ole stomping grounds and friends surround

Oh my, back in Phuket! We decided to stay in the Kata Beach area due to close proximity of friends and local haunts. With the help of internet Steve and I scored a swank room at the Jinta Andaman boutique hotel. After booking the first 3 nights @ 850 baht per night the owner gave us a screaming deal @750 baht for consecutive nights. It's a fairly new clean and quiet place with wifi, aircon, tv, fridge, and king size bed. This is high season and even the expats couldn't believe the super score. Rented bike #10 and headed to one of our favorite beaches, Nai Harn. We have noticed some changes, a few local establishments have disappeared while new ones crop up. At the beach one of the Thai dogs named Lizzy that we previously fed was gone, later I ran into a Belgium lady who also fed her. She explained how a British lady permanently adopted Lizzy, nice. Reconnected with our Aussie bud Dave, his Thai girlfriend Nue, and Herwig from Austria for lunch at the Redchair restaurant, oh the memories. After lunch we hung out at Kata beach enjoying the usual familiar sights. The following morning we were moto bound to the Phuket City immigration office for a visa extension. It's a tricky little place to find which had us pulling the old map out. Moments later a Thai man selling food off the cart asked us "where are you going" and in a flash left his wife to continue business while we followed him to our destination. He didn't expect anything but we tipped a few baht anyways. The folks here seem to really enjoy helping out. Even the immigration officers were eager to assist in the paperwork, after 15 minutes of forms, copies, and pictures we were processed, sweet! Off to Raiwai for lunch, a small fishing village famous for Thai seafood. Here we stopped at Mama Klongs, an old favorite. A previous server from several months ago welcomed us with a big huge smile and asked if we wanted 2 lemon juice. She recalled it was one of our favorite drinks. Gotta love it! In the afternoon the drill was beach, swim, walk, swim.... In the evening we stopped by the Germans at Hotel Mediterano. When we were here the last Steve purposely left his old decrepant leather gloves as a joke, within no time one of the brothers goes to the office area and returns with the ole relects, we all had a good laugh. Not only are the Thais trusting but so are the Germs. Next day off to Naiharn beach as there have been some waves, happy times for playing in the surf. All the boys got jelly fished, Herwig getting it the worse. They pulled off long tenticles that attach themselves to body parts. Can you say sting? They looked like cloudy glass noodles, ouch ouch ouch. The next day at another beach a Thai surfer dude showed Herwig a plant that grows along the beaches here. If you squish the leaves and rub it on the sting it offers relief, good to know as we had no vinegar that day. Big wave Dave says he just pees on it. I hope not to get stung but if so I`ll go for the leaves or vinegar, thank you very much! Herwigs Thai girlfriend, Urai came over to our room and give me a two hour oil massage. Oh such strong hands, she had me in many different positions, didn`t know while laying on my stomach and with my legs crossed that my feet could touch my ass. Butt, so relaxing. She charged only 350 Baht, (12Cnd), tipped her well. Crazy price, she works at a fancy spa and receives only 100 baht per massage at her resort which she goes to every single day, can you imagine? Hopefully she scores more private evening work. Another beach day, go figure. It was funny to have this older man point out our conversation in the water, he heard 5 different languages, English, Thai, Finnish, Austrian, and Swiss. This becomes another common occurence like seeing a scooter with four up or dogs riding side saddle. Today is Steve`s massage day, I may have an addict on my hands. He's only had three in his life but this will leave him wanting more. Urai has such strong hands, an anomaly to her small body shape. Such a talented lady! Steve and I went to the Karma lounge one night, owned by a German Canuck from Ottawa, we had been there before and had enjoyed their friday nites with live music. Soon we were being told sad stories from the owner's Thai wife and the piano player from the band. It was like we were wearing councillors caps, what's up with that, we guess they just needed someone to dump there shit on and we were the chosen ones. It reminded me of my old hairdressing days. Same same but different! Next day hung with Dave, Nue, and Herwig. Later we hooked up with Theo from Salt Spring Island and his actor brother Dean visiting from Vancouver. Big wave Dave's last day here as he is heading back to Australia for few months. Finished with some great laughs and sushi dinner at the Red Snapper. Yum Yum and lots of fun!

