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Published: February 6th 2006
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We are currently having our first snow storm in Innoshima (and hopefully the last), which made me think of warmer days in Thailand. It reminded me that I have yet to write about my fabulous winter vacation. I truly have meant to (and started even), but I just got caught up in work/play time and being lazy. Now I will begin.....
Friday, December 22 at 4:15p.m. my winter vacation began. Off to Thailand the next morning! It couldn't have come at a better time....it was bitterly cold in Japan and I was ready for the heat! I travelled to Osaka that night because I had an early flight on the 23rd. Due to the abnormal weather (ie. the tinest bit of snow...Japan can't take it like Canada!) all of the trains were backed up. After meeting my travel buddy Iona about half way, we arrived at our hotel at 2:30a.m.! We had a wake-up call at 6a.m....this normally would have been torture for me, however I had the motivation of a glorious vacation to get me going! We first travelled to Shanghai, China for a 4 hour stop-over. They kept us busy the entire time filling out paperwork and standing
Merry Christmas!
children's choir adding to the holiday spirit with Christmas carols at the Bangkok airport in line! *Note for future travels....don't go to Shanghai for a stop-over unless you plan to visit China while you're there!* We arrived in Bangkok, and found a hotel without too much hassle. Considering it was high season, we were a bit worried we wouldn't be able to find anything. Phew! For our entire trip we decided to just take the risk, and find places to stay once we arrived there! We stayed the night at a hotel near the airport, found a ticket to Chaing Mai, our first destination of choice. Things really came together!
December 24th we headed north in the morning for the city of Chaing Mai. Our time in Chiang Mai was brilliant. We spent a few days in the hills to trek to hill tribe villages, ride elephants through the jungle and float down a river on a bamboo raft (see the next blog!). ....and a few days actually in Chiang Mai city, filled by visiting temples and shopping at the markets.
We visited far too many temples to give each one a mention. They were all grand, colourful and wonderful to explore. The first temple we visited was Wat Chedi Luang. It
was most impressive for me.....the atmosphere around this enormous temple was quiet, and almost eery. It was an overcast, late afternoon, and there was a fog in the air. It seemed almost too quiet to be right in the city centre. There were munks strolling around the grounds to add to the effect as well. It was fantastic. On the grounds of this temple there is a huge gum tree. We were approached my a high school student who must have decided that we looked lost....she spent the a short time with us showing us around and telling us stories. Apparently the legend of this tree is that when it falls, so will the city of Chiang Mai.
The markets....ahh, the markets. The key to shopping in the markets of Thailand is mastering the art of bargaining! After being hustled a few times, I got the hang of it. I look back at my first purchase now, and laugh at how much of a ride I was taken on! The shopkeeper must have been laughing at me, as I walked away very content with my new things. HA! Now I know better. There is a Night Bazaar set up
on a main street, which I think is there primarily for tourists. It was basically endless shops of souvenirs, C.D.s, and clothing. We went every night! On our fifth and final day we wanted to cram in as much possible. To do this, we hired a tuk tuk, which is a Thai taxi. Our driver took us anywhere we wanted to go, and waited for us as long as we wanted at each spot, in order to move onto the next. I felt extremely spoiled. This service with a smile only set us back $6 and a bottle of water! What a deal! After a morning of temples, we headed to the Borsang Village, which is a 9km road of factories and outlets.....yes, more shopping! We visited shops that sold silver, umbrellas, silk and other handicrafts. When we were shopped out, we returned to the city to cook up a storm!
For our last night in the city we took a Thai cooking class. There were 8 of us in the class at Buan Thai cooking school. Our first task was to make chili paste from scratch. The reason for this was because "good Thai wives" make chili paste
stone elephants
Wat Chedi Luang on their own, and never buy it in the store! (according to our teacher) Throughout the evening we made Pad Thai, Spicy Papaya Salad, Sweet & Sour Prawn Soup and Red Curry. It was so much fun 'attempting' to make these dishes! The real test was seeing whether you put too much spice in.....a lot of people couldn't eat their food because it was way too spicy! Before visiting Thailand I thought I could take a lot of spice....but I've learned that even I am a big wimp compared to the level of spice that the Thai people enjoy!
Stay tuned for some Christmas adventures in the jungle.....
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Roothie
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Take Me To The Earring Man!
I'd spend a long time there buying tons of silver and earrings! Clothes too! I'm afraid I wouldn't enjoy the spicy food. I have to get PC Extra Mild Salsa even!!! Good idea hiring the Tuk Tuk! Lots of fun memories! I remember doing Peticoat Lane in London with your mom in Gr. 12!!! We'd have gone nuts in Thailand! Take care and can't wait to read the next part! Love Roothie