A stop on the way to Chiang Mai. Bananas, bananas and more bananas.
They fry them up in all kinds of ways.
A batch in the fry pan ready to come out.
Driving into Chiang Mai we got stuck in the Songkran traffic.
No one is spared.
They wait for you on the side of the road.
Prepare to get wet.
Even the farangs (foreigners) get into the action.
Sim's cousin Mia
OK we are ready to go on our own Songkran adventure.
Drenched after just 2 blocks. Taking a break for coconut juice.
Take that!
No it is not raining.
Traffic is stopped for a drenching.
Even the cops get soaked.
Our driver Tee would stop at each group so they could throw water at us and we could return the favor.
He looks like he is having a great time. It was really fun. We spent a good 3 hours in the back of that truck.
Fried bugs. Water bugs, cricket, bamboo worms and big bugs?
Nun, Mee and Som's daughter has a fried meal worm.
I liked the Chinese looking woman with the Chinese sign in back.
This monk is barefoot.
A very popular shop. All these people are buying from this stand called Dumroung
Sim is buying stuffed sticky rice. Taro, Yam and Banana.
Kayaking on the river in front of the condo we stayed at.
At a dinner (Kantok) and show at a Thai Heritage Village.
The fingernail dance
Live singing and musicians.
Short love story called Noy Jaiya.
Tragic ending.
A guy with a lot of knives.
The candle dance.
Audience participation.
They look like they are having fun.
Bamboo dance. Hmong children
Very cute.
Srivichai drummer.
Lisu ladies.
Hmong
Mucer
Ginaree........Half human half bird.
A scary cow.
Scared this little girl badly. But she fought back.
Bamboo instruments.
Yao tribe.
Fire dance. Akha
Akha ladies sing and dance.
The rice dance.
Separating the bad from the good grains.
This temple is where people born in the year of the Dragon go to pray.
Not very active today.
We thought that monk was real, but he was not.
Wat Sing Woraviharn in Chiang Mai.
We stopped here on the way up to the Doi Suthep to pay respects to Kruba Srivichai.
Same place
The vendors are selling incense. lotus blossoms and marigold wreaths to place on the buddha.
View down at Chiang Mai. Kind of hazy today.
303 steps up to the temple at Doi Suthep
The temple grounds.
Really pretty here.
Sim poses.
Pouring water on the buddha image.
Sim takes her turn.
Emerald buddha.
Lots of bells to ring.
We walked around the temple ringing the bells. Started a tradition.
Sim gongs the big guy.
This one sounded sweet.
More bells.
And more.
And more
Yep. still hazy. You can just make out the airport in Chiang Mai.
Very ornate buildings
Lots of orchids up here.
A couple of kids having Hula Hoop fun.
Now we are at the winter residence of the King and his family.
This is the Kings home when he is here. Last time was 3 years ago.
Walkway up to the top of the property
Water source for property and grounds.
Bamboo.
This small patch of 30 stalks was 40 feet high and clacked in the wind.
The bamboo was about 12 inches in diameter.
It did clear up a bit in the afternoon.
Now I am at a Heritage Center were several tribes have setup as examples of how they live in their native lands.
Most of the houses are built up off the ground. They use a lot of bamboo.
This guy is shooting a cross bow. Wooden arrows with feathers. Pretty darn good at it too.
Woman drawing using a stick burned in a fire. Charcoal drawing.
Village street.
A water toy. As the stream hits a piece of bamboo, a striker hits another piece and plays a tune.
They grow their own rice.
They have a pretty big piece of land.
Rice paddy.
Padong lady weaving.
They hold tension on the loom by putting behind them and pushing with their feet.
A teenager
I think this girl was about 10.
Baby playing with a couple of baby owls.
Rocking her baby and selling handicrafts.
Ornate carts.
Corn mashing.
This woman was really going at it. She looked to be 80 year old.
Cattle grazing in the cabbage patch.
At the Central Shopping Center. They have an aquarium that is 10 feet high and 40 feet in diameter. There was a 40lb salt water grouper in there.
A few shots of the food court in Central shopping center.
The boys in brown take a break.
Yum
More eating
This looks good.
A very old wat in Chaing Mai.
One of the old temples Chiang Mai. Wat Lok Molee
Monks working
Wat Pa Poa for the Burmese people
Sim barely fits through the old entrance. It looks like it is about to come down too.
Kids in training to be Monks taking a break.
Part of the old fortifications for Chiang Mai.
Prow and Preaw
All the girls.
Another shot of the girls
Jim and the girls
One more time
OK everyone smile.
Sunrise in Chiang Mai
Sim likes to get up early. I am still in bed.
On the way to the airport. Lots of bikes on the road today and everyday for that matter.
