Day 29 in Mae Hong Son - long neck hill tribes and sunsets

---

We started today with a flight into Mae Hong Son, a popular vacation spot for local Thailanders. It was easy to see why with the small town, relaxed feel - but it did not offer any respite to the heat as temperatures continued to stay in the mid to high 30's

On reaching Mae Hong Son we visited the long-neck Padong Hill tribe village on a long-tail boat. This tribe mainly includes refugees from Burma (Myanmar). As our guide explained, there are two potential explanations for the women wearing rings around their necks; (a) long necks considered a sign of beauty and (b) more practically, these rings protect the neck area against animal (mainly tiger) attacks!

We ended the day by watching the sun go down from the Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu.

---

Photos

Visit to long-neck tribe village
Our ride to the village

Visit to long-neck tribe village
The village

Visit to long-neck tribe village
She was supposed to be the prettiest lady in town... as determined by National Geographic

Visit to long-neck tribe village
Chris made a tent for himself to protect himself from the harsh sun

Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
Two Buddhas and a Chris

Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
As the sun starts going down

Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
Nothing like a coffee at sunset

Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
Great views from the Wat