Thread: Loombucket's Alternative travel guide

Much has been written about Thailand. It's history, it's culture and the warmth of the people who live, and work, there. Information on where to stay, what to eat, how to pull and what not to take through customs has been available to the traveller for many years. I am sure that we are all familier with pictures of the many wonderfull Temples, colourfull markets and dancing girls. Here on Loombucket's Alternative, we will attempt to show you pictures that you may not see anywhere else! This will not take the form of a journey, this is more like a hit and run.

Today we have come to Phrom Song on the Phitsanulok dam, in the Chiyaphum province. It is halfway through the Songkran festival and the journey has, already, been fraught with H2O



There was no escape, not even on the open roads



Whole families come here to escape the water bashing and chill out in the lovely suroundings.



Some folk swim, some eat and drink and others simply sit in a soggy heap, guarding the family water jar, and let the world go on without them.



The main reason we are here, of course, is the Thai style house boat racing!!!





Pretty cool eh?

I made my way to the organisers tent to try and get the full facts for our readers but, as usual, no one spoke English and they all thought that I was raving mad. Then it was time to go.



Top up the water jars, fill the guns and man the battlements for the ride home. As I was well burnt and very tired, I missed the raging wars going on in and around the back of the truck. I saw this last sniper before I fell asleep.



Later, I tried to explain to the gf about the lake and the men in the tent. Everyone started laughing. It seems that they were not racing at all. You can hire a 'boat' for 100 bht and take the family out for an hour or two. They are probably laughing still. At least they won't forget us.

I enjoyed that Lb. Thanks.

It has taken ages to get back here, so let me share this little update. The name of the place is Kasset Sombun (pronounced Somboon)



Drive through the little village and, driving north, hang a left, just after the Petrol station. If you get lost, ask the locals for this strange looking Temple thing.



Follow the road, there are pot holes large enough to put trees in so it is a slow journey, through several small hamlets, over a few small klongs and the road peters out into a car park. You will see the lake, with the mountains on both sides.

Here is the big blue boat, with the observation deck above,



...with a hopped up engine at the back.



Ours is a smaller affair, much like this one. The little shed, at the back, houses a toilet, with it's own bucket, and 'some sort of sink' to wash up with.



This is Ding, our Pilot/DJ/Qualified swimmer!



Suitably embalmed with horizontal lubricant, and sporting a range of footwear on the bow, we set off for the other side of the lake.....



Interesting holliday homes line the western shore. No mains water, no electric, but then, no one close enough to care if you wanted to practice the Bagpipes.



Once we get away from the built-up area, all is calm and quiet.



Sorry, got to split this.

Wow. So far, that's got to be one of the most interesting travel threads, I've seen.

On those houseboat thingys, were those TVs and PC monitors I could see????

Originally Posted by November Rain

On those houseboat thingys, were those TVs and PC monitors I could see????

Yes, sorry I forgot to mention, it's a floating Kareoke/party/Eating & drinking type of thing.

So, we go around the Island (floating knot of weeds),



and out into the main channel.



The only thing moving, is the house in the distance. The only sound, the water lapping over my feet and the sound of munching. At this point, Ding fires up the generator and the girls all try to sing at once, EEEEK!

I join in the eating and drinking. Sorry I forgot to photograph the spread at the begining. When I tried to get up, though, it looked like this.



Lunch over and my turn to sing. I treat the Natives to FZ's 'Bobbie Brown goes down', David Bedford's 'Don Alphonso' and i am just getting warm when the kids want a go. Some of the Natives responses were less than favorable....



...but the crews loved me.



All too soon, we reach the turn round point....



...and we drift aimlessly for a while. Some of the party take a dip over the side but I am far too smashed to hold the camera, let alone use it. Normally, of course, I would be snapping away like a tank full of baby 'Crocks'. I manage this last one as we head back in to the 'quay'.



1500 Bht got us the boat for two hours, a fantastic meal for ten and some great memories. The boys bought their own 'Whiskey'. The girls in the 'Cookhouse' speak a little English but the man in charge does not. Can't wait to go back.

Originally Posted by Loombucket

...but the crews loved me.

And I'm sure their thumbs up was not at all due to the Changs & Leos by their feet, Loomy.

Nice one.

I have been in Thailand for so long yet threads like this show that there are s many things that I haven't done/seen yet.

Originally Posted by Loombucket

Cracking thread.

Something inside me envies this guy.

Originally Posted by November Rain

And I'm sure their thumbs up was not at all due to the Changs & Leos by their feet, Loomy

A very good point.

I managed to find this shot of a slightly less visably, smashed Pilot,



...and for you, this little lady, with her own boat and a new friend.

Interesting holliday homes line the western shore. No mains water, no electric, but then, no one close enough to care if you wanted to practice the Bagpipes.





That's the place for me !!

Absolute paradise after some of the places I have lived (and fishing from your own terrace !!!)
Fix up an internet connection and I will move in tomorrow !

^No doubt!

Beautiful pics, Loombucket. What type of camera are you using?

The place looks so peaceful, and chilled out. Looks like a great way to spend a day.

Love the food spread. I see Sangsom! Yum!

keeep it up! Whets my desire to get back and live the life, Loombucket.

Karaoke, spicy food on a boat in the middle of nowhere, with smily people, the thay country way of life can be sometimes look like paradise. Thanks for share this pics.