Day 1, 11th November - Lopburi
Opportunity Knocks....... My early return from Trat has left the door open for something a bit special this weekend but means a trip of well over two hours. I penciled it in for tomorrow, Sunday allowing me to get some jobs done today. These jobs, however, are completed by early afternoon and I just think to make things easier it's a good idea to head off straight away and stay overnight. There will be little time to make any visits on the way but there is one. At 3.00pm we are prepared and head north.
Ban Pachi Railway Junction....... Ban Pachi Railway Junction station was visited by me last month which was a good source of material I could use. Although broadly on our route it's still not easy to get to and we arrive at Ban Pachi Market opposite at around 4.45pm. When I check the arrivals board, I'm disappointed to see there's no traffic due here until after 6.00pm. That won't work. However, my attention has turned to why I am making this trip. This was to follow a special excursion train that is operating on both days this weekend. The train makes the trip from Bangkok to the Pasak Chonlisid Dam and on to Khok Salung over the massive concrete rail bridges there that pass over the reservoir. It's a very popular tour and a wonderful experience. Well, I've given away my intentions for tomorrow but what about today? It was hardly worth thinking about that I should be lucky enough to see this train today but hardly had I arrived at Ban Pachi Station than I see a light in the distance. The timing is absolutely perfect as I see the excursion train racing through the station back to Bangkok.
Ban Pachi Market....... We have time to walk around the busy Ban Pachi Market then it's off to Lopburi where Katoon has booked accommodation.
Hop Inn it is....... After a spell of finding ourselves in indifferent accommodation, Katoon suggests we play in safe this time. All the major towns appear to have a Hop Inn, part of a national hotel chain. These offers modern, no-frills accommodation and you always know what you are getting. The issue is that they are most often fully booked, they are that popular. We get Hop Inn in Lopburi booked in the nick of time, the rate less than 600 baht. This is lower than many of the chain's other apartments. Located on the main road, Hop Inn is conveniently opposite a major Big C store and that's where I link up with trains again at Santa Fe Restaurant. Tomorrow, we need an early start so let's hope for a peaceful night.
Next Page.
Opportunity Knocks....... My early return from Trat has left the door open for something a bit special this weekend but means a trip of well over two hours. I penciled it in for tomorrow, Sunday allowing me to get some jobs done today. These jobs, however, are completed by early afternoon and I just think to make things easier it's a good idea to head off straight away and stay overnight. There will be little time to make any visits on the way but there is one. At 3.00pm we are prepared and head north.
Ban Pachi Railway Junction....... Ban Pachi Railway Junction station was visited by me last month which was a good source of material I could use. Although broadly on our route it's still not easy to get to and we arrive at Ban Pachi Market opposite at around 4.45pm. When I check the arrivals board, I'm disappointed to see there's no traffic due here until after 6.00pm. That won't work. However, my attention has turned to why I am making this trip. This was to follow a special excursion train that is operating on both days this weekend. The train makes the trip from Bangkok to the Pasak Chonlisid Dam and on to Khok Salung over the massive concrete rail bridges there that pass over the reservoir. It's a very popular tour and a wonderful experience. Well, I've given away my intentions for tomorrow but what about today? It was hardly worth thinking about that I should be lucky enough to see this train today but hardly had I arrived at Ban Pachi Station than I see a light in the distance. The timing is absolutely perfect as I see the excursion train racing through the station back to Bangkok.
Ban Pachi Market....... We have time to walk around the busy Ban Pachi Market then it's off to Lopburi where Katoon has booked accommodation.
Hop Inn it is....... After a spell of finding ourselves in indifferent accommodation, Katoon suggests we play in safe this time. All the major towns appear to have a Hop Inn, part of a national hotel chain. These offers modern, no-frills accommodation and you always know what you are getting. The issue is that they are most often fully booked, they are that popular. We get Hop Inn in Lopburi booked in the nick of time, the rate less than 600 baht. This is lower than many of the chain's other apartments. Located on the main road, Hop Inn is conveniently opposite a major Big C store and that's where I link up with trains again at Santa Fe Restaurant. Tomorrow, we need an early start so let's hope for a peaceful night.
Next Page.
Ayutthaya Province
A Rice Field after Harvest
Ban Pachi Railway Market, Ban Pachi,
Ban Pachi District