Sunshine and beautiful flowers

Even though we left Bang Nam Phueng Market with a heavy stomach and a light wallet, our determination remains unchanged. The plan is still the same: **"Cycling around Bang Nam Phueng in a big way."**

Leaving the bustling market of Bang Nam Phueng, we embarked on a short journey. Despite the pleasant sunshine, the heavy traffic slowed our progress. The heat sapped our energy, making the short ride feel much longer. Finally, after a strenuous effort, we arrived at our next destination, panting heavily. The "Wat Phra Brahman" temple stood before us.

We could barely distinguish the "temple" from a "house" due to its residential appearance. A colossal, unfinished Ganesha statue stood within the compound, surrounded by a swarm of its attendant rats. Another, smaller Ganesha statue, gleaming gold, was also present.

Incense for worship

In the same area, in addition to the planting of various species of trees, there is also a small shrine under a banyan tree. It is not really a shrine, as the area has an altar for offerings and a set of golden yellow Thai clothes hanging, along with what appears to be a piece of a castle-shaped door frame.

We spent a considerable amount of time at the Brahman temple and the large Ganesha statue. It wasn't that there was much to admire, but the heat and the scorching sun had almost drained us. One of us even complained that he wanted to ditch the bicycles and take a motorbike to the pier. We sat there for quite a while before deciding to cycle through the sun to the place popularly known as "Pod," which is the "Sri Nakhon Khuan Khan Park."

"Sri Nakhon Khuan Khan Park" or "The Lung"

"Sri Nakhon Khuan Khan Park"

Also known as the "Lung," Sri Nakhon Khuan Khan Park is a large public space with lush greenery, hence the nickname. The atmosphere is shady, and many couples enjoy picnics here. Young people come to chat, watch birds, and admire the water and fish in the large pond. We relaxed and enjoyed the shade, escaping the heat. Feeling refreshed, we continued our bike ride.

Thai Fighting Fish Museum

The Thai Fighting Fish Museum is a breeding facility open to the public, showcasing the entire life cycle of the betta fish, from breeding and nursery stages to adulthood. While the museum boasts a diverse collection of betta species, I believe it could benefit from an even wider variety.

Betta Fish Museum Area

Different Betta Fish Breeds

Chinese fighting fish have flowing and beautiful fins.

Betta Fish at Different Ages

This section explores the characteristics and care requirements of betta fish at various stages of their life cycle.

Aquarium Equipment

Houses of Various Styles in the Thai Fighting Fish Museum

Buddha statue at the Thai Fighting Fish Museum

At the Thai Fighting Fish Museum, a charming little coffee shop provides a welcome respite for weary travelers. After a brief tour of the aquarium, we succumbed to the heat and fatigue, seeking refuge in the cafe. Our energy waning, our meticulously crafted plans seemed destined to crumble. With a sigh, we retrieved our map and swiftly devised a new course of action.

We cycled to the nearest pier, which was on the opposite side of Khlong Toei Pier. We didn't know exactly where it was, but our fellow traveler was exhausted, so we decided to leave our bikes at the pier. The bike shop had a regular service of collecting bikes from various locations on the island every evening.

The Chao Phraya River at the mouth of the bay, Khlong Toei Pier, is very dry at this time. Many boats are stranded at the pier. The boat that picked us up to cross the river is a small Kubota engine that has to take us across the width of the river to Khlong Toei Pier on the opposite side.

Before heading home, we stopped by a restaurant near Khlong Toei pier for a quick bite of stir-fried noodles with gravy and soy sauce. We took the opportunity to reflect on the mistakes we made during this trip, which prevented us from achieving our goal. However, we are determined to try again, and next time, we will definitely complete the big bike ride.