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  1. #1
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    A weekend in the hills. Ban Mae KamPong, Chiangmai

    I recently went to Ban Mae KamPong for a 3 day visit.

    KamPong is only 50km from Chiang Mai but is very different from the city.
    It lies in a remote valley at an altitude of 1300m and has a population of 300 people.
    The village is stretched out along the edge of the stream that flows through the valley .
    The altitude makes it much cooler, in fact they only have two seasons, cool & wet.





    This is a remote location, there is no nightlife, only a couple of general stores and one small restaurant which is open daytime. Also your mobile won't get a signal here.

    The local economy is miang leaves, coffee, herbal pillows, electricity and homestay.
    The fast flowing stream was used to run a generator to power the village.
    It was so successful that they now have three generators and sell electricity to EGAT, so if you are an eco-tourist this place should be on your list.

  2. #2
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    A bloke from Newcastle (john) runs a B&B place there at
    23, Moo3, Tambon Huay Kaew. Tel 053 518 150
    www.greenborneo.com/johneco

    However we decided to rough it and go for the local homestay .
    That way you get meals and a personal tour guide thrown in.
    The food was excellent but the guide only speaks thai.
    Our hosts were very friendly and it was fascinating to watch the production of miang leaves.




    First you light the fire and get the water hot.





    Then you wait for the picker (ie the wife) to arrive with the fresh leaves


  3. #3
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    The leaves are then packed into the large wooden vat thingy






    Then with a little help from the bloke next door you lift the vat onto the boiler
    and steam away for a couple of hours.





    The leaves are then wrapped into palm size packets and fermented for 30 days before selling.



  4. #4
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Next we have the "magic stone"
    Actually it's just a large boulder that you can rock with one hand because the bottom is rounded but the thai's think this is magic





    Now we have a generator. Not really a major tourist attraction but thought I had better post a piccy of one.
    It was much smaller and quieter than I had imagined.



  5. #5
    Thailand Expat

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    Nice photos and a good story. Thanks.

  6. #6
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Next stop is the stone tunnel
    The stream runs under a huge boulder, you can see how big it is compared to the man in the picture














    Last edited by Thetyim; 28-04-2006 at 02:40 PM.

  7. #7
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by buadhai
    Nice photos and a good story. Thanks.
    Shut Up. I haven't finished yet

  8. #8
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Now we are back in the village and visiting the bamboo hat maker's house.
    See how she starts off with a strip of bamboo and she sews it into a hat. Clever.













    Then of course we have to wait an hour for my wife to choose which identical hat is the best one for her.



  9. #9
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    By the way, if you fancy a cup of coffee you just go out and pick your own here.
    This coffee bush was growing wild by the roadside





    And lastly we have the waterfall, about a 2km walk east of the village.
    The guide was very useful here because he can point out all the exotic plants and trees that you don't get elsewhere in thailand.







  10. #10
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    How to get there.

    From ChiangMai take the 1317 east towards San KhamPaeng.

    Stay on the 1317 until you have passed San Khampaeng and then you will reach
    Ban Huay Kaew, here you must take the right fork signposted to Ban Mae KamPong.
    Another 15km and you will be there. It is a lovely drive.

    If you want a homestay then phone the village headman on 095 594 797

  11. #11
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    Are we allowed to say nice things yet?

  12. #12
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    OK. Go Ahead.

    I've finished now

  13. #13
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    Marmite the Dog's Avatar
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    I don't know what to say now, apart from "Nice pics, good info and where can you get some local rumpty-tumpty?"

  14. #14

    R.I.P.


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    Nice pics etc, what are miang leaves for?

  15. #15
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    Oh that place looks so nice and naturally cool, with this killer hot season I would like to go right now.


    Quote Originally Posted by Thetyim
    Then of course we have to wait an hour for my wife to choose which identical hat is the best one for her.

    That was a great line as well. I do now know all Thai women are alike.

  16. #16

    R.I.P.


    dirtydog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thetyim
    Next we have the "magic stone" Actually it's just a large boulder that you can rock with one hand because the bottom is rounded but the thai's think this is magic
    You should really have jammed something underneath it so it couldn't be rocked anymore

  17. #17
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    You are the one kid who never did grow up DD, but ya did turn into a man!!

  18. #18
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirtydog
    Nice pics etc, what are miang leaves for?
    They are fermented tea leaves.
    You wrap them around a mixture of ginger, sugar, salt.
    Pop it in your mouth and then suck on it for a while.

    It is a northern thai tradition. Quite nice.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thetyim
    Quote Originally Posted by buadhai
    Nice photos and a good story. Thanks.
    Shut Up. I haven't finished yet
    OK. I take it all back....

  20. #20
    I am in Jail
    stroller's Avatar
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    The active part of Miang is Coffeine, the farmers and builders here chew it habitually during the day.

  21. #21
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    Cool pics mate.Be great to get out of the heat as well!

  22. #22
    Northern Hermit
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    Great pics. So much to see and do just a few klicks out of the city here. We're on our way to the dealership to get the car fixed just so we can get out more often. Your post was certanly an inspiration

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat
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    If it doesnt rain and the heat doesnt break I may have to go up there in May and blow off the soiree in June. I am dying in this heat. From my aircon office, to my car, to my bedroom. Damn its hot!!

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one
    If it doesnt rain and the heat doesnt break I may have to go up there in May and blow off the soiree in June. I am dying in this heat. From my aircon office, to my car, to my bedroom. Damn its hot!!
    Poof!

  25. #25
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    Roc's Avatar
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    I'm interested,how much is it to stay there?

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