March 2009

Blew by Tak, and surprisingly sis's house in Kanphang Phet, saw last year twice, and been to Tak before. NS is where 2 rivers meet to make up Chao Phraya running past BKK. So should be some nice gh or hotels along river, with all things river related. Not to be, a 1.5 meter, ugly wall, with the ugliest market strewed with trash. Mistakenly thinking staying near river would be a plus, one night was enough, but luckily, found a pleasant place, over by the picturesque lake. A mere 380 a night, comfy bed and room, frig/hw/ac, off street parking, nice host, w/decent restaurant. A well appreciated break from driving past couple legs. And of course, shopping, F' me. A nice small shopping mall w/Big C as anchor store. The better of the big c complexes I've seen.

From another thread, picked up a new toy, netbook, very nice. Couple other items, some stocking up on brekkie items, coffee and such, with some toiletries items also, and just relaxing before thinking about where to next. Doing some research, well, a lot, the north is similar to northeast, well deserving non tourist area reps, as not a lot here. As this and few others, fail to utilize some valuable assets, such as these lovely rivers, wasted. Trash shrewd, plastic everywhere. As I was looking at river, a little one, not mine, just chucked his remaining drink in bag w/straw down the steps to the' 'beach' before rainy season, mom next to him, unfazed. My parents would of kicked the sh*t out of me, and at the time, nobody would have been surprised, deservedly so. Today's society, arrested for child abuse. Oh well, progress.

The GH is nice, with roof top sitting area, comfy with views of, roofs, but better than scooters, noise and dirt. Shaded for morning coffee. Pics of the park below, saving grace of the town. Some tourist Wats in town of course. The usual array of vendors and food options surround the park and area. Link for gh below, priced different, and posted at gh, 380/500 vip, same bed, just larger room. Couple nice things about town, but unless just stopping thru, no special reason to visit, other than an out and about curiosity run. I think something everyone should do, as soon as you decide to settle in Thailand, as it gives you a good idea what is and isn't here, and options for your different taste. There are some nice areas, and others that will make you appreciate Udon Thani so much more.

www.lelawadeehome.com - Home

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was looking at this and thinking a bit out of the way but its not is it you have got me thinking - with your knowledge of the area if we were going to do a trip in a circle fromm BKK taking in Nakhon Sawan maybe Kanchanaburi and a few others say over a week or maybe a few days more - where would you go / stay and for how long in each place - and would you drive or take the train ?

Beautiful pics! Interested to see your response to Phil MCFC

How to answer that without sounding extremely negative. So I’ll start with saying I enjoy living here, appreciate everything Thailand has offered me, an inexpensive retirement, for the things that matter to me. Get 2nd thoughts every now and then, the reality of living back in the states snap me back to reality. As an east coast yank, vacationing here, it wouldn’t even be a consideration, as too far and expensive to get here, and yanks usually don’t get enough time off to take advantage of the inexpensive daily cost.

Now, if you have too much time or money, and seen the rest that interest you and want to see a little countryside, then it can be a relaxing experience. Little research is required, as I found out, there isn’t a whole lot here that really interest me, or anything that I would consider ‘world class’, though sure the TAT would disagree with me. I’m not a big fan of public transportation, from experience, bus/train travel doesn’t interest me, and car rental, would probably be equal or exceed you total daily expenses for everything else, hence why many of the non tourist areas are just that.

The north side, I enjoy kanchanaburi, I enjoyed the tak/mae sot, then north route to mae hong song. There is a huge dam/reservoir just north or tak, for water activities, seen it, but never experience it, it is huge. It will take quite a bit of time, little planning and need to not mind being in a car for few hours, as can turn into a long day between towns offering accommodations. Sept/oct would be the recommended time to travel for me, better vis, no burn off of old crops as in feb/mar/apr, decent weather, everything still lush and plenty of water in rivers/waterfalls. Could loop around via Pai, sort of a KSR in the countryside, not my kind of thing, but many enjoy it.

If I was to repeat the trip, bkk/nakhan sawan/tak area, then up along the border, (not route 1). Up the border to mae hong son, that will require a stop half way. Then the northern side of MHS, the road gets even slower, hillier and windier, so easy going, a stop at Pai, not my thing, but many like it. CM or CR did nothing for me, haven’t seen Lamphun or Lampang, though seem interesting. I would stop at sukhothai on the way back, if history interest you, also kamphang phet was an interesting town, there is one really nice guesthouse overlooking lake/river, rather nice, can be seen from the east side of river. Can be seen on the way or on return as between bkk/tak. In that aspect, you can go up route 1, and return via border. The rest of the area really didn’t or doesn’t interest me. As stated, went to golden triangle, just because it was there and nice museum, but very logistical just for that. Would save that for another time. Golden triangle, then back along the river, khiang khong, head south, thru nan / leoi, then decide which way to return, via river again to chiang khan to nong khai, or straight away over to udon thani from loei, then down via korat stopping at phimai and phanon rung, 2 more restored ruins before heading back to bkk.

Those are some of the cities I’ve been to that interested me, roi - et was nice also, but a bit off the beaten track for a special trip. But again, all are going to take some time to get to, and depending what you are looking for, may or may not enjoy. I’m an R&R person, so easy to make happy. Give me a beach, lake, river to sit next too, and I’m happy, throw in a pool, good inexpensive food and drink, and I’m in heaven. A good night market is a plus anywhere.

North side has rafting and trekking opportunities if it interest you, days past for me, plus already done in much more pristine place. One advantage of living in states/Caribbean/mexico area, some primo locations. If not working for an airlines, and on a fluke, last minute vacation, I would of never discovered Thailand.

Just some thought, hope it wasn’t too negative or off putting. Been around the country twice, almost, and would really not recommend too many things as a special trip. I enjoy my beach time, with couple side relaxing trips during the year. But that’s about it. Hua hin to phuket is fun time for me, the rest is filler and R & R. But 9 months in udon thani a year is plenty. Happy to leave, happy to return. If already here and have plenty of time, definitely get out and see the countryside, have no regrets, obviously, as done it twice, 1st time a bit faster, 2nd time, taking more time and a closer look at things, with a lot more info. Don’t book anything too far in advance, as if you could in some of these town, as some may interest you for short week, or one night might make you want to move on.

Happy travels.

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very informative LA - thanks for taking the time for such an extensive reply - some real good food for thought there will prob give it a go in one form or another as its different to what we have done in the past - thanks again