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We visited our second waterfall in Pai the other day and on the way home we came accross this cute little road side stand. I always like to stop at such things and have to toot my horn for Jarrett to stop because he and Conner feel the need for speed when we are out and about!
(honk, honk! pull over Jarrett!! Sorrel juice!!) i had no idea what it was but I thought it sounded delicious (and it was!)
It was such a unique little place, two Thai men ran out to meet us as we walked up and before we could even sit down they had set out cups of juice and a spread of food. They led us to our table and then kept bringing more food and refilling it as we emptied each bowl. That is one good thing about Thailand, I was not sure exactly how much this was going to cost or really what was going on, but I knew it would never cost more than 5 bucks so we could just enjoy it.
bananas, passion fruit, cooked potatoes with sea salt, dried fruit, tamarinds, and sorrel juice
cheers!
Conner LOVES salt, so dipping the potatoes in it was his favorite part
passion fruit or lilikoi in Hawaii-we had these growing on a vine in our backyard in Maui
The kind men even joined us at the table and talked to us (they spoke English very well). They introduced us to their roosters, who had many booboos since they were used for cock fighting, one even had a missing eye! A Thai lady came and brought us a bottle of Sorrell juice wine, it was delicious.
rooster eating a banana
Peyton peeling a banana for the rooster
After sitting for about 30 minutes and snacking we walked around and they gave us a little tour. Apparently 4 years ago the farmer (the man who had served us food) had woken up to a huge crack going thru his land. In the next 4 years the crack got bigger and bigger rendering his land unfit for farming. That is why he started this road-side stand, to make a living. Turns out all the snacks, drinks and even the wine are complimentary. He only asks for a tip that you leave in a box at the front. (we of course left an awesome tip!)
It was such a pleasurable experience with the best customer service. Through our travels sometimes customer service is a little off, sadly most of the local people are a little jaded from all the tourists and never expect to see you again. It was a breath of fresh air to have such kind and over the top service. I cannot wait to go visit him and his farm again, and have some more wine!
a rainbow as we were leaving
So just curious, but did you leave a good tip? More than you would have expected to pay or about the same? I’ve always been curious about how a “pay what you think it is worth” restaurant would work. This seems like the ultimate in this kind of venue.
haha! yes Don we did! we left about $8 (1/2 of our food budget for the day here!). If they would have charged for the food and drinks, I am guessing it would have been about $5. Jarrett and I talked about it after and we think they probably come out better than if they charged b/c they are sooo nice you want to give them so much!
Everything looks so delicious! what a neat place and nice guys! love you guys and love seeing what you do each day:)
we would love to see what you do everyday! can you start a blog about the sommervilles?
OMG, I totally forgot about that place. Did he show you the dancing tree too?? Such nice people and that juice was amazing right?! We loved it there but he made us drive our scooters up that dirt nightmare of a pseudo road and I was scared to death driving back down:) Such a wussy on the scooter!
we have to go back and see the dancing tree!
Mmmm…..taters! Conner would have to share those taters & salt with Aunt Jalene
It all looked amazing and fun! Tell Jarrett to slow down ~ no need to rush past such cool things!
i am sure he would have shared:) and yes, Jarrett and Conner LOVE to go fast, we give them a hard time too!
What a very kind man! It looked delicious and I bet the potatoes tasted amazing! I read in one of your posts y’all are interested in farming. ME TOO! Out of all the places you have been this far, which place do you feel is best for farming? When are you starting your farm??
we hope to have a farm in the next few years to use as a homebase to travel from, I don’t think we have found the perfect place yet:)
I love their sign “Welcome to….Land Crack”. What a fun & interesting little place to visit – I’m glad you tooted your horn at Speed Racer & went back. I love reading about your fun, carefree days:) Such a cool rainbow, too! Love you:)
i know, i can’t help but think ass crack everytime i see the sign! hehe
How cool!! Those are some mighty pretty roosters but I love the bowls the best. Nope, what I liked best was the rainbow…Trek!!
i like all those things too! i always see Trek in rainbows and butterflies, well everywhere:)
I think we need to come spend a day with you while we are on our honeymoon! You can show us around local style
we would love that Jen! I will email you and see if we can make it down:) xoxo
Love the last picture – it reminds me of a fairy tale land from a children’s storybook. So glad you’re finding delight in every nook and cranny of your fairy tale life!
thanks Tammie, we feel like that everyday that we are in a fairy tale! we are so thankful for all we get to do and see-xoxo
Question? Why would his signs be written in English and not Thai? Are a lot of signs over there written in English? Just curious.
all tourist spots are in English, but most of the town is not touristy and all of those signs are in Thai, but they usually have an English menu or at least pictures so you can point:)
I was in Pai in November 2010, tooling around on my motorbike (first time riding one ever!) and came across the land crack. No stand there then, though. What a lovely place! I see why you were delighted.
how fun, my first time on a motorbike was one of the scariest days of my life! hehe
wow what a great business man! Only asking for a tip, yet giving such good service means that people will want to give from the heart
The juice looks so very yummy, and i love the idea of dipping the potatoes into the salt.
Incredible how the crack in his land led to a new way of life!
That was a great article and very interesting place where they seem so friendly. Amazing how the boys looked older in these pictures for some reason. They are growing up fast.
i know! those boys are killing me! they are men! i still try to carry them and I about break my back:)
he is a great business man, it was a very enjoyable experience. and the potatoes in the salt was delish,
Conner really enjoyed that and it got some veggies in him:)
I remember passing by there, but we didn’t stop. I’ll have to check it out some time. It sounds lovely. I miss passion fruit!
I almost passed it by too b/c it started to rain! i am so glad I was hungry and did anyway:) we were even rewarded with an after the rain rainbow, so it was perfect. and yes we love us some passion fruit too!