Northern Thailand

Hello Everyone,

We left off in Mae Sariang in Northern Thailand and that was over a month ago. We spent only half a day in Mae Sariang, but during that time we rented bicycles and biked to this Wat on the hill above town. At the wat it started to rain...foiled again.

I should note that I lost my journal at the airport in London and therefore do not have the names of many of the places we visited. I'll do my best to locate them, but some will sadly remain nameless.

Hilltop Wat in Mae Sariang

Next we traveled to Mae Hong Son, my personal favorite. While there we rented a motorbike and toured around. We also found a delicious coffee shop which had some of the best bagels I have ever eaten. This may not sound particularly notable, but you don't find good bread in Thailand and New Zealanders just don't understand the concept of a bagel so it was very exciting.

Near Mae Hong Son--Namtok Pha Suea waterfall (I think)

The Queen's gardens at the northern palace. She loves gardening and is pictured above smelling some potted flowers.

Giant sacred carp at Tham Plaa (Fish Cave). While asking how to find this spot, I confused some Thai words and asked about the location of 'Frog Fish'. I asked repeatedly, "Where is the frog fish, no the frog fish." Only later did I realize what I had been asking.

A mountainous view on the way down from the Queen's Palace

A clouded leopard...perhaps the most beautiful animal I have ever seen

Lush, green rice paddies and Gareth on the motorbike

Next we headed to the hippie capital of Northern Thailand, Pai. People from all over who arrive for a few days wind up staying years, especially artisans and musicians. The food here is some of the best we had. I especially recommend a place called Charlie and Lek's. We stayed for nights days. Entertainment at the hotel was plentiful with hammocks to read in, a pool to swim in and an in-room DVD player to keep us indoors when it rained. To visit the wonders of Pai outside of our hotel we rented bicycles one day and a motorbike another day. I could have stayed for weeks.

Hilltop Wat overlooking Pai

A surreal throw-back to the American Southwest at the Grand Canyon of Pai complete with pine trees and cryptobiotic soil. Hmm.

Standing over the River of Pai

Gareth reading at a restaurant. We were stuck here for awhile do to heavy rains.

Getting a hug from an Elephant named 'Rock Star'

Our last destination was Chiang Mai. Well, I suppose our final destination before leaving was Bangkok, but we were both terribly ill and I don't have any pictures of that...thank goodness. That, however, is another story.

Chiang Mai was also very nice. We met up with a friend Crystal from the wildlife center to embark on a hike up to the hill top wat outside of the city. It was a bit more of an adventure than we had planned, but we had a great time. En route we saw eight waterfalls, a group of hiking Buddhist monks and two Germans who had gotten their dirt bikes stuck in the mud. At the top was the incredible (and busy) Wat Phra Thart Doi Suthep with hundreds of Buddhas, glittering gold pillars and breath-taking carvings. I think it is my favorite Thai Wat.

Bells at the Wat

This one's for you Mom. In Thai mythology a 'Mom' is a horrible crocodile-fish-lion who protects the spirits in the temple behind it. (I think.)

And finally, Gareth en route to the Wat looking at the distant Chiang Mai.

When you can no longer stomach the thought of green curry or Pad Thai, two of the world's most delicious foods, you know it is time to go. Abandoning the plans to visit Laos and Vietnam was difficult to do, but we were both tired of being on the move and recognized that we would not be able give these other countries the appreciation they deserve. So we packed our few remaining things and left. We had a wonderful time exploring and hope to make it back someday. Although, I'm in no hurry. My travel bug has been temporarily cured in favor of hairdryers, clean clothes, family and friends.