I decided to spend Christmas day learning to cook Thai food at Kata Thai Cooking Class (www.katathaicooking.com), and it was a great fun.

From the moment the chef, Sally, picked me up from my hotel, I knew it was going to be a terrific evening. She had a very warm smile and a very friendly personality that made all of the students feel at home.

She took us on a market tour and introduced us to all sorts of fruits and vegetables, and special local foods that varied from west to savory. The best was the grilled coconut milk. I had never thought of smoking a coconut on the grill. When you cut the top off and sip the milk it has a sweet and smoky flavor that is out of this world delicious. There is also this really light and airy cake cooked in a cast iron pan that is folded and filled with coconut and sugar and cinnamon that is a light and fluffy heavenly confection. It was terrific afternoon filled with tasting the most amazing bits of local food.

Then it was time to get in the kitchen and start cooking. We learned how to make and cook spring rolls, green curry chicken, and pad thai. The recipes were fantastic; the food was delicious; and the evening was a lot of fun.

One of my classmates was celebrating her 21st birthday with her family. They were from The Netherlands and were just a gorgeous family of tall, healthy, beautiful blondes. It was fun to share in her birthday and make new friends. After class, I joined them for a drink. A great way to toast a new legal drinker and old Jesus too.

A fantastic Christmas! I am glad I took a break in sunny Thailand instead of spending my holiday in gloomy, rainy, oppressive China — nice to get out from under the weight of the old red boot!

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