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TonyT's 7th Thailand blog:
A month in and around the country:
March - April 2024.
Page 8
Return to Nhong Rak and SONGKRAN
THURSDAY 11th
The Bonsiri Ferry left bang on time at 09:00 and the 50 minute crossing was uneventful. Still uncomfortably hot though and even at 9am the temperature was in the mid 30's.
On arrival at Leamsok Pier we expected the usual scrabble for luggage reclaim and the second scramble to board one of the ferry's long passenger trailers. Well, we were in for a surprise as unbeknown to us part of the 5-star package with High Season Resort was a personal pick-up from the pier and straight to our car. Whilst the rest of the passengers were milling about in semi chaos, we were trundling along the pier like royalty.
It was then, we were told, we should have checked into the High Season depot in Leamsok and not only got free parking but personilised transport to the ferry terminal too.... I wish I'd been told this 10 days ago.
The early part of the long 450km drive back to Surin was uneventful. Aom insisted on me stopping off a few times so she could buy some Durian for her mother (stinky things). However, as we got further north the traffic increased a bit and we were subjected to a large number of absolute idiot drivers who did every thing possible to undertake and overtake, sometimes in the most stupid and dangerous places. Total waste of time as they still got held up further on. Aom told me that the main reason for this nonesense was the yearly crush for people to get to their families before the start of Songkran.
A bit of a disaster as we got further north. Aom could not find her phone. I pulled over and searched the truck to no avail. I recall now that at on of the Durian stops, Jack, who was in the rear, asked me to pass over a bag which was in the front passenger footwell. I did so not realising that the zipper was not secure and the contents fell out into the truck's interior. I had no idea her phone was in this bag. Anyway, what must have happened is as she climbed back into the truck her phone must have fallen out. Sadly, it was at least a 100km on before we realised her loss... poor girl was NOT a happy bunny!
The rest of the journey was uneventful and we arrived back home just after 5:30pm.
FRIDAY 12th
Back home with the family. Still uncomfortably hot and sultry. The main reason it feels so hot is the total lack of even a slight breeze. Early morning and late evening better but the main part of the day is HOT.
Today was the day the family decided to celebrate Songkran (Thai New Year). This year it was a selection of aunts, uncles & cousins coming to our house. The usual rites of blessings and feet washing took place. It's lovely to see the family happy and enjoying life.
TOP LEFT: The family lined-up ready to receive the Songkran blessings and ritual.
TOP RIGHT: My wife's turn...
2nd ROW LEFT: The author and his wife, Aom, doing their Songkran thing.
3rd ROW LEFT: Young Jack's turn.
3rd ROW RIGHT: The author and his son having Songkran fun.
BOTTOM: Aom,her cousin Mon and her Dad with the roast pig.
SATURDAY 13th
Songkran Day.
As said, all the family's celebrations were done yesterday so it was a quieter day around the house. However, Aom, young Jack and Aom's brother Joe drove out to a lake (can't recall the name) about 30km away to do the Songkran water fighting thing. A 40-gallon tub of water was in the back of my pick-up truck as ammunition. They returned soaking wet in the evening. Great fun!
This was our last full-day in Phanom Dong Rak as we leave for Bangkok in the morning.
SUNDAY 14th.
Up early to finish off packing ready for the off at 09:00.
A relaxed breakfast with the family and we were ready on time. Different mini-bus and different driver (or drivers as he had his wife along to share the driving).
I have to say when his wife was driving I found it painfully slow. OK she was careful but other traffic was zooming past constantly which I found frustrating. In the end a journey which normally takes around 6 hours took over 7 hours.
Arrived at our apartment at 5:30pm, and, as usual, a quick shower and out on the streets but this time everything was so very, very different! Why? Simply, it was Songkran and the water fights were well under way.
I did wear a pair of swim-shorts over my underwear as I knew full well what we were in for. We hardly managed a 100mts before we were attacked and soaked to the skin. The more evil water-throwers had iced water in store in huge drums. The fact that we weren't "armed" made no difference. Started off in Soi-8 and had a few beers then ventured across to Soi-4 where the water fights were even more furious and crazy. Bought young Jack a massive water gun and a pair of goggles and off he went blasting away at everyone.
Squelched our very soggy way into Hilary1 for some dinner and for a time we were safe, Not he cheapest of places to eat but we've found the food to be very good and consistent.
Trogged back towards our apartment in Soi-6 and got numerous further soakings. We'll be a LOT better prepared for tomorrow's onslaught.
