,

we then called in to see Juu, Diana just loves the play animals,

but she is a bit too big for a ride!

meanwhile I was looking at the fish,

they are getting huge,

this is their food, twice a day,

one splash and it is gone!

then as the moon came up,

it was glad rags on and we were off to town,

 

we walked along Second Road to Soi Diamond,

and into Walking Street,

past the neon signs, it was still before 07.00 in the evening so cars and mobile stalls are still in the street,

under the Samsung television,

to Pattaya Beer Garden, this is the view along the bay from the walkway to it,

 their card,

and map,

each table has a small light, but a torch is provided to read the menu,

out in the bay one of the floating restaurants,

the view along the other side of the bay with me in the way of it,

 

Diana decided on a margarita,

whilst I settled on a beer, we also ordered a plate of Thai starters,

we both liked the way the fish came wrapped,

 

time for another beer,

we then ordered some chicken strips, we both thought that there would be a couple of thin pieces of chicken as finger food, but there was so much of it,

 

that I just had to have another beer!

the moon was now in view over the bay,

then margarita finished,

Diana decided to get into Halloween spirit and order a Zombie,

and nice it was too,

then before I knew it I was out of beer again so Diana helped me,

our main course then arrived, garlic cooked prawns for Diana, curried chicken and rice for me,

 

we were by now completely full so it was then time for our walk around town,

 

a group of party goers in the Halloween mood,

it also appeared that there was a Halloween party going on at the Cavern,

we walked along the street past the big tree,

lots of neon lights as we then started on our way back,

 

I must admit I thought there would be many more people dressed up for Halloween, but we still had a great Halloween evening, so then home,

 

and feet up for another episode of Silent Witness, then from us,

'Happy Halloween!' for us we were off to bed.