We left Chicago about 1 p.m., flew for 13 hours to Tokyo, had a couple-three hours layover, then flew to Hanoi, arriving about 10 p.m. on Weds., Oct. 9. We couldn't find our tour guide, so I borrowed a cell phone from one of the travel information guys at the airport. Turns out our guide was at the airport - just in a different area. We met Mr. Ha and he had our driver take us to the hotel. It's a pretty posh set-up to have your very own guide and driver. People kept asking me why we were going to Vietnam. Besides the obvious - beautiful country, fascinating culture and history and the worlds best noodle soup - it's a very inexpensive place to vacation once you get there. The next day, Ha took us ... read more

This was our last day of the trip. On the way to the Chiang Mai airport in the morning, Ole asked if we all had our passports. Uh... no. I had left mine in my luggage, not thinking I would need it for an intra-country flight. Poor Ole had a heart attack and called his friend (I think Ole is friends with half of Thailand) at the airport, telling him to keep our baggage set aside. I quickly found my passport once we arrived at the airport, but then was held up at security because I had my Swiss army knife in my carry-on backpack. I just didn't get off to a very good start. Too early and not enough coffee. The flight to Bangkok didn't take long, about an hour and 15 minutes. Nancy chatted ... read more

We awoke early this morning to participate in the ritual of giving alms to the monks. I forgot my camera, unfortunately. Every morning, all over Thailand, people bring complete meals for the monks, with rice in baggies, fully cooked meats, vegetables and fruits - even bottled water. As the monks go by, you invite them to accept your offering. Most monks carry covered bowls. When they come over, you gently drop your food items into the bowl, then kneel down to accept the monk's chanted blessing. It is a very pleasant ritual and one that keeps not only the monks fed, but others who are in need of food. Ole said that poor people will come to the temples mid-morning for left overs. After our own breakfast, we headed up the mountain to visit Wat Phrathat ... read more

Today we left our lovely resort in Chiang Rai and made our way through the forested hills to Chiang Mai, a much larger city, but still a speck on the map compared to Bangkok. We stopped by Nanglae, a pineapple producing village, where we saw pineapple fields and the paper products made from pineapple leaf pulp. Pineapple is a lucrative crop for Thailand. The homes in this village were all very nice. Next, we visited the beautiful white Wat Rong Kuhn temple. This was truly spellbinding. The temple is like a glittering ice castle - all white, with intense ornamentation and all sparkling with little mirror chips. It was like something out of a dream. Amazingly, the architect of the temple, Mr. Chalermchai, was there. This is like visiting the Sistine Chapel and having Michaelangelo show ... read more

On the way to Phayao, we stopped to watch some rice workers in the field. I tried my hand at cutting the rice, much to the amusement of the workers. I guess I'd better stick with my day job. We took a coffee break at Phayao, a lovely little town near a beatiful big lake. Ole said that families liked to picnic there. One of the town specialties is "jumping shrimp". Little shrimps are collected from the lake. They are mixed, ALIVE, with cilantro, garlic, lemongrass and chilies. One then scoops up the mixture and gets it into the mouth before the shrimp jump off the spoon. I was not as brave as some of my fellow travelers. I like my shrimp scampied. After a lunch of Northern Thai Curry Noodles (imagine spaghetti noodles with curry ... read more