into Thailand

Thursday, 21 November - Since Siem Reap, we had one more full day in Cambodia on Tuesday, then Wednesday we crossed in Thailand, and today rode to 50 km outside Bangkok.

Between Siem Reap and Sisophon where we spent our last night in Cambodia, the land continued to be wet...

...good for ducks...

...and people seem to take it in stride that they may have to get wet when walking or biking from one place to another...

As much as the water in the fields appears still, there is actually a significant flow and there are regular culverts or small bridges on the highway to facilitate the flow. There tends to be deeper water and a bit of a small pond on each side of the road at these bridges, and this allows fishing. We saw a number of people casting their nets into the water and getting small fish although at another place, I saw some fish that were 40-50 cm long. 


A small fish taken from his net...

...and they are quick - here his friend casts his net...

...and sixty second later is carrying it out of
the water - I timed it.

We had a nice sunrise as we headed for Thailand.

The border had its usual hustle and bustle - a lot and hand-drawn carts loaded with various fruits and vegetables and other merchandise going in our direction from Cambodia to Thailand. First the exit formalities to depart Cambodia where we drive on the right-hand side of the road. Then into the no-man's land between the two immigration posts. You could hardly move in this area with cars and other traffic going in every which direction. Thailand drives on the left-hand side of the road - somehow that's the side we were on when we hit the Thai side... obviously there is value in chaos...

...and then into the line for Thai immigration...

...which went very smoothly and quite quickly and we were into Thailand...

...where we were soon on our way on the highway. There was a marked difference between Thailand and Cambodia - the relative prosperity here was readily evident. Streets are full of cars instead of bicycles, motorcycles, and farm vehicles. Close to the border were two Thai Army bases, one infantry, the other armoured, both with beautifully-kept grounds, sports fields, well-maintained (at least by appearance) buildings. The highway was smooth and had a broad shoulder, and with flat land and a following wind, we had a quick ride to our first night in Thailand.

Each evening (except rest days and the night before rest days) we have a rider meeting to brief for the following day, then dinner usually at 1800. The domestic arrangements have been made by TdA and carried out by 'Grasshopper Adventures', an Asia-based bicycle tour operator. They set up the Wednesday dinner outdoors at the hotel...

ready for dinner - our expedition leader, Sharita, and
Tour-d'Afrique principal, Henry Gold

...bringing us to today's ride to Chanchoengsao...

sunrise...



...and we're on the bikes...

...even Rae

There's still lots of wetland here, giving me the chance to take photos of some more birds for my brother to identify...


Egrets tend to be shy - at least they are when I point a camera
near them - leading me to believe that this working of the field
must be stirring up something that they can eat

Asian Openbill Storks

Tomorrow, into Bangkok, but not on the bikes. Too much risk of getting lost or worse in the heavily congested traffic (and air pollution in Bangkok), so it will be by bus, then a day off in Bangkok.