Thailand - My Chiang Mai Life

Bags packed and final ticket bought Bangkok to Chiang Mai! It took long enought to reach this point, but now ready for my "New Life" in C.M. If every "ting" goes as planned my next post will be from Thailand... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

If you have 5 minutes check out where Krabby Ken will take you out to dinner. This is a "Thai" happening every night!!!

Finally, SOLD THE INN on the 19th and have ticket to Bangkok!! Will be in Thailand to start my new "Chiang Mai LIfe" the 1st of January..... I will spend a few days in Bangkok to recover after 24 + hours in airplanes and then fly to Chiang Mai. C.M. is a little over 10,000 miles from Eleuthera and 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. If all goes o.k. next "post" will be from C.M.!!!!! Have posted pics of typical scenes in C.M. Over 300 temples in city and lots of delicious street food......

Well, could not figure out how to go into blog and change previous post, so here are the pics that were suppose to go with it!! Night Market "tings".......

Looks like I will not make Chiang Mai by Christmas but planning to be there for New Years...... Here are some pic of the Night Market in Chiang Mai. Come and visit me in the coming year and do your Christmas shopping. Hope my next post I can say, "On my way to LOS" Land of Smiles

Well yesterday I found out that the buyers have been approved by the Government to buy the Inn. Actually they were approved last week BUT their attorney failed to notify them. Oh well, "TIB" (this is Bahamas). Now just a little more paper work to clear up and we should be ready for the CLOSING...... Hopefully next week. It looks like I will be in Thailand for Christmas. Can't wait to sit and have my Holiday "Egg Nog" by the Ping River -- Ho! Ho! Ho! Hmmm, maybe Christmas colors red & Green will be replaced by "Orange"

Well, one step closer to spending Christmas in Thailand! Title transfer has been given the O.K. and now just waiting for Government approval, which we expect in the next 2 weeks......... North Thailand has lots of interesting scenery from rice fields to mountains (8,500 feet) to water falls and spectacular Temples. Can't wait to start exploring. Don't forget to click on "previous posts" at bottom right of page.

Well, still no word on the sale of the Inn. Hope to hear by the 31st of Oct! Have moved out of my house and now living out of my suitcase in a friends house. Can't wait to board the airplane for "LOS" - Land of Smiles! "The Land of Smiles" Thailand is truly the "Land of Smiles". A smile seems to be a continuous part of life in Thailand. The Thai outgoing friendliness rubs off .. you will find yourself greeting others with a polite smile after a few days.Thailand ( Siam ) has it's own distinctive culture, language, architecture, cuisine, customs and beliefs. You' ll marvel at wondrous sights that give definition to a kingdom with an independent history stretching back more than 700 years

Wat (Temple) Doi Suthep sits atop a 3,500 ft mountain just 10 miles outside of Chiang Mai. Most Thai's take time out during the day to pay their respect to Buddha. Picture of Aod at Wat Doi Suthep.

Local morning market. When you have 4 minutes take a look. Sort of long but gives you a good feel for Thai lifestyle in the 21st Century!! Mmmm so many fresh fruits & vegies..........

"Aod" pronounced Odd, is a friend I meet last year in Thailand. He is a student at Far Eastern University in Chiang Mai majoring in Tourism. Without his help, moving to and living in Chiang Mai would be a lot more difficult. He is helping me with all things Thai ! Pics were taken last October when Aod took Charlie and I to an Orchid Farm. I am sure you will meet AOD when you visit Chiang Mai and the "Land of Smiles"!

Hi, Just a short post to let you know what is happening. Still no word on the closing date yet on the Inn. BUT, I bought my ticket to Bangkok last night. Have to think positive! Here are a few more pics of the Chiang Mai area. Richard the new owner is now living at the Inn, so busy trying to give him 28 years of advice.... I thought it was a great picture of the Monks with the cell phones...........

Here are some pics of a local Chiang Mai restaurant and street food carts plus a corner of the wall around the old city. The moat circles the Old City. Chiang Mai's historical centre is the walled city (chiang in Thai, hence Chiang Mai - "New Walled City"). The original square city laid out was 5900ft by 6500ft, and after a time a moat would be added to clearly mark out the boundaries of Chiang Mai and to safeguard the people. Sections of the wall remain at the gates and corners, but of the rest only the moat remains. At each corner a bastion, each with its individual cosmological significance, was built, while the four main gates located on each of the long flanks face towards the four points of the compass. Today these landmarks remain to form the unique character of Chiang Mai. Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 30 temples dating back to the founding of the principality in 1296.

Hey, maybe I had better show everyone a map of Thailand. Chiang Mai is about 500 miles North of Bangkok. (top center of map) a 1 hour flight from Bangkok or if you are adventursome there is always the over night train ride!

Well, here is my new home! Keep checking back as will be adding info and pics as it gets closer to moving time. Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) is the hub of Northern Thailand . With a population of over 170,000, it is Thailand's fifth-largest city. Located on a plain at an elevation of 1011 FT, surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the capital, and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat population, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this "Rose of the North". Founded in 1296 AD, the culturally rich city of Chiang Mai is the longest continuously inhabited settlement from the ancient days of Siam. Located amidst the rolling foot hills of the Himalayan Mountains 500 miles north of Bangkok, it could only be reached by an arduous river journey or an elephant back trip until the 1920s, isolation which has helped keep Chiang Mai's distinctive charm intact to this day. Chiang Mai's historical cent...

Well, I have sold my Inn in the Bahamas and now getting my "tings" together to make the move to Chiang Mai, Thailand!! My friend Aod is looking at houses to rent and checking out cars that might work for us. As soon as I am located, my home in Chiang Mai will be open to all my friends that would like to visit! Hmmm sounds like I might be back running an Inn again!