Do no wrong at Loi Krathong

Back to Chiang Mai. We rented moto #9 for transport but again enjoying the independence! This time we rode out of the city heading east, passing through small villages with lush green country sides surrounded by mountainous jungle. During self tours and getting lost we sometimes find the most interesting sites. This time Steve spotted some teepees off the highway and after further investigation discovered an authentic cowboy style resort. After wandering around Lil Tex we decided to stay for lunch. The place was decorated with true western paraphernalia, even the cutlery was stamped with bucking horses. Throw in some horses and cattle and you've got "Yee Ha"! The Asians must lap this stuff up. It felt like being thrown into Winthrop Washington. After eating spicy tuna salad we straddled our mechanical steed and headed down the highway to the Mae On Cave. A huge dragon decorated the staircase leading up to the cave entrance. After climbing through the small stairwell entrance it opened up to a very large cathedral size hall. Quite interesting to see a large sleeping Buddha along with other smaller objects of worship in the bowels of this cavern. On the road again to our next destination, the San Kamphaeng hot springs. Ah the sweet smell of sulphur and minerals or should we say, eweee. This spring has two geysers with a man made creek to allow the bubbly to flow threw the grounds into smaller controlled hot baths and pools. We dipped our feet into the creek and holy hot hot hot. Steve dunked his whole body in and the Asians around us were pointing and looking amazed that he had the tolerance to take the heat. I was fine just gingerly dipping my delicate feet. We then paid 100 baht to enter the mineral swimming pool with a perfect temperature of 88-92 F. Back to the city for dinner at our fave East Indian spot, Le Spice, where we brought our own bottle of wine. Gotta love it! Later to The North Gate Jazz Co op for open jam night. Within minutes of arriving they were requesting a keyboard player. Steve was in his glory, happy happy happy to be jamming with talented musicians from around the world. A nice finish to a great day in Chiang Mai. The next day it was off to check out the Chiang Mai National Museum. The history and artifacts of this region was exotic. Saw huge 13'th century kilns used for making pottery and even got to hold some original broken clay pieces. After leaving the museum during rush hour time we had a little road mishap. While turning right another moped hit us from behind. It was 3 young guys riding three up, then it was five down. I rode on Steve's back as we skidded onto the pavement. All is fine except for minor scrapes on Steve, sure glad he wears leather gloves and that the cars, trucks, and other riders we able to stop. We bent the muffler cover, foot peddle, and a little pride. We are so lucky. I was a little nervous with some adrenaline flowing. But as the old saying goes you just got to get back on the horse and ride like the wind, glad it was not gone with the wind. We have been told that #9 is the luckiest of all and we were on rental #9 with licence #994. Thank you very much! The following morning we were off the fix the bike (forget ICBC claims). Steve spotted a muffler repair shop and right away two guys were working on the bike. They fixed everything in a half hour but when we motioned to pay they were insisting upon no charge. Can you believe it, the people in this country blow us away, we are reminded almost daily of their kindness and generosity. Oh ya we gave them a couple hundred baht and even then Steve had to insist they take the money. Another example of Thai culture helping out. Our next stop was the Tribal Musem but it was closed due to holidays. The Loi Krathong festival is here and that means three days of celebration. On the way home we stumbled upon a huge landscape market that was 4 or 5 streets long with beautiful flowers, trees, cactus, etc. If we had a place here it would be lush with exotic plants! Later we enjoyed an evening ride to catch some of the celebrations which included beautiful lanterns, fireworks, and light shows. Next day off to find one of the eight waterfalls at the Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailands highest peak. It was a long hard ride on the butt, but so worth it. 130 km on a scooter through Asia is HARD to explain, you just have to experience it. Anyways, the Mae Ya waterfalls with it's terraces was absolutely beautiful. Later that evening we headed down to the Ping river to experience more Loi Krathong. This festival is quite spiritual. The river banks were lined with people who set float tiny lotus shaped boats made from banana leaves decorated with flowers, candles, and incence. It was interesting to watch the Asians make a blessing before sending their boats down the river. The Buddhist origin of this celebration is "letting go" or being freed from your troubles, as the lanterns and boats are launched releasing suffering and to wish good luck in the future. Steve and I sent a float down the Ping river with good thoughts and wishes to our families and friends back home. Wonderful and lucky to share this experience.