Thailand

The tourist van we rented. They actually let us drive it away ourselves....even though we drive on the wrong side of the road!

Elephant ranglin' in Ayutthaya

He was goin' for my wallet!

Ayutthaya has its own style...even the tuk-tuk's were different

Ruins at Ayutthaya Historical City. Built around 1350, destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. It's estimated that Ayutthaya, by the year 1600, had a population of about 300,000, with the population perhaps reaching 1,000,000 around 1700. Making it one of the world's largest cities at that time






Wonder how long that's been there?








He didn't look happy having his lunch interupted

After checking out the ruins we went for a boat ride on the river. The city is basically an island surrounded by the river. In the old days it was used as a defense system. The food was great, cooked on the boat, with a few cold Chang beers

We had a great time...especially after it got dark and our lovely captain ran out of diesel. We had to tie to a piling in the pitch black night, refuel with the spare can she had on board, and then bleed the system. She was worried. We told her she had three guys, all who had had boats, all with diesels, and all have run outta fuel in the dark! We just laughed and thought it was funny! Made her feel a lot better. Good thing I had a flashlight handy.

Giant Monk statue on the way to Sukhothai

Real live pig butt! A bunch of em, all numbered and ready for market

Now there's somethin' ya don't see everyday!

We stopped here for lunch. Chicken wings and beer!

Giant Golden Buddha on the way to Sukhothai

Had to maneuver our van down some pretty small roads to get to some of the temple cities

The ruins at Sukhothai and surrounding cities were just as impressive. A little older than Ayutthaya, around 1238, and spread out over a much larger area.
















I climbed to the top of one temple for pics. I asked first









The town was all decked out for a festival. Perfect time to be there!

Bring on the Festival!



Lots of fun, music, dance, food, and fireworks!



Headed out the next morning for Chiang Mai. Mostly superhighway, nice Morning Glory
Back in Chiang Mai. Spent the night, and then headed for Chiang Rai, and Ban Lao, where Nattaya's family lives

Breakfast at our guesthouse

Cute little car

Chiang mai is full of beautiful temples




Orchid nursery, Chiang Rai




Wat Tham Pla, the Fish and Monkey cave near the Myanmar border. They don't tell ya about the crocodiles!


Apparently the monkeys and crocodiles are pals



The 'fish' part of Fish and Monkey cave

The cave temple was wonderful, and quite the hike up the mountain.
400 of these.....

Which leads to this....

And gets you here. to the entrance

Buddha image in the cave


Buffet in Chiang Rai near my guesthouse. There's a new idea, pay by the minute!

Yum, live crickets, you could get them live, or have them deep fried.

I opted for the squid! Deeeeeelicious!

The roaches were next on the menu


The scenery on the way to Ban Lao

Thai Scarecrow

Back at my favorite restaurant, Haad Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai Beach)


Just tryin' to relax!

Great temple tucked away from the beach on a hill overlooking the river

Garlic fields outside Thaton, on the way to Fang

Hotel in Fang. Very nice, $15.00 a night!

Beautiful temple at Chiang Dao caves



Herb vendor outside Chiang Dao

Catfish pond, Chiang Dao caves

Entrance to Wat Tham Chiang Dao

The cave was great. 453 meters, many temples, bridges over streams, and stalactites


Back in Chiang Mai, temples everywhere!




Monkmobile




Beautifully carved and polished teak Buddha image




Kunan, or jackfruit. The tree is well suited to tropical lowlands, and its fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit, reaching as much as 80 pounds in weight, and up to 36 inches long and 20 inches in diameter.



And then it was on to Pattaya to wait for Ted to get his replacement Passport. Not exactly why I go to Thailand, but had never been and everybody said I should see it at least once. That was enough


Some cool cars

I asked for a half dozen oysters on the half shell. They were fresh, delicious, probably two dozen of them, and $3.00!

The duck was delicious too. Ate where the locals did, instead of the big seafood places where the clientele was mostly Russian! And the food rediculously overpriced

The beach was nice, but very touristy. And the umbrellas cost ya.

Went to the harbor. Lots of boat building

The yacht club and harbor were nice

Ouch!

Yacht club apartments at Ocean Marina Yacht Club

My Gucci motorbike to tool around on

There were a couple of nice temples up on the hill overlooking the city


The Chinese temple and gardens were truly beautiful.






As you can see, Pattaya is a large tourist beach town, lots of nightclubs, bars, and, well, rooms rented by the hour, if you know what I mean....and I think you do! Not really my 'cup of tea'. Onward to meet Ted and Nattaya in Ubon, and head to Lao

Bo, Kent, Eli and I gettin' a little downtime after Ted and Nattaya's wedding

Haad Chiang Rai

The 'Small River Shrimp' on the menu turned out to be REALLY Fresh!

I ordered 'em, I ate 'em.

Wat near Chiang Saen. 160 Buddhas

Downtown Mae Sai, Myanmar Border

Remains of 12th Century Temple, Chiang Mai

Every Temple Was Guarded By Nagas, Chiang Mai

Golden Buddhas, Grand Palace, Bangkok

Wat Chet Yot at sunrise, across the street from my guesthouse, Chiang Rai

Carved Teak Elephant, Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai

Local Critter, Tha Ton
This thing was the size of your hand with a long proboscus

Longtail Boat Trip, Kok River
From Tha Ton near the Myanmar border, downstream to Chiang Rai

Hand Carved Stone Elephants, Buddhist Monastery, Tha Ton

Real Elephants, Ban Ruam Mit, Kok River

I stuck out my hand and he put his trunk in it. I scratched him behind his ears, he lowered his head and rubbed up against my shoulder. Just like a big happy dog.

Haad Kruad Beach, Koh Phangan Island. Absolute Serenity.

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Center, Chiang Rai

Koh Tao Island

Giant Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, Koh Samui Island

Another View Of The Giant Buddha

Another Very Large Buddha

Koh Samui Yacht Club

Mexico? Koh Samui Island

Yum! Market at Mae Sai, Myanmar Border

Keepin' The Neighbors Out, Mae Sai, Myanmar Border

The Monk Who Blessed Me With Long Life and Happiness

My Favorite Restaurant, Haad Chiang Rai

Bob's Big Buddha, Tha Ton, Northern Thailand