Where Is Calderon?

Last night I had Thai sweet and sour chicken with steamed rice.



It was very good, but nothing you haven't seen or probably eaten before.  It is your basic sweet and sour chicken, but Thai style so the vegetables are fresh and lightly cooked so they still have a little bit of a crunch to them.  This morning after breakfast I decided to go out kayaking again.  The seas were a bit rougher today making for a wildier and more enjoyable ride.  I have been in much rougher seas in Hawaii so it was dangerous or anything, but the added thrill of the potential for heavy rain and increased swells moving me up and down in the kayak just made it better.  Although I didn't venture out too far just in case a storm came in while I was out in the water.  After kayaking I decided to see if the owner had put my gift in the lobby of the hotel.  Sure enough it was there so I hope that means she liked it.



I knew I wanted to give the hotel a gift and when I saw this yesterday in town I thought it would be perfect.  In Thai culture elephants are very repsected and I just thought it looked nice without being too touristy or expensive.  I am glad to see it on the reception counter.  I wonder if it will remain there after I am gone.  I wonder if I come back 5 years from now if it will still be there.  Anyways, it is the thought that counts and I think this showed them that I am very appreciative of everything they do for me.  I could have just gave a tip (which I plan to do anyways before I leave), but I thought this was a nicer gesture.  To me this is less on the level of a customer giving a gift, but more of a friend.  I also feel that it is less likely to be interpreted as someone with money giving money to someone below them.  I don't want them to think I am trying to buy them, that I feel sorry for them, or that I am flaunting my money.  I just wanted to show them my gratitude and I think the gift was perfect.  So after seeing the gift on the counter in the lobby I headed to the restaurant to have lunch.  While waiting to order food I was given a local dessert I had the other day.



This taco shaped thing is made of fried glass noodles that must be sweetened with sugar.  It is very good.  While waiting for my sandwich I was offered another local dish by one of the ladies.  So of course I said yes.  She brought me something she called Thai noodles.



It was like angel hair noodles with pineapple, fishballs, peppers, ham, and egg.  It was very good.  The combination of pineapple and peppers worked well.  The sweet coolness of the pineapple helped to counteract the hotness of the peppers.  When I went to pay the noodles were no where on the bill.  It seems like everytime they make something new they want me to try it out.  I have experienced so many new dishes because of the staff here that I would have never even knew existed.  That is why I am so grateful to them here and that is exactly why I wanted to get them a gift.  I just wish I could have given them more or given something to everyone.