Market Friday: cycling around the village checking out a resort by the river.

The weather has switched from hot and humid to cool spring weather. This was just right for cycling around the village to check out the small resort by the river. The owner was very lucky as she was married to a wealthy English barrister several years ago. They met in Chiengmai (a famous city on the north) while she was working at a health spa. After getting married, this lady came back to her home town to buy lots of land and started a small resort.

There were about six traditional Thai houses for rent; the biggest house was built in modern contemporary style with a swimming pool. I used to survey this place when the construction was in its final stage. The wealthy lawyer kept sending this lady money so she could finish the resort and buy more land for investment. A few years ago, I met this elderly lawyer while I was having my evening walk. Sadly, I heard that he passed away three years ago, so the lady owner had to sell some pieces of land so she could have more cash to run the resort.

It seemed she employed many young villagers for her gardening project. But I heard that the boss was very strict so many young staff left for other jobs. The resort has restart its business after the ending of national lockdown. I was glad to see that she decided to continue with her project without having to sell out to some tycoons from China or Laos. Money laundering has become a big problem in my country lately.

I cycled along the riverfront to take photos of the cloudy sky with hidden sun. The atmosphere along the river was very sleepy and sedated. Three big houses facing the river were very quiet; I wondered where the owners were gone. There were three families of expats with local Thai wives living in these houses. They very much kept to themselves so I hardly see them by the river. The sunset had been cancelled as there were too much sadness for the sun to digest and he needed some quiet time by himself. So, I proceeded towards the resort to check out changes and improvements during the past years.

There’s a new restaurant built on the riverside which should be quite nice during a colourful sunset. The main restaurant had been renovated with a stage for live band and more seating areas. I quite liked their effort to make the whole place feeling like a cave in the forest. There used to be tons of orchids several years ago.

Opposite the restaurant, I could see Chinese decorations at the entrance to the resort. This place was about fifteen minutes’ walk from my house, but I never had any food at their restaurant. The menu and prices were not vegetarian friendly, but lots of tourists packed this place in the winter season.

The new landscape on the riverside was quite nice and colourful to attract people who needed to update their selfies everyday. Teenagers would just love sitting in the garden during sunsets. Sometimes the whole place was reserved for wedding receptions so flowers were abundant and covering all trees and corners of the resort. Big bikes would be seen in the car park and beautifully dressed up guests crowded the whole resort with boisterous laughters. I hoped to see those flamboyant joy and good time there in the near future. Life never stopped changing things around us and we could never dictate the future.

I spotted the self-sufficiency gardening project of the resort’s owner. Lots of organic vegetables being grown in boxes in many rows. I could see anyone there for asking a permission to get inside. It would be ‘fun’ to meet the lady owner one day. I might need a part-time job in the future; but the pay would be too low to make it cost-effective to work there. The opportunity cost would be too great to be sacrificed for little pay. Well, I would need Divine guidance on how to upkeep myself and those cats next year.

Life is full of tests and challenges to make me improve myself and grow spiritually. The resort owner had been through lots of heart breaking decisions in her life during the past few years. There have been new competitors along the main road with three new restaurants on the riverfront. Those were quite big eateries with large car park and trendy architecture including lightings at night. The atmosphere there were very nice with large decks opening onto the river. Those places were just right for noisy parties with unlimited beer supply.

This small resort and restaurant should be agreeable to those desiring peaceful atmosphere and being close to nature. Free bicycle service was available to guests at the resort. So, they could cycle for about ten kilometers along the riverside. Prices of rooms at this resort would be negotiable if friends or local people referred visitors to this resort. Cheaper rooms or guest houses could be found along the riverfront but these would be considered about two stars standard. I have noticed outsiders have been buying land with riverfront along the main road. Two plots had been filled with earth to level the land; two new houses have been built last year. Rich people have been moving into this sleepy town.

One friendly villager was telling me that she met strangers coming into this area asking her whether anyone wanted to sell his land. These prospects buyers were all medical doctors from other places. There seemed to be a rush by rich people wanting a safe hideaway from world war in the near future. Things are getting more dicey everyday. The middle class people are being slowly crushed by financial and medical burdens. I have to be mindful and grateful to my situation and all the unexpected blessings from time to time. I will have to try to get a part-time job soon, though the chance of getting employment remains very slim. Praying for the positively unexpected blessings!

Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.

Stay strong and cheerful.

#marketfriday hosted by @dswigle