From Chiang Mai to Siem Reap - Sun. Feb 12

We were up at 4:15 am to get into the bus and off to the airport at 5. First the entire 32 of us flew back to Bangkok, and then 12 of us flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The flights were wonderful. No more than an hour in the air each way, and a meal served on each. Yes, the meals were pre packed, but they were just fine. And on the second flight we watched some version of Candid Camera and old cartoons. Great!

Here's the tour bus that met us to take us to the hotel in Siem Reap.

Cambodia requires a visa, so Nancy and I were all prepared with e-visas we'd gotten online. There were others who were unprepared and had to get theirs on entry. And, guess what, it made no difference as we all had to wait for the luggage to be unloaded anyway. My only question is why was I the only one NOT fingerprinted on arrival. Perhaps I look Cambodian?

This hotel is a step down for us. Only one sink! It's is a bit tired compared to past hotels, but the pool is gorgeous, and we went swimming this afternoon.

 

And we have free wifi in the room!!!!!!!!!! Maybe it's not a step down after all.

Siem Reap has lots of tourists, but also has a backpacker/Haight-Ashbury feel. There are lots and lots of stands and markets, and the vendors are more aggressive here than in Thailand.

We finally took a tuk tuk ride as the traffic is calmer than in Bangkok. The only question was deciding which of dozens of tuk tuks to choose. It was fun!

Tonight we enjoyed a "typical Cambodian meal" and a traditional Aspara show,

Guess what? We can eat the food in Cambodia! It's much less hot and spicy, and there seem to be more vegetables.

 

Feb 11 - Elephant Camp, Orchid Farm, Farewell Dinner

Ganesh shrine

I never knew I would be such a push-over for elephants - yeah, those big things you see in zoos. In Thailand, elephants are very, very special - the most spiritual of animals derived from Ganesh, the Hindu god of knowledge and the remover and creator of obstacles. Ganesh is often portrayed as a young boy with the head of an elephant.

The wild elephant population was been reduced to a few thousand due to deforestation and poaching. And as logging is now prohibited and trucks and tractors more versatile, they are no longer used in the forests. Needless to say they are no longer useful in battle.  But they have found a new home in the tourist industry.

The trip to the elephant camp was an optional offering, but everyone on the tour signed up for it. So we all piled onto the tour bus and headed to the Maesa Elephant Camp outside Chiang Mai. This camp is one of the largest. Their philosophy is to create a natural and healthy environment for the elephants while working to conserve and breed them,due to the dwindling number of Asian elephants left in the wild.

And it turns out that elephants are very, very smart and trainable, albeit very large. 

First we rode an elephant, and I can't say I recommend it.  It's a rough, tilting ride as the elephant lumbers along.  I have no idea what would happen if it were to run.

We watched the elephants bathe in the river

Here's a video of part of the elephant performance

We enjoyed the elephant show.  Elephants dancing, playing soccer and painting.  Rather amazing.

 Then off to an orchid farm for a good buffet lunch.  Food in the north of Thailand is less spicy than the south so I was able to eat quite a bit of it.


Back to the hotel for a bit then off to an "authentic experience of dinner in a local Chiang Mai family home" and a cooking lesson.  I don't know how typical this house was but it certainly was lovely, and the hostess very gracious.

After dinner we lit and launched hot air paper lanterns into the sky.



So very lovely, and I'm sure guaranteed to bring us good fortune and future visits to Thailand.

Chiang Mai - Friday, Feb 10

 We began the day with the most wonderful breakfast buffet.We are so enjoying the luxury of this hotel.

Eight a.m. And we're back on the bus for our first temple complex of the day (in truth, this may be the only temple today.  Up a tortuous hill with many twists and turns to Pratart Boi Suthep, the most important shrine here.

On the way Tim explains how this shrine was sited to hold relics of Lord Buddha, a story this includes a white elephant.  And she explains about the spirit houses we see everywhere. Almost every structure in Thailand, from homes to hotels, have a spirit house with offerings to the spirits who inhabit that piece of land.

The shrine is at the very, very top, and the last distance includes a funicular.  Again, you have never seen so much gold and so many devout saying prayers, consulting with a monk and making merit.

