Blogs from Mae Sai, North-West Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 2

Da wir uns entschieden haben laenger in Thailand zu bleiben als es unser Visum zulaesst, muessen wir einen strategisch guenstigen Punkt fuer einen Grenzuebertritt finden. Den so genannten "Visa run" (Grenzuebertritt zu einem anderen Land und neuer 30 Tage Stempel bei der Wiedereinreise) erledigten wir im noerdlichsten Ort, da unsere Tour uns eh hierher verschlagen sollte. Nur wenige Touristen haben sich hierher verirrt, was auf die schlechte politische Situtation in Myanmar hindeutet. Eigentlich ist "das goldene Dreieck" ein Touristenanziehungspunkt. Bei uns verlief alles ohne Probleme, außer das die vielen myanmarischen Haendler sich wie Geier auf uns stuertzten (von diversen Drogen bis zu Viagra - wer braucht so etwas denn????) war alles zu haben und wir drehten sofort wieder um. Auf dem Weg zurueck nach Thailand, prueften wir gruendlich unsere Taschen, nicht dass ein gar zu netter ... read more

I walked back to my room with 2 cups of extremely strong espresso served in plastic cups from a street vendor. His cart was attached to the side of a motorcycle and he precariously balanced the cups in a plastic bag so I could carry them without burning my hands. The plastic bad swung at my side as I strolled through the market on my way back to the room. Centrifugal force kept the coffee in the cups and I enjoyed semi warm coffee while overlooking Burma and the river from my balcony. They did the trick of giving me motivation to tackle my first full at the Nothernmost Point of Thailand. Things flowed smoothly and uneventfully on the Thai side of the border. The officials were as friendly as officials could be and in no ... read more

And so it seems that God did bless her - bless the both uf us! The bus was not sold out so once we left the station, she maneuvered herself into the aisle seat of a 3-seater that had no middle occupany nor a big farang in the window seat. No words were exchanged between us but a smile that said much more than either of us could have managed with the language difference. Although the manner of travel I previously boasted about to Will Howe wasn't totally regrettable, I did commit to myself tha the trip back would be by air. I arrived in Mae Sai after another meal of Grab Pao Moo at a rest stop. It was about 6PM in the Mae Sai Bus Station - right on time. A motorcycle taxi ride ... read more

The sky was beginning to brighten with that pre-dawn glow as we piled into the double-decker bus parked outside Sila-At train station. I wondered how far we actually were from Ching Mai and if the official looking man's command/statement would prove true. "I tell you 1 hour!" I doubted it ... but we all went along with the program without any complaints voiced. Perhaps everyone was still half-asleep and assumed they must be dreaming! Anyway ... I was just happy I could dectect no negative energy being voiced in English or any other language. We were rollong in no time and would eventually be in Chaing Mai. I remember the phone ringing in the room while I was dead alseep. Jet lag is a drag. I am in Bangkok now - day after my arrival. I'm ... read more

The lag settled in a little outside Bang Sue once the rock of the train became consistant. I was trruggling to stay awake with my book or the I-Pod. I allowed my thoughts to wander through memories of the day and a half in Bangkok. This was certainly a new trip with some familiar places, but definately NEW. My first experience on Thai soil this time was fresh. I hadn't realized until just before touch-down that we would not be landing at the familiar Don Muang, but at the new international airport built with much controversy over Taksin's corruption. Suvarnabhumi Airport proved to provide a smooth departure and I breezed through customs and baggage claim but am embarrassed to admit that I got hooked by the taxi hawkers inside the terminal and ended up paying triple ... read more