Baguette and Beer Laos - civilisation

My first meal in Vientianne - civilisation !!!!

Heaven !!!!

Bangkok - Laos by train

Hua Lampong station Bangkok

Phra Sumen Fort Bangkok

Rama 8 bridge spanning river

Prha Sumen Fort is right next to river - short distance from my hotel

Next to me where I took first picture above - was a spirit shrine surrounded
by remains of the old city walls.

Coconut Tree above a Canal House

Composite image showing the dangers of living under a coconut tree

(it's best to 'click' on this one) - imagine the noise inside when a coconut lands !!!!

The other side of Bangkok

I just sat down at my regular 'haunt' for yogurt 'lasi' drink when it dawned on me there was a bit of a commotion outside - I had just missed the 'real action' - by this stage cops and first aid people were attending to a white guy (I assume the driver of the damaged car shown in these fotos). He was nursing a nasty blow to the head which by now was bleeding pretty badly. There seemed to be some confusion as to what had happened. I spoke to a cop who clarified things for me (he had sat next to my table so he could chat up a Japanese tourist). Seemed a group of about 4 Thais followed this vehicle. One carried an iron bar, another (according to the cop) had a gun. He said there was several shots. The car windows were badly damaged and the driver hit in the head with a heavy implement (by the bar or hammer I heard another witness mention). Looks like this was some kinda 'criminal gang' out for revenge or something. Best not to get in the wrong side of gangs in any country. I suppose the guy was lucky he didnt get killed.

Canal Boats

Mahakan fort - near Panfa boat station - this seems to be a typical design of a Thai fort on the

river or klong (canal).

Map showing how I got to Pantip Plaza by TukTuk and Canal Boat

I've discovered a new way to get to Pantip Plaza - get a TukTuk (about 5 mins from area of my hotel * costing about 30 Bhat) to Panfa Boat Station (shown above) and get a boat to Patunam - it only costs 10-15 Baht (I cant remember exact price) and only takes 10 mins. This compares to a bus journey of 1-2 hours (depending on traffic) - so it's actually quicker to go

by boat in Bangkok !!!! Below: One of the ticket collectors on my boat - notice he is

wearing a crash-helmet - for low bridges !!!!!

* http://sawasdee-hotels.com/bangkok/krungthepinn/index.html

http://sawasdee-hotels.com/bangkok/krungthepinn/map.html

Tuk Tuk on my way to Panfa boat station to catch canalboat

Bangkok Chinatown

Cordyceps ? 200 gram for 55 Bhat

see http://jimmcanna.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-are-these-dead-caterpillars-doing.html

Selling stuff for Chinese New Year

Shop selling sharks' fins (foreground)

Stall in Chinatown selling almost exclusively Fish Maw (fish intestines - for soup)
For Fish Maw soup see: http://jimmcanna.blogspot.com/2008/03/fish-maw-soup.html