A S I A 1 0 * Chaing Mai trip. Oct 22-25.

New and I went up to Chaing Mai Oct 22-25. Chaing Mai is the largest northern Thai city and it even has cold weather sometimes. It is very near the Golden Triangle, Burma, and Laos.

Went to Chaing Mai this weekend as it was a 3 day weekend with King Chula day on the 23rd. New and I utilized the free ticket I had won from a 'sexy dance contest'. The other ticket was 3300baht. It is a 55 minute flight-not long at all.

The first thing we did was get a 250cc dirtbike for 3 days at 1500 baht ($35). We made a 3 hour 180km journey up to Chaing Rai in time for the night bazaar there. It was much smaller but some similar products. We stayed at the Ben Guest house-highly recommend it.

Then next day we drove the windy mountain back roads to Doi Tung, a garden and in the hills and the highest city in Thailand. The kings mother also had a summer house there that over looks the gardens below which we got to tour. From there we went to Mae Sai and the most Northern point in Thailand where we walked over into Burma.

It wasn't much different as they sold mostly Thai products. I bought a Mymar Lager Beer for a souvenir. Burma seemed a little more advanced than Laos, and a great place to visit to be sure you aren't around any tourists. From there we drove to the golden triangle, where Laos, Burma and Thailand meet on the Mekong river.

Then next day we drove aimlessly and ended up at this Akah hill tribe. One of the villagers who was educated and owned a truck, started up a guest house there and provided tours of the area. The villagers did not speak much Thai, and they learned English from one foreigner who had been living there for over a year. The houses all had straw roofs. They survived on what they grow and build what the have. There were many little kids in the village who run around fearlessly. If I had a change I would go back and stay at the guest house for a while, it was probably the most minimal real life setting I've seen.

After that we went back to Chaing Mai. I have to say, I wasn't all that impressed with the actual city of Chaing Mai. The city was large and had plenty of traffic problems. As for going there to get cheaper products, there is some possibility for that, but it is not everywhere. I think I saw about 20 unique shops, and all the rest of the night bazaar could be found in Chaduchk market in Bangkok. Very touristy city, with all the tour busses.

The other thing to watch out for is the "factory" tours. We got a 100 baht tuk tuk ride which we thought was a deal since this tour operator lady was going to charge us 500 baht. But then we realized the guy gets a commission and these places are designed to sell the products. We went to about 6 "factories" and saw how they make silver bowls and murals, silk, jewelry, umbrellas, and laquerware. Then they take you inside and a sales person follows you around the store waiting for you to buy something.

That night we met this guy Dennis Pecock who had walked from the southern point of Thailand to the Northern point of Mae Sai. About the distance from Texas to Minnesota. He had picked up a Monk along the way who joined him in his walk. You can read more about this guy here.

New and I on the way to Doi Su Tep.

The temple and Naga Buddah on top of Doi Su Tep.

The gardens at Doi Tung, north of Chaing Rai.

The $5 passage in to Burma.

Golden Triangle and the Northernmost point in Thailand. Mai Sai.

The Akha hill tribe, complete with guest house.

A one room jungle school house, even had farang teacher.

Some guy going Thai style.

Two shy kids in the village.

The street in Burma.