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jizzybloke

^^They look more normal there, cheers.

Mathos

I thought I would finish off the Laos section this evening with a few more photographs from the villages and that would hopefully enable me to show you some really different photographs over the weekend, from a couple of nice places we put our heads down in Northern Thailand, before trying to meet up with Vladimir, a good old friend of mine who lives in the north.

It should make for some interesting reading for you.

The pig and her young 'un' below living under the house really make a great shot, then below to the two lying out in the mud hole complete with their own bicycle tyre for company, they probably ate the bike. What appears to be a human foot on the left hand side of the photograph is probably, (hopefully) a sole from a flip-flop, but I am not able to guarantee that.











They all look happy pigs though, don't they.

__________________
All the women take their blouses off
And the men all dance on the polka dots
It's closing time !

Mathos

The photograph above was taken outside one of the village homes, once again there was little to see regarding any sparks of enthusiasm for existence at all.

It is sad.


This next photograph was The Teachers Staff and main teaching room at a local school.

The teachers:-

1.The lady on left, elbow on table and hand supporting her chin.

2. The gentleman sat down opposite her in white shirt.

3. Lady next to him with pony-tail, white blouse and green jacket which I assumed to be acting as a bib or blouse protector of some sort.

4. Chap at top of table in blue T Shirt.

The remainder as far as I could establish didn't really do anything, and were either, hangers on or relatives who had brought the meal to the school.

The chap to the right with eyes closed and wearing a leather type jacket and brown hat was of Thai origin. He was called AOT, he spoke excellent English and furnished me with good information regarding places I intended visiting in the North of Thailand which were well off the normal routes.

The main building was brick, with timber window shutters, (no glass) corrugated tin roof on simple timber and a concrete floor.
Apparently it had been built and originally used by American Forces during the war, it had come under heavy attack from the NVA towards or at the end of the war and the building in general still bore the marks of the gun fire which had resulted in The Americans pulling out by helicopter, I was informed.

Mathos

Another sky dish for you hear Jizzy, floor mounted this one.


As you can see they have very little at all to write home about, I have travelled well in this country for over twenty years, also Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma.

Cambodia is steeped in horrendous memories of the Pol-Pot era and I will be covering the same with some spectacular photographs etc. in due course, and assuming the interest is still apparent.

Burma is steeped with atrocities of a so called war, raping, pillaging, destruction of homes, burning of crops, refugee camps and worse.

Laos, has suffered badly in many ways during the American/Vietnamese war especially.

Out of all the countries mentioned, it would appear to have perhaps suffered badly but suffered the least badly, but the scars of suffering appear deeper and more effective to the population.

What on earth will these children be doing in ten years from now I wonder.

Mathos

Well I think that I have given you enough information and photographs on a few Laotian towns as could be required.

Whilst scanning through the photographs I came across a beauty from another part of Thailand, some of you may well have visited.

Please let me know if you recognise this place. I will write up on the same at a later date, it is in a very popular tourist part of Thailand.






It was indeed a very beautiful place and the photographs do not really do justice to the real beauty of the same, they are a good teaser though.






There really are some beautiful and spectacular places to visit in Thailand..

Thank you Thailand.

jizzybloke

Ok Ok thank you very much, i have said before i have my special moments!

Mathos

I thought I would show you some snaps from a small place we stayed at north of Chiang Rai. We only spent a night there, but it was superb.

Especially after a couple of the flea pits we stayed overnight in during our visit to Laos.

The Due Doy Suay Resort situated between Chiang Rai and Mae Sai.































Du Doi Suay Resort - Online Booking!


We managed to get a brilliant room including breakfast for Baht2000. It was wonderful value for money.

The prices shown in the brochure and on line are much higher. Try to deal it almost always pays off.

friscofrankie

I've driven by this place dozens of times. always looked appealing.
Love your pics of Laos. I might have different views on the cause, and ramifications, of the condition of Lao people than you, but I find myself waiting up for your next pic and commentary.

Mathos

Friscofrankie (Is Ff OK to use) thanks for your comments, appreciated.

Isn't it grand that we can all beg to differ, it sure makes life more interesting.

