Chaing Mai
What a wonderful way to end our trip. The day was spent at the elephant camp. So much fun getting to know these amazing animals. They enjoyed being stroked on their trunks. I even got 2 kisses from one. Felt like a vacuum sucking my face and slightly sandy. The mahouts (trainers) had the elephants it on a show for us. They bowed, and lifted their legs, sat, laid down, played the harmonica, pulled lumber then stacked it in a pile and then they painted the most amazing pictures. The are work sells for $30 a picture. I settled for a reproduction in one on a bag. After the show we took a ride on an elephant through the jungle.
When we returned from our ride we met with a mahout for some Q&A. At the time his elephant Ern who was 11 was eating bamboo. Carefully Ern used her foot to assist her in breaking the bamboo into manageable eating sizes. She walked over to use and offered her trunk for stroking.
Their trunks are very strong. Strong enough to lift a person. Barry has a picture of me being held by an elephants trunk.
After the ride and lunch we were treated to a leisurely ride on the river on a bamboo raft. Our guide snapped a picture of us and said we looked like refugees
Farewell dinner and night bazaar last night. We head back to Bangkok today and fly home tomorrow.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Chaing Rai
Chiang Rai
Our accommodations are lovely. Beautiful resort. We left at the reasonable hour of 8:30am and headed to the Golden Triangle. This is the meeting of Myanmar Laos and Thailand where the Mekong River meets the three countries. After a hike to the lookout point we went to the opium museum
After a bit of shopping we were driven by pick up truck into the hills, past rice patties, pineapple, tapioca and other vegetation to a local restaurant
Another luxury pick up tonight as we visited the hill tribes of the Akha and Longnecks. Dinner served by the Longnecks was delicious. On our way to Chaing Mai in the morning
Our accommodations are lovely. Beautiful resort. We left at the reasonable hour of 8:30am and headed to the Golden Triangle. This is the meeting of Myanmar Laos and Thailand where the Mekong River meets the three countries. After a hike to the lookout point we went to the opium museum
After a bit of shopping we were driven by pick up truck into the hills, past rice patties, pineapple, tapioca and other vegetation to a local restaurant
Another luxury pick up tonight as we visited the hill tribes of the Akha and Longnecks. Dinner served by the Longnecks was delicious. On our way to Chaing Mai in the morning
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| Akha |
Monday, February 23, 2015
Western Thailand
we have been busy on our adventure these past few days. We got an early start yesterday as we had to catch a local train to the Mae Klong market. If you have not seen my Facebook posting about the market you can find a video about it on YouTube.
A nice local traveling with his wife a 3 yr old daughter gave us on of their seats so we could be near the window. As we approached the market he and his famy mov d into the aisle so both Barry and I could lean out the window and watch the train approach the market. The train runs behind two buildings. The market is also there. As the train approaches the merchants roll back their awnings and their tables to make way for the train. As the train passes through tbe merchants it everything back in place as if nothing ever happened. There were tons of tourists there and it was fun taking u tired of the tourists standing in the market while we were in the train.
After lunch at another wonderful local restaurant we headed to the memorial cemetery where men from WWII who had died during the making of the Burma-Thailand train were buried.
At long last we arrived at our lodgings the Hin Tock River Camp is a permanently tented facility. It is a step up from our tent last summer in the Serengetti as it has a/c. The bathroom however is opened in the back. Roof but on a tall bamboo wall for privacy. Everyone agreed this morning that sleeping outdoors was the best nights sleep.
The camp itself is on the grounds of a former POW camp. We walked from the camp into the village to a local home for dinner. Flashlights were a must as we are dee in the jungle where there is no street lighting.
Today we got another early start and headed to Hellfire pass where the POWs and many Asian s were conscripted to build the Burma to Thailand railway. It was incredible to see how mountains were carved by hand to make way for the train tracks to be laid. After a quarter mile walk through the ass we went into the war memorial museum.
