Our Northern Scooter Tour

We woke up in our cut little B&B ready for a day of touring. We rented a small scooter after our successful day in Hua Hin. This one was s little newer, and ran much better. We took off after our Thai breakfast and went for a familiarization cruise to make sure we could find our way home at the end of the day. It took a few circuits, and checking out the back alleys, but soon I felt confident I could find the Characoa B&B on our return.

They rent you the scooters empty of fuel, so we set out to get some gas ASAP. Of course, right next to the gas station was a wat (temple). Kim had to see the temple, so we checked it out. As are all of these temples, it was beautiful. This one seemed to be themed more on teak wood, of course the central Buddah figure was gold.

Don't remember the name of this temple, but it was
right next to our first fuel stop.

More of a wood motif in this "Assembly Hall"
with a beautiful golden Buddha.

 I was still fairly full from breakfast, but it was around noon, and Kim said she needed food, so we found a little back alley hole in the wall. It didn't look like much from the street, but after we parked the bike, and entered, it was a totally charming and cute little place. Gardens, Koi ponds, beautiful landscaping, and a huge menu. As usual, the food was delicious, and the portions too generous! So, after eating, I waddled back to the bike, and off we went. We decided to visit "our wat", that is the temple for people born in 1952, (and every 12 years before and since) the year of the dragon! Wat Phrasingh. It is a beautiful temple, and Kim and I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

Our little lunch hole in the wall/ hideaway. The "fog"
in the background was a mister to keep things cooler.
It mostly just made things more humid!

Our lunch! These were platters, not dishes!

Inside the hall of Wat Prasingh, for those born in the
year of the dragon!

View of the hall from the temple grounds.

After the visit to the temple, we headed out on the highway. My plan was to get out and see the countryside. Get a feel for life outside of the city. We drove without a map. and eventually dead ended at what looked like a tool booth. Kim asked what the deal was and the man that was taking money at the little booth was pretty vague (because he didn't speak English), but he said something about
"zip-line". This got Kim's attention, so for 20 BOT each we went through he gate to find out what was on the  other side. Turned out it was a regional park, and all the locals were out in force picnicking, fishing at a beautiful lake, and overall just doing the same sort of "weekend" stuff that we would do here in the states. There was no English to be seen or heard anywhere. A beautiful park, with people having a great time. After a lap around the lake we headed back out on the road.

Covered bamboo rafts moored to the shore provide a picnic
spot in the park for weekend urbanites from the Chiang Mei. 

Many small shrines and statues provide areas for rest, and
meditation in the park. 

Speaking of rest and meditation!

We took off again, determined to find the "countryside" and get a feel how the rural folks live! We just kept taking turns in the direction that seemed to lead to the least populated place. It got prettier, and prettier, beautiful fields of rice, lots of fruit trees, fewer buildings, but still the ubiquitous little stands and markets along the road, only more spaced out. We finally got tired (mainly my rear was starting to rebel!) and pulled over at a little roadside mini mart. We ordered a couple of Chang beers, some potato chips (Lays) and relaxed for a bit in the shade. While we were sitting there, a factory of some sort (actually probably some sort of plant to box up farm produce it looked like) shut down across the street, and several of the workers (young men) came across the street and bought a round of beers and water and took a break there before heading home. It was very refreshing getting a little insight into Thai life away from the tourist stuff, and Kim and I both thoroughly enjoyed sitting there and listening to the locals chat and laugh together before heading home.

We felt more at home in the countryside.
That yellow flowering tree is the national flower.

Kim and I enjoyed our "cervecita" at this little
roadside mini-mart.

The guys are having a brewski after work! That's my trusty
red Honda in the background.

One of the remaining gates as viewed from outside the old city.

Here is part of the old wall, and the moat. The moat is fully intact
and surrounds the entire old city. essentially a square that is
about 2 kilometers by 2 kilometers.

 Finally, we were rested enough to tackle the trip back to the hotel. I was a little surprised at how far we had come, but we finally made it back to the City. We stopped to take a few pictures of the old city wall and moat (built about 700 years ago, the wall was reconstructed out of brick in the early 1700's, and remnants have been preserved). By the time we got back on the bike, it was dark, and I got a little turned around. After a few laps around the old city, we finally made it back to our cozy little room. We had a late dinner, and a nice bottle of wine, and finally hit the rack. What a great day!

That's All!