I have some really great photographs to come and hopefully some really interesting commentary with the same.

Bear with me though, I have a tendency to meander. However, I get it all down at the end of the day.

Jizzy, do you mean you don't want me to point out any more of those fancy dishes for you?

friscofrankie

I've been called worse

Mathos

I thought it might be appropriate to talk about some of the houses for sale in the Chiang Mai area.

I think the properties in general for the money are an absolute steal. Pity ownership cannot be a straightforward issue.







There are mobile home parks in the UK selling what amount to "big caravans"
for much more than the price of these beauties.



I think I have some snaps of other sites too, I'll have a look and stick them on if I can find them.

If I don't manage it now it will be over the weekend though.




Both of these were well below a hundred grand (GBP)

You can't get a two up two down terrace in the back streets of a city area for that.

Mathos

All of the properties I am showing were well below a hundred grand (GBP) some as low as fifty.















Ok back to the thread tomorrow.

Goodnight folk.

Mathos

Right I've found this one too.

I'd better behave myself or there might be more splits.

OK Chiang Mai..

I'm just putting an opener on for the time being, then I don't get mixed up.

We did a great trip through the jungle canopies in January this year.

What a brilliant trip that was. There's an opener here of Flobo going off the first leg. Quite an achievement it was too.

We have some great photographs of this section of our trip to come.






More to follow in the next few days.

Mathos

We had originally intended making our way to Luang Prabang in Laos to experience the jungle canopy living which we had been reading about for some weeks prior to leaving England.



The following information and attached photographs are taken from the

Contents adapted from publications by the National Tourism Authority of Lao PDR.




Luang Prabang is the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom. According to the Luang Prabang legend, the first name of Luang Parabang was Muang Swa, named after King Khun Xua around the eighth century, later known as Xieng Dong and Xieng Thong. During the reign of King Fa Ngum between 1354 and 1372 A.D., Xieng Dong, and Xieng Thong cities were renamed Luang Prabang in the name of the gold image of Buddha, the Phrabang.
Luang Prabang was the capital of the Lane xang kingdom from 1354 A.D. The capital was then transferred to Vientiane city in 1560 A.D. Luang Prabang is rich in cultural heritage, known as the seat of Lao culture, with monasteries, monuments traditional costumes and surrounded by many types of nature's beauty. Luang Prabang province has a total population of 365000.
The National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace.
Constructed as a palace between 1904 and 1909 A.D., during the reign of King Sisavangvong, now turned into a National Museum, it houses the Royal throne of Lan Xang kingdom in its original splendor, and many other regalia and religious treasures.
It is located on the bank of the Mekong River, facing Mount Phusi.
Situated on the bank of the Mekong River, on the wedge of land formed where the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers meet, Vat Xiengthong was constructed in 1559/1560 A.D. by king Say Setthathirath. Vat Xiengthong is the most beautiful among all monasteris of Luang Prabang and represents the typical Lao art style.
Many old and beautiful religious artifacts of the period between the sixteenth and the twentieth centuries, and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art, for a valuable collection of cultural heritage.
The spectacular Kouangsy Waterfall is located in an ideal area deep in the forest, away from human habitation. It is perfect for rest and relaxation. On the way to the falls, quaint villages with their traditional hydro-rice mills can be also visited.
The cool limestone caves are located on the steep rock cliff rising vertically from the waters of the Mekong River, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The craggy mountains scenery is breathtaking with overhanging cliffs above the swift flowing river.
The best attractions here are the two caves full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes. The lower cave called Tham Ting, or Tham Leusi contains a hermit of Leusi statue. The other noteworthy cave is called Tham Theung (upper cave), or Tham Prakachay. The caves can be reached by a 2 hours boat trip, upstream from Luang Prabang.
Vat Mai, constructed in 1821 A.D., during the reign of king Manthatourath, was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy). The five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim is the traditional Luang Prabang style.
That Chomsi of Luang Prabang was constructed on top of the Phusi hill in 1804 A.D. during the reign of king Anurut. It is an impressive structure, fully renovated in 1994. It is a meaningful symbol as it stand in the center of the twon. At mid-slope, and at the foot of the hill, are several religious sites including caves, Buddha footprints, and templates. Drumming on top of Phusi was once a tradition of the Luang Prabang people. The sound of the drum, every three hours could be heard for miles around.
Ban Lu or Lu village of Ban Phanom, only 2.5 km from the center of Luang Prabang town is famous for cotton and silk weaving, and some beautifully hand-crafted souvenirs. The Lu people of Ban Phanom came originally from Sip Song Panna in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan, having been invited by King Kitsarath.
Vat Visoun was built between 1500/1520 during the reign of King Visounarat. The phrabang, the fine gold Buddha image, the religious symbol of the Kingdom, was enshrined here from 1504 to 1715 A.D., and from 1866 to 1874 A.D. In 1942, it was turned into a Museum of Religious Arts, and housed collections of Buddha images and religious artifacts from the fourteenth century. Within its precincts stands the gigantic That Makmo (watermelon stupa), originally known as That Patum or Lotus Stupa, constructed in 1503 A.D.

