The Happenings in Thailand

Much has happened since we last posted a message. A trek in Chiang Mai ("Oh my buddha"); a few days at an organic farm in Pai (Gene wants to go back); an overnight train to Bangkok where Gene got sick and we only saw the inside of the hospital (Gene does not want to go back) and a street filled with prostitues (can anyone say sex tourism??). We did however arrive in Southern Thailand a few days ago and everyone is happy and healthy. We did some sea kayaking, saw a floating village, visited "James Bond Island" from the movie Man with the Golden Gun, and are currently enjoying the beaches. We have hit up two so far: Rai Lay West near Krabi and Long Beach in Ko Lanta. They have both been beautiful, with pretty beaches and warm turquoise water. We are really kicking it back now. Doing some yoga by the ocean, getting Thai massages, playing chinese checkers on the beach, 5pm dip in the pool. Tomorrow we leave for Ko Phi Phi where we will meet my parents. I will be posting more pictures in the near future.

Bye-bye Chiang Mai. Overnight train to Bangkok.


Hehe.


Us with the owner of the farm, Sandot

Back at the farm

Sunset at the Canyon

At the Canyon



Cool art gallery




Hippy town of Pai

That's one saggy bottom!

Eating out of bamboo plates. All utensils are carved from bamboo.



By the fire at night

Our open-air bathroom. Too much fun.

The owner of the farm had two pet pigs: Crispy and Bacon.

Views while riding around

We rented a scooter for a couple of days. It was so cool!

The kitchen and communal area

Outside our hut. It is designed after the Tai tribe (originally from China).


Our hut.



View from the farm. It grows mangoes, papaya, banana, coconut, rice, and coffee.

We spent two nights on an organic farm outside Pai. This is a swing that the owner, Sandot, built and one of the huts.

Never seen such a selection of bugs....I believe the top right are cockroaches. All together now: ewwwwwwwww!


Chiang Mai local night market



I don't have a tripod, so excuse the fuzziness, but that is the moon with Jupiter and Venus below. Crazy.

This a picture of a picture of us white water rafting. Gene is front left, I am middle right -seconds before I fell out. Only me and the girl next to me fell out. I still don't know how we managed that.

Next day. Trek down the moutain.



One of our crazy tour guides, blowing bubbles through the stem of a plant. See his glasses?

Local

The large hut in the village on top of the mountain

In the bush.







Gene took the guide's machete!

On our 4 hour trek up a mountain

Getting fed. They reach up with their trunks sniffing you out for the bananas.


Bebe



We had the largest (read: highest off the ground) elephant

Baby elephant drinking water

Our two day trek begins with riding and feeding the elephants, Chiang Mai

A monk ceremony



A trunk full of durian. Seen them but still have not smelt them.




Walking around the gate, Chiang Mai

A true cook.