Exotic Adventure Continues

So how do you top an adventure such as I have been experiencing the past 6 months?  You go on another adventure, of course!  I met up with 3 wonderful ladies for dinner earlier this week; ladies who I had never had the pleasure of meeting in person and only one with whom I had "chatted" during the past year.  We had such a wonderful time talking not only about the diversity of our backgrounds, but the commonalities of the new independent women who have careers and take care of their families, but still find time for exotic adventures.  

We met up again for a dinner and cultural show in Chiang Mai and then made plans to visit the the Chiang Rai District with its Hot Springs, White Temple, Mekong River and Golden Triangle -- the confluence of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar -- and finally the Karen Long Neck Hill Tribe village.


What a day, and these are but a few of the wonderful sights from our excursion:

Would you believe a "no smoking" sign?  Cigarettes are being handed out by the devil...

Thai New Year

OMG!  Where do I begin.  I was told that Chiang Mai had best new year's festival, and when I asked my son, all he could say was, "you just can't imagine."  So I went to my friend's restaurant and after visiting for short time, Fon and I got on motor bike to visit her friend in Old City across the river.  I have never had so much fun in my life!  We, of course, had to go to Taipai Gate to buy water guns finally if only for defense, but then walking the streets was like every child's dream come true.  Thousands of participant having the biggest water fight in the world and I was in the middle of it.  Forget that half the buckets that were dumped on you were from garbage pails filled with ice chunks and water -- enough to wake you up and then some -- we gave as good as we got!  Here's just a short sample of some great scenes from the streets, and then a rather happy video that gives a good taste of traditional and modern celebrations -- just awesome.  Enjoy!