Bangkok to Phitsanulok

Out of Bangkok, feeling better
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The lanes are narrow in Bangkok, splitting traffic is usually done down the middle, less comfortable
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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
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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
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The road followed the river. When the GPS showed we were closest, we headed off to see it. Through a small town
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And got blocked by a wall. We rode up and down a mile or so each way
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And saw an opportunity for a peek over
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The other bank had been built up. They must have significant floods
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And over the wall popped this guy with his fishing gear. Scout salute
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Showed me his fish
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We explored the town a bit
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The tuk tuks were specially ragged
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Further along we saw a series of these stalls. Bats for lunch we thought
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So we stopped  to check it out. Small bats
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But looking inside, no
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So I gave her a few baht for one and she broke it open for me
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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
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Also rats or something similar. I passed
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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
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The next day we took a side road off into the country rather than a horrible highway repeat
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Much better
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Another river, higher. I’ve been wondering if it’s always muddy, or only during rainy season. We’ll find out another time
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Newly planted rice
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We pass through a busy village
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And find the market. Always an important and fun thing to do
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People are setting up, we’re early
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Fish and fish heads. Smells really good
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Little crabs in a very strong-smelling broth. Not sure about trying this one
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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
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Yummy fish. I stop here for lunch. Catfish again
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Another riverside market
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The field workers cover up their heads and faces completely. Probably the mosquitos
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An interesting very old bridge
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A monastery up-stream
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This crossed while we watched the water go by
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Miles and miles of this
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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
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Stop at the river’s edge in anticipation of the following days
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A strange fish vendor
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Little eels, possibly for the aquarium trade
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Little frogs and turtles
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Cichlids and catfish
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And a fancier lunch. Normally I prefer street food at noon, but here’s how it happens. The place on the right
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Spot the Reefs
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We sit with our feet hanging over the edge. Really nice
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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
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It arrives and we settle in to enjoy the view
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Comments

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  1. Don Robinson,

    covered faces…Su and all the workers in our village cover themselves so they don’t get too dark. don’t know about the insects at this time of year. did you have a Japanese E shot? all rural Thais have them when they’re young.

    Insect to watch out for: fire ants are very painful and mean. They don’t bite. They “spit” some kind of acid that burns like hell. You’ll notice some kids with scars on their legs. \

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