Hillbilly's xmas vacation in Northern Thailand...

**hillbilly** · 21-01-2007, 11:44 AM

The wives managed to find some more purple bags to buy. I did mention that the 10 purple bags already in the van was enough, but was ignored...

More buying and selling.

**hillbilly** · 21-01-2007, 11:51 AM

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what was going on with these people standing in a long row and tossing a ball back and forth. Can you?

Come to find out it is all about marriage. These people will typically get married between the ages of 12-14 years old. These mountain people will come from many different provinces for this ceremony.

**hillbilly** · 21-01-2007, 12:01 PM

Now this game was certainly exciting! At first I had no idea of what was going on. Can you? Here is a hint. Look for the top...

The player winds up and...

...lets the top fly. Look close and you can see the brown wooden top in mid-air.

**hillbilly** · 21-01-2007, 12:11 PM

Here you can see the top directly in front of the thrower and me!

So I finally figured out how the game is played. The first player throws his top. Another player about 30 foot away and at a right angle then throw his top hoping to hit the other player's top.

The second player want to hit the first top. When and if the tops do collide with each other, the fun begins.

Each player will go running after their top. The goal is to keep your top spinning the longest.

Concentration, spit and even blowing dust away is part of the game.

Here you can see the two opposing players at work.

This shot might give you a better view of the playing field. The player in the foreground tosses his top and the player on the right tries to hit his opponents top.

**hillbilly** · 21-01-2007, 04:22 PM

Everyone was wearing their best go to Sunday clothes. Well, except me of course.

Now, I know why plastic covered lids are so popular in Thailand.

**klongmaster** · 21-01-2007, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by hillbilly

I noticed that some little girls would have the neck coils and some would not. Could never really figure out why.

The reason is simply a matter of individual choice...some girls like to follow the traditional way and some like to follow the modern way...

incidently, the neck-ring is not made of separate rings added through the years, but of a brass spiral which is changed for a longer one when the child grows. It does not lengthen the neck, but pushes down the ribs...

so the 'long-neck' is just an illusion...

as always HB: an excellent thread...but I thought you were pushing your luck walking into Burma like that...funny guy...

**ENT** · 21-01-2007, 05:56 PM

Totally mindblowing good stuff Hillbilly, really good thread!

I green ya!

**ENT** · 21-01-2007, 06:03 PM

Totally inspiring thread.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 08:40 AM

On the way to the border we ran across some traditional Northern style rice fields.

Looks like hard work to me.

More workers.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 08:44 AM

Once again the scenery was truly amazing.

We head to the right.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 08:48 AM

After much turning left and right and curves out the ying-yang we ended up in this area. No we weren't in trouble but this sign is used as a landmark for a great breakfast.

If your ever wanting a good breakfast check these guys out.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 08:54 AM

Run by a Candian and his wife they offer a little bit of everything.

His wife is taking orders and I am finally reading a newspaper and watching news on his satellite.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 08:56 AM

What the family ate.

What I ate!

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:00 AM

Finally made it to the border. Everyone had Thai passports but me and my buddy. The cost to go over for one day was B1500 each. The Visa/travel agency sounded a little dodgy, so we decided not to cross.

So I decided to take a walk around and see the locals.

Pretty good balancing act.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:02 AM

I couldn't quite figure this sign out.

Burmese people heading bck home.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:04 AM

Armed soldiers were everywhere.

This shot shows Burmese lining up to get a stamp to enter Thailand.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:08 AM

Walking back home.

People were seen from all walks of life. From the lonely monk to...

..the bored shopkeepers.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:13 AM

Actually, the wood shops were rather interesting to visit. This wooden desk was made in Burma and sells for about B13,000.

This friendly Army colonel let me take a few shots inside the fence.

Some children are sent here to beg everday. Not much of a living.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:15 AM

No money, no doctor. This young lady is being walked bck home. Sad really.

Decided to walk a liitle further to find this.

**ChiangMai noon** · 28-01-2007, 09:15 AM

Sorry to interrupt Hilly.

How long did this trip take altogether?

Thproughly enjoyable read BTW.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:17 AM

As always the locals (Burmese) are selling anything a person might want. A carton of smokes for B200!

The soldiers stand by.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:23 AM

CMN, please interupt at anytime! This is your neck of the woods and you know it better than I do. BTW, our trip took a little over a week. A lot to see in a short amount of time.

**ChiangMai noon** · 28-01-2007, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by hillbilly

A lot to see in a short amount of time.

Didn't see us lot though did you.
he might have calmed down now, but Frisco Frankie was bloody livid.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:30 AM

Luckily, the FBI was in town.

Burma is shown in the background. You can see where people live between here and there.

**hillbilly** · 28-01-2007, 09:34 AM

Finally head back home to 'upcountry'. But first we have to pass some more checkpoints.

This young soldier said they were looking for animals being smuggled.

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