From the islands to the rice patties

We are now in the most beautiful place of all... we left the islands to catch a train north to Chiang Mai. The ride was beautiful and a great preview of the country side, unfortunately we skipped a big part but I love where we ended up. Chiang Mai is a smaller version of Bangkok, and the night Bazaar was a whirlwind, we bartered and bought like it was Christmas...well in fact it will be when we get home! We just stayed a night in the city and caught a bus north to a jewel, Chiang Dao. Nestled beneath limestone cliffs covered in dense jungle, our stay at the Chiang Dao rainbow was a blessing. Surrounded by rice fields we reminisced of our Puna's house and growing up. We borrowed the landlord motorbike and headed to the hills to explore an amazing cave that was filled of Buddhas, bats and spiders. It was very big and the formations resembled local themes; "crouching tiger", "baby elephant", "lotus blossom". The best part of Chiang Dao was our adventure through the winding back roads of the farmlands, chili pepper fields, banana plantations, cucumber lattice, sweet potato patches. We had a night show of lightning and fireflies and fell asleep to thunder and downpour. Beautiful is hardly a description of this place. Today we took a string of buses through the hillsides to Fang and then Chiang Rai, where we will sleep tonight. Tomorrow we will attempt the infamous trek to the hillside tribes, where we hope to have a special interaction. Tish is researching our crossing to Laos as I type, so next is a raft down the Mekong.... till then, a Hui ho, or chanja dit dor na

Thong Nai Pai Yai...aka relaxation

So we found another paradise, about a 40 min boat ride from the full moon crazyness. There are two bays about a 5 min walk apart. Upon arrival we spotted some bungalows up on the cliff and lo and behold we got one. Only 300 baht or $6 for a cool treehouse overlooking one of the top views I have ever seen. This cool artist couple runs the place. They cooked us up yummy veggie food and helped us book our tickets north.

After a day of recovering from the trance music we decided to rent a scooter and venture out. Slimy, dirt roads which have many steep hills with crevasses in them carved out by the frequent downpours. We dodged in and out of potholes, stray dogs, and falling coconuts and made our way around. Found a cool stone beach...Malia found a beautiful cats eye. We also snorkeled and saw some amazing coral and a huge jellyfish! We threw on our ponchos, faced the rain and falling sun and made it back to our bay, getting our entire deposit back for the scooter! Good days on the islands, catching a ferry off and bus to Bangkok, next up train to Chaing Mai.

Full Moon Party

Koh Phangan...Full Moon Party October of 2009....when in Rome, right. Well we made it and ruled it. Body paint, fire juggling, trance music, and 10,000 people on some kind of drug that we never got offered. It was an experience and we enjoyed it. We also enjoyed jumping on our longtail boat the next morning and escaping the mayham. We headed an hour up the coast with our hangovers from the 4 buckets we drank (they sell booze w/ redbull in sandbuckets with straws) and found an amazing cove to chill out at the next couple days.

Koh Samui...Mae Nam Beach Bungalow

Aquamarine is for me....

We are now in the sticky heat of Ko Samui island. It was a crazy bus ride, but well worth the adventure, now it is truly vacation time. The road ways are a rat race of mopeds and Suzuki's, its a quest to cross the road. We found a bungalow off of the beach for about $5... ditched our sweat drenched clothes and dipped into the warmest blue green water I have ever been in. The people have been very sweet, to learn thai has been a challenge and even though I think I am pronouncing it right I still get chicken. We caught a ride to Bo Put and walked up the beach to find our selves another bungalow. It is a bit more for a place and food, but still so cheap. There are jelly fish washing up on the beaches, the size of basketballs. Tomorrow we want to catch a boat to Koh Phangan for the full moon party, which will be a lot of excitement... I think we are prepared for a all night-er!! It is so nice to be out of Bangkok, last night sitting by the water and watching the moon was unreal. We are very lucky.... we will post some more photos of our full moon extravaganza!!! Till then...
love, malia

Bangkok

Buhya...we made it. Only 20 hours later and 3 Eva flight meals we arrived in Koh San Road, heart of backpaker mecca of Bangkok. Buzzing tuk tuk drivers, twisting alleyways with shops and pai tai stands, stray dogs and scammers. We made it to our little hotel, dropped our bags and found the first cold Sangha beer we could find. 2 beers later and an some spring rolls the night was falling and our strip was really just becoming alive. Our eyelids too heavy we retreated to our a/c and dreamt of the travels ahead.

After a night of tossing and turning (14 hrs time change is tough) we doused our complementary instant coffee and set off determined to walk to the Grand Palace. After 30 min and many hasslers trying to get us to go with them to the golden buddah, we realized we were walking in the wrong direction. Finally found it and awed at it's beauty, amazing work. Our favorite hoppie is walking the streets so we took the river walk back and gawked at the crowded marketplace selling everything from fried fish, pikaki offering, to tiger coats. Hot and humid it's time for a cold one and some pai thai....on a bus to Koh Samui @ 6 pm for a nite ride.....islands mannana.