The flight from Bangkok to Nan is just over an hour, so it’s pretty relaxed. I flew Nok Air, which have these cute bird painted planes, and provided the cutest snack pack I have ever had on a flight.
Once there my aunt and cousin Ann came to pick me up. It’s about another hour’s drive to Pua, which is the village where my mother grew up. I had to rush when I got home because more aunts and another cousin were waiting for us to go out to eat shabu shabu at a local restaurant. I wasn’t very hungry, but it’s always delicious!
I was horrified to find out my aunt had changed “my room” into her personal wardrobe! So I got to stay in an aircon room instead. Not really, I’ve been away for over 2 years, so wasn’t expecting too much – and actually this other room is bigger too!
The next day I spent the morning lounging around. First stop was to check if the local fried banana stall was still there and to get a 20 baht bag. YUM! Next, I went to the closest Seven (7-11) to get some snacks and supplies. I really like the sevens in Thailand! Everything is just so much cuter than the dairies and convenience stores in NZ.
Recently my mother’s cousin had passed away. So that afternoon I went to visit my cousin’s to pay my respects at the neighbouring village. Many of her daughters now live in NZ, so it was really nice to see them in Thailand while I was there. Although, I wish it was for a happier occasion, and am very sorry for their loss.
In the evening I visited the local afternoon market and stocked up on desserts and coconut water and just relaxed while my aunts and cousins went to a meditation and prayer evening at a buddhist temple. When I’m in Pua, it’s all about relaxing, visiting family and eating.
The highlights of Monday was getting a $4 haircut at my favourite hairdresser in Pua, and going to see my cousin Ann in the evening. She bakes desserts and cakes as a job and I’m always getting hungry when I see her pictures on facebook. Finally! I’m actually in the country and can try some for myself. She specially prepared a crepe cake, which is layers of crepe and cream and should be eaten with a delicious strawberry sauce. Strawberries seem to be more common now and it seems like the local supply comes from Chiang Mai.
I also got on a scooter and visited a few local supermarkets to grab some supplies. It has been years since I’ve ridden a scooter, so I was nervous. I don’t think I’d drive it anywhere else except Pua as I’m really not confident enough. I feel bad enough as it is with all the young high schoolers zipping around, sometimes 3 girls to a scooter or bike and no one wearing any helmets! It’s always funny how my standards for what is normal changes depending on the country I’m in. In Thailand it’s normal to see someone riding on a hammock in the back of a fruit truck.
On Tuesday I visited my aunt at her work at Pua School and got to see my mother’s name on a plaque showing she came number one at the school! Sorry Mum, I’m never going to live up to those standards. It was good to say hello to some of the teachers I had worked with before. Then I zipped around on the scooter until it was time to pack up and leave. It’s so nice driving around in the warm air, with all these fragrances of flowers and food, and scenery of local life and farm crops. Probably my favourite thing to do in Pua.
Next we headed back to Nan to catch up with more uncles, aunts and cousins for a meal before catching the plane back to Nan. Ann brought another of her cakes (this time an orange one!) and another cousin who had lived in Korea for nine years taught me how to say “I don’t speak Korean” in Korean. Useful!
The flight back to Don Muang was easy breezy, and I stayed the night at the Amari Don Muang because I was flying out from Don Muang to Seoul at 8am the next day!