Chiang Rai, the Golden Triangle, and a bit of Laos

We took a VIP bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, which was the greatest bus I have ever been on - complete with fully reclining seats and air conditioning. In Chiang Rai we hit the local market, which was about all there really was to see there - besides temples, but at this point in our trip unless they are absolutely amazing temples we won't be visiting them. After Chiang Rai we headed to Chiang Saen and booked a room at the worst place we've stayed yet. This guesthouse had mini ponds around it that were filled with mosquitoes and frogs both of which kept us up all night along with the roosters and wild Thais next door. In Chiang Saen we went to the Golden Triangle and one of the temples on top of the mountains surrounding the area. We also ended up missing the last scheduled bus heading from the Golden Triangle back to Chiang Saen, and so we walked - luckily I had my headlamp. When we were about 3/4 back to Chiang Saen (about 12km walk) we heard this crazy noise from behind us and noticed a set of headlights that was moving very slowly, which is strange for Thailand drivers. Soon these headlights caught up to us and stopped right next to me, and the vehicle that stood before me was the craziest ride I've ever seen. It looked like a steam powered car from the 19th century, with the engine and all the pedals being completely visible to the naked eye. In any case, the aged old man at the helm signaled for us to get on, and away we went at about 15 mph towards Chiang Saen. In Chiang Saen we took a local taxi to Chiang Khong, which was also an equally interesting experience. This taxi (a small Toyota pickup with a cab outfitted with benches) we took filled up with a total of 29 people (22 adults and 7 children) - it was nuts because these trucks are not made to handle so much weight. It seems that folks in S.E. Asia have not learned about costs vs. benefits, because taking so many people on this truck was not only damaging to the vehicle, the truck also needed to fill up twice for a mere 2 1/2 hour drive. After we had dropped off most of the people right at their doorsteps our driver pulled right up to a field and stopped. He then got out and walked into the field where he proceeded to move the cows in the field around - I guess its ok to tend to your livestock while on the job in Thailand. Once in Chiang Khong we went to Customs and got a ferry over to Huay Xai in Laos. In Huay Xai we saw a Laotian temple and we took a speed boat down the Mekong to Luang Prabang. The speed boats they have here are wild - they are about the size of a large canoe and can barely fit two people across they are outfitted with Toyota car engines, which connect to 10 Ft prop holding a propeller. These things are loud, uncomfortable and fast - they move at speeds over 50mph. They equipped us with safety gear, which included a torn life jacket and a broken helmet, and then they filled our boat which can hold about 4 people comfortably with 11 people ( 1 driver, 8 adults and 2 children). With all the weight of these extra people our boat was an inch from taking on water, but we were still able to roar at high speeds for a total of 6 1/2 hours. This was one of those times where it doesn't pay to be tall, because for the entire ride I had my knees in my mouth - I was one sore puppy. Luang Prabang is a beautiful city surrounded by amazing mountains and the food here is better than Thailand and cheaper. The locals in Laos are definitely more laid back than those of Thailand and also much friendlier. I'll post some more pictures of Laos soon - the topography of this country is wild and its also easily one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.


The best beef in Thailand at a market in Chiang Rai


On the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Saen a lady put this box in front of me. In the middle of the journey I started hearing some strange noises out of the box, and then all of a sudden this kitty came out of it and ran through the bus and then jumped off. The whole box was filled with cats, but the lady was able to keep the rest of the cats from escaping




Tuk Tuk in Chiang Saen



Standing at a temple overlooking the Golden Triangle where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet.


The area of the Golden Triangle is touristy and this Buddha shows it. You throw change into the bins on the side and the money travels through the tubes and goes straight into the Buddha belly.



Here's that wild ride and its equally wild driver


Ferry across to Laos



Bryce in an argument with a statue in Laos. The temples in Laos do not even compare to those found in Thailand - the carvings, paintings and overall temple design are not as large, complex or as beautiful.



Strangely the outside of a Laotian Buddhist temple was covered in these gory depictions which I can only assume represents hell, but I didn't think that Buddhists believe in a heaven or a hell so I have really have no idea.


On top of a Laotian temple


Housing in Huay Xia, Laos - many of the buildings in Luang Prabang have a French colonial look to them, because at one time Laos was a French protectorate. Almost every meal you have in Laos is served with a tasty baguette.


One of those infamous speed boats


Me part way through the journey - cool helmet eh?


Sunset in Luang Prabang - the sun is red because of all the pollution in the air. In Laos they are currently in the burning season - so they are burning up tons of foliage in prescribed burns - from what I saw they are very good a prescribed burning. The other reason for all the pollution is that in some of the towns instead of burying their trash they burn it.

Chiang Mai & Jungle Trek

Here are some photos from the three day trek into the jungles of Northern Thailand. Our guides for the trek were from the Karen tribe, and they hadn't used a modern toilet or seen electricity until they were eighteen. During the trek we actually got to stay in various Karen villages. It was a lot of walking, but the views were great and so were the waterfalls.


Here's a photo of our guides playing the national sport of rattan ball (I think that's how its spelled). This game involves keeping a hollow ball made out of bamboo up in the air as long as possible by using every part of your body, but your hands. Points are scored by hitting the ball over the net into the other teams court. Its like a combination of hacky sack and volleyball.


