St Patricks Day 2005 Thai Style
Well, I don't think you can get further away from the old country than Thailand, however Irish Pubs are now a worldwide institution and can be found nearly everywhere.
Scruffy Murphy's in Patong, Thailand has a sister pub, Molly Malones, that is still closed due to Tsunami damage but Ken, the manager, keeps the show going on.
They needed all their staff for Paddys Night, it was a riot and almost as busy as the old days! Green beer everywhere and a collection of Irish wannabee's from every corner. It seemed that it was at last time to let you hair down in Patong and have a good time.
Free Sambucas and other noxious shots were being sent around like water and, I must confess, I had one or two so the party was in full gear.
As usual I was 'ordered' on stage to do a few numbers with Neil, the resident musician and fiddle player. The crowd seemed to like it but boy I was smashed. I blame Mark Spiers for refusing to stop drinking and insiting on staying to the close.
It got even crazier when we met some girls who knew us from past times in Portugal....Anyway, after the evenings entertainment I spent the next day in a very dark room cursing that bloody green beer.
Somehow I think I was not alone in the world suffering the same fate the day after.
Picture below from that night, me on the left and Neil on the right, Sláinte.
peter on 03.25.05 @ 09:20 AM GMT [link]
Wednesday, March 23rd
Sunrise Diving - The new shop
A friend of mine, Charlie Bird had his shop completely wiped out in the Tsuanmi at Patong in Thailand. It had only just really got going on the beach in a prime spot.
Never one to let circumstances get ahead of him Charlie has, after a few months break, now started on the new business. The picture below is from 23rd march 2005 and as you can see it's pretty much a shell. It won't be for long, with a restaurant and dive centre being built there I am sure it will be a great venue.
Good luck Charlie.
peter on 03.23.05 @ 09:08 AM GMT [link]
Getting ready for the cold
Ah well, I will have to leave Thailand once again this week. Time to move on and earn some much needed cash. I leave for Uk next Monday and after a couple of weeks there will be Diving in Greece for the summer. Bit of a change, Thai food to Greek food but it's all good stuff so I cannot complain. The weather here is still hot and sunny, almost no rain so I guess I am going to get a shock going back to blighty. Time for the fleece and woolly hat again.
Once more though a chance to catch up and have a few beers in London, good cinema and markets. Should be fun!
peter on 03.23.05 @ 03:40 AM GMT [link]
Tuesday, March 22nd
Back in Phuket
So I have been back in Phuket, Thailand now for about two weeks. It has been good to see old friends once again, particularly after the tsunami. Pretty strange here at times as it moves along just as normal and then suddenly you realize someone has gone or something is missing and then you get it.
I suppose it will take until next season for all the rebuilding to be completed and new expats to arrive.
My friend natalie has a great project underway supporting the locals, you can see her site at www.yanuibeach.com . Meanwhile life goes on and the Thais keep smiling! 
peter on 03.22.05 @ 05:09 AM GMT [link]
