It’s raining here in Hua Hin. We woke up to the sound of thunder and flashes of lightening illuminating our otherwise dark bedroom. I crawled out of bed and twitched the curtains, and saw the rain clouds, big and heavy in the sky, the window wet and steamy with condensation, no sign of it easing any time soon. No need to rush out of bed, I am not walking to my yoga class in this. Rain in Thailand is not for the fainthearted.
One and half hours later, fully awake, we can still hear the thunder rumble over the air conditioner. Restless now, we both get up and start our days. Later than usual, but with our usual activities postponed and the sky still soggy, there’s nothing to hurry for, no outdoor activities to get into until the sky clears.
Rain here in not like at home in Melbourne, or in our long-adopted home, London. In Thailand it rains hard, like it really means it. Within minutes in rain like this you are wet through, shoes squelching, sandals sending mud splashes up the back of your legs. Going out in it, even with an umbrella, is a fool’s errand.
Generally, however a raining morning doesn’t mean a full day of rain, again not like home. Usually thirty minutes, maybe an hour and the sky’s clear, the sun comes out and before long everything is dry, leaving no trace of the down pour. Not today, it’s been three hours and still it continues, heavy as ever. All the washing on our balcony is drenched. The protection offered by the upstairs overhang doing nothing to protect it.
We both sit, me on the computer, Glen on his phone. Fidgety, I swap the laptop for my knitting, yup, I’m knitting in this climate, and I did bring it on our years adventure, despite the premium cost of space in my backpack. It helps my restlessness, helps me relax, particularly in times like this.
Eventually the sky clears. It may hold, it may not. I’m taking my chance while I can and getting out of the house to get my coffee. I grab my bag, notebook, the good mozzie repellant. I’ll need it now, this weather brings them out in full force, and head to the door.
Better grab your jumper, Glen yells from the room, it’s dropped to 26°C. We both laugh, knowing that the humidity will be up and 26°C will feel more like 36°C with humidity nearing 100%.
The weather the last few weeks has turned the usual calm Gulf of Thailand rough. It rolls onto the beach with a force uncommon for Hua Hin. The debris has been pushed onto the beach. Mostly coconuts, now smashed open and drying, and vegetation, but there is some rubbish amongst the mess. As well as a giant tree stump, how it ended up settling here I don’t know, but it has now become a fixture.
The rain has kept the school holiday crowds away. The coffee shop is almost empty, save for one other brave soul and of course the cafe cats.
If I was on holidays in this beautiful place, I’d bemoan the rain, wanting to make the most of every day, exploring, enjoying sunshine by the pool. But on this adventure, I feel differently. There is something peaceful about this rainy morning. No need to rush about, no crowds. Just me, my coffee and the cats, perfect.
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