Taking a break in one of the many waterfalls in the jungles of N. Thailand




Kicking back in my jungle bungalow




One of our guides drank way too much Thailand whisky (aka rum) and later forced us to assume the soldier position and sing the national anthem - everyone was laughing so hard it was amazing no one fell into the fire pit.



Strangely, this massive soccer court is right in the middle of the jungle. The tribes around there must really love the game.




Hanging out in a classroom at the "Jungle School." In the past the king and government of Thailand forced many young men and women to leave their tribes and relocate to the city, which led to one of the tribesman committing suicide. After this death, the tribe fought back against the government, and the relocation process stopped. A school was also built in the tribesman honor, and children from the jungle are allowed to study here for free.





Riding a big ol elephant - I was the only one who got stuck riding on the head. This position was great fun, except my elephant kept spraying me with his trunk.



Bamboo rafting - it was basically a massive water fight





Relaxing after the trek with all our fellow trekkers in Chang Mai - except for the kids on the right who were trying to sell us flowers.



Eight year olds fighting


This was taken at the kick boxing stadium in central Chiang Mai - this stadium is primarily geared towards tourists, and therefore the fighters are not as talented and are often times just kids. The main stadium in Chiang Mai on the other hand has some of the best fights in Thailand. When we went to the main stadium four of the eight fights we saw ended on knock outs - it was quite intense. The fighting in both of these stadiums is continuous, because the moment one match ends the next fighters jump in and began fighting. The first two rounds are not usually exciting and this is the time in the match where the fighters feel each other out. The third round is the most action intensive and depending on how the third round went the next rounds will either be really exciting (if it was a tie in the third round) or the fighters will avoid each other (if one of the fighters clearly won in the third round).

Knock Out !!!!


Pumped up after seeing some Muay Thai Kick Boxing (Bryce's friends from UPS on the right - Mike and left - Sam)


Ready to cook at the Chiang Mai Cookery School


Now I'm a professional Thai chef



The temple of Doi Suthep - on top of a mountain overlooking Chiang Mai.



One of the many photos of the king hanging in Thailand - these photos are hanging throughout every city in Thailand - some of the picturse are less grand than others, for instance one of the photos of the king captures him in what must be a stressful situation because there is sweat hanging off his nose and considering the size of the photo this ball of sweat is larger than my head (next time i see that photo i'll be sure to get a shot of it)

Auytthaya

Auytthaya is a town about 2 hours by train north of Bangkok. Bangkok is absolute madness - making Auyttaha an extremely relaxing change. Most of all of the temples in Auytthaya are ruins, but they are still breathtaking. Bryce and I rented some bikes from a Police Station of all places and we later learned what a big mistake that was. Not only were are bikes extremely small, but they were absolute pieces of junk - my chain was much to big for the gears and fell off about 40 times and our brakes didn't work. Only after renting did we learn of the various other places that had nice bikes for rent - hindsight is 20/20 eh. None the less it was fun to peddle around all the sights.



Here's the trio of chedis at Wat Phra Si Sanphet - I guess these chedis were used as models for creating the chedis found at the Wat Phra Keo (huge temple complex in Bangkok). There are a lot less people at the ruins of Auytthaya than the Wats of Bangkok, which makes it easier to take personal photos.




Here we are on our sweet rides - a great photo to attach to a Hell's Angel application



Bryce can't believe how small he is in comparison to the towering prang at Wat Phra Mahathat






5 baht to get your bike and body across the river - not bad



Largest wat in Auytthaya - Wat Chai Watthanaram






There are vehicles of all sorts painted with elaborate depictions such as this

Bangkok, Thailand 02/14/06 - 02/17/06

Sorry it took so long to finally see some photos from Thailand, but it was very difficult to find an internet cafe with a truly high speed connection - hope you enjoy the shots & I'd put a more detailed explanation for the photos but I've seen so much since then that I've forgotten a lot of the history and surrounding these places. It's unbelievable how many Wats litter the country of Thailand - after a while they all seem to mesh together in your brain, but one thing is for sure they are all quite amazing.




Shooting pool Thai style on Khao San Rd (the main hangout of the West in Bangkok)


Part of the Reclining Buddha (100 Ft) at Wat Pho. Bryce and I got an hour long classic Thai massage at the Wat for a mere 300 baht (about 7 American dollars) it was well worth it.



Some pillars (I forget the specific name) at Wat Pho.




Part of a long string of paintings (probably around a km if you straightened it all out). It's strange how the figures themselves are not particularly complex, but the skin or attire of the figures are very detailed.





Part of Wat Phra Kaeo, which is the largest temple complex in Bangkok, and likely the biggest in Thailand. You could walk around this complex for days and still not see everything - pictures sadly cannot do this place justice.



The Grand Palace, which is part of the temple complex at Wat Phra Kaeo.




Tallest Buddha in Thailand about 150ft. At the foot of this Buddha there are little temples, which are strangely filled with cats and kittens.


Bryce demonstrating his awesome power at Wat Sraket - showing that anyone can be king for a day.


On top of Golden Mount the highest wat in Bangkok. This wat looks like a massive spiral fortress from afar.





Getting in touch with my inner chi at the bottom of the Golden Mount.



Wat Benchamabphit - the marble temple


Inside the marble temple





This is the inside of the Lucky Buddha Wat & it is supposedly open only one day a year, but that's the word of a tutut driver.