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Published: December 6th 2006
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Jen Rock Climbing
this was at crazy horse butress in Chiang Mai with Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures A few things:
first, this is without photos because I have them all on a dvd for which there is no dvd drive on this computer and I've waited for-E-ver to post this and I'm just putting it up so check back for photos later.
next, this is Take two.
Alright I just wrote most of this alraedy and then accidentally closed it somehow and it made me really mad as I'm sure everyone can relate.
Here's how it went.
We went to Chiang Mai expecting to do some rock climbing. Masa did quite a bit, but I only did one day in the end. Having had no experience the three-day course that Masa took was a little intensive for me. He did top-roping with me the first day and then the second and third days he did lead climbing and multi-pitch climbing. He had a lot of fun. So much so that by the time he was done with the course he ended up entering the first ever Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Festival Competition. He took 5th in the beginners division - though some of those beginners looked a littttttle too slick for me,
Masa Rock Climbing
this was at crazy horse butress in Chiang Mai with Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures I think they were ringers. He won a t-shirt bringing the count of new Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventure T-shirts to 4. (we each got one from the class and he got one for the contest and won one.) new clothes!! 😊
While Masa was climbing I did some yoga and relaxed with my book and my journal. That was nice in some ways but in others I felt like I wanted to get out and see more of Thailand than we were. I guess I wasn't motivated enough to just go off by myself, but it was more like a nagging thought that we weren't doing enough there. But Masa was really enjoying the climbing and we were both really loving being somewhere that wasn't as hot and wasn't as big or overwhelming as Bangkok. We hung out a lot with our new friends we'd met in Siem Reap named Rowan and JJ (and yes for those of you who would know what I'm talking about every time I said her name I thought of JJ, my sister beat me with a brush and burned my eyes out with a curling iron. I even had Masa saying JJ
Jen on the highest point in Thailand
this was at doi inthanon national park in that very distinctive way. For those of you who dont' know what I'm talking about, it's not as bad as it sounds.) anyway, Rowan and JJ really helped us out. JJ is from the Chiang Mai area and Rowan is from Wyoming. They showed us around, since JJ is a tour guide. We went up to the national parks in the area which are in the mountains and actually cool to cold there! But they were beautiful. We also went to the Chiang Mai Zoo and ate lots and lots of street food and of course enjoyed the night markets and wished I could buy everything but knew I'd be cursing it when I had to carry it. as it is we bought a messenger bag that I'm cursing as I have to carry it in my pack. it's pretty heavy.
Maybe best of all we were in town for the Loi Krathong Festival. From November 1 until the culmination on November 6, there were these paper lanterns floating up to the sky all over the city until it looked like another set of stars. they were so beautiful I can't even tell you. In addition there were
Masa on the highest point in Thailand
this was at doi inthanon national park fire works and tons of food and performers every night at the Thia Phae gate which was awesome. The night of the 6th we went out with JJ and Rowan on a boat for a dinner cruise down the river. For the Loi Krathong festival people make flower and leaf floats that hold candles adn float them down the river. From little things you couldhold in your hand to big floats like parade floats that are completely elaborate and beautiful. it was really something to see and absolutely unforgettably stunning.
We headed back for Bangkok on November 8th after watching all the CNN coverage of the US elections. The polls on the west coast closed at 11am Thai time on the 8th so we watched the live coverage and by the time we left the dems had taken the house and three seats were left to be decided in the senate. we found out in Bangkok that the Democrats had taken those too, which was a really great thing in our minds. Now let's just hope they don't blow this chance to make things better.
We were in Bangkok for less than 36 hours, arriving around 6am on
this really isn't the highest point
that's probably what the thai writing says. the 9th, sleeping at the hostel we'd stayed in every time we went to Bangkok, and leaving the next day around noonish for the airport. In that time we got massages, used the internet a bunch, masa got a hair cut, and we ate a bunch of thai food. Then we left for Sydney and our ten day Adventure down under. More on that in the next post.
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Meggie B.
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But what about Ellen? "Wut arrr you guys TALKING about?"
OH my goodness. I was already saying "JJ", a la Lisette in my head before I read the disclaimer. =) Hardest I've laughed in a while. Thank you so much for the baby elephant post card! My fridge looks so purdy with all my cards from around the world. I love you!