Thailand - My Chiang Mai Life

Just back from a long weekend in Pai. Pai is a small settlement on the River Pai about a 3 hour drive N.W. of Chiang Mai. Lots of mountains to cross with over 760 turns in the road going up the mountains........ Pai is mainly known for its scenery and as a backpackers haven. There are lots of American and European "Hippie" types wondering around trying to live in the past. Plenty of reggae and dreadnoughts! Things to see are the waterfalls, temples, hot springs, Hill Tribe people, and 2nd World War Memorial Bridge. Pics of coffee shop along the way. I think there are more coffee shops in Pai then there are curves in the road!! There are a lot of V.W. Buses in Thailand and all are in very good condition. Many are made into small rolling shops selling coffee, food, t-shirts, cocktails.... It was cool in the mountains with temp dropping down into the 40's at night and in the low 80's daytime. > ...

A few pics of New Year's Eve from on top of 23 floor of Pornping Hotel, Lots of fireworks, "sky lanterns", and Thai Buffet & Bar-B-Que and all for 700 baht or $21.00!!

Lamphun is about 24 miles south of Chiang Mai. Lamphun is one of Thailand's oldest continuously occupied towns. It was founded in 660 by Queen Chama Devi, the daughter of the King of Luovo (now known as Lopburi). It wasn't until 1281 that the city finally came under the influence of the Lanna Kingdom founded by King Mengrai, who made Chiang Mai its capital.

Loy Kratong Festival - On the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, the tide in the rivers is highest and the moon at its brightest. The Thai people choose this day to hold the 'Loy Kratong' festival, or the 'festival of light.' Loy Kratong is one of the two most recognized festivals in the country. Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and beautiful of all Thai celebrations. 'Loy' literally means 'to float,' while 'kratong' refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. Originally, the kratong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A kratong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. The making of a kratong is much more creative these days as many more materials are available. The Loy Kratong ritual is a simple one. One needs only to light the candles and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away with the current o...