From there we left our bus and drove by pickup truck to the Kwai River for a leisurely one hour ride in a long boat down the river. The River is low this time of year as it is dry season. Along the way we past a number of resorts that float on the river.
Tonite we have dinner at the camp. In the morning we head back to Bangkok for our flight to Chang Mai in northern Thailand near the Myanmar border.
A nice local traveling with his wife a 3 yr old daughter gave us on of their seats so we could be near the window. As we approached the market he and his famy mov d into the aisle so both Barry and I could lean out the window and watch the train approach the market. The train runs behind two buildings. The market is also there. As the train approaches the merchants roll back their awnings and their tables to make way for the train. As the train passes through tbe merchants it everything back in place as if nothing ever happened. There were tons of tourists there and it was fun taking u tired of the tourists standing in the market while we were in the train.
After lunch at another wonderful local restaurant we headed to the memorial cemetery where men from WWII who had died during the making of the Burma-Thailand train were buried.
At long last we arrived at our lodgings the Hin Tock River Camp is a permanently tented facility. It is a step up from our tent last summer in the Serengetti as it has a/c. The bathroom however is opened in the back. Roof but on a tall bamboo wall for privacy. Everyone agreed this morning that sleeping outdoors was the best nights sleep.
The camp itself is on the grounds of a former POW camp. We walked from the camp into the village to a local home for dinner. Flashlights were a must as we are dee in the jungle where there is no street lighting.
Today we got another early start and headed to Hellfire pass where the POWs and many Asian s were conscripted to build the Burma to Thailand railway. It was incredible to see how mountains were carved by hand to make way for the train tracks to be laid. After a quarter mile walk through the ass we went into the war memorial museum.
From there we left our bus and drove by pickup truck to the Kwai River for a leisurely one hour ride in a long boat down the river. The River is low this time of year as it is dry season. Along the way we past a number of resorts that float on the river.
Tonite we have dinner at the camp. In the morning we head back to Bangkok for our flight to Chang Mai in northern Thailand near the Myanmar border.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Vietnam
We drove 2 hours to the tunnels. Only 2ft wide and 3ft high you understand what the American troops were up against during the Vietnam war. It was difficult for us to not feel upset by what we saw. But you have to give it to the Viet cong they were very resourceful.
We went to see a water puppet show in the afternoon. Only in Vietnam does this exist. The puppeteers stand in waist hight water behind a screen and work the puppets. It is something to see. We went behind the stage after the performance to see how it is done wooden puppets on long metal poles. (Very heavy).
Then it was off on a rickshaw ride to the Saigon Culinary Institute. You haven't experienced Saigon until you are in the middle of traffic. The rickshaws are powered by bicycle and carry only one person. There we were in the midst of traffic with buses and hundreds of motor bikes all around us. It is a wonder no one got squished. Did I tell you there don't seem to be any rules for driving. It is every person for themselves. That goes for pedestrians as well. There are a few traffic lights but many don't abide by them.
We had a cooking demonstration at the cooking school. We helped to prepare part of our meal. No I can't tell you what we had but it was all delicious.
Earlier in the day,when we returned from the tunnels we ate at a noodle restaurant. There wasn't a Caucasian face to be found. Big bowls of soup with rice noodles you get to have chicken beef or tofu added. On the table there were plates of hot peppers, fresh basil and cilantro along with various sauces for you to add to the soup. I was challenged using chopped sticks and a spoon to eat the soup. But somehow I managed.
Yesterday we took another long ride to the Mekong Delta region. The region is very fertile and their were rice paddy fields everywhere you looked. We stopped to watch how rice is made into puffed rice and then Carmel coated. It was the largest wok I had ever seen. Over a charcoal fire they heat sand and the throw in the rice. When popped the rice is put through a sieve where the sand is removed. Very interesting
Lunch was at a 19th century home with marvelous antiques. During the various troubl d times since the family owned the home the antiques were buried on the property. Along with parts of the house. There have been 5 generations of the same family who own it. Lunch was outdoors and again another wonderful meal.
