Sad to leave Wanalee, a beautiful setting in lovely gardens on a hillside, a river below our bungalow, woods behind.
I hate having my photo taken, the Thais seem to be obsessed with their phones, selfies and the cameras on their phones. We were framed by the owner and Pen before we left, Pen's photo appearing on Facebook. Pen - Neil's wife, is a delightful lady. She organises all the food including a bag containing kettle, cups, coffee, tea, sugar and milk for our rooms.
After the luxury of an 8.30 breakfast, we left at 10.00 for the drive to Nhakon Sawan for the long anticipated boat trip. Not an uneventful journey. A lunch of noodle soup at a roadside eating place and then a tyre blow out on the Thai equivalent of the M1, a north/south very busy main road. We just heard a bang - twice - before Choom stopped. Twenty minutes later, the tyre was changed, with the help of two policemen, who parked their car to protect us from the rear and then helped. After the obligatory group photo, we were on our way again. Most impressive - Choom and the police.
A large Tesco pharmacy visit for anthisan type stuff and toothpaste for J - she'd trodden on theirs and squirted it on the bathroom floor - check in to the modern hotel for 1 night. A lift to our room on the 5th floor, soft beds and good WiFi, and off to the lake.
The boat was a metal raft with a shallow draft, ideal for ploughing through the lotus flower - thick and extensive lake.
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There was an awning so we had shelter from the sun. I sat in a plastic chair at the front with Neil, factor 50 was necessary. It was great to have such open views.
Egrets of three varieties, Grey-headed Swamphens, Jacanas, Open-billed Storks, Indian and Little Cormorants everywhere.
Sharp-eyed Dave found a White-browed Crake and his, long awaited, Yellow Bittern tick.
The greatest spectacle was at least 10.000 Garganey, rising in clouds from the vegetation in front of us, swirling around before landing again. Magnificent.
The islands were wooded, the trees festooned with egrets and cormorants. Burning sugar cane, far away, produced small ashy flakes, falling into the water around us. The air never seemed to have any clarity, all hot sunshine and haze. Not the best photography conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed trying though.
Elsewhere a special machine pulled up and shredded the invasive alien, Water Hyacinth, which can take over a lake.
Whiskered Tern.
It was a lovely experience, thoroughly enjoyed by all. A lovely sunset to finish off. Pam's an expert....
After a supper of garlic pork, chicken wings, rice and vegetables, we were back at the hotel by 8.35.
On to the coast to-morrow.
The boat was a metal raft with a shallow draft, ideal for ploughing through the lotus flower - thick and extensive lake.
.
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| Similar boat to ours |
Egrets of three varieties, Grey-headed Swamphens, Jacanas, Open-billed Storks, Indian and Little Cormorants everywhere.
 |
| Grey-headed Swamphen |
 |
| Little Cormorants |
 |
| Asian Openbill Storks - young and adult |
The greatest spectacle was at least 10.000 Garganey, rising in clouds from the vegetation in front of us, swirling around before landing again. Magnificent.
The islands were wooded, the trees festooned with egrets and cormorants. Burning sugar cane, far away, produced small ashy flakes, falling into the water around us. The air never seemed to have any clarity, all hot sunshine and haze. Not the best photography conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed trying though.
Elsewhere a special machine pulled up and shredded the invasive alien, Water Hyacinth, which can take over a lake.
Whiskered Tern.
It was a lovely experience, thoroughly enjoyed by all. A lovely sunset to finish off. Pam's an expert....
After a supper of garlic pork, chicken wings, rice and vegetables, we were back at the hotel by 8.35.
On to the coast to-morrow.
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