We had concern that without booking the experience we may well have difficulty in obtaining a slot into the canopy living and we would have been extremely dissapointed.

Also, we heard purely by accident that there was a recently opened Canopy Experience in the mountains around Chiang Mai.

Furthermore, we found out so much more about Laos that ignited a desire for spending longer in the country that we decided it may be better to consider a few weeks in the country on our next visit out East, instead of trying to cram all we desired to see in the few days we had allocated this time.

We used internet facilities in Laos and The Golden Triangle area of Thailand to confirm that what we had heard about the canopy experience in Thailand was factual and even managed to telephone through for 100% confrimation.

With this in mind it was an additional reason to return to Chiang Mai and 'head on over there'

Our taste buds for this sort of adventure having been stirred by Charlotte Uhlenbroek, who has had some brilliant jungle experience programmes on BBC television.

{She is well worth looking up on the internet}

OK (Stop meandering Mathos and get on with the story) we eventually made our way from Chiang Mai to the beautiful and rather unique village of Mae Kompong, time really appears to have stood still here.

As an aid to the interested residing or visiting the area the route from Chiang mai is very simple.

The village itself is only an hours drive or so from Chiang Mai.

Make your way to the Super highway from Tapae Gate and turn right. Take a left at the Big C Supermarket onto Highway 1317, Pass the tuirn off for The Hot Springs and at Ban Paem take a right to Ban Huey Geaw.

Well worth the trip just for the village and countryside, if you take a jaunt through the mile high canpoies you will be amazed.

The roads in the area are of this nature.






The landscape is truly panoramic throughout northern Thailand in general.




Would anybody else agree with me, that there is something not quite right about the appearance of this cat?






We did get lost once or twice on the way there, but the locals were very helpful in the area.

Mathos

The area of Mae Kompong was originally a poppy growing area and home to many hilltribe villages. It is now simply a home to a very small community of forest dwellers who take great pride in their homes, the environment and spend their time cultivating tea and coffee plantations.

It is possible to find overnight accomodation and sample home house cooking, and being looked after in a manner from a bygone age. You will most certainly enjoy this avenue of experience if you decide to follow the same.

There are stunning water falls in the area {Kompong Falls) and you can take a swim in the very cool and fresh water it affords as a bathing and recreation type spot for the locals especially.




I rather think it must be spectacular in the monsoon season.





This home and the surroundings looked spectacular when we came across the same.






The village is in beautiful condition. Well maintained with a great deal of obvious TLC

Thetyim

Ah, someone else who has ventured up into Mae Kampong.
Very nice place.
Another thread here for anyone who is interested.

http://teakdoor.com/thailand-hotels-...chiangmai.html (A weekend in the hills. Ban Mae KamPong, Chiangmai)

Mathos

That's a nice thread you ran there Thetyim, thanks for the link.

Check it out you guys. Well worth the read.

Thetyim

I rate it as one of the best places I have been in Thailand.
Only 1+ hour from Chaingmai and so cool up there.
The only draw back is that there is absolutely nothing to do in the evening.