Growing Vegetables
It took a while to clear the stumps left over from the sugar cane. But eventually managed to some semblance of order in the vegetable garden.
Thai Festival
I haven’t seen much evidence of a Thai community in Chichester and was expecting to be reminded that I am ten thousand kilometres away.
But I ate myself to a standstill at the Chichester Thai Festival.
Still no dry curry.
But there was papaya salad, logan juice and the coconut desserts you get wrapped in banana leaf. Mu ping, fried banana and crispy pork.
Khanom krok, nam isan, sai krok isan, and the Chiangmai sausage.
Thai dancing and a young male vocalists who switched easily between between Thai and English who sang exceptionally well.
Stalls selling Thai food products including bamboo shoots, durian and sataw. Others displaying clothes and other typically Thai goods.
Traditional Thai massage
And plenty to keep the kids occupied whilst Mum and Dad relax with an ice cold Singha beer.
Coffee
In international terms Thailand is a relative late-comer as a coffee producer.
Although coffee has been gown for a little over a century, the country only started exporting Robusta beans in 1976. Growing to become one of the top twenty five coffee producers in the world. Unique in that it exports very little of the coffee that is grown.
Most of the consumption remains in the country, having developed a booming specialty coffee ecosystem where farmers, roasters, cafes and consumers symbiotically co-exist. An example of a working coffee ecosystem where coffee is produced sustainably from both economic and environmental perspectives. A rare achievement in the coffee world. But one that is typically and uniquely Thai.
Southern bus terminus
Busses to Kanchanaburi
Airport rail link
Self drive
Kanchanaburi is one of the most scenic and interesting provinces in Thailand. It is also largely untapped. There is little or no English spoken outside of Kanchanaburi city and the established tourist attractions. This makes it an exciting destination for self drive travellers who are looking for something different
Birdwatching
Ten percent of all bird species can be found in Thailand. It is a zoogeographic crossroads or in common terms a melting pot. This because the country’s avifauna comprises Sino-Himalayan, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Chinese and Sundaic elements as well as a large number of migrant visitors.
There are a number of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and protected areas which are the main birding spots where birds can be seen all year round.
November to February is the peak time for migrating species when most areas are good for birdwatching. In the north where the weather is cooler the most popular destinations are Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Pui/Suthep National Park, Doi Chiengdao Wildlife Sanctuary, Doi Angkhang and Chiengsaen.
One of the best areas for birdwatching first thing in the morning is in north east at the Khao Yai National Park. Then there is Kroeng-Kravia , Tung Yai and Kaeng Krachan in the west and south west. With Khao Sam Roi Yot a little further south.
Next at the hottest time of the year, March to June is good for both passage migrants and resident species, which are then breeding. The best areas are in the west, south west and the south . The mangroves in Krabi, Khao Nor Chu Chi and the Halabala Wildlife Sanctuary in the far south.
July to October is the rainy season which is a lot quieter but good for resident species and breeding visitors. With sightings of passage migrants from August to October. The best birding spots are in the central plains in and around Bangkok and Kampangsaen. As well the coastal areas Bangpu and Samutsakhorn fromSeptember to October.
Settling in the UK
It is cold but honestly I definetly prefer cold over hot. But buying computer parts is probably alot easier here than it was back in Thailand so thats an improvement.