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Published: January 3rd 2006
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On Dec 30, 2006, we took an early bus from Pai to Chiang Mai. Gary got a seat at the very front of the bus and took a lot of pictures. It was a very misty morning, but the sky cleared up as soon as we left Pai and ascend to the mountain. The scenery is beautiful from the mountains top as the valley are covered by fog. Half the way to Chiang Mai was hilly and winding roads. On the way when we pass the national park that we failed to get to the previous day, the bus pick up a beautiful Thai girl and her name is Amp, a fourth year drama student in Bangkok University. Her English is very good and gave a lot of good information to us.
We arrived at 12:30 pm and tried to get the next bus to Chiang Rai. All the bus tickets before 4 pm were sold out. So we bought ticket for 4 pm bus. The bus was late and the bus did not start until 5 pm. We arrived in Chiang Rai by about 8:30 pm. After a short walk to the Boon Bun Dan Guest House, we got
a big room with private hot shower for 200B. Although it was a long day, we were eager to see the night bazaar and look for dinner.
The night bazaar was so busy and reminds me of the Chinese New Year eve celebration in Hong Kong. There were performances in the food market, folk dances, singing, and even talk show. We simply bought some food, found an empty table, sat down and enjoyed the show.
The next day, Dec 31 Saturday.
Got up late, send the laundry out for 20B/Kg. Ate some very good chive-dumplings in a nearby restaurant run by Chinese. Walk to the day market and bought a young coconut (10B), excellent juice. Peeled and ready-to-eat pomelo (15B) and also filleted green mango (10B). Since we arrived in Thailand, we had more meat and less vegetables than we should, so we try to eat more fruits.
We visited 2 temples, which are difficult to miss when traveling in Thailand. Wats (temples) are everywhere. We then had a slow and long walk to the boat landing to checkout any good boat rides. Scenery along the river in the city seems pretty flat, so we skip the hour long boat ride and head back to the guest house.
When we got back to the guesthouse. Gary saw a Dustin Hoffman look-alike and Phyllis immediately recognize him as her coworker Doug. They worked together in Toronto almost 10 years ago. Doug now teaches business English in Thailand and obviously enjoying himself here. They had a good talk during dinner in the night bazaar while Gary enjoys the new year celebrate performances.
Yes, we had the new year countdown in Chiang Rai. One interesting thing people do here is to launch mini hot air balloons into the sky to celebrate new year (or maybe other occassions too). The mini hot air balloon is about 1 meter by 40 cm cylinder made with nylon or thin plastic, a metal wire frame house a wooden/bamboo torch at the bottom. When we saw the first one in the sky, it appears to be a reddish star. Gary thought it was the planet Mars. When it starts to drift across the sky, Gary told Phyllis it was only an airplane. Pretty soon Phyllis realizes Gary is full of it when the whole sky is filled with those drifting red balloons. A very friendly Thai family next the guesthouse let us take photos of the launching process of the hot air baloons. This is a good way to start an interesting year.
The first day of year 2006, Sunday. Visa run !!! As the farangs call it.
The more important reason for us to be in Chiang Rai is to renew our Thailand visa. WE took a bus to Mae Sai (about 1.5 hr) then a songtaew to the border. We walked through the custom into Tachileck (border Myammar town, meaning City of Golden Triangle) without any problems. The Myammar custom officers were very friendly. They collected US$5 per tourist with a big smile. The travel guide books said they prefer brand new US one dollar bills.
We visited the Shwedagon Pagoda, which overlook the city of Tachileck, and it looked nice in a very clear sunny day. The markets on both sides of the border are just packed with people. Phyllis is very happy after she bought 10 pieces of jewelry for only US$25. Mission accomplished.
We had clams during dinner. 40B per plate. The clams are pretty round about 2 cm in diameter. The shell is packed with meat and tasted like oyster, yummmmm. Yes, we took photos of these little darings.
Since we got what we came for. Visa for Gary and jewelry for Phyllis. We are leaving for Chiang Mai the next day.
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