It feels like 5 miles

But it was probably only 2....or something like that.

Today for roommate night we decided to try something different. Instead of the usual dinner/game/movie/chatter, we decided to have a picnic in a park a little ways away from home. Since a couple in our group had walked there a few days ago, we decided to attempt it as well.

Wow, was it a hike. We walked through everything from neighborhoods, banana fields, little wooden bridges, and of course the main roads. We had little school children repeating the only English word they know when we passed by them: hello!

The eight of us took back roads that were simply gorgeous and quaint in the setting sun. I was sorely tempted to take pictures the whole way, but I placated myself with just a couple. I didn't want to look too much like a farang. So what began as a back-road romp turned into a cityscape of side roads and poor directions. But after an hour of walking, we finally made it to Paradise.

Paradise Park actually isn't a park, it's a mall. But let me tell you, it is like paradise. Instead of delving into the wonders of Paradise, we'll continue in our journey. I picked up a tuna melt, ice-tea, and what I can only call 'pancake bubbles' and we were on our way to King Rama 9 Park.

Which just so happened to be another half mile down the road. (possible exaggeration...)

The park was enormous -- a green haven in the midst of a, to use the cliched term, concrete jungle. People were exercising -- and not just by jogging. A woman set up this gigantic platform and led aerobics for about 30 women and men. The sun had already set by the time we got there, and in all honesty, it was completely dark within twenty minutes, but we made it!

There was a pretty sizable man-made pond complete with huge black fish right there in the center of the park. Not gonna lie, I think the lochness monster is actually hiding out in there. So with a mix of Burger King, green curry, tangerines, and a bag of chips, we all enjoyed a picnic in the dark. Good news: I wasn't bit by bugs once. :)


Next adventure: visit the park via moto-taxi, and actually watch the sun set over the water.