Deer Park

Out of Bangkok, feeling better

The lanes are narrow in Bangkok, splitting traffic is usually done down the middle, less comfortable

And the OSM map for the city was poor and we ended up on a cars-only toll road and were pulled over. Nice guys, but wouldn’t let me continue. It took two hours to get out of town

We made a mistake taking the main road out. We decided to take the highway out as our destination was direct and all the cool stuff is further up. Mistake. But we saw a few things the first day, like this Buddha, at least 40 feet tall

The road followed the river. When the GPS showed we were closest, we headed off to see it. Through a small town

And got blocked by a wall. We rode up and down a mile or so each way

And saw an opportunity for a peek over

The other bank had been built up. They must have significant floods

And over the wall popped this guy with his fishing gear. Scout salute

Showed me his fish

We explored the town a bit

The tuk tuks were specially ragged

Further along we saw a series of these stalls. Bats for lunch we thought

So we stopped  to check it out. Small bats

But looking inside, no

So I gave her a few baht for one and she broke it open for me

It was very mild, almost tasteless. I later showed this picture to someone and they translated it to water chestnut. Not like I’ve seen before, but there you have it

Also rats or something similar. I passed

Really bored on this road I took the truck lane off to the weigh station to see where we’re at, but none of the numbers made sense. We couldn’t figure it out with the attendant, he just smiled

The next day we took a side road off into the country rather than a horrible highway repeat

Much better

Another river, higher. I’ve been wondering if it’s always muddy, or only during rainy season. We’ll find out another time

Newly planted rice

We pass through a busy village

And find the market. Always an important and fun thing to do

People are setting up, we’re early

Fish and fish heads. Smells really good

Little crabs in a very strong-smelling broth. Not sure about trying this one

Reminds me of all the smiling heads at the market in Ecuador. I still eat crispy bacon, but nothing else from a pig anymore, been about 2 years since I quit

Yummy fish. I stop here for lunch. Catfish again

Another riverside market

The field workers cover up their heads and faces completely. Probably the mosquitos

An interesting very old bridge

A monastery up-stream

This crossed while we watched the water go by

Miles and miles of this

Then our destination, Phitsanulok. We’ve been planning this for a while, based on something we read about boats back in Bangkok. Time to get serious about Thailand now we’re feeling better

Stop at the river’s edge in anticipation of the following days

A strange fish vendor

Little eels, possibly for the aquarium trade

Little frogs and turtles

Cichlids and catfish

And a fancier lunch. Normally I prefer street food at noon, but here’s how it happens. The place on the right

Spot the Reefs

We sit with our feet hanging over the edge. Really nice

Then match the order slips with the pictures. But this is super difficult because of the script. So I ask my neighbour what he’s eating, by holding the slips, pointing gently at his meal and looking like a white guy with a big smile. He takes a pen and enthusiastically ticks off the boxes

It arrives and we settle in to enjoy the view