Today began like every other day.  I got up relaxed in bed for a little bit while reading my book.  After a while I got up and worked out a little bit.  Then I cleaned up and had breakfast.  When I finished breakfast I went for my usual morning kayak along the southern coastline.  It was high tide so the water was a little more active than normal.  I got in the kayak and started heading south.  After about a half mile I noticed that there were a lot of storm clouds in the sky (actually I noticed them earlier, but now they were right over head).  So I decided not to go my full route which is about 1 to 1.5 miles down shore.  I decided to stick closer to the beach than normal I only went about 3/4 a mile from the hotel.  I then noticed that it got dark all of a sudden.  I looked up and saw one of the meanest looking storm clouds I had ever seen.  So right then I decided to turn around and head back to the hotel before the storm started.  Too late.  As soon as I turned around it started to rain and the wind started blowing with force.  My first few paddles did absolutely nothing.  I was about 300 yards off shore in a kayak that was not moving no matter how much I paddled.  But I kept trying anyways.  Luckily I started to move little by little.  By now the rain was coming down very heavy.  I was completely soaked.  So here I am moving like molasses (syrup - meaning very slowly) in the middle of a storm in the middle of the ocean hundreds of yards away from the shore.  So I turned the kayak towards the beach and paddled myself closer to shore.  Eventually I made my way to within 100 feet of the shore.  I then turned the kayak so I could head north back towards the hotel.  After about 30 minutes I finally made it back to the hotel.  I never felt like I was in danger as I am a very good swimmer, but I didn't really feel like having to swim to shore and worry about the kayak.  I definitely did not want to go back to the hotel without the kayak.  I know they worry about me when I kayak because I don't go with a lifevest (the owner told me so).  But I know my abilities and I feel I know enough about the ocean to keep myself safe.  I never venture so far from the coast that I don't think I can swim back and I always keep an eye on the weather, currents, and waves.  Anyways, today's morning kayak was quite an adventure.  Maybe a little more adventure than I wanted, but in the end it was nothing to worry about.  So after kayaking I enjoyed the rest of the day reading, watching tv, etc.  Basically staying dry.  On my way to dinner I noticed my gift to the hotel was slowly tranforming.



It now had flowers on it.  I think I can take that as a sign that they liked the gift.  For dinner I went to the local hotel restaurant out front.  It is half the price and the food is just as good.  In fact I found out that the lady who cooks out front is also cooking in the back restaurant while the other cook is on vacation.  So the same lady is cooking in 2 kitchens rat the same time right now.  So I could get the same exact meal in both restaurants, but for half the price if I eat out front.  I don't really see the logic in that, but at least I figured out how to get a deal.  Here is the master chef at work in the front restaurant.



It is quite a set up she has out front.  There is a full on stove and everything else one expects in a kitchen.  I really enjoy watching her cook.  It is almost like a show.  She makes it seem so easy and everything she makes is absolutely delicious.  Tonight I had Phad Thai for dinner.



It was good of course, but Phad Thai is not my favorite noodle dish.  Although I like the fresh bean sprouts mixed with the noodles.  This dish cost about $2.  In the other restaurant it is about $4.  For dessert I was given a piece of fresh raisin bread with butter and jelly on top.  After dinner I called it a night and went to my room to watch a movie.  The next morning started just like normal.  Here is a look at my typical breakfast.



It is called the "healthy" breakfast.  It is a bowl of cut up fruit with museli (granola) and yogurt.  It also comes with a plate of fresh local fruit (it changes everyday), a muffin, coffee, orange juice, and water.  While eating breakfast I enjoyed watching the kitten play with its mom.



Here is the kitten resting her head on mom.  This is a rare moment of calmness for this kitten.  I find it hard to get a picture of the kitten because it is always running around.  I usually just see a blur of black fur run by.  After breakfast I went to town to get some art supplies which I plan on giving as a gift to the little daughter of the security guard that works here at night.  Her name is Mae and she is just the cutest thing.  She is 7 years old, very friendly, and not shy at all.  Almost every night she practices her English with me.  Right now her mom is out of town working so she stays here at the hotel every night while her dad is on duty.  It is just about lunch time so I am off to another wonderful meal.  Good night (at the time of writing this it is 10pm in San Diego).