Early morning transfer to the airport in time for our flight to Chiang Mai.
We continued higher into the hills traveling by songtaew, a local truck. We drove along rough dirt roads to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project to enjoy a fresh cup of locally-grown Arabica coffee and hear about the North’s flourishing coffee industrIes. Then we went to see Hmong in the Hilltribe fields.
Chiang Mai – the ‘Rose of the North’ – with its laid-back northern influences and pleasant climate can feel a world away from the high rise towers and congested streets of Bangkok. The city has a surprisingly pleasant ambiance, a fine selection of restaurants (many consider Thailand’s northern cuisine to be the best in the country) and a high number of temples & sites of cultural significance. There is a popular night market in the city centre.
We then visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which is the highest temple I'm Chiang Mai. Situated on a mountain rising high above the city, this sacred pagoda offers fabulous views of Chiang Mai and its surroundings. We walked up 300 steps to see the exquisite gilded stupa and learn about Thai Buddhist beliefs.
We had dinner at a neighborhood place, Rom Po.
Feb. 12
We biked around the temple ruins out in the country which was so pleasant! Following a massive flood, the city of Wang Kim Kam vanished for over 200 years. They were beautifully situated amidst farmland and houses. Forrest rode I'm the van for fear of falling off his bike, which Michael did do with minor but hurtful injuries to his knee and chest.
Following the bike ride, we took a red song threw to a riverside restaurant where we ate a very typical meal of Koi An- soup with crunchy noodles, ginger, pickles, chili and lime. Fresh pineapple and watermelon for dessert! We then floated on a boat back to the city, where we literally had to climb out of the boat to get to shore.
We walked to the local market where we bought curry and Thai tea. All of the group except me went to the hotel. I road a rickshaw and went to the Women's Prison massage place and then got a Thai massage at the temple! It was fabulous!! Rama lll mandated massage when it was threatened out of extinction.
In the evening we went to the night market where we ate squid ( delicious), Khanum Krock- coconut pudding, dumplings, skewers soft chicken and pork and coconut balls.
Feb 13
We went to market to get food for lunch. We had to wait about 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot due to a person blocking everyone in. We hiked in the jungle through hill rice pads and had lunch at a Karen community. We passed through the villages of Lahu, Lisa, Akbar and Palong people. We played games with the leaves, received a bamboo cup our guide made for us on the hike. We tried buffalo skin toasts, rice balls, pork rind, chicken.
On the way back we observed a school getting out for the day. They were in Lines and there were definitely leaders who kept the younger ones in line. Then they recited the Thai National anthem and Buddhist teachings. When they were released by lines, they went across the street where they bought a snack. Then many of them hopped on the back of a truck to drive to their village and some walked home. It was a special time!!!
Feb 14
We took a walk to a local park where the flowers were in full bloom. People were practicing yoga and some were engaged in other forms of exercise. It was beautiful amidst the hustle of the city!
Feb. 12
We biked around the temple ruins out in the country which was so pleasant! Following a massive flood, the city of Wang Kim Kam vanished for over 200 years. They were beautifully situated amidst farmland and houses. Forrest rode I'm the van for fear of falling off his bike, which Michael did do with minor but hurtful injuries to his knee and chest.
Following the bike ride, we took a red song threw to a riverside restaurant where we ate a very typical meal of Koi An- soup with crunchy noodles, ginger, pickles, chili and lime. Fresh pineapple and watermelon for dessert! We then floated on a boat back to the city, where we literally had to climb out of the boat to get to shore.
We walked to the local market where we bought curry and Thai tea. All of the group except me went to the hotel. I road a rickshaw and went to the Women's Prison massage place and then got a Thai massage at the temple! It was fabulous!! Rama lll mandated massage when it was threatened out of extinction.
In the evening we went to the night market where we ate squid ( delicious), Khanum Krock- coconut pudding, dumplings, skewers soft chicken and pork and coconut balls.
Feb 13
We went to market to get food for lunch. We had to wait about 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot due to a person blocking everyone in. We hiked in the jungle through hill rice pads and had lunch at a Karen community. We passed through the villages of Lahu, Lisa, Akbar and Palong people. We played games with the leaves, received a bamboo cup our guide made for us on the hike. We tried buffalo skin toasts, rice balls, pork rind, chicken.
On the way back we observed a school getting out for the day. They were in Lines and there were definitely leaders who kept the younger ones in line. Then they recited the Thai National anthem and Buddhist teachings. When they were released by lines, they went across the street where they bought a snack. Then many of them hopped on the back of a truck to drive to their village and some walked home. It was a special time!!!
Feb 14
We took a walk to a local park where the flowers were in full bloom. People were practicing yoga and some were engaged in other forms of exercise. It was beautiful amidst the hustle of the city!
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