There was much hilarity all round when I arrived to photograph the bed race a week early. Just a silly once-off mistake I assured everyone; stop mocking.

With that behind me I set off this morning to take some photos of the FIM Motocross World Championship - Thailand round. A simple 45 minute trip turned into a two hour nightmare when I fell foul of major roadworks before finally finding myself on the road back to Pattaya. Much fiddling around on small roads followed before I finally arrived at the Pintong Industrial Estate and then struggled to find the circuit. Why wasn’t it properly signposted? Probably because, as I discovered, I was exactly one month early….

Never mind, there were some bikes on the track so I could take a few photos, and the E-M1 surprised me again by being extremely competent in tracking my targets, with any mistakes being mine, like this one…

Our final visit of the day and another temple.

Heading for our final destination, we stumble across another promising looking temple and stop to check it out. There is a large reclining Buddha, but pillars and money-demanding monsters in sunglasses block a clear shot:

If I sat down to count the number of times I have exhibited bravery in my life, it would take me a while. Not because of the number of occasions I would need to recall; but because I would have trouble remembering any. There was that time when I almost argued with she who must be obeyed’s choice of parking spot; but I wisely chickened out before proceeding. But apart from that I have confined myself to my very small comfort zone.

I did venture out during the red shirt protests in 2009, but that was a fairly benign envrionment.

Comments 🔗

2014-02-02 | Andrew says

They obviously were given the Chinese calendar published by the Pattaya Tourist and Bar Owners Association…

Continuing our journey through Nonthaburi, we arrive at Wat Amphawan. The point of interest is apparently a prayer hall on stilts.

Road trip, enquires  Nik the neighbour? Oh yes, says I, without first checking that this will require us to leave the condo at 0600. But we do, and return some ten hours later having plundered the province of Nonthaburi. I must commend myself on my excellent navigational skills, which turned to ratshit when my phone’s battery died and I no longer could rely upon Google maps. With a bit more battery life it might have been a nine hour trip.

The first location to have E-M1s waved at it was Nonthaburi old city hall.

If either of my readers happens to be Chinese; happy Chinese New Year! This one’s for you.

Next stop on our day out in Nonthaburi was Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn. The temple, which took twelve years to construct, was erected to commemorate King Bhumibol’s reign of 50 years. With materials sourced from China and based on the style of the Forbidden City, it’s an impressive and colourful place.