Back to Bangkok

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Hi all,
So last we left off we were on our way to Laos. 1 day boat ride down the Mekong, ending in Luang Prabang where we were going to splash out for Sharon's birthday. Well we made it to Laos via 2 bus rides and a stay over in a small town called Chiang Rai. We were ferried over the Mekong to the town of Houay Xai in Laos....a stop over town for anyone who wants to take a boat down the Mekong. We woke up bright and early the next morning and went down to the boat landing to catch our boat only to find out that it was no longer in service! Our only other option was a 2 day boat ride on a slow boat which is not so appealing (not confortable, no food, questionable over night stop) so we quickly changed plans and took the ferry right back to Thailand. I know, we're wimps. Maybe we'll go back to Laos some other time.

Anywho, we had a couple more fun days in Chiang Mai instead. For Sharon's birthday we went about 1 1/2 hours outside of Chiang Mai to an Elephant Conservation Centre with our driver/guide 'Ping Pong' (we think). Big reggae fan. The highlight was an elephant ride through the jungle around the center. We also stopped off at a local market so Ping Pong could pick up his dinner and there were lots of offerings -- many frogs on sticks and bugs. Seemed to be the local speciality.

From Chiang Mai we flew back to Bangkok and stayed in a different part of town - Sukhumvit and got a different perspective of life in the city. More great food and a day trip out of town to Ayuthaya, an ancient capital of Thailand with amazingly preserved ruins of former temples. Now we're in Kanchanaburi, home of the bridge on the river Kwai.
Did you know that the actual river wasn't really the River Kwai? The Thais only renamed it after the book/movie came out and lots of tourists wanted to visit it.

Next up, we're heading further south to Khao Sok National park for 2 days and a walk in the jungle followed by a week or so at the beaches of Ko Jum and Ko Lipe.

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Photos

Sunset in Laos
Looking across the Mekong while enjoying a Beer Lao

Traditional Thai dancing
at the untraditional food court in Chiang Mai

Thai Elephant Conservation Centre
Jumbo having a snack

Elephants on parade
The elephants and their mahouts on the way to the show ground

Sharon's birthday elephant ride
Unfortunately, our elephant wouldn't wear his party hat

Ayuthaya
The ancient royal capital of Thailand, circa 17th century.

Bridge on the River Kwai
Still in use.

River Kwai
View from the bridge

Chungkai War Cemetery
Graves of Allied POWs who died while working on the railway.

Comments

[Steve]

Chuffin' Elephants
I think that you've only actually made it as far as Chester Zoo, one of those Elephants doesn't 'alf look familiar. Photoshopped the rest I reckon. Enjoy the trip and keep the reports coming!