As of 20230218, I have successfully circumnavigated Old Town Korat. There is a moat all the way around the old city, and I walked all the way around inside the moat. Photos are in reverse chronological order because the geniuses at Google provide me no other option.
 |
| The statue of Thao Suranaree / Ya Mo / Grandma Mo. |
 |
| The clock tower. Every town has one. |
Then the air turned to shit. I had better learn to like the fitness room because exercising outdoors is not an option these days. (I think we're on day three or four of being stuck inside.)
 |
| 20230309-2135 |
Sometimes I remember to count my blessings: We are damn lucky to have access to this swimming pool and fitness center. I will continue to enjoy outdoor exercise as long as this weather lasts... Grateful!!!
 |
| 20230210 |
Once in a while, it happens. I see the sunrise. And it is magnificent. I should do it more often, to be sure. Plenty of time for the old grizzled retiree to sleep in the heat of the day.
 |
| 20230209-0658 |
There I was moping about, "It's so hot. Blah. Blah. Blah." But then I realized that a high temperature of 33 degrees with only 60% humidity was going to be as good as it gets for a while. I've always wanted to explore หัวทะเล / Hua Thale. So I did.
I started at บึงหัวทะเล / Hua Thale Marsh, which was impressively big. Plenty of people fishing there (without shade). Then I followed a small canal all the way to Friendship Road. I hope all the residents along the canal are okay with me cutting through their neighborhoods. I mean no harm.
I feel like they might think of me like the motorcycle rider in the in the Jonathan Glazer film Under the Skin, even though I am not like that guy at all, But how could the residents know that? It must be very strange to them to see a guy riding the canals wearing full motorcycle safety gear. The truth, if I had a way to tell them, is that I just like being out in the rice fields. I have always liked being out in the rice fields.
 |
| 20230206 |
Squeezed in another trip before the relatively cool weather is gone. ด่านขุนทด / Dan Khun Thot is a nice little town. They have one of the biggest lakes I've seen for a small-size town. If you were to walk all the way around it, you could call that your exercise for the day. Nice market area and downtown. Nice people.
 |
| 20230130 |
I had been wanting to ride up to โนนสูง / Non Sung for some time. I took advantage of some rare, relatively cool weather. (Not melting hot.) Non Sung is a nice town. The train station features prominently. Google Maps took me to the Non Sung train station three times as I attempted to go even further north. I guess I'll save that area for another ride maybe next year when there's another week or two of good weather.
 |
| Non Sung clock tower across from the train station |
 |
Did you ever take a photo and then later thought: "I have no idea where I took this?" Google can help you with that. Joho Lake, near the coffee shop. Thank you, weather gods, for letting me exercise outside. |
My wonderful partner! Not only does she tolerate my eccentricities (mostly?), but she even joins in from time to time. This was a very windy day, but wonderfully, mercifully cool. I loved it.
 |
| Old school canoe. I think they cut them out of palm trees. |
 |
| Remember what I was saying about letting Christmas linger? The quiet withdrawal is underway, but it's an imperceptibly gradual process. |
Did you ever go somewhere where you liked the place and the people right from the start? That's how I am with the area around Prasat Phanom Wan. I hope they like me as much as I like them because I have been hanging around there a lot. Why wouldn't I? Beautiful canals and fields with rice, lotus, and birds--lots and lots of birds. So much so that it is officially a Natural Agricultural Park.
If you happen to go out there (I won't be taking you unless you're in my inner circle), please respect country rules. Never, ever interfere with the farmers.
 |
| The "adventure bike" parked in front of the coffee shop after the adventure. 20230127 |
During the one to two weeks of nice weather in Thailand each year, one must be outside as much as possible. Having visited the area around Prasat Phanom Wan, I couldn't wait to get back. Plus, on the first trip, we missed เนินอรพม / Oraphim Hill, located east of the main temple complex.
 |
| 20230125 |
