Journal Entries

There is an area of Bangkok called the "Green Lung" to which we like to escape periodically. It is an 8 k ride down a busy highway to the ferry boat crossing, which costs 7 baht (about a 25 cents). When you step off the ferry, you have left the concrete jungle behind and enter Bangkok of old, with traditional teak wood housing on stilts and green everywhere, both natural and some orchards.

There are raised cement paths everywhere (typical around much of Thailand due to rainy season) which are fun to ride on - you never know what you'll find. This day we went into the botanical gardens which has some paved trail and also some dirt, which was mud this rainy day when we went a couple weeks ago. The pic is taken from a bird watching tower.

Spent the last couple days getting refreshed in a province a couple hours west of Bangkok. We stayed on a traditional Thai farm with orchards of bananas, coconuts, and these pineapples. The homestay was right on the river, with non-motorized boat traffic in the early morning hours, including Buddhist monks coming along to collect food offerings.

A little rest at dusk after an active day on island of Koh Chang

Klong Prao Beach, Koh Chang Island

Island of Koh Chang - Hubby had to do some work, so the kids and I joined some friends for this short hike to Klong Plu waterfall that turned out to have great cliff jumping. The trail was well-maintained. Wasn't too crazy about the $5 fee to access the trail, but it was cheaper than entering the nearby national park.

In January I fractured my 5th metatarsal (playing soccer), which put a hiatus on any active adventures for over 6 weeks. This photo is from 2 weeks after I got my cast off, it was my first ride since before breaking my foot. I was super excited to be back on the bike, and have been slowly building up a few kilometers at a time again. It is so hot riding here, so I only go at 6:00 am, right when the sun is rising. Good thing I'm a morning person!

Khao Yai National Park, Thailand's first national park - this was a day of exploring mostly by car and scoping out some trails for future trips, as I'd just got my cast off from a fractured foot, and my leg and foot were weak from being in the cast for 6 weeks so I couldn't hike much. We plan to do an overnight trip here next November (at the end of rainy season when wildflowers bloom). A three hour drive from Bangkok.

Our youngest doing some rock exploration at Nam Pha Pa Yai climber's camp. This camp is awesome, less than 2 hours from Bangkok near Latburi & Saraburi. Tons of limestone rock to climb here, you can rent gear if you don't have your own. You can also book a repelling adventure, as well as use the zipline. The food here was fabulous - authentic Thai and cheap. We enjoyed camping in the cool season, just before Christmas. Had planned to go back in February, but plans were derailed when I fractured my foot playing soccer!