Just to add to the trekking bit. When we were at the first village a heard of 20 cows came storming through round the dinner table, not what you expect to see.
That evening went to a brilliant fish restaurant with Mori and Nicole the Australian honeymooners I met. They were great and took charge in ordering everything so we had every different kind of prawn dish imaginable. Must go to 1770 when I am in Aussie land as it sounds brilliant (Nic's home town). They are an ace couple and well worth the next day hang over.
After that I got up to explore Chiang Mai... actually to phone home as am a bit homesick.
At 1 o clock the tour guide arrived to take me to douep suewp (Ed: Doi Suthep ??). It's a huge temple on top of the hill overlooking Chiang Mai. Next stop on the road would be the royal palace.
Beginning of tour was a shopping spree, similar to that in Bangkok but I didn't realise tour drivers were in on it. He had his son with him called "first"...because he is the first born...don't ask long story.
We did in this order
1. Silk, ok I fell for it lovely stuff
2. Lacquered bamboo, see above
3. Jewellery, not falling for that one again...you go jewellery blind after a while
4. Umbrellas, what can I say beautiful but by then I resisted
5. Carpets, get this an Iranian carpet shop in Thai...not even tempted
6. Cotton, ok am a sucker.
Probably cost more to ship home then to buy, but then by this time Nin, the driver and I had a rapour... He asks me to go in and look for 10 mins and I come out and say quick get your token and let’s run...it ended up being quite a laugh and I didn't go mad. It's a cure for women shop-a-holics coming to Thailand. I'm cured.
I learnt a lot from him. He used to be a monk it's a bit like the army, they can do 5, 10, 15 years service or life although not the violence. They start at about 10 years old and 20% of Thai males choose to become monks at the age of 10.
Next learning curve was driving same side as the road but all bike riders (moped included) have to wear helmets. Spot the ones that do...few and far between. Also no more than two on one moped and I have seen at least 5 in one go including two year olds.
We then went to the temple and I watched the sunset over Chiang Mai and temple. Camera film got used. Excitement on the way there and back they stopped the traffic as the royal family who live in the palace for 3 months of the year, the youngest one (40 years old) was on her way out. She probably did the same shopping trip as me. Then again we actually got pulled over on the way back to let them return to the palace. Police escort and everything...for the princess not us.
I then had the best meal on my own at this fish restaurant. You pick the fresh fish you want (shipped in large tanks of sea water from the south) and they cook it for you. Was ace... gonna try the fish cakes next.
Today I was up at 7.30 for another tour this time to see the long necks.
First we went to an orchid farm (trust me I got opium and orchid farm muddled up) and yes there is that choice of tour as well. Saw orchids and butterflies was great.
Next to a cave...to be honest the cave would have been better if not so much Buddha and rubbish in there and you just saw beauty of cave... goes into Burma apparently.
Next hill tribe village. Well they were but because of Burma and Thai trouble they moved near Chiang Mai. More like a refugee camp, very dirty and normally the Thai’s are not like that. Lots of sick children.
The guide made us laugh, he said they never used to have TV and modern things and the population was high as they had nothing to do in the evenings. Now the population is low because of television.
He also said they had a doctor come round to show and tell them about condoms. He demonstrated how to use one by placing it on his finger. 10 years later he comes back to see even more children. He asks one of the men didn't you use the condom... they said yes we put it on our fingers like you showed us.
Think this is a Thai joke but if you see the village I could believe it.
Next was a temple on a hill a different one... am now suffering from temple blindness. Although great they are now all looking the same.
Next the hill tribe people... long necks, karen, long ears and long knees... you think I am joking. The long necks from the age of 5 have these heavy brass rings placed round their neck. Then they increase in number per year until they have no more than 25 around their necks. If they remove the rings for a long time they can face a broken neck as their bones are so weak.
It was very interesting although disappointing. We were led to huts in the style of the village but each one was a stall to sell their goods. The genuine villages are dotted else where. The long necks/ears were nice but then we went to the karen who are very pushy hard selling sales people. "You lookie 20 Baht"
I suppose I wouldn't like it either if people came to my house and wanted to watch me cooking, cleaning etc and take photos. Yep actually I wouldn't, so completely understand. Then back to restaurant after 3 hr drive and had my Thai fish cakes.
Tomorrow I head for Chiang Kong and day after the border for Laos so will email when I can.
Excuse the spelling in these logs as doing it as quick as I can while in internet cafe.
Se you in Laos!
sorry alex, I haven't kept up on updating the other bits on the site, I'll get to it tomorrow :-)
sounds like you're having a great time though.
Posted by: nick at March 19, 2004 10:39 PM