just got back from a 2 day trip to Thaton, up North, close to the Burmese border, where Boons dad had hoped to find a wise old Monk from his past, to get advice on the auspiciousness of the upcoming business with Boon.

i just went to extend my travel knowledge of thailand and so glad i did. For me the area we stayed in was the most beautiful i have seen so far, talk about heaven on earth!

Boons dad travelled up by bu, whilst Boon and myself went on the JRD.

the ride up took about 4 and a half hours, with a couple of rest stops and the scenery all the way up was such , that i was in a constant state of 'WOW'.

I'm going to have to repeat the journey in the future and allow myself more time. there was so much to take in and i could easily have stopped every five minutes to check things out, but then we'd have never got to Thaton.

actually we were heading for Mae Ai, a village about 10 km before Thaton, but when we got there we couldnt find a guest house , so went on to Thaton.

we found a guesthouse close to the river and overlooked by the Chinese style temple on the hill behind.

arriving at around 6pm after the long ride we spent the evening chilling at the guest house and i got a lot of writing done too. its a quiet village and not exactly much in the way of nightlife.

the next morning Boons dad went on to mae sai, whilst Boon and I stayed to check out the Temples and the stunning views.

whilst waking up i took a walk to the river bridge to get some photos and was accosted by a group of Hilltribe ladies selling their wares.

i thought i did ok , buying a few small things and keeping the price down.

back at the guest house there were more hilltribe ladies and then a group of hilltribe girls, constantly calling to all the guests,'hey hey, buy wan buy wan'.

softy that i am i ended up buying a couple more friendship bracelets and then another one from a Hilltribe boy that caught me a little later, lots of souveniers of Thaton, which i dont mind.

we then took a walk up to the Chinese Temple behind the guesthouse, before going back for the bike to ride up to the other Temples along the mountain ridge.

i'll let the photos do the talking on that.

we had a bit of a hold up as we began to ride up the hill when i attempted a gear change and stalled the bike. had to roll it back down and try and restart, which i couldnt. thinking that i had flooded the engine we went for a sit down by the river for 20 minutes or so. when the bike still wouldnt start i began to get worried we we gona be having to find a repair shop, when i discovered the actual problem. someone, either one of the kids or maybe one of the others staying at the guest house, had turned the fuel off. doing my best to see the funny side of it, we carried on with our trip up the hill.

a couple of hours later at around 2pm, we started our trip back.

we were both very tired and the return journey took a little longer and we also changed our plans twice along the way.

earlier we had met a hilltribe guide who told us about a homestay in an original hilltribe village and we did consider taking a slow ride back and stopping there for a night before continuing back home. at a stage where we are watching the pennies, concern that, once there, we might spend alot more money than the 350 bht for the room, made us change to maybe checking out Pai on the way back and just finding the cheapest guesthouse we could find.

in the end, with lots i need to be getting on with here we ended up just keeping on back home.

it was the JRDs first major trip and i enjoyed it most well:)

 

 

another good day.

went out to San Khampang Hot Springs, stopping at Phon-on cafe and chatting to the lady there about the possibility of doing business, not giving too much away here but it was a good meeting as far as i was concerned.

after having some very good food there we went on to the Hot Springs, getting there at around 11.30. The landscaping that tghey were in the middle of last time we visited, has now been finished and as well as more floral gardens, there is now a hot stream where many people were sitting bathing their feet.

we spent some time in the mineral water pool and i had a very good foot massage.

after finding a quiet spot for coffee and some book reading we headed off at around 4pm.

on the way back we took a detour to find a Phrathat we saw from the main road, sticking out of the trees at the foot of the nearby mountains.

it took a while to find but we made it , and for me it was worth the journey.

such a beautiful and peaceful spot and the Temple close by, Wat Janta Dhamma Raeng Sri was stunning in its decoration.

we also stopped off at yet another Phrathat close to Wat Doi Yow, which is also off the main road to the left, just before the right hand turn to San Khampeang town.

its been a year and two days since i first came to thailand and still the beauty i keep finding , continues to take my breath away.

The rice fields we past showing lush deep bright greens , in the glorious Thai sunlight; the mountains covered in darker green trees; the village roads with their Palms and splashes of bright pink flowers, and yellows and darker reds; the many Temples, Phratats and Buddha images and not to miss out the many sunbirds gathering on the electric cables to burst into song as the sun went down in the distance; and that sunset...ahhhhhh.

 

the heat is building up again:)

missed the childrens day party in the village as it was on in the morning and we had a late start today. but we were told that the bike has gone to a burmese child from a poor family in the village, which makes me happy.

Been to the secondhand bike market today to take Son to buy a bike, so he doesnt have to keep borrowing ours. his purchase.

he's happy now with his honda Wave 100cc, bright red and pretty fast judging by how quick he got back here.

its the last day of the cold season fair today when they apparently aim to give all the prizes left in the fishing numbers stand, so we're going back one more time.

