Chiangmai-Bangkok-Siem Reap

The 24th was a travel day. We flew from Chiangmai to Bangkok to Siem Reap. Oh my goodness, it is in the low 90's with 90% or more humidity - HOTTER THAN HECK. Our hotel is fabulous - very close to the airport. One of our group didn't get their bag. The ticket agent didn't check it all the way through.

The 25th - we visited Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom and had lunch at a local restaurant for real Cambodan food. Not too bad (well most of it anyway). We are seeing two temples per day and starting early because of heat and crowds.

Went to Phnom Bakheng to watch sunset in the Angkor area, and just as I stepped on the top, I lost my footing and fell. Camera is OK, but have a black and blue finger and a scraped up leg. And darn it, I was in my last pair of clean (well not really after wearing them and sweating this morning) jeans. Hand washed and hoping they dry over night Did get a really cute dress at the night market to wear home.  

Thursday, we take a cruise on a fresh water lake and later head to the airport.

 

The trip home is going to be a real whipping - Siem Reap to Bangkok to Seoul to Los Angeles to Dallas - whew!!!!

Chiangmai

Chiangmai - This morning we visited three temples. The first was Wat Pra Singh, second was the Royal Garden (burial place for the first half of Buddha's ashes and royal cemetery), and the third was Wat Doi Suthrep (1700 meters above sea level) and high on a mountain. We reached it by cable car. Very ornate, as most of their temples are.

This afternoon was free and for lunch I went in search of Pizza Hut - found it!! It was sooooo good! Next came a McDonald's ice cream cone. Thank goodness for Pizza Hut and McDonald's. I am definitely ready for some good ole mexican food!!!

Our evening is free, so hitting the Night Market one last time. Tomorrow afternoon we head for Siem Reap, Cambodia via Bangkok (that is if the airport is not flooded).

The journey is rapidly coming to a close.

My First Elephant Ride!!!

We are still in Chiangrai (very north Thailand). Today was our visit to Measa Elephant Camp. We got to watch them get bathed, blow water at the crowd, and perform lots of tasks - the most fascinating was the picture painting. Simply amazing how they can hold the paint brush so steady. Several in our group rode them for an hour long trek. Mary Kurts and I rode on one. I was a little nerve racking because it seemed we were so close to the edge of the pathway and it was a long way down. Anyway, we made it back in one piece. Was lots of fun. Also visited an orchid farm. Over 100 species of orchids at this facility. They even make pieces of jewelry from them and perfumes. I had no idea they were grown that way.

 Our evening included a Kantoke dinner and shows. It was Burmese style food (some good-some not so good), but the entertainment was good.

Chiangmai, Thailand

As we headed to Chiangmai, we stopped at a certified gem factory, the umbrella factory (got a gorgeous design painted on my jeans for $200 baht - about $6.50 US), and the Celadon factory. After arrival at our hotel, I put my bags in my room and headed off to check out the area around the hotel. a block down the street was a Tourist Shop/Fish Spa. I was a little nervous but did go for the fish spa. I tickled so much I had to try not to think about it. You drop your feet into the water and the fish go to town swarming your feet.

 Half an hour later I was on my way to check out a place to eat. Guess what I found - Burger King. It was good!!!!!

After dining on my awesome burger, I hit the street to check out the night market. OMG, It goes along both sidewalks, into alley ways, and on into a large farmers market type area. I made a few purchases and then had the most wonderful foot massage - 1 hour $140 baht (about $4 US).

Tomorrow we visit the Elephant Conservation area - yes I'll be riding an elephant. We will also visit an orchard farm. Later

Chiangrai, Thailand - A Day with the Hill Tribes

On Thursday we visited the Hilltribes of Northern Thailand. It involved a 30 minute bus ride, a 20 minute small truck ride up the winding mountain road, and a 10 minute walk down into the bush/jungle.

We saw the what they call the long neck women. Rings are put around their necks, knees and ankles beginning at age 5. One lady had 27 rings and they weigh a minimum of 10 pounds. We then saw the Black Aka who also live up in the mountains and live in shacks. Lastly, we saw the Mien. All were dressed in their native dress.  

For dinner we went to a restaurant called Cabbage and Condoms. The owner uses the profits from the restaurant to promote safe sex. It was fabulous - I had stir fried chicken and cashews in curry sauce with steamed rice. We then walked about 6 blocks to the Chiangrai Night Market. A shoppers dream. Yes I contributed to the local economy. Had a strawberry sundae and watched the entertainment. The sundae was actual strawberry ice cream. Very tasty.

Friday morning we headed for Chiangmai via Lampang