Thailand 1999
Setting off from London after completing the East African Expedition, visitng Chicago for a break then getting tickets and the like whilst in London, now finds us looking out on northern Bangkok from our Hotel room. Wow what a huge place! We soon moved from the Hotel we had booked on the internet to one more in keeping with our desire to get around town. It was right next to the railway station and raining like hell we looked down on the sidewalk at this woman with no coat but a big hat. Beside her was the river and beyond that was the railway station where they are building an underground rail system.
It wasn't long before we visited the usual trappings of Golden Buddhas with big hands. A dangerous ride in a Tuk Tuk via all those tailoring shops and other ones you didn't want to visit, and off to the North to do some trekking and a fantastic overland trip on elephants and canoes but first a bit of walking in the jungle.
Chiang My and the king is represented on an archway above the bridge. Old canal systems, plenty of gold stuff in the shops and oh yes, those elephants in the hills further north.
A great time under this massive water fall which seemed to spit pebbles onto you as you stood under the fall. The inevetable lady trying to sell you stuff for the great trek.
Mary chatting with our guide, then navigating the weak wooden bridges before we strip off, have a swim then stay the night on a hill farmers land in an old airy shed.
Off again, but this time back to Bangkok to catch the train that would take us to paradise on the island of Koh Phan Yan the next island up from Koi Samui in the Gulf of Thailand.
The huge beach parties, all sorts of great food in this little restaurant on the beach with new friends, then the sunset over the bay. Perfect to wind up the interesting voyage of Thailand. Off to Malaya & Singapore now for more adventures.