Khao Yai

Vince and I took a weekend trip to Khao Yai National Park which is a 3 hour bus ride from Bangkok. The park was great but there were some interesting things along the way.

One reason to get out of town was the smog that has come over the city for a few days. It is temporary but we wanted some fresh air.

Coffee shops like these are everywhere and are great if you love sugar and carnation milk.

Gardens can be built anywhere.

The trip began with taking a city bus to Victory Monument which is the central area for minivan travel. 

By repeating "Khao Yai-Pak Chong" (Pak Chong is the city) we eventually were taken by a nice lady to this place. I'm not sure I would consider it a van stop but we seemed to be on the right track. 

The waiting area. "Ten minutes" is what you are usually told regardless of when the next van comes. They don't leave until they are full...and I mean full. The vans are in the back ground.

We eventually arrived here and we still weren't exactly sure if we got where we wanted. These vans stop all over the place without much of a schedule. I took a picture so we could find the bus stop on the way home. It turned out that was too logical and there were actually two bus stations which we eventually figured out. Not far from each other but confusing nonetheless.

We spent the afternoon scooting the rolling hills of the park. 

Some of which proved to be a little steep for our combined weight and a little scooter.

Vince had to walk this one.

Nice to see mountains.

We thought maybe this would get us some wildlife

There's the tower in the distance.

No such luck but it was pretty peaceful. It's not often here that you are completely alone.

There have been recent cases of wild elephants walking on cars but we only saw monkeys

Impressive facilities. I love the extremes....really pregnant and really bent over.

Cooler weather was refreshing.

Ah, some animals....finally.

Our hotel, which is likely one of the most bizzare places we will ever stay. DNA-Direct Nature 

Access. 

They were full but the man was nice and gave us a "driver's" room which was perfect for us.

From the outside.

Vince checking the wiring.

The prayer station.

The observatory which is not quite finished but in typical fashion we could access the top anyway.  We weren't alone on our exploring but it was a little creepy.

The only thing stopping access to a 5 story fall is this little waist high rope.

Looking down,

...and up

I have to admit that my legs were a little weak at the thought of falling through.

Vince, not so much. 

He was inspecting the architecture.

Everything is built underground: Convention centre, yoga studio...it's quite strange.

Door to the convention centre.

On the skywalk.

View from the top.

Figured out how to work the self-timer on the camera.

On the road again but this time looking for wineries that we had heard about. Lots of building happening but it all takes a long time since most is done manually.

The workers live here, beside the building.

Grandemonte winery.

Cows feeding, literally on the road. It's rare to see dairy cows.

I never get tired of this colour.

The wineries bring a European influence and this italian place is grandiose. We spoiled ourselves with an amazing dinner and felt really quite civilized.

Live music and all.

This in one of many resorts that we have seen abandoned. Sad.

The Chocolate Factory tourist trap. 

Found the bus stop...took the big bus which was more comfortable than the minivan. We arrived at the bus terminal in Bangkok and decided to try one of these white vans to get home. Success!!! One more piece of the public transport puzzle solved.

Waiting for the van to fill up.

The drivers waiting and watching a soccer match.

Next stop....India to see our friend, Soureche.