On Christmas Eve, I thought the best place to perhaps see some kind of Christmas-y activity would be at Market Village mall, where most of the farang shop. It’s about a mile away but the early evening was refreshing and pleasant for taking my new camera for a walk.

I also planned to maybe get some food on the trip and perhaps even venture to the beach at night.

The mall turned out to be a total disappointment, as there were hardly any Christmas decorations inside and barely any outside. No carol singing, Santas for kids, nothing.

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There was a special food court set up with most of the usual stuff you see at most food courts. One stall had a small pig, roasted and laid out, with plates of meat for 100 baht ($2.80). A bit disappointing, and over-priced.

Across the street is a dirt road leading to the beach, the first beach access that is available from where I live to the mall. The hotels and resorts have locked up the rest of the real estate. The trail was strangely quiet, as I was expecting lots of people going to the beach early evening. But, nope!

Christmas Eve 2017, Hua Hin City Beach, Thailand

There was no wind on the beach, a very nice evening, except for the bugs. Wind would have kept them off me, but they shortened my stay. On the way back, I stopped at my favorite place for knuckle pork noodle soup. Unfortunately, once again, they served me rice, not noodles.

Determined not to spend Christmas Eve by myself, a change of clothes and I was off to see my friends at the Night Owl bar. Bought a bottle of Thai whiskey for the staff (and me) and enjoyed some pool.

Christmas Day

Late rising and found that Nan had been by, did my dishes and left me some breakfast before she went to work. Never even woke me up.

I haven’t really walked the beach in months so decided to pack a few things and headed to the water early afternoon. The sun was bright and hot. Lots of people enjoying the beach on Christmas.

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I had already prepaid for my Christmas turkey dinner at the Gulf of Thailand bar, run by the pig-tailed Thai-American, ex-Marine, always friendly Jim. I was early for the 5:30 feed but there was already 10 people there. Sat with three Americans who live in different parts of the U.S. but somehow are friends and do trips, like say to Thailand, together. Didn’t they make a few movies on that premise? Hangover anyone?

Dinner was good, but I was still left with an empty feeling.