Getting Away for the Holiday Season

 

 Here's a few photos taken while on a trip to the north.


Most of you know that I don’t enjoy Christmas.  While I’m not a Grinch and wouldn’t think of keeping the rest of the world from having their fun, I prefer to put some distance between myself and the holiday.   Yet I can never get completely away, not even in Chiang Mai.  You can hear Jingle Bells or Bing Crosby crooning White Christmas at many places around the city.  I decided to take a trip toward the Thai – Laos border.  On the way I stopped for coffee.  Actually I stopped several times for coffee.  Northern Thailand has plenty of it, but I wasn’t expecting to be served by Santa’s elves.  “Melly Cheesmas.”

My destination was Phu Chee Fa, which I am told is the second highest peak in Thailand, with great vistas and even better sunsets. 

That's my destination.  Those Clouds don’t look threatening, but they come into play later on.

Promises, promises.



The view from the summit. Do you remember the Goodrich Blimp?



 

 



The ride down the mountain provided the best vistas.

 

Northern Thailand still reigns supreme in my mind as a coffee destination. I stopped here for coffee and some more pictures. There are “resort” hotels here costing from $35 to $70 per night, including two meals per day. That’s important because there aren’t any restaurants in the vicinity.

 

There are many ways to and from Phu Chee Fa, so I took a different route down the mountain. This is Phu Sang Falls, located between Phu Chee Fa and the town of Chiang Kham.



Later in the day my friend Art and I had Pad See-ew for Christmas dinner.

 Just in case you were wondering what it costs to motorcycle around in Thailand.  Prices shown are per liter, or litre if you are British.  This converts to about $5.58 per gallon for 91 Red.

 




Northern Thailand has the best coffee on the planet (am I repeating myself?) and the best coffee in Phayao was found at a small stand in the downtown market area. Email me for the gps co-ords, or just look for this guy.

OK, I admit it.

 

The morning market in Phayao.

Sunset at the lake, Phayao.



My friend Art lives in this hut in a small village area near Pong, which is near Chun, which is near Phayao.  It’s similar to those 2500 sq.ft. cabins at Lake Tahoe.  His wife has a small store downstairs, selling stationery and gifts.  They have a new baby, about eight weeks old now.  They have three dogs, and this one loves to play tug o’ war.

 

Wat Analayo is located on the west side of the lake at Phayao.  It’s an active wat with a convention or retreat in going on while I was visiting.

Pigs, dogs, chickens, monkeys, goats, donkeys, snakes, rats and rabbits… I visited the wat during dry season.  But during the rainy season water flows from these figure heads, and during a special ceremony you select which to use based on your year of birth. 

Puppy love… and ice cream love.  Call me sentimental, but I have always taken pleasure in watching kids with dogs, and eating chocolate desserts and getting it all over their face. 

 

No, Laos doen't have any ocean beaches, but it's such a good picture I had to borrow it to wish every one a Happy New Year.