Blogs from Chiang Rai, North-West Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 7

Feb 19th, Three is the magic number What a beautiful end to a beautiful city and positive start to an incredible journey. Last night we made it safely back to Chiang Mai where we got to have a farewell dinner with Beckah and a few of her close friends at a Burmese restaurant. The food was so delicious and sooooo spicy. I found out later that Beckah told them to kick it up a notch. Needless to say we were sweating after the first bite, 2 bottles of water later I was more than satisfied! What a treat. The next morning went just as smoothly as the last. We were able to grab some breakfast before getting in a van that picked us up from our hostel. Our all inclusive package includes transportation to the border ... read more

When we weren’t busy indulging and pampering ourselves (or nursing someone back to health!), we did actually manage to take in some of the sights, sounds, and flavours of this culturally rich and diverse region. Thank goodness we had allowed ourselves almost 3 weeks here, which was still barely enough. Northern Thailand is rich in natural beauty, extraordinary wildlife, and with an impressive cultural heritage. The biggest draw for tourists is perhaps the fascinating hill tribe communities, the ethnic minorities referred to in Thai as “chao khao” which translates literally as “mountain people”. Among the largest and best known hill tribes are the Hmong, Karen, and Akha. The most recognizable and iconic are the Kaya (known as the Longnecks), and the Kor Yor (also known as the Big Ear tribe) and yet these are ironically less ... read more

On the first day of Christmas, the Andrew family found: A turtle in a palm tree... On the second day of Christmas... Two turtle doves... On the third day of Christmas... Three French turtles... On the fourth day of Christmas... Four calling turtles... On the fifth day of Christmas... Five GOOOOOOLDEN turtles... On the sixth day of Christmas... Six turtles laying... On the seventh day of Christmas... Seven turtles swimming ... Due to unforeseen circumstances (Eleanor's injury and a tablet that has stopped working...) we are unable to continue our joyous celebration of Christmas with turtle. We hope you enjoyed his adventures up until the seventh day.... read more

Due to the conflict of the military regime in Burma in the 1980s – 1990s, the Karen hill tribe fled to the Thai Borders. The Government of Thailand had accepted them and located the Long Neck Karen in the Ban Mai Nai Son refugee village, 15km from the Mae Hon Son Province in the North of Thailand. Since then the Long Neck Karen became the attraction to the tourist in this region. There are about 600 Karens todate in the northern Thailand. They are also known as the Padaung. The Long Neck Karen started at a very tender age. They started at the age of five years old. As they grew older they kept adding the rings until they could not do so. They will solder the brass rings to add the length they chose. It ... read more

Things have been so busy here, so much to take in. And the internet situation has been limited since our hotel only offers free wi-fi in the lobby. By the time we get home and eat we are soooo tired, or at least I am. Ernest sits up to edit all his pictures but he can do that in room without internet. Today we go up into the northern mountains of Thailand, close to border of Myannmar, China and Laos. Although Thai government has done a lot to help modernize the life of the hill tribes with electricity, clean water, education and trying to stop old traditions that do harm like smothering the second twin when born cause that one is evil, then banishing the parents from the village for a year, these people still live ... read more