10/11

Hi Everyone,

As I have said Chaing Mai is the centre for the Loy Krathong festival and the locals are warming up nicely with fireworks and paper lanterns such as you can see above, they float them into the night sky to send away bad luck praying for good luck and blessings for the future. When hundresds of these lanterns are drifting into the darkness of the night it is a really spectacular sight and they seem to fly so high and far it is quite remarkable. The past few nights I have crossed the main road bridge, near to where I'm staying, and watched the local youngsters setting off all manner of fireworks and pyrotechnics that you can imagine. They are having an absolute ball with all of this and the sound of firecrackers going off is accompanied with almost continuous laughter, it is a very infectious atmosphere.

The celebrations continue until the full moon which this year falls on the 12th of November and is the 12th Lunar quarter of the year. I will be in Chaing Rai at this point so in order to celebrate in Chiang Mai I am being taken out by Pom and her friends, Ng, Meow (yes really) and Irin.

Doi Inthanon.

Pom booked me onto a 1 day tour which started from my Guest House, the tour guide, Ben, led me to a very nice mini-bus and then escorted our little group of nine people out of town. Stephane (Swedish not to be confused with my other buddy) and his wife were next to me and were good company throughout the day. We visited a couple of spectacular waterfalls before visiting a Hill Tribe where traditional weavers were working looms and making scarves and other household items such as bed covers and table clothes. The level of workmanship was very high and obviously items were there for sale. although the price was higher than on the street, it is nice to put the money where it is needed most, Ben probably got his cut, but that is the way of life here. The villages now grow coffee as this has become a subsedised crop to encourage farmers away from Opium. They are self sufficient in these areas and have not long had electricity provided to them which seems incredible to us, however, you have to smile because with electricity comes television and also a giant satalite dish for the locals! Lunch was taken at a local information centre and was really good, I have become accustomed to eating from the street vendors and have not yet been to any form of restaraunt, this was the closest I have got so far. With lunch over, and a cup of local coffee (which is lovely) we set off to the highest point in Thailand, the Doi Inthanon. The area is extremely well kept and houses Pagodas to the King and Queen respectively. The gardens are beautiful and in full bloom I expect they could be quite stunning. Fortunately for us the weather was just brilliant and I overheard one guide telling his patrons that it was unusual for the view to be so clear, it was impressive I have to say. If only I can find the pictures!! They are in a file somewhere, a safe place on the computer!

Walking around the terraces you could just drink in the vista like a quality wine, savouring every sip and relishing every drop, it was just fantastic. A fine conclusion to a nice day in good company, now, if only I can find those pictures!

Back at the guest House I had my instructions to meet the girls at 8.30 outside the Tourist Office just up the street. I showered and changed and made my way. It was just as well that I left as early as I did because the street I had to go down was as busy as Oxford Street on a Saturday afternoon. It was heaving with people, cars and motorbikes. With everyone in high spirits, fireworks exploding around you, lanterns being sent skywards, food stalls cooking every kind of dish, the aroma of curries, sweet dished, spices and herbs, drinks vendors and a stage with a live band playing, you may start to get some idea of what the atmosphere was like. I walked, dodged, ducked and dived my way along the riverside road and finally arrived with ten minutes to spare but it had taken me 35 minutes to walk half a mile tops. I knew coming to Chiang Mai was going to be worthwhile, but I never imagined it was going to be quite this good. It was all going off and it was fabulous to be here.

We had a really good night out eating at a traditional Larna house and having some equisite fish dish. we ended up drinking Thai whisky which is not quite like Scotch but beggars cant be choosers so I just got on with it and at the conclusion of the evening I left the girls and walked back to the guest house, got lost, found my way again and then stopped by the river bank chatting and laughing with some local lads who were still letting off copious amounts of fireworks. I finally got back at 2.30am but the explosions continued well past that point. I have had an exceptional time in Chiang Mai and I will be returning after I've visited Chiang Rai and Rai Seang Arun. Unitl next time.

See you later,

Chris