October 2014 – February 2015

Just Thailand for 3 months

Simple winter in South East Asia this year…
2 months in Chiang Mai and 1 month on Siboya.

October 29, 2014

Back in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Korean Air again this year. Love flying straight into Chiang Mai and by-passing Bangkok. So far they remain the only carrier transiting the Pacific and going into Chiang Mai.

We are once again back in Chiang Mai The Kantary Hills Hotel. This year we’re staying for 2 months. It is such an indulgence and continues to be great value at CA$ 60/N (monthly rate) The amazing buffet breakfast is always difficult to navigate without over indulging. The very well appointed A/C gym and the pool are both still first class and the entire hotel is still spotless. Daily maid service and fabbo linens are sublime.

December 7, 2014

Visa Run To Mae Sai

In the first week of December it was required that we do a border run to activate our 2nd 60 day Thai visa. From Chiang Mai the closest border is at Mae Sai on the border with Myanmar (Burma). We rented a Toyota Vios (sorta like a 4 door Yaris) and headed off driving on the wrong side of the road. 😎 Hit the road at 7:30am, got to Mae Sai about 11:30am and luckily found a street-side parking spot only 300m from the border bridge. Getting stamped out of Thailand, stamped in and then out of Myanmar, picking up a couple of Cuervos Gold at duty free and stamped back into Thailand only took 45 minutes. Back on the road for the 3 hour run down to Phayou. We came through Phayou last year and thought it would be a great little stop over. Our B&B was right on the lakeside walkway… a repurposed old house that a great 3rd floor double room with a huge terrace. A real nice place to chill.

Byron had recommended the lakeside So Good Restaurant a couple of kilometers around the lakeshore. Delightful location with the bonus of very good fare as well. Yes it was Soooo Gooood!

Next day was a leisurely 120k back to Chiang Mai.

December 18, 2014

Still in Chiang Mai

Already It’s only a week till Christmas, time just seems to evaporate. The main event to date was Loy Krathong on November 6th. The name could be translated “Floating Crown” or “Floating Decoration”, and comes from the tradition of making buoyant decorations which are then floated on a river. The candle venerates the Buddha with light, while the krathong’s floating symbolizes letting go of all one’s hatred, anger, and defilements. People sometime cut their fingernails or hair and placed the clippings on the krathong as a symbol of letting go of negative thoughts.

December 29, 2014

Back home in Siboya for a Month. 🕉

It’s always an logistical effort getting setup in Siboya, you can’t just go to town easily on an errand.

Chung has been working with Swiss Chris, trying to grow the idea of Tours that focus on Real Thailand in the south. The project seemed to have matured to the point that we were, 10 of us from Siboya, taken on a test run for feed-back.

It was a wonderful immersive experience in Real Thailand. 5 days and 4 nights of touring, sight seeing, eating at super restaurants. The photos below tell the story.