Hooray, hooray we were able to opt out of shopping tours this afternoon and will catch up and rest in our most gorgeous suite before our Thai massage at 4 p.m.

Then this evening we have a Kantoke dinner and show including classical Thai dance.  Of course we will take more photos.  There is so much I want to remember.

Northern Thailand, Thurs, Feb 9

Another early start and travel by bus and small jitney trucks to visit two hill tribes - the Akho and the Mein. We drove up into the hills just like the locals over bumpy roads.


Learning about the hill tribes was absolutely fascinating. Please look at the Picasa photo stream for more pictures.

Then it was time to leave Chiang Rai and make our way by bus to Chiang Mai through lots of hills, national forests, jungles, and rice fields.

First stop was a temple in Chiang Rai in wedding cake style, all white and quite surreal, the efforts of a successful contemporary Thai artist.

After a good four hour ride we arrived at Le Meridien Chiang Mai, and we got a suite - what a gorgeous set of rooms. We have two giant screen TVs, 3 sinks, a shower and a tub, and a wonderful view from the 17th floor. One could get lost in our suite. Gorgeous!

Chiang Rai - Weds, Feb. 8

 Here we are in the north of Thailand, and first thing we're off to add some countries to our visit.  Tour guide Tim has connections and she can get those who want into Myanmar without a visa with just $40 under the table.  Of course you have to give up your passport for the hour of two.  Nancy and I decline.  She for political reasons; me because I don't mess with borders and passports.  (P.S. the Myanmar visitors have a great time, visit a traditional village, a temple and get home entact with their passports).

But there is always shopping, so while some of the group are off to Myanmar, the rest of us shop the border town, and take lots of pictures.

 

Then back on the bus to the Golden Triangle along the Mekong River where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.  And look!  If you look way upstream there is China in the distance.

After lunch we take a Mekong River cruise across to Laos where we disembark for a few minutes of shopping - lots of Chinese knockoff designer handbags in a dusty, poor street market in the middle of nowhere.

The Golden Triangle is notorious as a home for the opium trade, so our next stop is at the Hall of Opium, a state sponsored museum which is really excellent.  The benevolent Thai monarchy has a "project" to educate not only the hill people but everyone else about the dangers of opium.
Now we are back on the bus for about an hour-and-half back to the Meridian Chiang Mai, and I'm hopeful that I'll make it to the pool this evening - maybe just me and the mosquitoes (not that I've seen any yet!)

Feb 7 Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai (dawn of happiness) was the first Thai kingdom.  Established in 1238 by local chief Indraditya, the size of the city was increased tenfold under his son Rama the Brave (Ramkhamhaeng) who ruled from 1279-1209.

Rama the Brave was, in many ways, the true founder of Thailand and made lasting contributions to Thai culture, education and art.  Some of the most beautiful Thai art and architecture was produced during Sukhothai's golden era - between the 13th and 14th century.

More snacks

Then we boarded the bus for drive way north to Chiang Rai. Along the way we stopped to photograph workers transplanting rice.

 And here is a fun photo of a "Burmese" style reclining Buddha and our bus

And, of course, our hotel Le Meridien Chiang Rai is wonderful, although certainly not in the thick of the city.

Feb. 6 - On the way to to Sukkothai

 Monday, Feb 6
We spent a fair amount of time traveling north through the Thai countryside in the bus today, but there were some great stops along the way.
First at the Monument to Queen Suriyothai who is reputed to have saved her husband during  elephant battle by throwing herself in front on the enemy (probably those pesky Burmese).  Small plaster elephants and other animals have been left in prayer for wishes to be granted.

The whole trip was a snack tour as our leader seems to have a ferocious sweet tooth - fried bananas, sesame peanut brittle, coconut cream buns, and a stop to watch women along the roadside frying things in woks of oil.

Then a stop at the spectacular Temple of Mirrors (Wat Chantaram in Utaithani), just full of columns covered with small diamond shaped mirrors.  We've learned a lot about Buddhism with lots more to go.

We finally got to tonight's hotel, the very lovely Legendary Sukkothai, all one level of individual rooms "in the Thai village style" around a swimming pool.  Lovely, lovely landscaping with flowers and or hides and yet another ruined temple out back.