A taste of traditional Thai

Today is a day of the traditional, cooking and a show. We're very excited. Our day started by being taken to the market by the executive chef of the hotel. He took us round the fruit section first, making us try the traditional tropical fruits mangosteens and the potato fruit. Little worried about the ants over the fruit but soon get past that. He then bought us two bags worth! Then we hit the fish section with some of the biggest lobster you ever did see then round to endless rows of veg and herbs stalls - all the way making us smell and name the ingredients. we stopped at a dry spice stall where we explained we usually use pastes as there are some ingredients we just can't get so he bought us some spice mixes! He's too nice. We stopped at the noodle stall with every noodle you ever did see and picked ones to cook with so we went for the large flat ones which you can't get at home and then finally got some desserts on the way out like sticky rice filled with banana little parcels - the desserts are nowhere near as sweet as we are used to. It was fun - we didn't go round the meat bit but did everything else!

When we got back and gave them half hour to set up the heavens opened - a good day to do a cooking course! We returned to the restaurant, donned our chefs hat and apron then set about making a green curry paste from scratch. We made the curry with shrimp. Then we made the traditional spicy soup - this with chicken then the chef made up a dish with the noodles we picked at the market and had that with squid. It was amazing. We then had to eat it all! It tasted amazing - all because it was made with love, ahhh. We had our picture taken with the chef and our certificates. Definitely something different to do on holiday. Hopefully Daniel will use some of his skills when we get home - hee hee!

We didn't do much in he afternoon as we were picked up at 5ish for our night out to Siam Niramit. Our next instalment of our traditional Thai day. Back in the minivan this time off to Phuket town to see Siam Niramit - a show that takes you to the historic areas of Thailand then through their belief system - which ironically was similar to Dante's Inferno which is talked about in Dan Browns Inferno that we are both reading. Hell, mythological world then heaven. It then takes you to the celebrations Thais have throughout the year. But before the show there was dinner to be had and demonstrations to be seen. We had dinner first so we didn't miss any entertainment, it was a buffet and I have to say they had an impressive dessert section. Whilst eating we could see out the window an almighty rain shower. What now - all the demonstrations were outside!

We walked down the stairs and straight into the Thai boxing demonstration they had moved indoors - not as great an atmosphere but we were at the front of the action. That finished we turned around and right in front of us again were two elephants first picking up baskets then cash off the floor with their trunks, then hula hooping on their trunks. They also looked really happy. They had a little dance to some music then also took a bow! We didn't unfortunately get to see the elephant war parade but did see some Thai dancing. Squat and tiny steps with very precise fingers! Very fancy costumes as well!

We then had to hand in our cameras in a very efficient system I must say and we were seated.

The sets were amazing - colourful and at one point a whole river of water appeared which was deep enough for a guy to dive in. There was rain inside and an array of animals from chickens to goats, to an ox and of course the elephants. The baby one still looked soo happy dancing, placing a basket in the water and bowed at the end. There were boats, large heads, aerial displays, mythological creatures, dancing, lights, it was excellent. You name it - it had it! What we couldn't understand was why the Scottish family on our trip moaned so much about everything, from getting the tickets, the buffet, the show - there is no pleasing some people. They went back to their hotel to have a sausage on a stick - clearly uncultured!!