Back in Chaing Mai

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So here I am - back in Chaing Mai, where I've spent the majority of my time in Thailand. Our trip to Laos was so quick - it was true that everything took a long time, and just to get somewhere takes 1 or 2 days, so when we made it to our destination, Hongsa, and there were no elephants (as the Lonely Planet had promised), and really nothing there - it was a bit too late to go somewhere else. The town was in a valley, but it was really dusty, and there was only 1 guest house, with no one that spoke english - and decent food was sparse. None the less, we got to relax and get away from the city and the tourists for a little while. We went on some nice walks through fields, along a small river, and to village.
To get to this place though, we had to take a six hour minivan ride to the border, buy a visa, then go on a crowded boat ride down the Mekong river for 7 hrs. The boat ride was nice (but full of tourists and a little expensive), and after we got to Hongsa, we took a speed boat to another little town, and stayed there for a couple of days. Then on the way back, we had to go up river, so the same ride took 9 hrs. - a little to long on small wooden benches with no padding - but we definitely got to spend a long time cruisin' the Mekong river - in the end it wasn't all bad, we met really kind people, and Andrea extended her visa here in Thailand.
Yesterday I took a vegetarian (Thai) cooking class from a woman that has a famous vegetarian restaurant in Bangkok (Mai Kaidee's). We found the place in Bangkok, and she said she was coming here to Chaing Mai to open a resaurant and start classes here - so I traked her down and we were able to take a clas yesterday - right before she headed back to Bangkok. It was so much fun! We (me, Andrea, and a guy from Italy) went to the market in the morning and cooked and ate all day, from 8 am to 3 pm. We made Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, Massaman Curry, Issan, Mixed veggies with cashews and ginger, Green curry, spring rolls, peanut sauce, Papaya Salad, and Mangos with sticky rice and coconut sauce - yummm! WE even learned a little Thai song and dance.
So Andrea started her massage course today (I think), and I'm making plans to head back to Bangkok, starting tomorrow. Then I fly back to India on the 2nd, and I'm looking into extending my stay there for a couple of weeks if it is possible and not too expensive - and if Mom will keep Ginger for the extra time? How are the dogs doing Mom? Love to all. Laura

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Comments

[Cici]

Hi Laura - Hope this is the right way to do this... Connie told me about your blog a bit ago and I'm finally checking it out. I'm jealous of your travels; sounds like a fabulous adventure! When you get back, you'll have to cook for us; yum! And I'd love to see your photos too. Happy travels. Love, Cici

[Andrea's Dad]

Hello Laura, I have to again thank you and can't thank you enough for your terrific updates and the detail you provide on your travelblog. What a great communication tool. I can’t believe you guys are doing so great and have done so much. You are having the experience for a lifetime. And now you have to practice cooking your learned. Please let me be the first to volunteer to try your cooking. J Hope both you and Andrea are keeping your health up. We hope you can extend your stay in India for as long as you can. Please let Andrea know we are all terrific here and miss you both very much. Stay well be happy, Love Andrea’s Dad