Well, I guess its hardly surprising, but the extended weekend we had due to the Buddhist Celebrations of the Rainy Season, was characterised mostly by …..rain…lots of it. In fact once it started Saturday evening, it didn’t stop until Tuesday.
We actually braved the rain on Monday, putting on our macs and went into Chiang Mai to the Gym. I’m really on this fitness thing now, three weeks and I’m still doing it, shocker!
Stopping on the way for Kow Soi, we then went into Airport Plaza, before going to the gym, I needed to let my food go down properly first. So we used some time to go and check out a different Gym that my friend Jonathan had told me about. Well, a gyms a gym to me but the result of the visit is that I now have lifetime gold+ membership and will change to that gym on Sunday.
Tuesday saw things a lot dryer and we did go out for a short ride out.

boonlunchsankampaengHeading over towards San Kam Paeng on the Banthi road, I should have remembered from Saturdays ride out with Ally, the distinct lack of decent eating stops along this road.
We ended up all the way to the main San Kampaeng-Chiang Mai road, crossing it and riding a couple of kilometres towards San Kam Paeng itself, before we found a lunch stop. I should point out that its partly my fight for not being keen on Noodles, as we had passed a few other cafes but they were all Noodle places.
schoolnear wat patungOn the way back we called up to Wat Pa Tung and I got a photo of one of the possible sites for our Foundation plans.
We also spotted another big house for rent which may be another on the list of choices.
Yesterday was a much nicer day from the beginning and in the morning we rode over to Huay Tung Tao for lunch and a swim.
boonAs apposed to the normal ‘splash about’, I actually did about half an hours serious swimming.
Had a great lunch.

We had to change tables once when Somboon started freaking out at the sight of a hairy caterpillar.

Can’t be sure if it was just his excuse but he assures me they make you itch a lot if you come into contact with them.

caterpillar huaytungtaoOur other lunchtime companions were the cafe cat, who happily ate our leftovers, and a beautiful yellow and black butterfly, possibly a cousin of that hairy caterpillar.
Later in the afternoon we called in at The Brick Road, where Boon, whoes eating like a horse these days, had Spaghetti Bolognese, and I chatted with a nice Dutch family.
moneyboxOn the way home we called in at Chompoo where we fed the fish and I bought a new Moneybox.

You may have read in a previous post, there is a stall that sells these plaster of Paris moneyboxes, along with a selection of paints for you to decorate it yourself.

At 30 baht for the largest, they are a bargain.
toadschompooWe also saw these amazing looking toads.

Quite a wildlife day.

So my evening was mostly taken with some relaxing, simple artwork;

to see the finished result and other photos from these past couple of days, visit our photobucket album here;

wispaandfleabagoh, and watching Wispa playing with her latest buddy, Fleabag.

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Huay Tung Tao has the local nickname of ‘the sea at Chiang Mai’. Situated about half an hours drive from the Old City, it is a large lake nestled at the foot of the mountain range behind and a great place to get away from the city and relax without going to far.

Huay Tung Tao

Huay Tung Tao

More precise directions would be to take the right hand turn at the second major intersection up Huay Kao Rd, the Canal Rd intersection, and travel out past City Hall, and past the 700year Stadium, Huay Tung Tao is about 15 more minutes down the road on the left hand side. Look out for the sign post with blue waves and fishes.

You will travel down a road that heads straight towards the mountains and then has a 90degree bend to the right, after about a mile you will reach the entrance gate where it will cost you the exhorbitent price of 20 baht a head to enter the Park.

fun with a viewHuay Tung Tao is very popular with local thais who go dog walking, cycling, fishing or swimming in the extensive grounds.

The lake has many cafe/bar outlets around its banks and safe swimming zone is marked by ropes lined with green plastic bottles.

There are pedalos and canoes for hire and many areas for homemade picnicking if you want to keep the spending down.

We got there mid afternoon and although it wasn’t blistering hot, it was hot enough to enjoy some time cooling off in the water and having some fun. The children took to he water like ducks! and the adults followed them in! :)

Tyred happy family

how this half livesMe and Boon have been here many times, either picnicking or taking food and drink at one of the cafes, which allows you use of one of the many thatched shelters around the lake.

The food available is varied and mostly good quality at very reasonable cost.

Another great day out for the family.

You can see much more of Huay Tung Tao at our photobucket album.

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