Often in Thailand the roads are so clear you can set up a picnic in the middle of the pavement! If there is a car, rest assured they will give you a wide berth. Reverse tourism is the norm here, there will be cellphones and cameras pointed at you all the time out of car windows and from passing motor scooters. When you come you'll be a hero every time you skate!
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Not the kind of falls you typically associate with skating! Here, after a blade from Khlong Tom Lai to Khlong Nam Lai waterfall, skaters enjoy a gourmet picnic as the base of the 9-step waterfall that's a part of Khlong Lan National Park. Apres eating, skaters can explore the myriad swimming spots and take the plunge into refreshingly cool water. See more photos at https://picasaweb.google.com/118248284481620380291/SkateFarmThailandJan2012 A skate through the countryside was a great way to celebrate the Queen's birthday. A visit to Papa Wintachai's, offering alms to monks at a remote mountainside temple, harvesting some bamboo for a chicken coup, motorpacing on skates behind a scooter, catching up with friends at the market, and meeting some young partygoers rounded out a celebratory day. Skatefarm Thailand Alumnis William Butler and Win Hughes did everyone proud at the recent Napa Valley Marathon. On a rolling course with hills and the temptation to stop and drink wine, Win nevertheless scorched the field and skated his fastest marathon time ever, 1:33! Win attributes some of his success to his training in Thailand and a marathon training program provided by Eddy. Will was also super strong and in fine form. Just look at that massive outside edge! Everybody enjoyed Win and Di's 50th wedding anniversary when a band showed up and accompanied the skaters all the way to Kang Ka Roi river for a picnic and swim. See the YouTube video here. Puts the rink right outdoors! The inaugural SkateFarmThailand session was on the move and in the groove, and we're going to do it again April 12-20. Who's in? Join us in April for the time of your life as we skate hike and bike during Thailand's Songkran Water Festival. You'll have to be prepared for the tradition of getting doused with water as you pass by people's houses; it's a rite of purification. If you want to get involved in the fun, bring along some water balloons and lob them as you go! This Skate Farm will have an additional water theme as we visit the lush waterfalls at nearby national parks. It's a great way to cool off after exercise! The first person in the history of SkateFarm Thailand to sign up was none other than Eric Plath from Minnesota. Eric had never before traveled outside the United States and needed to procure a passport specially for this trip. Was it worth it? Only two days into the trip the answer is an unqualified "YES." Eric is the designated rabbit on the road and Hoover at the dinner table. Here he hoists a tapioca root over his head after having skated 50 plus kilometers and inhaling a tractor/trailer-load full of Thai food. See photos of the 3rd session here. Skate Farm Thailand's first fun bunch is thoroughly enjoying their activities, with an amazing blend of exercise, sightseeing excursions, food extravaganzas, interactions with locals, and manual manipulation. The Skate Farm staff is thrilled to be able to get a reciprocal cultural experience with the Aussies and Americans on hand as well! See fantastic photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/skatefarmthailand/SFThailandJan412# The kitchen is producing some savory foods, and rumor has it that the Michelin Guide will soon come to rate it. We hope to get a star and possibly two with the help of "Buddha", our man with many years of experience. The local market is about 100 paces from the resort and the food is as fresh as it gets. Some SkateFarmers who have already signed up have expressed an interest in learning the magic combinations of ingredients that make Thai food so tasty and nutritious. Always prepared to your taste! |
AuthorEddy Matzger Archives
December 2013
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