Chiang Mai Thailand

After 5 hour bus ride north of Sukhothai I landed in Chiang Mai. I Hopped on a songthaew, which is like a tuk tuk only bigger, and then wondered around for a bit until I settled on a decent guest house for $6 a night.

There are a lot of temples here which means you see monks quite frequently.

These artists in the night market are amazing. I don't know if the picture does it justice, but I couldn't tell some of them were drawings even standing inches away.

A small part of the night market.


Seeing that Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains, I rented this hog for $3 for the day and headed for the hills.

First scenic view of Chiang Mai.

That's pure intimidation.

The higher up I went the smaller the road got.

Looking west from the top of Doi Suthep.

A small local Hmong village below.

I came across this awesome coffee shop and enjoyed the serenity for a while.

Looking down on Chiang Mai from another local Hmong village.

This little fella was in need of some company.

On the way back I had a bit of a mishap when I hit some loose gravel around a turn and did a few somersaults down the road. My worst fear was having to pay for the scooter, but the damage wasn't that bad. A broken mirror and a bent foot peg was about it. As for me......

Just a bit road rash. Don't worry parents I'll be fine.

After picking some gravel out of my hands and cleaning myself up I found a local shop that sold me a brand new mirror for $1 and they bent my peg back....Good as new!

Went back to the hills for some relaxation.

Nothing a waterfall and a Leo won't fix.

Out with some friends I met from Holland and Australia.

My last day was spent at this reservoir outside of town.

View from my tee pee.

Before I left town I went to the hospital to pick up some Malaria pills....let me restate that, I picked up some Malaria prevention pills for my travels through Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Next stop Chiang Khong, where I cross into Laos.

Sukhothai Thailand

Yet again having no arranged placed to stay worked out great. Sometimes you have to be on guard when you get off the bus because people will swarm you with promises of the best guesthouse in all of Thailand and it is far from it, but I took my chances on the first guy. It felt more like a bungalow on the beach....without the beach.

Personal porches and banana hammocks (he he)....but really hammocks made of woven banana leaves.

My crib.

Main strip in Sukhothai.


This goes out to all you people born in the year of the Rooster: '33, '45, '57, '69, '81, '93, and '05.

Sunsets are peaceful and powerful.


My roommate: he can stay as long as he likes as long as he eats mosquitoes and saves me 15% on my car insurance.

I don't think they follow the catch and release program here.

My first stop was Wat Mahathat in the old city. These ruins are of the capital of Thailand from 1238 to 1438 before it moved to Ayuttaya.

He does look like a content guy doesn't he?

Fun fact: Buddha's last name was Guatama.

Lotus

North side of Wat Mahathat.

The old city was turned into a very beautiful and relaxing park.

What a deal. 24 mini bananas for 50 cents.

The road less travelled to the outskirts of town.

Boyscouts reciting their pledge while raising the flag.

Last stop of the day was Wat Sa Si.

I enjoyed my last night in Sukhothai by treating myself to spicy papaya salad, Pad Thai, and chocolate ice cream for a bank breaking $1.50. Oh yeah and then an hour and a half message for $5. That might have to become a habit.

Ayutthaya Thailand

After being befriended and setup with a van by a very helpful Thai man, I arrived in Ayutthaya. I hadn't planned out where I was staying so I took the first Tuk Tuk to a guesthouse with a pool and for $8 I got my own room with a king bed.

Heading to my guesthouse in a Tuk Tuk.

I don't think this would fly in the states. It's like the kids have been doing it since they were born...oh wait they have.

After throwing my stuff in my room I rented this sweet ride to tour the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya.

First stop was Wat Mahathat. The tall space shuttle looking thing is called a prang and was only visited by the elite for rituals. In 1424 the King died and two of his sons met on the site of the wat to fight for the throne via an elephant duel. They both died and the third brother took the throne and ordered the building of the wat where his family was cremated.

People painting the prang.

A view from the top steps of the prang.

Heading down the very narrow and steep steps to see the treasures of the crypt.

Cruising to the next wat.

Another way to cruise the wats.

Chedi's at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet.

My favorite of the day, Wat Chaiwatthanaram.

The kids here are always eager to interact and play.

From the top steps of the center prang looking towards the chedi's and river.

Small offerings called Tsa-Tsas. The more Tsa-Tsas there are, the stronger the energy of the Stupa.

Before sweating it out on my bike again I grabbed a beer and tried learning some Thai phrases from the owners of this stop off. So far I have thank you, hello, goodbye, and one. Trying to pantomime please is a lot harder than you think.

Heading back for a swim.

my friends at the bus stop on my way north to Sukhothai. Everyone who has a dog or cat should tell them how lucky they are to not live in Thailand. These guys look really good compared to 80% of the "pets" I have seen. Most have no hair from scratching at fleas or have some kind of limp.