Idyllic Charms of Amphawa

Amphawa is a sub-district (Amphoe) of Samut Songkhram. Much of the area is filled with fruits orchards & coconuts plantations. Hidden among them is an age old lifestyle served by a network of Klongs (canals) I find very charming.

In recent years, it has become a popular weekend getaway for Bangkokians. A host of small family run resorts & homestays sprung up along the Klongs to give a taste of rural lifestyle by the canals.

Rustic charm of rural life by the Klongs.







Water so calm, watching its reflections give a peacful feeling to your soul!










However the calm water turns into swift currents as tide changes. How high can the tide be? This resort owner pointed up the tree where his boat is.. don't take it seriously, just his humor!





















A convenient store & pier by the Klong







View from a resort looking out to local residents across
















Kids taking a dip. Residents bathe & do washings too.





















Lamp posts, electric meters & switchboards are by the waterway!
















Large earthern jar collects rain water from roof.





















Resident purchase food served by boat vendors.





















In the early hour, an elderly monk paddled by quietly.
















Breakfast time.. the noodle boat arrived!
















The ice cream vendor.
















Fresh water shrimp caught in Klongs, huge.. aren't they?
















Never seen a banana chain this long before!





















Pamelos, my favorite!
















A cute boy with traditional hair cut!

Khao Takiab

To the southern end of the bay of Hua Hin beach lies a granite hill of Khao Takiab, "Bamboo Mountain" in Thai, that protrudes into the sea.














There are 2 temples on the hill. The temple to the left as you ascend to the top provides magnificent views to the surrounds. From here you can have a bird's eye view of Hua Hin sea front.
















Magnificent view of the sea and landscape beyond.





















View of the other white temple against backdrop of the hill's peak & monument of Rama V on its compound (picture on right).
















Bird's eye view to a restaurant (& a resort I believe) below.
















View of the fishing community below. You may buy fresh sea food along the road leading up to temples.
















Ceremonial instruments - a long drum and huge gong at the temple.
















The monk approached with a little booklet in hand.. hmm, it contains a list 4 digits lottery numbers for believers! A form of commercialism? Also I can't help wondering who owns the nice Jaguar parked in the background?





















The other white temple at Khao Takiab seem more popular with tourist buses and souvenir shops lined its compound.





















"Monkey" business in Wat Takiap? Sounds a little mischievous?
Yes, but don't get me wrong. There is a small business for few vendors selling cut bananas to feed monkeys on temple ground.

Some monkeys rests in front of Buddha sculptures waiting for feeds.





















One waited atop a truck's cabin.





















A few perched on the shed's roof.















































This one fell asleep by the road side.





















This youngster was subjected to a dental check by mum!





















This smart male hanged on to the door preventing the banana vendor closing its store! Of course she enjoyed the tussle too; talked to him like an old friend, seem like a daily affair!
















A little walk down hill toward the shore are these statues of Kuan Yin, "Goddes of Mercy" and dragons of Chinese legends. Wish I know more of the stories depicted here.

Road Trip to Penang

Last week I did a round trip to Penang with a group of swiftlet rancher friends from Thailand. A friend is completing his new bird house, so a visit is timely.

The distance between Bangkok and Penang is well over 1000 Km. It was a 2 hr drive form Bangkok to Petchaburi; from there an eight hr drive to Hat Yai and a further 3 hr drive to Penang. Though it can be boring at times, I have always enjoyed sights and food along the way.

It always amazes me how much Thai pick up trucks can carry! It is a common to see goods pile up sky high & wrap in canvas. But this one beats all in pushing the limits.. even my Thai friends were amused! OMG, we even saw a motorbike strapped over the driver's cabin as we passed it!

Looked precarious as it tilted while over taking a motorbike!





















A welcome stop for toilet break.
















Open men toilets are the norm even at restaurants.





















See how much a pick up truck can carry! Resourceful, isn't it?





















A detour off the main road for lunch break. This road side restaurant is rather special, order the Kanom Chin (a rice noodle in curry) and help yourself with dozens of veggie dishes as much as you can stomach! Only locals and well traveled may know their existence

Seated are P'Jiap, P'Moo & P'Mor; all from Ban Laem, Petchaburi.
















We were told more than 40 bird houses in town. Being camouflage and blend in with the shop houses, need keen eyes and guide to point out where they are!








The largest in town.












Final touches to my friend's farm house.

















An established farm house nearby.
















Farm house of another Penang friend.
















The touring party with our Penang friends.

Sea Salt Farms

If you travel towards popular seaside towns of Cha-Am or Hua Hin, about 50km south west from Bangkok between the provinces of Samut Sakhon & Samut Songkhran, you would not miss a stretch of salts farms both sides of the Rama II Road. In fact there are countless salt farms scattered between the coast and the main road for possibly a hundred km!

Satellite view of the section between Samut Sakhon & Samut Songkhran (along Rama II Road in yellow on Google Earth). The white patches are likely to be reflections from salt beds.















These are large shallow & flat pools with sea water pumped in by wind power and the use of solar energy in evaporating water to leave a layer of salt behind. The process is repeated over and over. Don't ask how many times and what happens when it rains before harvest!

This view is from the road side restaurant I normally stop for breaks.
















A little walk to check out the windmill driven water pump. Notice the low bushes along the foot path are salt resistant.
















Nothing hi-tech here! Almost made out of wood except for the steel wheels, simply ingenious!
















Close up view of wooden conveyor belt to draw water up.
(picture of one found in antique store)
















Harvesting scene if you are lucky to pass at right time, this was taken before the raining season begins in May
















Panoramic view of salt piles during harvest








At left is a salt storage shed.





Fancy pulling over to buying a sackful? Last you a life time!
















The final impression? Simple and effective, clever use of solar & wind as primary energy source!