Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Oct. 12-22, 2006) I wouldn't say that Matt and I kissed the ground when we landed back on Thailand's soil but it was something spiritually close to that. First thing we did wasindulge ourselves in our Bangkok vices, mall and movie. It is sad to think at 30 I've bec ome a full fledged mall rat. I thought those teenage days of roaming around the malls in search of boys and a hot dog on a stick were over. Apparently not. I at least like to console myself with thinking I am indeed doing something that is truly a Thai passtime. When in Rome do as the Romans, right?

We made tracks for Chiang Mai in the northern province of Thailand. It was nice to be able to walk freely again without the nagging guilt of hawkers. Tuk Tuk drivers are a pushover compared to Cambodia and Vietnam rickshaw guys. Chiang Mai's draw is the majestic mountains, hill tribes and the golden triangle. We were both feeling a bit off since we left Cambodia so instead of spending three days in the jungle trekking we decided to take it easy and try for just a day outing. For about 20 bucks each we rode bare back on an elephant, hiked to a waterfall, got tossed out of our rubber raft in a swollen rapid river, balanced our bodies on a bamboo raft and finished up with a visit to a bejewelled hill tribe. It was just the right speed for us. Our guide, Danny Boy, cracked himself up which in turn cracked us up. He showed just the right amount of what he called, "magic" to make the trip a worthwhile adventure.

We took destiny into our own hands and rented a motorscooter for the day on Thai Sunday Funday. We powered our little green machine up into the hills to visit a temple and the royal summer home. It was glorious to go at our own speed and to zig zag through traffic. Our last day in Chiang Mai we spent taking a Thai Eating Class. We didn't learn to cook as much as we learned how to throw pre-chopped veggies into a scorching wok, add fish sauce and sugar to make just about any combination of Thai delicasy. Had we been thinking like true budget travellers we would have scheduled the class for the first day and had enough free food to eat for the rest of the week.

Just as we were leaving Chiang Mai by plane a stork visited our friends Eric and Debbie in Phuket delivering a healthy, albiet wee lad Roam. I was tickled to be able to get some newborn time. While the new parents recovered at the hospital Matt and I scooted around to all our favorite spots in Rawai. It felt good to go "home." Being away for a month we could see the subtle differences of the area as the Thais braced themselves for the high season. The winds changed direction and the ocean became a vast flat clear lake. The beach itself was more colorful with the addition of countless umbrellas and lounge chairs. The roads were becoming more congested with scooter traffic. It was good to see the alteration but even bette to know we were leaving before it engulfed us too.