Page 8
Return to Nhong Rak and SONGKRAN
THURSDAY 11th
TOP LEFT: The family lined-up ready to receive the Songkran blessings and ritual. TOP RIGHT: My wife's turn... 2nd ROW LEFT: The author and his wife, Aom, doing their Songkran thing. 3rd ROW LEFT: Young Jack's turn. 3rd ROW RIGHT: The author and his son having Songkran fun. BOTTOM: Aom,her cousin Mon and her Dad with the roast pig.
SATURDAY 13th
The Bonsiri Ferry left bang on time at 09:00 and the 50 minute crossing was uneventful. Still uncomfortably hot though and even at 9am the temperature was in the mid 30's.
On arrival at Leamsok Pier we expected the usual scrabble for luggage reclaim and the second scramble to board one of the ferry's long passenger trailers. Well, we were in for a surprise as unbeknown to us part of the 5-star package with High Season Resort was a personal pick-up from the pier and straight to our car. Whilst the rest of the passengers were milling about in semi chaos, we were trundling along the pier like royalty.
It was then, we were told, we should have checked into the High Season depot in Leamsok and not only got free parking but personilised transport to the ferry terminal too.... I wish I'd been told this 10 days ago.
The early part of the long 450km drive back to Surin was uneventful. Aom insisted on me stopping off a few times so she could buy some Durian for her mother (stinky things). However, as we got further north the traffic increased a bit and we were subjected to a large number of absolute idiot drivers who did every thing possible to undertake and overtake, sometimes in the most stupid and dangerous places. Total waste of time as they still got held up further on. Aom told me that the main reason for this nonesense was the yearly crush for people to get to their families before the start of Songkran.
A bit of a disaster as we got further north. Aom could not find her phone. I pulled over and searched the truck to no avail. I recall now that at on of the Durian stops, Jack, who was in the rear, asked me to pass over a bag which was in the front passenger footwell. I did so not realising that the zipper was not secure and the contents fell out into the truck's interior. I had no idea her phone was in this bag. Anyway, what must have happened is as she climbed back into the truck her phone must have fallen out. Sadly, it was at least a 100km on before we realised her loss... poor girl was NOT a happy bunny!
The rest of the journey was uneventful and we arrived back home just after 5:30pm.
FRIDAY 12th
Back home with the family. Still uncomfortably hot and sultry. The main reason it feels so hot is the total lack of even a slight breeze. Early morning and late evening better but the main part of the day is HOT.
Today was the day the family decided to celebrate Songkran (Thai New Year). This year it was a selection of aunts, uncles & cousins coming to our house. The usual rites of blessings and feet washing took place. It's lovely to see the family happy and enjoying life.
Songkran Day.
As said, all the family's celebrations were done yesterday so it was a quieter day around the house. However, Aom, young Jack and Aom's brother Joe drove out to a lake (can't recall the name) about 30km away to do the Songkran water fighting thing. A 40-gallon tub of water was in the back of my pick-up truck as ammunition. They returned soaking wet in the evening. Great fun!
This was our last full-day in Phanom Dong Rak as we leave for Bangkok in the morning.
SUNDAY 14th.
Up early to finish off packing ready for the off at 09:00.
A relaxed breakfast with the family and we were ready on time. Different mini-bus and different driver (or drivers as he had his wife along to share the driving).
I have to say when his wife was driving I found it painfully slow. OK she was careful but other traffic was zooming past constantly which I found frustrating. In the end a journey which normally takes around 6 hours took over 7 hours.
Arrived at our apartment at 5:30pm, and, as usual, a quick shower and out on the streets but this time everything was so very, very different! Why? Simply, it was Songkran and the water fights were well under way.
I did wear a pair of swim-shorts over my underwear as I knew full well what we were in for. We hardly managed a 100mts before we were attacked and soaked to the skin. The more evil water-throwers had iced water in store in huge drums. The fact that we weren't "armed" made no difference. Started off in Soi-8 and had a few beers then ventured across to Soi-4 where the water fights were even more furious and crazy. Bought young Jack a massive water gun and a pair of goggles and off he went blasting away at everyone.
Squelched our very soggy way into Hilary1 for some dinner and for a time we were safe, Not he cheapest of places to eat but we've found the food to be very good and consistent.
Trogged back towards our apartment in Soi-6 and got numerous further soakings. We'll be a LOT better prepared for tomorrow's onslaught.