greetings!
after my time in Hua Hin i took a van back to Bangkok and connected with Julie and Shawn and we took another van and then a ferry to the island of Koh Samed. This is one of the closest island getaways for the Bangkok crowd so it was perfect that our time there was in the middle of the week. the beaches were lovely and i continued with my squid diet, we got to see much of the island by foot and swam a fair amount during our short stay. it was heaps of fun to travel with these ladies, we befriended a sweet kitten named starvin' marvin that one of the shop keepers had found near death and it seems that now marvin is his cafe's mascot!
it took quite awhile to return to Bangkok on the van and i had a bit of a time getting from the BTS (skytrain) to the MRT (subway) and literally running to my train, making it on board just before the whistle blew! this was the overnight train to Chiang Mai, which is scheduled to take 12 hours but on this particular voyage it took 16 hours. most choose to fly as it only takes 1.5 hours and many take these huge tourist busses, but the train is the cheapest and is usually my preferred mode of transport anyway. the sleeping compartments were prepared by a steward within a few hours of the departure, i bought my ticket ahead of time so i was able to obtain the lower bunk, which meant that i had the window view. the bed was surprisingly comfortable and i slept very well and woke to the lush views of the mountains surrounding the train. upon arriving into town i took a taxi closer to my hostel but misunderstood the driver's instructions and walked quite awhile in the wrong direction, once i figured this out i continued to ask many folks along the way where my hostel was located and was sent all over the old city before finally locating my hostel 3 hours later, but i did get my bearings!
my friends from my TESOL course joined me later that day. Peter went to the legendary lantern festival but Amanda was pretty ill so i opted to stay with her instead. she began to feel better and we ventured out to "catmosphere" - a space themed cat cafe.... really. it seems that cat cafes are a new trend here, they've been in Japan for years now, but seem to be sneaking their way into Thailand. the following day Amanda was still feeling ill so Peter and i ventured around to many off the Wats or temples in the old city, we ate lots of street food and enjoyed the splendor of these historic temples within the ancient walls. the spectacular walking street market was this evening, it's every sunday and is truly the best market i've been to yet in the country. the goods are handmade by the people who are selling them, like a craft fair but so much more, Amanda was able to come with us and we all got beautiful treasures, i bought beautiful scarves and textiles for my room and i'm so thankful that i did.... it really makes a huge difference in my tiny little space!
the following morning we set out for a resort style place outside off town..... we found a little slice of paradise... we got there early enough to spend most of the day by the pool. the next morning we got up early and went on a tour up to Doi Inthanon, the tallest mountain in Thailand. we got to see 2 waterfalls, a Karen (the indigenous tribe) village, walked to the top of the mountain, went to the King and Queen's stupas, ate an amazing lunch and saw the royal project in the area. here's a link to the royal project, it really is a brilliant and forward thinking undertaking by the King, initiated in 1969.
http://www.hrdi.or.th/en/who_we_are/page/Thailand-Royal-Project
we got up early the next morning and caught a van to Pai, we didn't have much time but had heard so many great things about the town that we figured we'd take the 3 hour, incredibly curvaceous van ride there.... it was a sweet small town further north, but i think i missed the allure of the town by several years.... it's a dreamy little hamlet if you're in your 20's... i had a good time but i think it's a bit to backpacker-esque for me. we spent less than 24 hours there and then headed back to Chiang Mai, they went to the airport and i boarded the train and the the return trip to Bangkok was only 11 hours.
I am now in Ayutthaya and will write about my adventures in kindergarten next!
i hope this finds you all well and enjoying your day,
take care,
karen grace
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| welcome to Koh Samed-this statue rises out of the water at the ferry landing |
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| Buddha and dog on Koh Samed |
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| fishing boats |
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| cairns on the beach |
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| karen and a cairn |
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| first time i've seen this.... the water jet boots are powered by the jet ski.... really crazy to watch! |
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| setting off a lantern with Julie and Shawn |
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| Julie and Shawn cuddling Marvin |
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| Marvin and his ears |
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| on the train.... the bunks are behind the green curtains |
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| the west gate to the ancient city of Chiang Mai |
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| such a lovely time to play with cats and all their toys |
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| he was so close... |
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| brilliant concept |
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| i wonder if they offer scholarships.... |
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| temple time |
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| so many temples located in the ancient city |
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| the top of the elephant temple |
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| elephants and the Buddha |
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| ancient elephants |
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| lush temple complexes |
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| prayer ribbons inside the temple |
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| the Buddha in the peaceful position |
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| ribbons and the Buddha |
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| women adding gold leaf to the Buddha as an offering |
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| protein |
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| Amanda and i had great massages here |
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| i have consumed sooo many coconuts |
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| traditional Thai toilet |
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| paradise found |
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| waterfall fun |
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rolling fields of rice...the harvest is next week...
once the plants reach a golden hue |
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| rainbow waterfall |
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| a misty respite after a long van voyage |
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the tallest point in Thailand
these mountains are the base of the Himalayas |
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| luscious mossy walk |
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the temperature is measured every morning at 6am...
the top of this mountain is the most comfortable
i've been while in Thailand |
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the flora is very similar to New England...
note the hydrangea in the foreground |
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| the Queen's stupa with the King's gardens |
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these tile walls were a part of the King and Queen's
stupas and gardens |
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| i really love them |
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| amazing artistry |
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top of Doi Inthanon, the 700 year old remains of
King Inthawichayanon are buried here |
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| the Queen's stupa |
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| the King and Queen |
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| gardeners installing the winter plants |
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| the King's stupa |
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| so many orchids at the royal project |
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| happy place |
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| carnivorous |
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| the best greenhouse... ever! |
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| dahlias and cala lillies as far as the eye can see |
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| a hydroponic installation at the royal project |
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the hillsides are covered with rows and rows of vegetables and cut flowers as a part of the
royal project...these hills were once covered in opium poppies and marijuana plants |
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| tributary of the Pai river, we stayed on the bank on the right |
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| this moth's 1 wing is the size of my whole hand.... many caterpillars and beautiful bugs in Pai |
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