We had booked a golf tee time for Sunday afternoon, but the weather was threatening . . . . so we decided to drive the 30 miles to Nakhon Chai Si for lunch and a little shopping for the local small town delicacies my wife and I both like.
The old section of Nakhon Chai Si is a typical Thai market town. Its close proximity to Bangkok brings out the Sunday drivers in search of the rare taste treat - a favorite Thai pastime.
We had lunch at a floating restaurent specializing in sea food . . . and aesthetically pleasing presentation.
We had beautiful fish simmering in a spicy sour sauce. Yum-yum.
After we engorged ourselves on the fantastic lunch, we headed to the old market. Lots of sea food there, and many other amazing little bundles of good-tasting Thai food-to-die-for.
We brought back our favorite salted sea bass for dinner this week.
There was much fruit to be had.
This "organic packaging" is stuffed with gooey coconut delight.
The local way of cooking spiced rice is steaming inside bamboo tubes.
Thai chilis, known as prick in Thai, are hot. Period.
These are delicious steamed with olive oil and lots of salt.
The market was framed by old shop houses smudged with the patina of age.
The light was incredible as it fell on the old shop doors.
I estimate that this part of Old Nakhon Chai Si is more than 100 years old.
The old wooden Thai towns are relics of a bygone era.
It is nice to see young people taking over these old shops and adding a modern touch, yet retaining the old charm. Coffee time?
Some of the shops, like this old pharmacy, have been kept in their 1950s state.
The old town of Nakhn Chai Si is under royal patronage. The ailing King of Thailand is much revered.
We had some car trouble (shift linkage) while parked at a Wat that led to an adventure in getting home. Part of the adventure landed us at this small suburban shop; so forlorn in its commercial nakedness.
The shopkeeper's pretty young daughter perched among the array of goods, sad and shy.
The shop was in a neighborhood peopled by motorized food vendors.
It is always a good day when I can hang around a holy tree and contemplate The Buddha, The Teachings of The Buddha, and The Followers of The Buddha.