Tigers? In Thailand? This tiger guarded the entrance to a Buddhist monastery.
Roadside shrines are everywhere, always stocked with fresh fruit, incense, and open bottles of coke with a straw inside. Sometimes I was sorely tempted . . .
Skating alone early in the morning, I got adept at setting up the camera, putting the self timer on, hitting the button, and skating into frame as the camera went "click"
I asked a little girl on a bike to take this photo. I think she was on her way to school.
These houses guard people's homes, it's a religious thing. I heard a story how David Beckham bought a ton of these to decorate his garden and the Thai's thought it was sacrilege.
Somewhere between Pattaya and Rayong on a mostly smooth road with a few huge holes.
I made a pass in front of a school, trying not to be too conspicuously disruptive.
The King and I
The king's watching over me again in front of the Mabprachan reservoir.
This elephant had just gotten her morning bath in the reservoir (drinking water supply for Pattaya). As I skated alongside, she started edging her fanny out onto the road.
I found a new road with no cars, about 3 miles long, that ran along pineapple fields and jackfruit groves, and dead-ended in the dirt. All the workers in the fields stopped and gawked.
So fine looking specimens that should be juicy ripe in no time.
Not stinky durian, this is jackfruit, sweet and chewy. Filled with hundreds of oblong fruits whose pits are salty and nutritious for eating too.
Another perfectly smooth road that just dead ends in the middle of nowhere, and consequently totally deserted of traffic, except for a very occasional scooter.
Olivier (mom Kokai in the background) couldn't get enough of the inlines. When he tired of skating he started watching videos and kept saying "encore, encore!"
Outside a city administration building I had to grab another photo with the King.
These monks got a kick out of me skating by. I skated ahead of them, bought some food, and made them an offering, for which I received a little blessing!
This wat (temple) glittered in the early morning sun.
At the top of the hill was a little shrine. Cars crest the hill and beep their horn twice to pay their respects to the Buddha.
Kind of reminded me of the lost terra cotta warriors of Xi'an. Little figurines everywhere.
I outskated this taxiing jet aircraft in front of the Pattaya Siam Country Club.
Another temple in my "Tour de Wat" skate! This one is on the outskirts of Pattaya. So colorful and ornate!
Another wat I just happened upon, this one a little less well kept, but hardly visible from this photo.
The entrance gate was particularly impressive.
Hanuman and I both have large incisors and a crazed look in our eyes.
This woman flagged me down and offered me something to drink. So sweet. Truly a land of smiles and warm hearts.
This manioc (tapioca) field was just getting started.
A nice smooth, gentle upgrade alongside manioc fields.
Fat tubers! Grate these up, add some fruit, wrap in banana leaves, boil, and you have sustenance for an old day skate.
The through view of my new cycling buddies Walter and Steve!
Walter and Steve were awesome tour guides and took me around the block, even snapped a few picky-pics for me!
Here you have Khao An, a tourist destination with a lone skate tourist!
The tour guides (Walter and Steve) outnumbered the tourists two to one! What a ratio!
Buddha's house is at the top of the stairs.
With his skin-tight uniform, the guard looks more like a skater than myself!
Walter and Steve were so nice to let me tag along. But rather ominously, Walter said "Next time you come back you should be in shape to come along on some of our rides." Uh-oh.
This buddha is solid gold material.
For and easy going guy, Walter knows how to put the hurt to a skater.
