19 December 2025 – Day 36 — Washing, Wandering & A Brush With Western Digital
Day 36 unfolded at an easy, unhurried pace — the kind of day that quietly stitches itself into the rhythm of long‑term travel. We have stayed at Canal304 a few times and have always enjoyed the stay in comfortable accomodation.
The morning began with a simple mission: washing. After weeks on the road, there’s something oddly satisfying about catching up on laundry, watching clothes flap in the warm air, and knowing tomorrow’s outfits will be fresh again. Once the chores were done, we headed out to the shops for lunch — nothing fancy, just an easy midday outing that fit the mood of the day.
Somewhere between errands and driving around, Alison took another small step toward full Thai residency: installing the Lotus’s app. A tiny moment, but one that made us both laugh — one more step toward becoming “locals,” at least in spirit.
The afternoon stayed quiet and gentle. A bit of exploring, a bit of relaxing, and a bit of wandering. As we drove around, we made an unexpected discovery: we were staying in the same province where Western Digital manufactures tech. The building was enormous — a gleaming industrial giant rising out of the landscape. We joked about popping in for a factory tour or picking up a few “samples,” imagining ourselves strolling out with a pocketful of hard drives like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The day wrapped up the way it began — quietly. A walk to close the evening, the warm air settling around us, and the easy contentment that comes from a day with no pressure, no schedule, and no surprises.
Day 36 was simple, light, and quietly pleasant — a small pause in the middle of a big adventure.
20 December 2025 – Day 37 — Temples, Caves & A Night at TOFUYA
Day 37 began with a farewell to Canal 304, packing up the Fortuner and pointing ourselves west toward Bangkok. With a new stretch of Thailand ahead of us, the day naturally turned into a little road‑trip adventure — the kind where you follow the map loosely and let curiosity decide the stops.
Our first detour was a temple that instantly earned a place in the “Thailand does scale differently” category: Phuttha Utthayan Makha Bucha Anusorn. The enormous Buddha was impressive enough, but the sheer number of monk statues surrounding it was astonishing — rows upon rows, each one serene, identical, and strangely moving. It felt like stepping into a silent gathering frozen in time.
The next temple, Wat Mani Wong, delivered a surprise of its own. You’d expected a giant golden Buddha and a small man‑made cave. What we found instead was a cave built inside a temple the size of a soccer field — vast, echoing, and completely unexpected. Thailand loves to outdo itself, and today it succeeded.
By 3:30pm, we reached your hotel north of Bangkok, checked in, and barely had time to catch our breath before heading out again — this time for something completely different.
Our evening destination was TOFUYA, a Japanese Toyota‑themed car event tucked deep in the backstreets of Bangkok. Invited by a contact from Buriram, we found ourselves stepping into a world that felt part festival, part neighbourhood block party, part underground car‑culture celebration.
From 4pm to 10pm, the place buzzed with energy. More than 150 cars rolled in — not just Toyotas, but an eclectic mix of polished, modified, lovingly maintained machines. Music pulsed from DJ decks, sponsor booths lined the lanes, and the whole area — a network of home garages turned into makeshift showrooms — felt like a living museum of automotive passion.
One garage in particular stole the show: a dream workshop complete with memorabilia, tools, and a GR86 wearing the iconic TOFUYA plate and MF GHOST decals. It was equal parts manga fantasy and real‑world horsepower.
Food stalls kept the crowd fuelled — the hamburgers were a standout — and models in coordinated outfits and angel wings added a touch of theatrical flair. A Japanese cartoon‑themed photo backdrop gave every car its moment of anime glory.
TOFUYA wasn’t just a car meet; it was a celebration — joyful, creative, and full of community spirit. We left with full hearts, full camera rolls, and the sense that we’d stumbled into something truly special.
Day 37 was a perfect blend of temples, surprises, and Tokyo‑meets‑Bangkok car culture — a day that started with quiet reverence and ended with neon, engines, and pure enthusiasm.
21 December 2025 – Day 38 — Markets, Cats & A Golden Evening at Dhammakaya
Day 38 began in Pathum Thani, our hotel in the back street with a firm bed, not luxurious but perfectly adequate, and a breakfast that felt like a small slice of home. Weetbix and Australian coffee set the tone, grounding the morning in something familiar before stepping back into the swirl of Thai life.
