Thread: Mathos' trip from Chiang Mai to Laos

What are the dishes on the roof?

It amazes me how you can find motorcycles in these places for the chosen few of course. I know for a fact, that years ago a pick up loaded with marijuana being delivered across the border had a price tag of a dozen well used Honda motorcycles.

You only have to look at the little boy to form your own views.





The home below had electricity, there were not too many with such a blessing at all.

In the UK we call them Sky TV dishes Jizzy the other side of the market block there no doubt showing the punters what good value for money their HD TV's were.

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.89 years
male: 53.82 years
female: 58.04 years (2007 est.)

You just know things aren't how they should be!




The children in this photograph looked kind of happy and content, that was a blessing to see.







The little girl below, I remember distinctly looking at her and wondering what her life would entail

There was a temple in one of the border towns, these mural type paintings depicting scenes from a by-gone age. My curiosity was roused, and I attempted to find out what had been going on, it appears these actions had been carried out by 'The Armenians' the village folk were unable to put a date on the same, and I could not find out anything about Armenians, I intend doing some research regarding the same in due course.

I'll let you know if I turn anything up.




It looked a rather brutal visit who ever they might have been!

Originally Posted by Mathos

In the UK we call them Sky TV dishes Jizzy the other side of the market block there no doubt showing the punters what good value for money their HD TV's were

Doh, Didn't look like a normal sattelite dish to me!

Originally Posted by Mathos

The little girl below, I remember distinctly looking at her and wondering what her life would entail

I often find myself doing just that.

The still as you can see was not hidden away, it was smack bang in the middle of a village, the hooch appeared to be getting made from rice and even bits of coconut.

I did try some (reluctantly I may add,) it was potent, the same was poured into dirty looking five gallon plastic drums.



The three below appeared to be in charge of the process from start to finish. The Bruce Lee type character, snarled at me whilst I was taking photographs, but when I bought a plastic bag of the hooch from him, he changed his attitude.

Originally Posted by jizzybloke

Originally Posted by Mathos

In the UK we call them Sky TV dishes Jizzy the other side of the market block there no doubt showing the punters what good value for money their HD TV's were

Doh, Didn't look like a normal sattelite dish to me!

I'll stand being corrected, but there are some strange satellite type dishes all over the Orient.

??

There are times when a photograph like these below, can say more than a thousand words.





The face on the lady below is amazing, full of so much character combined with the pain of a lifetime.





Thoughts return to how you feel or think when you see the subjects in real life, just as you start to aim the camera.

"I wonder how long she's been sat here like this, weaving away?"

noticed the Roman Catholic Church had quite a standing in one particular village.

It thrills the heart to see them spending money like this and helping these poor souls to The Kingdom!






It was all done up fancy like for Christmas as well.

Even the pigs looked somewhat different to me!





The afternoon natter came to an abrupt stop when I walked around the corner.





I have no idea what this chap was up to. He looked as guilty as hell though in a strange kind of way.




The lady with the small child, the baby had just been treated by the local Shaman. It didn't look good, the infection on the foot needed proper medication, I helped out to get proper medical attention.

Jizzy, this is another market snap with one of those dishes on again, I'm pretty sure it's satellite mate!

But you got me thinking!

Thats it for tonight lads and lasses, more over the weekend though.

Thanks for the encouragement, the reading figures are an inspiration and really are appreciated.

^^They look more normal there, cheers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Mathos

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

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

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.

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.

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?

Originally Posted by Mathos

Friscofrankie (Is Ff OK to use)

I've been called worse