Thailand May 85

5/5/85

Here we are in Chiang Mai at last! Our itinerary didn't indicate that we would also land in Haadyai (twice due to lousy weather conditions we had to abort the first touchdown, then circle and try again) and Phuket on the way. It has been a long journey for us from Butterworth, and we don't have kids. We shared the bookings with 3 other teaching couples from Penang:
Roger and Robyn Stevens and their 3 boys Chris, Nicholas and Trent
John and Margaret Nichols and son Steven
Peter and Miriam Darlow and children Gareth, Simon and Briallen.

After collecting all the bags for everyone we shared transport to the Chiang Mai Guest House, 190 baht for a double room with air-con. 

6/5/85
We set off early to visit the home industries for which this region is famous.  We had negotiated with Danny, a local driver, to visit the different industries then the Buddhist Temple and a Mao Hill Tribe in a 4wd and minibus for all 15 of us at 400 Baht per vehicle. Our first stop was the Silverworks. While ornate and highly polished it didn't seem like a particularly healthy place to work with lots of chemicals.

Next was the Silk Factory where the dyes are natural and the young girls beautiful. There were many elderly women working the looms in this quiet workplace.

By contrast the Wood Carving workshop was incredibly noisy. I worried for the workers with so much noise and sawdust in the environment. 

By the time we finished at the Lacquer Ware we were ready for a lunch break. I'm sure the sign says corner store, certainly coca cola on sale.

The young boys enjoyed the trips between stops more than the stops themselves I think. Christopher loved Eric's hat. Next stop was the umbrella workshop which we found fascinating. Danny amused us no end pronouncing it the 'umbrella factory. We had never considered the fine workings of this simple,  everyday article until seeing it assembled piece by piece in this workshop. The colours were extraordinary and many of the designs so intricate, yet they applied them with what appeared to be just a simple flourish. The workers were happy to apply a motif to any personal bag, hat or in the case of this group the Stevens' pusher.  We arrived with no intention of buying an umbrella and ended up carting a huge café-sized one home! 

Next we visited a White Meo Hill Tribe village. The inhabitants originate from China living in isolated self-sustaining villages where they preserve their traditions and culture. The tribes wear gorgeous traditional embroidered costumes. Despite their primitive work conditions, they are skilled artisans creating woodcarvings, tapestries, silverware, patchwork, jewelry, needlepoint. The list goes on and on and so did the shopping opportunities and bargains. Around the village the hillsides are a mass of poppies, growing wild.

On the way home we visited the sacred temple of Wat Phra Thad Doi Suthep,  one of Thailand's most revered temples. It is situated on top of a mountain in a National park and leading up the mountain is a 300 step staircase. A naga (multi headed serpent) body on both sides of the staircase follows the staircase up the mountain. The multi head serpent head is at the base of the stairs. There are enough stairs here to test the fittest among us. 

Danny took us safely back to our lodgings in Chiang Mai after a huge day. We tipped him generously and shared a cool drink before dinner. Dressed in a new shirt bought at the Neo Village we ventured to the markets after dinner and managed to pick up one or two more bargains. 

Look at that hairdo - hasn't changed.

Day 2

Next morning we drove out to the Elephant Farm to spend time close-up to these massive creatures who seem to manage to step ever so lightly on the earth despite their size.  It was wonderful to see them free of chains and not being put through meaningless tasks for the entertainment of an audience, instead we got to go with them to the river for the morning wash and the children were encouraged to feed the younger ones. 

We had a picnic lunch and invigorating swim in the falls. Wish I had that thick and

wrinkled elephant hide right now!

In the afternoon we visited a fish Farm and an Orchid Nursery before returning to town in time for the cultural show at the Chiang Mai Cultural Centre.

A number of different hill tribes were represented on stage, each demonstrating their traditional dress and dance forms. They originate from Tibet, Southern China or Burma.

Day 3 Bangkok

7/5/85

After a night at the Beer Garden we left for Bangkok at 9am. Settled in to Viengtai Hotel and straight away met the travel bureau downstairs for the half day visit to the Rose Garden. The resort's central feature is a lake with beautiful gardens and a number of cultural shows including handicraft skills, Thai boxing, and sword fighting. There was also an elephant show. 

The kids in the group spent the afternoon in the pool and later we wandered the streets in the are not too far from the hotel. There was no shortage of things to buy.

8/5/95

We took a long boat tour to explore the canals and the communities that still live on them, right in the heart of the modern metropolis. It was a warts and all trip. 

Included on the tour was a visit to the Snake Farm. Not Libby's thing at all but Thailand calls itself home of the King Cobra.  There was a snake handling show and some terrible animal enclosures that were very depressing.

9/5/85

Another early start found the group at Wat Arun (the Dawn Temple) first thing in the morning. From the bus we took a boat across the Chao Phraya River and began the very steep climb. I've never seen steps so steep. It is an impressive temple in the Khmer pagoda style. Wat Arun was restored during the brief Thonburi period (1700's) to be the Royal Chapel of King Taksin.

Then we visited the Royal Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha which features some of the most spectacular architecture in South East Asia. The palace, begun in 1782, consists of several buildings all  with highly decorated architectural designs. It is dazzlingly spectacular, undoubtedly the city's most famous landmark. 

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The magnificent Royal Chapel, Wat Phra Kaew in the same compound enshrines the Emerald Buddha Image, most revered by people.

Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (officially known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Located within the grounds of the Grand Palace, it houses Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of jade. That's it in the picture top left, covered with gold leaf.

Days 6-9 Phuket

10/5/85

After all those tours it was high time we took some time out for relaxing on the beach. The views as we approached were fantastic. The days all rolled into one with glorious weather, beautiful beaches and plenty of alcohol. We met up with the Bourkies and Jack Fisher too so now there are a whole lot of new stories to begin.  Both the Stevens family and the Smiths booked into these new Thara Patong units (top right)just across the road from the beach. Bourkes were on the water's edge across the road. 

Across the road Bob was doing it tough under the shade by the pool. Our own reclining buddha. And Jack is already charming the local girls in singlet and thongs. Who could resist.

Nicho just couldn't resist the charms of the sellers on the beach who could be very convincing and had bargains galore. Anytime we sat on the beach we could buy the most delicious chilled fruit juices or beers. And jack turned up in a new design on a singlet every day. "How many beers Roger? Is that one or two" and Nicho scored another bargain just before the storm hit.

We summoned the energy to take a trip out to the fabulous kaarsts we had seen as we flew here. Each one is different and you cannot pick a favourite. We also took a look at a fishing operation that collects specimens for the aquarium market.   Snorkeling around in these waters was magic.

On another morning Bob, Eric and Libby tried their hand at windsurfing. I was too scared to fall in the water because of all the stinging jellyfish! Despite the grey skies our suntans got deeper and the sunsets were wonderful.