With no rush and no strict plan, we wandered out into the neighbourhood to tackle a lingering errand: sorting out the phone swap and TrueMoney wallet app situation. The air was warm and heavy, the colours bright and saturated in that uniquely Thai way. Our first stop, Lyara Markets, opened up like a living canvas — crates of glossy fruit, piles of greens, vendors arranging produce with the efficiency of people who’ve done it a thousand times. One vendor welcomed us to take photo and even cut up pieces of watermelon for us to enjoy
And then came the cat.
A sleek little market cat decided we were worth adopting for the morning, weaving between our legs, trotting ahead, pausing to inspect stalls as if giving us a guided tour. It was a tiny, perfect moment — the kind that turns an ordinary errand into a memory.
A quick morning tea at Lotus’s gave us a breather before the day’s “quest” resumed. Makro sent us onward to Future Park Rangsit to sort out our app issue, a mall so enormous it felt like a city under a single roof. At the True Money store after a phone call and some patient help from staff, the tangle of True Money accounts was finally sorted: one cancelled, two new ones opened. A small bureaucratic victory, but a deeply satisfying one.
Lunch in the food park was a sensory parade — sizzling woks, fragrant broths, colourful plates — followed by a quiet afternoon back at the hotel. Shoes off, feet up, a little reading, a little dozing. The kind of pause that makes the evening feel fresh again.
At 5:30pm, we set out for a walk to the local temple. Dhammakaya Cetiya was glowing in the dusk, its dome and pathways lit in soft gold. The lights transformed the space into something serene and almost otherworldly, turning a simple stroll into a gentle ritual.
Dinner was a reunion of sorts — the restaurant owners recognised us instantly, greeting us with warm smiles and genuine excitement. They remembered details from previous years, and that familiarity made the meal taste even better. On the walk home, we picked up nine Cavendish bananas for 40 baht, a sweet little endnote to a full and satisfying day.
Day 38 was a tapestry of small joys: a familiar breakfast, a friendly market cat, a solved phone saga, golden temple lights, and the warmth of being remembered. A day stitched together not by big events, but by the quiet, human moments that make travel feel like living.
22 December 2025 – Day 39 — Old Markets, High Water & The Hunt for a New Jug
Day 39 began gently, with a slow start and an unhurried breakfast before heading out to explore onwards to our next destination, Ratchaburi. The first stop was Rahaeng Markets, a 100‑year‑old market that felt almost suspended in time. It was unusually quiet, the kind of quiet where every footstep echoes a little.
The locals seemed surprised — and delighted — to see us. A simple “sawasdee ka” lit up faces instantly, the kind of warm exchange that makes wandering through small markets feel so rewarding.
From there we continued on to Tha Na Old Market, where the river sits higher than the street itself. Massive pumps worked constantly, pushing water back into the river as it slowly seeped in. The markets were quiet here too, but the setting — old timber, river breeze, the hum of machinery — made it an interesting stop.
Somewhere along the way, a realisation struck: We’d left our electric jug at the hotel we had just left. .
A traveller’s tragedy.
So the afternoon mission became clear — find a replacement. BigC to the rescue.
Lunch was KFC, simple and familiar, and dinner ended up being at BigC as well — a full circle of practicality. With the new jug secured, the day felt back on track.
In the evening we took a walk along the riverfront near Koi Kee Old Market, enjoying the soft light and the easy atmosphere. It was a calm, pleasant way to close the day.
The only downside: our hotel didn’t have your usual room available. A small disappointment, but one easily absorbed into the rhythm of long‑term travel.
Day 39 was a day of quiet markets, small missions, and gentle wandering — nothing dramatic, just the simple pleasure of exploring and settling into the everyday life of a new place.
23 December 2025 – Day 40 — Caves, Backroads & Border Country in Ratchaburi
We spent the day wandering around Ratchaburi, easing into the morning with a slow start — breakfast, a little sleep‑in, and then heading out for a day of exploring with no real plan except “let’s see what’s down there.”
The Fortuner quietly clicked over 60,000 km today, which felt like a proper 4WDAus milestone. First stop was PTT for 2,000 baht of fuel, bringing this run to 930 km. Not bad for a few days of poking around the countryside.
