Another day, another 27 Baht

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We saw and did so many things during our 10-day stay in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai that our adventures start to read like a travel brochure:

• One-day cooking class (includes seven dishes, plus market visit and vegetable carving demonstration)
• Renowned Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium
• Centuries old temples and wats
• Daily night bazaar and weekend street markets
• Excellent Thai and international food
• Jungle trekking (includes bamboo rafting, overnight stays at remote hill tribe villages, hiking, caving, elephant riding)
• Traditional Thai massage
• Muay Thai Boxing (includes lady-boy entertainment)

We had such a fantastic time in Chiang Mai, the city has quickly elevated to the ranks of one of my favourite places on the planet. And overall, we are having an unforgettable experience in Thailand.

To recap: We got off a bus from Cambodia in Bangkok's backpacker Mecca of Kao San Rd on December 10. We took the overnight train to Chiang Mai three days later. After 10 days, we flew to the southern island of Koh Samui, where we rang in 2009 watching our own personal fireworks show on Lamai Beach. And today, I am writing this entry from the front porch of our beachside bungalow off the green seas of Koh Tao.

Overall, we just can’t say enough about the natural beauty of this country, the hospitality of its people or the ease at which we can travel throughout it. We are having an AMAZING time and we have much more to say about Thailand and the places we've been before we fly out on January 16.

Until next time, enjoy the pics,
The Smiths

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Photos

Chedi
A temple top by sunset in Chiang Mai.

Misty mountains
As seen while walking to the first village on the first day of our three-day, two-night trek in northern Chiang Mai province. We walked for about 3-4 hours each day.

Waterfall
The first rest stop on the trek.

Walking man
When we got out of the truck to begin our trek after driving two hours north of Chiang Mai, this guy (who turned out to be a member of the first tribe we visited) raced out of a roadside restaurant to catch up with us. He walked behind us the whole three-and-a-half hours, taking each step with ease, as we sweated and stumbled and trudged our way up and down and up and down the paths. He was remarkable. Special shoes, we think.

Lahu little ones
Children of the Lahu tribe, where we spent our first night. We were told this is only the second time a tour group has gone through their village (whereas the tribe we visited on the second night has had tourists coming through for two years) and some of them were confused by our camera and the idea of smiling in front of it.

Stove
Inside the hut of the Lahu family who hosted us the first night.

Cold morning
Don't let Marc's shorts deceive you. It was chilly.

"I'm 60!"
On the second day, we crossed paths with this man. He was slightly lost and out of breath, having fallen off his bike three times apparently, but very eager to chat with us. We just wanted to keep walking, and during one awkward moment of silence he declared abruptly, "I'm 60!"

Bamboo raft construction
We learned that it is not traditionally Thai to float down the river on a bamboo raft, it's a great way to show how gifted these people were with bamboo. I think they could make almost anything.

Thai guys
Our tour guides Bee (front) and Tid.

Rafting
We absolutely loved the trek, and we hope to do some more in our upcoming travels.

Top of the trees
View from the Lisu hilltribe, where we stayed our second night.

Sleeping quarters
A bamboo platform, one-inch cushion and about six blankets.

Warming
Fireside on the last morning at the Lisu tribe.

Thick
On route to the cave.

Big spider
About the size of a hand, seen inside the cave. It took us about an hour and a half to get make our way through the cave. We also saw two snakes...the pace picked up a little after that.

Pavla & Milan
We were joined by only two other tourists on the trek, Pavla and Milan, honeymooners from the Czech Republic.

Comments

[wade]

merry and happy...
...to you too. marc, your photos are super cool! keep 'em coming.

[Erin]

Happy New Year, Krysta and Marc! These pics are great. It is almost exactly a year since Jay and I were in Thailand. Your pictures are all so familiar. We too loved Chaing Mai (except for how sick I got from the exhaust fumes) and especially loved our trek to the hill tribe villages. Your pictures remind me how much I enjoyed our trip and since it is -20 outside right now, how much I would love to be in your shoes. Take care, Erin