Chiang Rai - Bangkok Feb.14-20

Hello Everyone,
Sorry, but due to technical difficulties, we are unable to include pictures in this post.
After trekking through the hills of the golden triangle surrounding Chiang Rai, riding the elephants and browsing the night bazaar, we decided to fly further south to Chiang Mai.
Our 35 minute flight was quite exciting as we flew in a 16 seat Cessna through the mountains. Five passengers, a pilot and co-pilot were the only ones aboard. The flight was smooth and exciting as we flew through mountain passes. It was interesting to watch the pilots at work as we chose the two front seats directly behind them.
We stayed in Chiang Mai for three nights at a lovely resort just relaxing. Typically, people come to this part of Thailand to explore the hill tribe areas and ride the elephants. Since we had done all this in Chiang Rai, we chose to spend our days by the pool and our evenings wandering the night bazaar. We continue to restrain ourselves from buying anything as our backpacks are full enough.
From Chiang Mai, we took a five hour bus ride through the central plains of Thailand. This area is described as the country's "Great Rice Bowl", known for its agricultural abundance. Winding rivers cut through the rice fields and small villages and towns give a glimpse into Thailand's rural culture. The terrain is flat and the rice paddies endless.
We spent two nights in Sukhothai considered to be the birthplace of the first Thai kingdom in 1238.
We continued to head further south by bus and ended up in the city of Ayutthaya. This city was the capital of Siam from 1350-1767 when the capital was then moved to Bangkok. We arrived during a food festival when the streets were closed and a variety of Thai and Muslim foods were being cooked and sold. Can you believe we had pizza for dinner that night! We have been very diligent about not buying any street food after seeing it sit out in the hot sun for who knows how long.
A short two hour minivan ride brought us full circle back to Bangkok from where we had set out seven weeks previously. Although it was pouring rain, it was a welcome relief from the sunny blue skies and the 33 degree temperatures that we have experienced since leaving home.
Next stop, southern Thailand and the island of Samui.
Until next post,
Joan & Ross

Luang Prabang, Laos - Chiang Rai, Thailand Feb.8-13

   Hello Everyone,  We left the very busy streets of Hanoi and flew to the much more quiet town of Luang Prabang in Laos. The pace was slow, and the quiet atmosphere was very welcoming. Luang Prabang is filled with many temples or Wats as they are called here. Our hotel was directly opposite a Wat and early in the morning at about 6:30 a.m, we could go out on our balcony and watch the monks parade along the street  collecting their alms for the day (see last picture). The citizens would give them bread, rice and perhaps bananas and this is what they would eat for breakfast and lunch. This is not actually begging, but rather it is giving the people an opportunity to "make merit" which means an opportunity to do good. During the day, the monks would study or do chores around the temple. Studies included learning English and as you can see, Ross was right in there teaching them. They were very friendly and open to conversation with us. From Luang Prabang, we took an overnight bus to the border of Thailand. Let us just say that we have been on better cow paths!! The land was mountainous and rugged. The paved road was non existant and filled with pot holes. Never to be done again! After reaching the border we crossed the Mekong River into Thailand and took a bus to Chiang Rai. The next day took us into the hills where we visited the Karen, Akha and Lahu tribes of the Golden Triangle. Our guide was a member of the Karen tribe and took us to his home to meet his family. You can see his mother-in-law and grandaughter in the picture to the left. The Karen tribe runs an elephant conservation camp and so we had the opportunity to see many elephants and ride on one for half an hour. Believe me, half an hour is long enough. Although these animals are very gentle and graceful for their size, the movement of their shoulder muscles jostles you from side to side. It was, however, an opportunity not to be missed. We also trekked up the mountain to a lovely waterful and took a refreshing break. The forest was filled with bamboo and the canopy provided a cover from the sun. After such an exhausting day we headed to the night market for dinner and some much needed protein. Yes, it is true, bugs of all sorts and sizes are readily available for eating. We just didn't have the nerve! After Chiang Rai, we will be heading to Chiang Mai..........I think we'll fly! Until the next post, Joan & Ross                                                 

Hoi An to Halong Bay (Hanoi) Jan. 31 - Feb. 7

Hello Everyone,
On our last day in Hoi An we rented bikes for a dollar each and rode five kilometres to the beach. We have to work off those spring rolls somehow! Lining the beach were several large wicker baskets with a seat which are used for fishing. It is quite a sight to see three men sitting in a tub fishing and bobbing around.
As we rode through the village, all the little children would yell hello to us. We stood and chatted to the little ones in the picture. They wanted to practise their English by counting numbers. So Ross held his fingers up and started counting and they repeated. Beyond that, they didn't know how to say anything else but their English was far better than our Vietnamese. They were all smiles when we asked if we could take their picture.
We rode home alongside rice paddies and decided to take a closer look. It wasn't long before the owner of this rice paddie came along and wanted me to help him plant. But first he wanted me to look the part and so took the hat off his head and put it on mine.
Planting rice is not very difficult. You simply take a small stalk and stick it in the mud. However, the longer you bend over in the blazing sun, the harder it becomes - a backbreaking job!. The water is shallow and very warm.
From Hoi An we took a four hour bus trip further up the coast to Hue where we stayed for a couple of days. The scenery was very picturesque and the landscape was quite mountainous. Hue owes its' charm partly to its' location on the Perfume River. There is no shortage of palaces, pagodas, tombs and temples to see. We spent a rather hot morning exploring the moated citadel and the "Forbidden Purple City", home to emporers and their court until 1947. Unfortunately many of the buildings were destroyed in the French and "American Wars". Many American military tanks etc. were on display with the date on which it was captured.
From Hue we flew to Hanoi the most northerly point we will get to in Vietnam. Hanoi is another large bustling city. We are staying in the Old Quarter which is steeped in history, pulsating with life, bustling with commerce, buzzing with motorbikes and rich in exotic scents. The streets are narrow and congested and hawkers pound the pavement. The best way to see Hanoi is to walk and to soak up the sights, sounds and smells.
After experiencing this bustling city we decided to escape to the serenity of Halong Bay, a three hour drive to the coast. Halong Bay was designated a World Heritage Sight in 1994. Words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that this area is. Close to 2000 limestone karsts rise up out of the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. These tiny islands are dotted with grottoes created by the wind and waves and have sparsely forested slopes.
We booked a two night, three day cruise on a chinese junk to soak in the peacefulness. We decided to book a small ten cabin junk  because we didn't want to be with a large group of people. However, because we were the only ones booked on the boat, we were moved to a two suite more luxurious junk. Imagine our surprise when we found out that we would be the only ones on that junk. For three days we lived like the rich and famous on our own private junk with a huge suite equipped with its' own jacuzzi. We relaxed, kayaked through the grottoes and bays and forgot about the hustle and bustle of Asia which seemed like a million miles away.
The meals which were prepared for us were extraordinary and the presentation of each of the seven courses was like nothing that we have ever seen before. Cucumbers became flowers, peppers became candle holders and pineapples turned into lanterns. It was an amzing three days!
Tomorrow we fly to Luang Prabang in Laos for a few days.
Until the next post - Joan & Ross