 

thai time is very much like welsh time, slowly, slowly. but thats ok things are at least moving forward.

hopefully found premises for our business. i'm not committing myself before having spoken to my thai legal advisor, and hes not free till wednesday, but the landlord seemed to understand and will hopefully keep the place for us.

the new website is also taking time to set up because i need to get the premium option to make it work like i want it and for that i need a checking account. hopefully sort that out on monday.

had a good day today.

first off we took the bike that boon won down to the shop, we have decided to give it to the childrens day party in the village, which is actually tomorrow, but have stipulated that it should go to a child that could otherwise not afford it.

we then went to Wat Mai Huay Sai, the other Temple close to us, where we made merit with the head monk there and he blessed us and the new motorbike.

after Boons guitar lesson, we went first to Central , to check out the childrens day celebrations, and tghen took a ride up Suthep to check out what is past Doi Suthep. we made a short stop at Bhuping Palace, or at least, the market area outside of the Palace grounds, where we had food and bought a shirt each. the clothes were very good value, whereas the food, as is often the case, world over, was clearly set at tourist rates.

it was then even further up the mountain to Doi Pui village. the chopper handled it well, although i have to admit to stalling on a couple of the steepest inclines , simply cos i'm still getting used to changing down gear fast enough at the appropriate times.

that was a bit of a let down for me. its a beautiful place, so high in the mountains, with stunning views and they have a beautiful garden by a small waterfall but the village centre has been turned into a tourist bazaar, which blighted it for me. still worth the trip.

on the way up we followed a taxi bus which had a young hilltribe boy riding at the back, dressed in traditional costume and giving me the warmest smile.

im happy to say i caught up with him at the village and he happily posed for a photo.

back home now for a quiet night in.

 

 

just got set up on broadband at long last so should be able to get working on my other website, 'budgettravelthailand', for which i will put up a link in the future when its properly up and running.

 

well its been a good day. i said it was lucky this morning after a chance meeting with the brother of Boons guitar teacher, who turns out to run a firm that could well be useful in joint venture with our furniture business and as his firm is already well established in Chiang Mai, with government contracts, the connection could be very useful indeed.

having also found what we hope to be our premises in the afternoon, on a high i agreed to take Boon back to the cool season fair and we came away with 3 teddy bears and a push bike and only spent 400 baht, about 6 pounds. Boon immediately suggested that we give the bicycle to the Hill Tribe children, which i think is a great idea.

check photos for Boon with his prizes, oh and my JRD at home:)

 

well, been out and about on the JRD today with boon riding pillion. wish i'd got one a long time ago now, and my bum feels so much happier now:), its well comfy.

good news is that we may have found good premises for the business. trying to get through to the owners now to arrange to see inside tomorrow if possible.

 

dont know what i was so nervous about, just that i'd never ridden a bike with a clutch before i guess. but having driven a car since i was 17 i shouldnt have worried so much, same principle.

only went down the village to get fuel but even that was quite enjoyable.

about to take boon into town for his guitar lesson and then might go for a ride in the countryside to get more used to it,but on first impressions i like it most well. the engine sound reminds me of amsterdam trams for some reason:).

will take better photo of it now its actually here.

 

so it appears that the rumours were just that, rumours.

life goes on , the cool season appears to be slowly easing off so its not so cold at night.

judy got in a scrap with the dog opposite us and came off worse with cuts round her eyes which are now a bit pussey. keeping an eye on it and will go get antiseptic cream later. she keeps coming for sympathy which she gets but doesnt really deserve as it was her who started the fight.

and at long last we've started to get serious on the business front, been out san sai way today looking for premises.

that was after i went and purchased my new bike, a JRD 150cc chopper, which should be turning up any moment.

will put up photos from the last few days later on once i have one of the bike:)

 

nothing doing with any coup so far, think its all hot air.

no signs of a coup yet.

mind you we havent been to town today yet. 10am

 

so Boons dad has now gone back to bangkok, promising to return in 3 months.

hope alls well when he gets to bangkok as rumour has it that there may be another coup in the offing.

watch this space for any news from chiang mai.

intro: i hope to post in here daily, either my own deeper thoughts or quotes that strike accord with my psyche.

 

jan 4th 2007 ...... 'life is no brief candle for me. it is a sort of splendid torch which i have got hold of for the moment, and i want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations'....george bernard shaw

 

jan 5th 2007...... a path with no hurdles to overcome, no walls to break down, no bridges to cross, no mountains to climb, will teach you nothing and lead you nowhere....... john cope

 

jan 6th 2007....'guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life'....luke 6:45

 

so after waking up with a whiskey headache it was breakfast again, thai sausage, barbied pigs nose, nam pik and sticky rice,mmmmmmm.

then it was off to see Boons younger brother Bawn. Boons uncle who was acting father to his brother and there last time, unfortunately died earlier in the year.

his wife has a new partner who was busy pouring out a fresh brew of local liquer.

it was good to see Boons dad having a good chat with Bawn, still a young teenager and in need of some support i think.

