Thailand – in the North

I’ve so enjoyed cycling the rural routes from Ayutthaya through Sing Buri and Nakhon Sawan to Kamphaeng Phet.  Northern Thailand is lush and green with farmland.  The main crops I saw were rice, corn and sugar cane and everyone grows fruit wherever they can.

The monsoon season is starting and it rains every day.  I’ve learned the warning signs, even with a blue sky, the temperature drops and a breeze picks up.  Within a very short time you feel the first drops.  At that point – look for cover – it’s not getting wet that is the problem but the ferocity with which the rain falls.  I mostly look for roadside restaurants because the I can get a something to eat or drink while I wait but, failing that, a bus stop is good or, as happened recently, I occupied someone’s workshop for the 2 hours that it rained.  The place was open and looked deserted so I pulled in and made myself at home.  Shortly thereafter, the owner came out  of the house next door and sat with me and we watched the rain together.  We did not say much but it was companionable.

Sheltering in workshop

Watching the rain

Sometimes on the roads you meet creatures and sometimes you meet cyclists

Water Buffalo

Tim and Steve from California

Kamphaeng Phet was very interesting.  It has the same historical ruins as both Ayutthaya and Sukothai but is not full of tourists.  The remains of an old battlement wall enclose several temples and the old town and a little further across the river are ruins of many majestic temples and monastries.  I do think that this was a very influential town in the 13th century.  The ruins are in a forest which makes cycling around and viewing them very pleasant.

Through the battlements

Chedi in Wat Phra Tat

Peaceful

The tree tells you how old the wall is

In Kamphaeng Phet I stayed at a great place called Three J guesthouse. It is like  little oasis in the midst of a busy city.  The owner, Charin and I got on well and we chatted amiably over breakfast and coffee.

My room Three J

Me and Charin

I explained that my next destination would be Tak, whereafter I would head directly West for Mae Sot and ultimately Myanmar.  I was going to take the rural road East of the river Ping and avoid the highway.  Charin persuaded me to take a longer but more scenic route in the valley between the mountains and then because the route joins the road to Mae Sot, it would make sense to stay at the Lan Sang National Park and be some 18 kms closer to Myanmar than if I went to Tak.

Grand plan I thought! Little knowing that this decision would be the catalyst for an amazing experience.

See the next installment: Thailand – au revoir