In the river itself they are busy tying them together into rafts. A nice view, so I take far too many photographs Knowing how remote shots tend to be rendered poorly, however beautiful the real scene is. I'll have to consult with Phailbul one day to find out if some type of filter might help. (funny, while translating this in the year 2000, I take dozens of shots every time I pick up my digital camera! What a happifying improvement, including the zoom)

We have to cross the river, but cannot do so in the tiny boat which people use to cross here. However much I venture, this is the limit. And I do venture way too much on this trip, considering the risk of engine problems when there's no one around for miles' but I count on the help of some Thai and his elephant or buffalo.

Now, for a goodly sum of money I charter a raft and four man to pole us across. But first we have to descend the awkwardly steep 100 foot slope which at first sight appeared impossible. But it went fine, with me pressing the brakes the people behind me who should have kept me back actually had to push - I played it safe because I knew that once I'd move it would go faster and faster. So we just advanced inch by inch.

We lifted the scooter aboard, slowly pushed it out and poled upstream along the banks for a bit, before going out to the main river. Mom borrowed a cloth, turned it into a swimming suit and plunged into the river. I followed his example, and it was utterly refreshingly cool. Because of the swift current I could barely stand while the rafts shot past me.

On the other side I changed into short whites with boots, causing much excitement among the people on the other bank. I then asked where the road was. O, that starts up there. Only then did I realize what a big risk we were taking, because this was a steep and overgrown bank, (on which)