boons dad assured him that if there are any problems then he can either come to us in Chiang mai or go and stay with his dad in bangkok.

we stayed there a while before going onto another friend of boons dads where out came more food and whiskey.

this was a set of three traditional thai wooden houses, which always impress me.

as usual the welcome was warm and universal.

after an hour or so there we returned to the family home before Boon, myself , Atit and family went to Atits mother-in-laws for her birthday party.

she turned out to be a lovely lady who clearly enjoyed her party and was very happy when boon and i returned from a trip down to tescos with a big brthday cake.

she and her family run a tobacco operation. a tall brick building at the bottom of the garden, about 12 ft square and 30 ft high, houses about 500 kiklos of tobbacco leaf at a time hanging and drying by the heat of 3 fires fed from the outside with pipes running inside to conduct the heat.

there were several people there, again sat in a circle on the floor around the feast, this time korean style barbeque pork and veg.

again i was persuaded to join in the drinking and got steadily merry.

the party went on til around midnight when we drove the short distance home and retired to bed.

next morning after breakfast, boon, myself and his father were driven to the bus station by Atit and family and we got the local bus to Chiang Rai.

the only available bus back home was a green fan bus which was packed leaving poor Boon standing for much of the journey.

we had had a long wait to during which wevisited a friend of Boons dads in chiang rai where boon and i napped whilst his dad and friend chatted.

our bus left at around 4 and we were back in chiang mai for about 8.30pm.

Boons has stayed for a couple of days. we took him to huay tung tao yesterday with son.

that was nice too, when we got back from chiang rai, Son and his girlfriend had food waiting for us and also presented me with a very nice vase as a new years present.

boons taken his dad to book a bus ticket back to Bangkok and also take him to Wat Suan Dawk.

 

 

 

so its a new year. been offline for a while, partly because of the earthquake in Taiwan that disrupted the internet service out of Thailand and partly because we went up to Maesai to Boons family house to celebrate the new year with his family.

we left here on saturday.

chiang mai bus station was packed but we managed to get tickets on an air con bus that left at 11.25am and had us in chiang rai by 3.30pm.

we then got a local bus to maesai, we had to stand all the way for the one and a half hour journey. new year is quite a major thing hear and many thais travel miles to be home with their families.

luckily the maesai bus passes boons family house and we got off opposite and arrived to a warm welcome by all the family.

after a short time i was privileged to be part of a small ceremony where the children of the family are welcomed back to the house and fears and worries are 'blown' away.

all three sons present and their partners had pieces of white string tied around their wrists by both parents and grandparents who uttered special prayers as they tied the strings and Boons uncle performed the 'blowing' away worries and fears.

it was very moving and emotional, both Boons parents and his other brothers in tears.

the amazing thing for me is that the mild anxiety attacks i've been having since my fever during the last visit to maesai did indeed seem to be

blown away and i have been clear of them ever since that ceremony.

there then followed a big feast of pork, chicken , rice, nam pik and other traditional thai food, washed down by much beer and whiskey. whilst i did partake in the drinking to be polite i did so very carefully and made each drink last as long as possible , so i didnt get too drunk.

althiugh i did have to excuse myself for a lie down to prevent myself reaching that point.

the next day involved breakfast at the family house, more chicken, fried pork, sticky rice, nam pik, fried vegetables and thai curry, more than enough to last me through the day.

we then went off to vist more family, including Boons dads brother,(i say this because uncles are so often just close friends but this one was the genuine article).

when we arrived there were already many people there sat in a circle around another feast of barbequed pork and more whiskey.

got my first glimpse of a pineapple field there.

after what seemed like a couple of hours there we moved on to another of Boons dads friends a few miles down the road at a village shop.

more whiskey , chat and yet more food was brought out. i did have to decline the food having stuffed myself with pork at the previous stop.

then it was on up to an isolated pineapple farm set up in the hills in an idyllic setting, whic can only have been even more beautiful before much of the forestation was chopped down.

another warm welcome and another feast appeared. i got much appreciation from our hosts as i tucked into the local food without hesitation.

including kaow lam, which is rice packed into a bamboo tube, mixed with cocnut milk and sugar and cooked for an hour or so by placing the tubes next to an open fire. and i can confirm that its delicious:)

when we had set out in the morning the sun was up and the heat high, so i wore only a shirt on my upper body; as our visited stretched out , the evening drew in and i ened up sat as close to the kaow lam fire as possible as it was well cold, especially being up in those hills.

we finally managed to persuade Boons dad to come away and we drove back to the family house hwere boons brother4 and his wife were waiting.

then boon, myself , Atit , his wife and son,Kin, went into maesai to see in the new year, whilst dad went to bed.

there was a big street market in maesai and after a walk around that we went to one of the karaoke bars to wait for the midnight moment.

it wa salot more subdued than i expected with a simple countdown and a few fireworks going off, but overall it counts as one of the best new years that ive ever had.

and there was more to come of this visit which i'll fill in later.

for now i just say

happy new year and may you have a good one:)