Folk Travel Log

 We traveled by bus from Chiang Mai to Chang Rei and beyond - long day in the bus.  Clock tower which lights up to music at times, it’s in the center of a busy roundabout  Temple near river where we took a boat ride Fish for lunch  Dragon at the Blue Temple Clock tower again Place in mountains where we stopped for lunch, very primitive  Boat we took on river Stopped at a rest stop where there were geysers, cooking eggs White temple Woman selling eggs to boil at geyser White temple, evils of drink Temple White temple  White temple iconography  Bugs for sale, sell briskly

 On Friday we visited elephant sanctuary in the mountains outside Chiang Mei. Vans took us close then flat bed truck took us the last mile or so, we were on benches in the back going up hill on a very bumpy dirt road, driver seemed unconcerned about his cargo. Once there we changed and met the largest female Tata. Very gentle and friendly especially if you have something for them to eat. Photo op time. After photos we made elephant poop paper - they poop a lot so there is lots of paper to make. We then made balls of food, mostly rice and bananas which we fed them along with bananas. We then washed them in a stream. Great fun.

 Traveled to northern Thailand, a short flight, good to get out of Bangkok congestion. Still warm and no rain yet, mosquitoes are an issue. They drive on the left side, not sure why as it was never a British colony but close to some like India so that may be why. Lots of pictures of royal family, although they have a Parliamentary system like the UK. However, and negative comment about the royals is punishable by imprisonment - so it’s either adoration or they avoid the subject. 7-Eleven and Starbucks are the most common US businesses seen - hard to go more tan a few blocks without a 7-Eleven, sometimes they are on both sides of the street.  In the airport even the statues wear masks. Nighttime picture of a temple which are all over and very elaborate. A canal tour yesterday saw many very ramshackle dwellings at and over the water. At one point we were given a loaf of bread to feed fish causing a huge frenzy, hundreds of large catfish. Reclining Buddha, about 120 feet, very im...

Not sure what they are listening for from the pig. Amazing details at Palace. Thai king of old Guarding against evil spirits   Today we visited the Royal Palace, a complex with many buildings with very ornate decorations. Tomorrow we fly to Chaing Mea in north.

Temple Poh Kaw - many pagodas Banging the gong High tech in Thailand  More temple stuff  Several days here now visiting temple of the reclining Buddha very impressive complex of pagodas of all sizes, ashes of cremated followers - Buddhist- are put inside. Funny story, a Buddhist monk grabbed my hand and put on a simple gold colored string bracelet and asked in perfect English where I was from, I told him and then gave him a coin. He returned the coin looking a bit disappointed but not wanting to show it, he said it’s free. The coin was 10 Baht about 30 cents - did not mean to be cheap just pulled what I had thinking any amount would be welcome. Had I pulled a larger amount I think he’d have happily taken it. 

 First post of Thailand/Vietnam tour, unfortunately having trouble connecting iPad to internet so no pictures to share - will try to load some when I can.  Bangkok is a large busy city, crazy traffic especially at evening rush time. Loads of places to eat and street food - prices are cheap, something I have not found much while traveling. Apparently the prevalence of street food is because many condos and apartments do not have cooking facilities nor allow cooking so buying and eating out is what you do to live here for many. Napkins are the size of one sheet of toilet paper and most tp is thicker. Tuk tuks are everywhere and good for getting around.  Today is our third day here, we meet up with our fellow travelers - 45 in all - this AM and take a bus tour of Bangkok. Temp is in the 90’s midday but low humidity so not bad, no bugs to speak of. We have been enjoying a variety of Thai food, very good overall and not spicy, they can add heat if you wish.