Needing some steps, we headed to Khao Bin Cave and took one of the shaded canopy walks nearby. Cool air, birds chattering, and just enough exercise to feel like we’d earned lunch.
Lunch was KFC, and the highlight wasn’t the food — it was Alison doing some quick graphic art for a group of kids. They absolutely loved it. One of those tiny moments that makes travelling fun.
From there we pointed the Fortuner south, heading deep into an area that sees very few tourists. The road wound its way through farmland and forest until it simply… stopped. Down here the mountains rise steep and sudden, blocking any chance of pushing further. The roads just end in dead‑ends, swallowed by the landscape. It’s beautiful country — rugged, quiet, and very close to the Myanmar border. You can feel it in the air.
Eventually we looped around to Wat Phu Nam Ron, a peaceful temple overlooking a lake. Standing there, it felt like we were right on the edge of Thailand — remote, calm, and untouched.
After that it was a leisurely drive back to the hotel, windows down, countryside drifting by.
As evening settled in, we wandered down to the Mae Klong River, watching the soft light slide across the water. Dinner was at our local eatery, where they greeted us with big smiles — our fourth year visiting them. It felt like walking into a place that remembers us.
A gentle, easy day in Ratchaburi — caves, backroads, border country, and the kind of small moments that make travelling worth it.
24 December 2025 – Day 41 — Rusty Bridges, Coastal Detours & A Pad Thai Finish
We were up early and rolling out of Ratchaburi, pointing the Fortuner south toward Khiri Khan. The highway was quiet — one of those rare mornings where the traffic behaves and the kilometres just slide by.
We decided to detour through Hua Hin, following the coastline for a change of scenery. That’s when we met the bridge. The rustiest, most “are‑we‑sure‑this‑is‑safe?” bridge we’ve crossed in a long time. We both agreed instantly — never again. But it did make for a good laugh once we were safely on the other side.
The coastal road wound us through small fishing villages, nets drying in the sun, boats pulled up on the sand, and locals going about their morning routines. Eventually we rolled into Khiri Khan, and the Fortuner rewarded us with a neat surprise — 6.5L/100 km. Not bad for a fully loaded road‑trip machine.
We checked into our hotel — not just for the night but for the next 12 nights, our little Christmas base — and then headed to Lotus’s for lunch and a bit of pre‑Christmas shopping.
In the afternoon we caught up with our friend Chris from OBay Resort, always good for a chat and a few laughs.
By 4pm we were out walking the beachfront, determined to hit our 10,000 steps for the day. The sea breeze was gentle, the sand cool, and we ended up chatting with a few people along the way — one of those easy, friendly walks that makes the day feel full.
Dinner was at our favourite Pad Thai restaurant, and they absolutely delivered. Familiar flavours, friendly faces, and the perfect way to wrap up our first evening in Khiri Khan.
A day of detours, dodgy bridges, good company, and a great meal — exactly the kind of travel day we love.
25 December 2025 – Day 42 — A Beachfront Christmas, Good Company & KFC Kindness
Merry Christmas from Khiri Khan. After a solid night’s sleep, we were up early and out the door for a beachfront walk before the heat kicked in. With 7,000 steps already under the belt, we jumped in the Fortuner and headed up to Khao Ta Mong Lai Viewpoint. The views were magic — soft morning light, calm water, and that peaceful Christmas‑morning quiet you only get by the sea.
From there we ducked into Wing 5 to scout out a good lunch spot, then swung back to pick up our mate Chris, who was joining us for the day.
First order of business: the KFC Christmas Special. A whole bucket, drinks, the works. Naughty? Absolutely. Regrettable? Not even slightly. Then it was off to the Wing 5 beach, where we settled into the shade, chatting, relaxing, and enjoying the kind of Christmas that doesn’t require wrapping paper or a timetable.
By midday we were happily parked under the trees, eating, laughing, and watching the world drift by. After lunch we took a gentle walk along the sand before dropping Chris back at work around 3pm. She completely surprised us by insisting on paying for the KFC — such a sweet Christmas gesture, and it made the day feel even more special.
By 4pm we were back at the hotel for a well‑earned afternoon nap. At 6pm, refreshed and recharged, we headed out again for a cool evening walk along the beachfront, the air soft and the sky fading into those perfect tropical colours.
We ended the day happy, relaxed, and very well fed.
A simple Christmas, but honestly? One of the best.