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We love this small town on the Indian Ocean in the Gulf of Thailand. Our first visit was in 2012, during a trip intended to explore Thailand and reconnect with old friends. Unfortunately, my husband fell seriously ill the day after we arrived in Bangkok. One moment he was fine, the next he was barely conscious, almost âhanging over a fence,â as we say in German. The doctor diagnosed it as a virus, but to this day, we donât know the exact cause. Reflecting on it now, it might have been similar to Covid-19.
Despite this setback, we decided to visit the town because the travel guide (an actual book back then, not Google Maps) described it as a climatic health resort by the sea, small, and quietâperfect for my husband to recover.
We fell in love with the place instantly. Over the next few years, it became our main destination. We cherished the town not only for its beauty, but also for the friendships we formed with the locals. Unlike the bustling Antalya, this town remained authentic and non-touristyâa genuine gem.
One of our favorite spots is a shop on the beachfront. Though not particularly attractive, it's unique, much like its owners. The husband is often perceived as grumpy, but we appreciate his deep, ironic, and sometimes sharp sense of humor. His wife, in contrast, is cheerful and generous, often offering us more food than we could eat.
The shop, housed in an old Thai wooden building, offers a variety of iced drinks at reasonable prices. Its prime location on the beach promenade provides a stunning view of the bay, making it our ritual to enjoy a chilled Chang beer there in the afternoons or evenings.
On our evening walks from this shop to our hotel, we used to pass another store where two Thaisâone with long hair and a beard, the other of Chinese originâdrank whiskey every evening. They greeted us warmly for five years, but it wasn't until this year that we finally joined them for a drink. It turned out to be a great decision, leading to many enjoyable evenings, new friendships, and a deeper understanding of Thailand.
Our new Thai friends became an integral part of why we love this town. Despite the language barrierâour limited Thai and their lack of Englishâwe connected through empathy and openness, proving that language is not the only way to bond with people.
Having empathy and being open to meeting new people can bridge language barriers, allowing us to understand each other despite not speaking the same language.
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P.S.: For additional pictures, we invite you to explore our shop.