We had our farewell dinner last night and said goodbye to 7 of our traveling companions. 8 of us remain as we head back to Thailand for another 8 days of adventures
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a lively bustling town filled with tourists. The draw are the temples which have been unearthed and preserved for centuries. The largest of these temples is Angor Wat. I cannot even begin to describe the enormity of this temple. Built in the 12th century it took 39 years to complete. There are meticulous stone carvings on the walls that depict Hinduism stories. Apparently back in the day this was a Hindu area. Then it became a Buddhist area with 3 gods then back to Hinduism and finally Buddhist with only one God. My head is swimming with all the details but I think my description retry much sums things up. From Angor Wat we went to Angor Thom temple and the Tomb Raider temple after that. Seems Angelina Jolie shot scenes from Tomb Raider at this temple. By the end of the day we were all exhausted and hot and couldn't wait to get into the shower.
After a refreshing shower we headed into the heart of downtown Siem Reap for dinner on our own and perusing in the night market. We ate pizza at the Red Piano which is frequented by Angelina Jolie when in town.
Yesterday we went on a cart ride pulled by water buffalo. Now there is an experience. From there we were transported by boat down the Tonle Lake to see the floating villages. These are Cambodians that do not own land and have made their homes on the lake. The poverty is overwhelming. Generations of villagers live in these floating villages. They eeck out a living fishing in the muddy waters. Life expectancy here is quit low
On our way back to dinner and our hotel we stopped at local home to see how rice noodles are made. Rice flour prepared to the point of stickiness the put in a metal container with many holes in the bottom. This is then placed in a hole in a piece of wood over a large pot of boiling water the flame under the pot is fueled using branches from local trees. Another piece of wood with a large cylindrical piece of wood is used down on the rice dough forcing the dough through the tiny holes at the bottom of the can. Out come the noodles into the boiling water. They cook the noodles for about 3 minutes the use a basket to scoop out the noodles and pour cool water over the noodles to stop them from cooking. Once cool small handfuls of noodles are wrapped around a few fingers and put into a bowl. When dry these noodles are taken to market to sell.
The day we arrived in Siem Reap we were treated to lunch in a local home. There is lots to tell but to much to write. This family prepared a sumptuous meal for us using only a clay cooker with a flame burning under neath using bamboo as charcoal and a wok.
After a refreshing shower we headed into the heart of downtown Siem Reap for dinner on our own and perusing in the night market. We ate pizza at the Red Piano which is frequented by Angelina Jolie when in town.
Yesterday we went on a cart ride pulled by water buffalo. Now there is an experience. From there we were transported by boat down the Tonle Lake to see the floating villages. These are Cambodians that do not own land and have made their homes on the lake. The poverty is overwhelming. Generations of villagers live in these floating villages. They eeck out a living fishing in the muddy waters. Life expectancy here is quit low
On our way back to dinner and our hotel we stopped at local home to see how rice noodles are made. Rice flour prepared to the point of stickiness the put in a metal container with many holes in the bottom. This is then placed in a hole in a piece of wood over a large pot of boiling water the flame under the pot is fueled using branches from local trees. Another piece of wood with a large cylindrical piece of wood is used down on the rice dough forcing the dough through the tiny holes at the bottom of the can. Out come the noodles into the boiling water. They cook the noodles for about 3 minutes the use a basket to scoop out the noodles and pour cool water over the noodles to stop them from cooking. Once cool small handfuls of noodles are wrapped around a few fingers and put into a bowl. When dry these noodles are taken to market to sell.
The day we arrived in Siem Reap we were treated to lunch in a local home. There is lots to tell but to much to write. This family prepared a sumptuous meal for us using only a clay cooker with a flame burning under neath using bamboo as charcoal and a wok.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
A quick two day visit to Cambodia's capital packed with lots of activities. The country has been plagued with occupation by the French, civil war and being dragged into the Vietnam conflict it is no wonder they are still struggling to get on their feet.
The drivers here are insane. There does not seem to be any traffic laws. Crossing a street is at great risk.
