Goerwitz

I took this shot because I just like the Phetchabun Mountains, and I like the courtyard of this particular restaurant. Note that none of the structures, despite being up in the (generally cooler) hills, require much in the way of walls. Herbs grow around back and are picked as needed for cooking. Banana trees grow out front (behind me).

The Phetchabun Mountains divide Thailand along north-south lines. It wasn't until about a century ago that they ceased to be a major barrier, due to the introduction of systematic rail travel. (Thailand's first railroad was opened in 1896 during the reign of Rama V, i.e., King Chulalongkorn. But this first line only went from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.)

This is a fun picture of the Thai family who invited us to their home then took us through some of the major sights around Chiang Mail, Lampang, and Sukhothai.

This picture was taken in the Phetchabun Mountains. The young guy in the middle, Pannavit (all Thais have nicknames, by the way, and his is "Benz"), lived with us in the US for ten months.