Monday November 15th, 2010

We’ll we’ve had a wonderful week since I was last  able to get on the internet.  Access is somewhat limited in this area and then you also have to have the time to do it.  Each day is so busy and full that it is hard to even think about “blogging”.
We left Chiang Mai and headed to Chiang Rai.  Wonderful drive and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery.  Went to see another two Hill Tribes and walked through the villages.  The children pester us to buy bracelets over and over and over.  Tough to see the filth that these children live in and we know that their futures won’t offer them any alternatives.  The guide says not to give them money as it will only turn them into beggars.  It is the same worldwide.  Schooling is only mandatory to the end of the primary level.
We went to the Golden Triangle area where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar come together.   We saw a huge new casino built on the edge of the Mekong River in Myanmar (also has a golf course) and right across the river in Laos they are in the midst of constructing another huge casino.  The casinos haven’t reached Thailand “yet” but everyone can go by boat to either of the casinos whenever they want!!!!
After that we saw more temples – Dave is still not all that keen on all these temples and sometimes stays outside to enjoy the gardens.  I go in but don’t stay too long as they are all starting to look the same!!!!  Walked out into some rice fields and saw the workers harvesting the rice by hand.  Sure makes us appreciate all the rice that we eat and how hard these people work to make a very meager living.
Flew back to Bangkok and met our Tour Leader and 3 new travel mates.  Two from Ottawa and an 89 year old lady from southern California.
One of our travel mates had a suit made for him in Bangkok.  He went for the fitting at 2 PM in the afternoon and the suit, a shirt and three ties were back to him for a final fitting at 9 PM.  The company works 24-7 and they have quite a crew working.  One fellow made the suit!!!!!!!!!!!
We’ve seen more open air meat and veggie markets along the way.  Every type of meat you can imagine and some you would never even think of!!!!!!!!!!  All the parts are there for you to buy – feet (with the nails or claws on), heads with the eyes looking at you, teeth sticking out on some and lots of intestines, livers, hearts, etc. hanging here and there.  Hmm – a little different than going out to Superstore.  Flies are always optional!!!!!
Flew to Luang Prabang, Laos, on a two hour flight.  Upon arrival we went to yet another temple and walked up 400 steps to view it and also to see the sunset.  It is very hazy and smoggy here (also was in Thailand).  Nice colours through the smog.
Laos is just getting into tourism so things are a bit basic and a bit rustic but we’re not complaining.  It is a beautiful country and the people are really so nice and enjoy having the tourists visit.  We’ve learned a lot about this country that we didn’t know and about the “secret war” that killed so many innocent people.  It is really heartbreaking to hear the details.  The UXO’s (unexploded ordnances) are still a great danger to the people of this country.  There are so many areas that no one is allowed to go into to this day, 35 or so years later.  It will be many, many years before they ever get it all cleaned up….if ever.
No matter how rustic it is here everyone has a cell phone.  Saw a little old lady at one temple and when her phone rang it played Jingle Bells!!!  How strange is that????  A Buddhist country and they use a Christian Christmas song for their cell phone.
We got up at 5 one morn and went to give some monks their food for the day.  The are out every morning before 6 to beg for their daily food and have a large bowl that they carry to accept the offerings.  They eat breakfast and lunch and then can only drink liquids in the afternoon and evening.  The young ones go to school during the day, cannot play any games, watch TV, or participate in any “fun” activities.
We went to the Plain of Jars in Phonsavan and that was an incredible visit.  The Jars are huge and it is amazing that so many survived the bombings by the Americans.  We went to two different sites.  The roads are like our logging roads at home, a little bumpy and a little dusty!!!!  Lots of red dust everywhere.
Travelled for 9 hours and covered just 270 kms.  There must have been 1,000 or more switchbacks – quite the road and our bus driver is amazing.  Lots of stops for photo ops and WC breaks which is always good.
A little cooler in Phonsavan in the evenings which was quite refreshing after the heat and humidity of Thailand.  Now we are back at a lower altitude and it is warmer both day and night.  The people here think it is winter and are dressed in parkas and warm sweaters.  We are all in shorts and tee shirts!!!!  They tell us that in the summer it reaches about 42 degrees with high humidity and that there are few tourists around.  We can sure understand as we find this weather, about 28-30 degrees and pretty high humidity, quite warm.
Yesterday we drove for another 9 hours and only 236 kms along yet another section of twisting highway.  Stopped to watch more rice workers in the fields.  Mostly it seems to be done by hand but some farms do have some machinery.
We arrived in Vang Vieng, Laos, yesterday aft.  Our hotel room is along the Nam Song River and we overlook the river and the limestone mountains from our  balcony.  A lovely spot.  This morn we have time to wander the local markets and relax and this afternoon we will drive to Viangchan (Vientiene), the capital of Laos. 
(Note:  I apologize for any typos and spelling errors – trying to do this quickly is not an easy thing!!!!!  C)