Day 1 we arrived via Vietnam Airlines and headed straight to the Royal Palace. The architecture was very different from the others we have seen. It was quite beautiful. Traveling days are always tiring so we were glad to have some resting time before dinner. I have started to cut back on how much food I am willing to eat at meals. Nothing less from Han 4-5 courses at each meal which usually includes soup of some kind. We walked a bit after dinner to a shrine in the park to make an offering. Young children were following us begging for money. Our guide advised us to watch out for pick pockets. I was not comfortable walking around the city and was glad when we got back on the bus and headed back to the hotel.
We started our day yesterday meeting a survivor of the S-21 prison. One of the many detention facilities that the Pol Pot regime setup to interrogate prisons and then eventually execute. Not only did they execute the prisoner but his or her family as well. We later went to a killing field where mass graves were unearthed. I am always amazed that men can think u so many ways to torture each other rather than finding ways to peace
After the killing fields we headed to a performing and visual arts school. We were treated to classical and folk Cambodian dances by the students. Of course some of us raised our hand to get dressed up in the dance dress and learn how to dance. It was quite fun and very humorous.
From the school we headed to the central market for a bit of local shopping. Overwhelming is all I can say about the size and amount of goods for sale bricked up a dress for $6 and an embroidered shirt for $9.
Phnom Penh has a long way to go to come back to the days when it was considered the most beautiful city in SE Asia. There is construction everywhere you look. It would be interesting to come back in 5-10 to see the changes.
We ate dinner at a local restaurant across the street from our hotel. It is a culinary school where street kids are taught the restaurant business. Gourmet Cambodian. Although we did not try it there was crispy tarantula and fried tree ants on the menu. I am told by our traveling companions, the Nancy's, had the tarantula. It tasted like crabs. Yuck.
Headed to Siem Reap today to see Angor Wat
A quick two day visit to Cambodia's capital packed with lots of activities. The country has been plagued with occupation by the French, civil war and being dragged into the Vietnam conflict it is no wonder they are still struggling to get on their feet.
The drivers here are insane. There does not seem to be any traffic laws. Crossing a street is at great risk.
Day 1 we arrived via Vietnam Airlines and headed straight to the Royal Palace. The architecture was very different from the others we have seen. It was quite beautiful. Traveling days are always tiring so we were glad to have some resting time before dinner. I have started to cut back on how much food I am willing to eat at meals. Nothing less from Han 4-5 courses at each meal which usually includes soup of some kind. We walked a bit after dinner to a shrine in the park to make an offering. Young children were following us begging for money. Our guide advised us to watch out for pick pockets. I was not comfortable walking around the city and was glad when we got back on the bus and headed back to the hotel.
We started our day yesterday meeting a survivor of the S-21 prison. One of the many detention facilities that the Pol Pot regime setup to interrogate prisons and then eventually execute. Not only did they execute the prisoner but his or her family as well. We later went to a killing field where mass graves were unearthed. I am always amazed that men can think u so many ways to torture each other rather than finding ways to peace
After the killing fields we headed to a performing and visual arts school. We were treated to classical and folk Cambodian dances by the students. Of course some of us raised our hand to get dressed up in the dance dress and learn how to dance. It was quite fun and very humorous.
From the school we headed to the central market for a bit of local shopping. Overwhelming is all I can say about the size and amount of goods for sale bricked up a dress for $6 and an embroidered shirt for $9.
Phnom Penh has a long way to go to come back to the days when it was considered the most beautiful city in SE Asia. There is construction everywhere you look. It would be interesting to come back in 5-10 to see the changes.
We ate dinner at a local restaurant across the street from our hotel. It is a culinary school where street kids are taught the restaurant business. Gourmet Cambodian. Although we did not try it there was crispy tarantula and fried tree ants on the menu. I am told by our traveling companions, the Nancy's, had the tarantula. It tasted like crabs. Yuck.
Headed to Siem Reap today to see Angor Wat
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