Wat Pra That Nong Bua Review

I first came here with Rice and friends. We celebrated the wonderful tradition of Loy Kratong on a clear evening. Hardly crowded even then, walking around was pleasant and as is usually the case in Thailand, there were smiles aplenty.

It is truly a sight for sore eyes. Weave a little through the cool backstreets of Ubon to find this stunner of a pagoda. The intricately crafted interior well and truly gives the  magnificent golden exterior a run for its money.

While ‘The Land of Smiles’ sure is packed with these semi-hidden gems…this one is truly up there for mine!

Combine a visit with a gentle stroll by the nearby lake and some delicious food at a nearby restaurant.

You’ve got yourself a very neat half day’s fun!

Anniversary de résistance!

France were magnifique in the second half. The floodgates opened after Pavard’s pièce de résistance!
My girlfriend and I were at a lively bar in Sisaket, Thailand. It was a top night with live music and delicious (but overly spicy for me!) Thai food.
It would have been an ideal anniversary…except my girlfriend was going for the Argies! Luckily for her Uruguay won. She’s a big fan of Suarez.
Anyway, Mbappé absolutely ripped through the defence with his searing pace. They’ve got the squad to go all the way…but will need to shore things up defensively.

Ko Siket!

I hope the sun never sets on my island time,
a laboured bike ride with a fashion-challenged hemlet!
If running around proved a breeze then l’étape Ko Siket proved a Perfect Storm…
…literally e figuramente!

A Birthday poem

Twas’a stroll in the woods,
Which bode for reflection,
Feedin the fish and keeping in tune,
With the Det shade and Pat see eww.

That meal, the mélange of egg, vegetable and beef…
…symbolised the bouillabaisse that is a typical Thai wan yud.

For all the glory of dontree and football,
Smiles, seafood and pandan cake answer the call!

They will!

By a certain age they will be able to converse in English…j’en suis pursuadé!

Given how much they are exposed to ‘inglese’ the language of love it must be so.

If they manage to apply their gross motor and audio visual skills to english grammar then le monde est á eux!

Overcast Monday!

Tired, cranky, overly travelled and miserable…but geez Louise what a ripper weekend!

I mean my word…why would one ever leave when…

…I think Roi Et’s hit the top ten!

And folk in the Land of Smiles are incredibly acconodating…to the point where it’s ridiculous!

Oh well…no complaints from this farang jai dii krap!

Merçi à vois mesdames et monsieurs!

 

A Roi-Et Wedding

It’s just wonderful!

We managed to score an invite to the after party!😂😎✌🌈💁

We’re at a very chic hotel called ‘The Pool!’ It’s neatly decorated with paintings of Europe and a mini cellar of ‘Bordeaux by the looks of it!

Currently enjoying some drinks before the hordes arrive. It’s been well worth the three hours on the minivan this morning.

Day the Second

Wan Na That.

Memories of a sumptuous evening still somewhat fresh.

‘Bonjour.’

‘Je voudrais du foie gras s’il vous plaît!’

A midnight French lesson thati was more than happy to give. In return, I made some wonderfully boisterous Thai friends.

The morn wasn’t half bad either. A calm stroll to the Roi-Et isle before checking out and settling into some smelly Durian Bingsu!

The Afternoon Café. Reminiscent of a classic country garden!

Sip…et…Ubon…Det

‘Look left, look right…zoom for your life!’

The traffic may have left me at wit’s end but aside from that and the rain, Ubon has been a flurry of excitement.

‘Happy 11 Month anniversary!’

Gosh, the time truly has flown by…mai pen rai. After hauling myself back into this city and savouring its delights; restaurants, cafes and as I’ve settled into the Sudjai mansion; stunning countryside I finally have a moment to reflect on the last few weeks.

Like I said making a right turn is for me the equivalent of one of Tom hardy’s unfathomable jumps during a frenetic moment of ‘Fury Road.’ My new scooter has needed a wee bit of maintenance…stopping dead at a U Turn did cause my heart to skip a beat but alas an Oasis…a mechanic was nearby, barely a hundred metres away as I peddled the bike off the furious freeway.

 

‘When’s it gonna be our turn sweetheart?’

One day…sakwan Ricey! As with the pre-graduation, I was utterly bamboozled by the design and array of colour creating the ‘mystique’ of the Thai wedding.

So brave Poppy; get well soon chok dii krap!

 

The circle of Ubon, so different and yet still, after barely a year…it already feels like my raison d’etre. The chaotic traffic, the beaming spires, friends, food and the frenzy of festivals have made for a spellbinding experience.

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It’s been pillar to post on the scooter for the past few weeks, darting from Sudjai to YES School, The Outside Inn, Hai Mueang, Happy English and Baan Ben, but as always the mai pen rai seems to kick in whenever the going gets tough.

Big shout out to everyone at the wedding and Happy English for making me feel so welcome. A few (tenuous) moments of fame haven’t hurt either as I was caught on camera bouncing around at the Chang Festival as well as the Ubon Family Run.

 

Chonburi, Food and Fun

Frogs, fish and chickens.

Those final days at Benchama…a little dreary before the big trip. A ten hour karaoke filled extravaganza to Chonburi the sheer pace of which was electrifying. So many intriguing activities jam packed into a precious three days…so much in a whisker of time.

Whether it was walking along the plank to board the boat to the island, swimming with the pla on the other side, riding through the gorgeous green fields of the SilverLake vineyard or of course having a crack at Karaoke…it was incredibly exciting especially after our grueling efforts during the E.P interviews.

Hisilicon Balong

 

 

 

 

 

Before and After

 

My memories of the events are a little scattered but the period before the Chonburi trip as well as afterwards are very pleasant. That fateful trip to ‘the Secret Garden’ (Plant and Forest Park) of Sisaket, wandering around in the wee hours of morn all for the sake of a stomping through the leaves…the jungle awaited as I embarked on the ‘First’ Trail Run. Debogah it wasn’t but it took an almighty effort to navigate the shifting types of terrain.

It exceeded my expectations yet again. While I was quite distracted by the awesome countryside and feeling a few niggles in the old legs, I was very happy with my time and position. I had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people, running enthusiasts and teachers alike who all seemed to be ‘jai dee’ in the Land of Smiles.

The race, like the trip was a circle, a series of circles as I wavered on the journey but which ultimately led me back to Ubon and crucially that lovely lady that brings me the most joy, the most circular symmetry and completeness to my life.

 

Ricey at the idyllic Det Dam.