Bangkok Week 198 — Mika's Photos

On our way to Trad, stopping at our favorite green lunch spot.

Mum and Dad's riverside hotel in Trad, with artistically-folded towels.

The view from their balcony.

All dressed and ready for an afternoon on the town.

Namwan is curious to meet the new foreigner in her home.

Lots of attention being paid to the new person. Or is it the food.

Hybrid family portrait.

Marouy ignores his new best friend.

Dad inspects Top's fancy creation.

They're speechless.

Some local ants have made giant nests in one of the trees.

Going for a late afternoon walk around the older parts of downtown Trad.

One of Trad's original houses?

Almost a perfect reflection in the canal that cuts through town.

Can they pass as locals?

There were lots of beds and breakfast in this area.

This building is leftover from when the French were in town.

Time for a late-afternoom romp in the shady house.

Dinner at Seafood Restaurant #1 of many.

The next morning, the kids take shelter under the table from the morning sun.

Namwan still blends in well with her bed.

Some beautiful orchids at the house.

Marouy doesn't yet know what's in store for him today... but he can already tell that something is amiss!

Holding on, as I go for my inaugural ride in the back of a pickup.

Namwan feels safe in mom's arms.

"Uh oh. Where are we going?"

Minor issue: dead battery in the rental car. Good thing the stars aligned and we were able to replace it.

Luckily for him, the Hot Dog had a travel bowl at his disposal.

At the fruit farm, mum wonders again about the appeal of the durian.

She's convinced that the underside of a mangosteen would make a good stamp.

Posing with the mangosteen trees.

Yum yum, fresh off the farm!

Dad's enthusiastic, but you'd never know it.

Namwan is also not sure where she is, or why.

Sitting around chillaxin', while Top fixes some wiring in the background.

Another seafood meal -- this time, right on the ocean.

Som tum, served up fresh.

She's very focused on the calamari in front of her.

All smiles after the delicious meal.

Ladies' turn.

Did you know that there are dolphins off the coast of Chantaburi?

Next stop was a look-out point not far from the restaurant.

We did make it to a beach on this visit.

Looking back across the bay, toward the mainland.

Standing in the shade, the sane people they are.

Clearly the sensible thing to do is take a family portrait in the sun.

Marouy's had enough of this nonsense. He's ready to jump.

The Red Block Building in Chanthaburi was initially constructed in 1893 A.D. when the colonial French army invaded Chanthaburi and set up military headquarters here.

I guess this is an original French cannon.

The French used this aptly-dubbed "Chicken Poop Prison" to torture prisoners. The chickens lived on top, and pooped onto the poor people trapped below.