Thai Countryside Scenes (page 5 of 6)

Yesterday Monday you were dressed in yellow?

Nope, I was afraid they’d mistake me for a Ratchapruek…

So many people keep monkeys as "pets" at home. Even in France. No comments or objections about birds in cages, though. Yet... they’d be more "domestic" than monkeys, wouldn’t they?

It's practically worse. It's an animal that needs to fly and therefore requires very large spaces. It's almost like putting us in a cage where we can't move. This sight has become unbearable to me. Humans don’t realize all the unforgivable crimes they commit.

Here we go again for another little tour of my countryside, right here in the Sawi district, just a few kilometers from home. It's a real treat to wander the roads or paths of this part of the province. You don't see many people around, and the landscapes are stunning. You can spot banana plantations, rubber trees, palm trees, and especially durian fields, which have become part of the scenery over the past few decades and now stretch over hundreds of square kilometers.

Clearly the landscapes in Thailand that we all love!

Hello,

I never get tired of it... So here’s another dose, plus a few slices of life.

You’re just as talented at showcasing your region in photos as you are at talking about food—I don’t regret you showing up here at all, thanks!

Maybe it’s your modesty that keeps you from bragging about your sites, so I’ll do it for you: go take a (long) look at Philippe’s two sites. If you love great photos, you won’t regret it, and you’ll also find info on the Chumphon area, which seems to deserve way more than just a quick stop between the train station and the port on your way to Koh Tao, Phangan, or Samui. https://lovechumphon.com/ https://passion-thailande.com/

Hello,

Oh wow... It's so nice, I'm totally blushing... I was too shy to highlight them, but since you did, thanks! 😉

I’m keeping the momentum going with these images of a fruit that definitely doesn’t go unnoticed—I’m talking about durian. In my province of Chumphon, it’s hard to walk 100 meters without coming across a durian field...

It’s made a few big landowners wealthy, as they had the idea to produce it on a large scale a few decades ago. Most of the fruit is exported, since the local purchase price is too steep for most Thais. Those who love it have their own small plantations for personal use.

Lots of desserts and treats are made from this fruit and produced locally, though their cost remains high.

If you want to see how it’s "harvested," I’ve shared a link to my site with a video—it’s pretty surprising... Durian in Thailand: A Must-Try Fruit | Chumphon, Thailand

The first time I encountered durian was in Sumatra. Sitting on a bus, I couldn’t wait to get out because the smell inside was so hard to bear—like a septic tank! But I was surprised when we stopped because the smell was still there outside! I finally discovered the source in front of a stall selling this fruit, which is everywhere in the region and has such an unpleasant smell to me. In Sulawesi, I saw someone across from me eating it. I would’ve loved to try it, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it...

Of course, the smell might seem off-putting to some. It’s a bit like making a Thai person sniff maroilles cheese... But not all of them smell that strong—it really depends on the variety and how ripe they are. I’ll admit I can eat it, but you get full pretty quickly.

Hi there,

I’m totally red-faced...

Yellow on Monday, red on Saturday... be careful.

I’m continuing my streak with these images of a fruit that doesn’t leave anyone indifferent—I’m talking about durian.

I’m a bit embarrassed because my weekly stash of "thanks" is all used up, and you’re partly to blame... Kop khun maa krap.

Once, when I wanted to please Madame Siha, I mustered up the courage to try durian: I found it disgusting. Another time, during a two-week promotion with unusual flavors like the ones Swensen’s offers from time to time, I tried it in ice cream, thinking confidently that since ice cream is usually bland, I wouldn’t risk much... I was wrong.

Well, I think you might be out of luck when it comes to durian... What we find pretty great here is durian instead of mango with sticky rice—the famous Mango Sticky Rice now turned into Durian Sticky Rice... it’s absolutely amazing! 😏

Durian sticky rice... that’s next level...

Durian mixed with the slightly salty taste of coconut milk—ouch, I can imagine what that’s like... so I’ll stick with the original recipe.

I’m totally obsessed with mango sticky rice—I even had a photo of the woman who sold it to me every evening near Silom in BKK printed on aluminum. She’s in my kitchen now with three other Thai vendors and cooks.

A dessert that’s really popular, indeed. Right now, it's peak mango season. It’s kind of sad to say, but we’re completely stuffed with them... You can find them in markets for prices ranging from 20 to 60 baht, depending on the variety. You even see them lying on the ground by the roads, just rotting away...

In March and April, it’s the season for this fruit—I’m posting a few photos of it. Do you recognize it, or have you ever tried it?

Cashews, fruits from the cashew tree I think. Bought some as a souvenir on the train between Trang and Prachuap Kiri Khan one year, then bought a larger quantity near Patthalung the following year. Really good cashews in southern Vietnam too. 😉

Cashews, fruits of the cashew tree I think.

Yes, that seems to be it. Not knowing, I had looked it up but in vain. From what I read, it's a nut whose harvest requires precautions because it's enclosed in a shell containing a harmful acid that you definitely shouldn’t touch—this acid is also used to make insecticide.

Hey there,

You recognize it

Gaura yes, apparently easily, not me.

or have you already eaten some?

Yes, the nut is commonly eaten with drinks before dinner—tastier than fried grasshoppers, I think.

Thanks for this new batch of photos.

Hello,

Yes, it’s definitely cashew nuts we’re talking about. And as @SongSam mentioned, they’re tricky to extract from their shell, which explains the slightly higher cost—same here, actually. The "apple" part is also edible but only keeps for a day or two.