CHiang Mai north Thailand

We took Sarochs westy up to Chiang Mai, the next biggest Thai city , settled in a flat plateau nesttled in the mountains.  Very buisy and touristic City, so we, prefering a more quiet settings moved to Doi Socet

where we found a top room in a guesthouse, sittuated near Tao Garden spiritual retreat complex, where Augusta practices daily her Tchi Kong and other meditations

Thailand - Saroch's shop, vws and resort

We arrive in Thailand sooner than Augustas parents, who had to rescheadule their flight to a day after.  Meanwchile we enjoyed our stay at a hostel in Bangkok, and we made our way to Sarochs Garage.
Saroch is a vw fan, whom, like Anto I met on vw shows in europe. Usually the good german shows like Bad Camberg, or Hannover.  He asked me to phone him as we arrived in Thailand, so as soon as he realised that we were here, he invited us to his shop, and warmly insisted on visiting his vw resort, not too far from Katchanaburi, located on a nice slope near a river side in a quiet place umong the mountains.  We stayed there and it pleased Augusta who was looking for a brake from traveling constantly in a vw bus.  Filip went back to Bangkok to pickup Augustas Parents at the airport.

Finally the whole family was reunited, and Elios was happy to have his grandparents to play with, and Augusta relieved of her maternal duties.   We rode elephants and visited the near places like the bridge over rivier quai, We used the Beetle and a 73 westy wchich needed some tune up before taking off for a bigger trip to the north mountains of Thailand.  On wednesday, Sarochs wife Kun, guided us back to Bangkok, as we drove the 73 westy, to get a valve check, and an over all tune up before going off for a 2 week excursion.
We drive Sarochs bus for the first 350km, half way to Chiang Mai, and it does very well.

vw meeting in Bali

The meeting was smaller than in Jogja, but was just as satisfying.  A different island, so different habits, and culture.  Here Hindu religion allowed to have a drink, so there was actually beer to be sold there.  Equally hot, the vw meeting was guarded by a Hindu Shaman, who was acctually payed for good weather. In truth the rain fall anywhere but the meeting, and it really pored down at the conclusion.  About 300 cars showed up from around Indonesia- the furthest came from Jakarta and Bandung. There was entertainment and good fun.