Today I decided to head to the small nearby tourist town of Ao Nang to do a little souvenir shopping.  I walked around for awhile looking for a container that represented Thailand or Krabi and that I could use to fill with sand from the beach at Krabi Tropical Beach Resort.  Unfortunately Ao Nang is a small town so there is not a lot there.  If I was lucky there would be a Hard Rock Cafe where I could buy a flask that said Ao Nang, Krabi, or Thailand on it, but Ao Nang is way to small for that.  So I knew I was in for a bit of a treasure hunt today.  I walked around for about an hour (so basically I covered all the shops in Ao Nang and all I could find was a containter that said Phuket on it.  I didn't really like the part of Phuket I went to so this was a last option.  Seeing as I only had about a couple of blocks left it might have been my only option.  Then I happened upon another typical souvenir shop and while in the shop I spotted what could be the perfect container.  Upon inspection it was perfect.  So I bought it.  Later that day I filled it up with sand from the beach at the hotel.



Now I will always have some of the Krabi Tropical Beach Resort with me at home.  I will be able to see it, smell it, and feel it when I think back about this place and all the wonderful memories I have here (thanks to my stepdad for reminding me about getting some sand).  When I returned from town I ran into the owner and I presented her with a gift I had bought for the hotel.  While I was shopping I saw a nice elephant statue that I thought would look nice in the hotel.  I just wanted to show them my appreciation for all that they do for me.  The owner was very thankful and said she would put the statue in the reception area.  If she does I will take a picture of it.  She then asked if I had lunch already and when I said no she invited me to try a local dish they had prepared for the staff.  Apparently they make lunch for the staff everyday.  So after cleaning up from being in town I went down for lunch.  I am always nervous when invited to try a special dish as I am not the greatest eater, although I have been doing good on this trip.  I worry that I won't be able to eat whatever they serve me and I don't want to be rude.  So far I have enjoyed all the food I have eaten on my trip, but I still fear I will run into something that is just too much for me.  So as I waited for the meal to be brought out I sat there in a bit of fear.  Next thing you know lunch is placed in front of me.  It was a sight I am still not all that comfortable with, but I must try.



Whenever a whole fish is put in front of me I get very nervous.  At home I never ate cooked fish or seafood,  Strangely though I would eat sushi occassionally.  Anyways, not eating seafood and having a whole fish put in front of you is scary.  I have eaten fish a few times on this trip and it wasn't bad, but this was only the second time a whole fish had been put in front of me.  It is a whole lot scarier when the fish has a face and can look back at you, but I didn't hestiate and I prepared my meal.  You take the fish and put in on rice and then you add the vegetables and broth from the bowl to get this.



The meal was actually very good.  The fish was fried with dried peppers so it had a nice taste with a nice light crunch to the fish.  The broth was spicy and added a good kick to the meal.  In case you don't believe I ate the fish here is proof.



After having ate the fish I still think it looks scary even though it was actually delicious.  Best of all it was another free meal as the owner just wanted me to try another local dish not on the menu.