Udon - March 2021

 Mam had some work in Udon, so we did an overnight trip. The work was to locate an heir.

First stop was this district office where we were encouraged to visit a subdistrict office that has jurisdiction over the heir's known address.

At the subdistrict office we were put in contact with a woman who we were assured knew the heir.

We went to visit her. She has a small shop where she sells food and beverages and baskets that she makes. She said she'd have the heir available at her place the next morning.

This is an outside view of her shop.

From inside the shop.

The next morning Mam met with the heir (hidden) and the headman of her village.

Udon

Our hotel was conveniently located across from the Irish Clock pub.

Nearby was the Brick House pub where we had another beer and dinner.

The Brick House burger was very good.

View from our room at The Eight Hotel. This sort of housing is rare these days.

Buffet breakfast at The Eight Hotel

These are the old apartments

Tucked in near those apartments is this motorcycle repair shop.

Cluttered shop on the main road.

Nong Samrong Reservoir

North Andaman Diving - March 2021

Diving the North Andaman

With stops in Cha Am, Ranong and Chonburi 

First day was a drive to Cha Am where we spent the night at our condo. Next day we drove to Ranong where spent the night at The Farmhouse Hotel. The following day we boarded the MV Smiling Seahorse for three days of diving in the North Andaman including Surin National Park, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richeliu Rock.

After a long day of driving Mam relaxes at the Sky Lounge

Looking north from the balcony

On the way to Ranong we had lunch at a massive place called Khun Sarai Restaurant

The Kra Buri River which forms the border between Burma and Thailand

Monument at the Kra Isthmus at the narrowest part of the Malay Penninsula

Punyaban Waterfall - Just a few kilometers north of Ranong

The rainforest in the vicinity of Punyaban Waterfall is spectacular with many wild orchids

Downtown Ranong has some nice old buildings

I think this is the Luang Poj Boutique Hostel

Rattanarangsan Palace - Modern replica of 19th century Throne Hall

Dinner at the Farmhouse Restaurant

Dessert at the Farmhouse Restaurant

The Smiling Seahorse departs from Bodin Pier, Ranong

Smiling Seahorse cabin

Smiling Seahorse Crew

Sunset at Surin

Sunrise at Koh Bon with "The Junk" dive boar

Headed for Koh Tachi

Mam at Koh Tachai

Sea Anemone

Batfish

Sea Fans

Bigeye Snapper

Ghost Pipefish

Juvenile and Adult Ghost Pipefish

Pair of Harlequin Shrimp

On the Surfaceat Koh Bon

At Koh Tachai

Marbled Stingray - AKA Round Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura meyeni)

Bigeye Trevally

Pair of White Eyed Moray

Sunrise with Merecury, Jupiter and Saturn - Near Koh Phayam

Contemplating the end of the dive

Smiling Seahorse Main Deck

Smiling Seahorse Main Deck

Smiling Seahorse at Bodin Pier

Lunch on the Kra Buri River - Burma on the Opposite Bank

Happy Hour at Akvavit Grill & Bar, Chonburi

I did say "happy"

I repeat, "happy".

Dinner at Ordinary Coffee X The Now, Chonburi

Breakfast at Ordinary Coffee X The Now

Cappuccino Break at Amazon Café on the Way Back to Korat

Dive Video

Higher Resolution Version on You Tube