#7: The Monkeys and the Night Market

22.01.2020

As announced, we left early today. The destination is the Monkey Mountain, where the Buddhist temple Wat Khao Takiab is located. We hope to meet some monkeys there and expand our list of encountered exotic animals.

The temple is located on a hill by the coast, so many stairs need to be climbed. Following the researched safety instructions, we have secured all loose items such as sunglasses or keychains against monkey theft. After several breaks and a few big sips of water, we finally reach the temple. Along the way, we can already admire some of our distant hairy relatives.

Only at the temple do we realize that humans are significantly outnumbered by the macaques. When a bucket of corn is provided for the monkeys, they come rushing from all possible and impossible corners, making loud noises. They also show no particular fear of the humans. They live in harmony with them as well as various chickens, dogs, and cats.

After visiting a small fishing village on the way back, enjoying a cold drink, and taking a short detour to the beach, we use the available pickup bus for the ride back to the hostel. At the beginning of the journey, we enjoy the ample space aboard, which quickly fills up with other passengers during the ride. The bus does not have fixed stops, you can simply hail it on the side of the road. To stop, you just ring a bell at any point, and the bus stops. Then you hand the bus fare to the driver through the side window into the interior of the vehicle.

In the evening, we visit the famous night market of Hua Hin. Here we also find a nice restaurant for our dinner. Unlike the other establishments in Hua Hin, the food here is available at similar low prices as at the stalls in Bangkok. Another difference to restaurants in Europe can also be seen here: at home, the tables are on the street and the kitchen is inside the building, in Thailand it is obviously the other way around.

The food is once again exquisite and we take the bus back to the hostel, well nourished.