Chiang Mai to Bangkok - 23 Feb

Niran and Taong picked us up at 10:30am and transferred us to Chaing Mai International Airport.  All went very smoothly with the check-in despite being slightly short on time. 
We were greeted by quite a contingent in Bangkok.  Our Guide, Wanna from Exotissimo Travel was there to greet us as planned.  In addition, Dr. Jonathan Chan, Associate Dean for International Relations Chair, and Dr. Nippon Charoenkitkarn Dean of Informational Technology were there to greet Greg and whisk him away to King Mongkut’s University of Technology of Thongburi where he enjoyed a tour and provided a talk.   I was whisked to the opposite side of town to the Sukhothai Hotel where I unpacked and had a nap.
At 6pm sharp, Greg arrived at the hotel with Jonathan and we headed out to a Japanese restaurant (forgotten the name) for dinner with Nippon his wife, son and daughter, and a visiting Professor Jim (forgot his last name) from Ryerson and his wife. 

view of courtyard from our hotel room

Chiang Mai - 22 Feb

We enjoyed a leisurely morning in the pools and on the laptops and in no time at all, it was lunch.  We stayed at the hotel for lunch and I decided to try the famous Thai mango/sticky rice in coconut milk dessert.  It was sooooo delicious!

Chiang Mai is 700 years old.  It was originally built with double ramparts and moats surrounding the city, with five entry gates.  We entered the city through the Thapae gate.  Chiang Mai is well known for the abundance of temples within the city.  Wat means temple.  While walking about in the old city, we came across several of them; Wat Phantao, Wat Chai Prakiat, Wat Phabong (with residential school), Wat Dubphai, Wat Raiamontean, Wat Chaisriphoom, and a couple of others that were not labelled in English.  But really, this was just a drop in the bucket of all the temples in the city. 

Clearly I was in need of a long skirt to wear inside the temples, so I purchased a lovely one with purple and orange stripes, that fits neatly in my purse.  I also got mesmerized by a card shop where I picked up a few greeting cards for folks back home who may appreciate some words of encouragement.

During our self-guided foot tour of the inner city, we saw a parade of school boys, preceded by a van announcing them on a loud-speaker.  Of course, we had no idea of what they were announcing, so we followed them to the end of their route at Wat Phabong where an offering was made at the front of the temple.  This temple was also a school and it looked like some students were in residence and some were local.  Based on the ages, we presumed they were high school age.

It was quite hot strolling around, but I was determined to get some photos of the rampart and moats, even though we were on the opposite side of the street at rush hour.  It took quite an effort to negotiate my way over to the other side of the street, but I finally made it over safely.  Greg was having no part of that nonsense, so he stayed put.  Locals, of course, just step out and find gaps that don’t seem to exist, wasting no time at all crossing over.

With my photo objective met, we caught a tuk tuk ride back to hotel.

We also took tuk tuks on our dinner outing, past the night markets and along the Ping River at a restaurant called Chez 15.  It was quite an experience since the shy and nervous servers were volunteer students.  For awhile, we were the only customers, but this was not a reflection of the food quality.  It was very good except the fish salad was a bit too spicy.  At the jammed-packed restaurant next door to us, there was some very loud live music, which we got to enjoy all the same, and have a conversation at the same time. 

 finally, a refreshing, cool pool in the mountains

 Thai specialty; sticky rice in coconut milk with mango.... delicious!

 shop keeper with a sense of humour

 tripping out on your Thailand trip

 temple name unknown (but I'm still trying to find it)

 parade

 offering being made at end of parade (Wat Phabong)

 Wat Dubphai

 Wat Raiamontean

 temple name unknown (but I'm still trying to find it)

 ancient double-walled rampart and moat surrounding the inner city

 moat

 Greg hiring a tuk tuk

gorgeous musician playing at our hotel

Singapore to Chiang Mai - 21 Feb

Our driver arrived precisely at 6:15am to whisk us away to Singapore’s Changi airport.  We relaxed a bit in the Singapore airport lounge at one of the rest stations where we got to put our feet up in lounge chairs overlooking palm trees, trickling water, and tranquil music (and free WiFi).  Changi is one of the most impressive airports I’ve been in.  There’s so much available here; butterfly gardens, massage, orchid gardens, rest areas, nap areas, security at every gate, washrooms galore, etc., etc.  It’s very modern and efficient.

Before we knew it, we were on SilkAir and in the sky again.  Our Guide Niran from Exotissimo was there to meet us at the Chiang Mai airport along with our Driver Taong.   Once settled into our hotel Banthai Village, we set out on an excursion.

We went up the Doi Suthep mountain in our white minivan to the temple, where we transferred to a red truck to negotiate the bumpy and difficult single-lane road to Ban Khun Changkean, a Hmong village.  Red trucks are a popular form of taxi-service in Chiang Mai where passengers sit along two benches in the back and on the Doi Suthep mountain, hang on for dear life!

In the Ban Khun Changkean, we toured the village starting with the school which houses over 200 students of all ages.  The Hmong people live a traditional lifestyle dating back over 500 years, where villagers live in harmony with nature.  Some modern touches, such as brick extensions to their houses for the cold season (where it gets down to minus 3 C at night), and electricity is making its way into homes.  This village had a windmill and solar panel as alternative power sources as well.  The community is equipped with a warning speaker system, but Niran says the Chief mainly uses it to make community announcements, such as please attend tonight’s community meeting. 

We were fortunate to be able to visit inside one of the traditional homes.  Niran knew the village Elder pictured below and she kindly gave us permission to enter.  A central fire is always smoldering inside the dwelling which consists of one large room, with a kitchen, central fire area, storage, and common areas.  This dwelling also had a brick extension attached and that’s where the family slept.  The chickens ran free and the dogs did so as well, but in many cases, they just napped the day away.

Boys Scouts seems to be very popular in Thailand and Indonesia, as it is here in this wee village of about 500 people.  So all in all, the Hmong people maintain their traditional beliefs and customs, but are adapting some useful modern conveniences.

According to Niran, the government didn’t know what to do about the Hmong people, so they opted to do nothing.  Instead, they offer assistance and conveniences for consideration of the community and leave it up to them to decide to partake or not.

Backtracking our way back down the mountain, we stopped at an Arabica coffee plantation which is part of the Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University and where a number of Hmong villagers work.  We toured the processing section of the plantation where we learned about the process.  When picking the beans, the red ones are favoured, dry/bake them in the sun, soak them, then remove the outer shell, then soak them some more to get the inner shell off, then they roast them in the sun for mild, medium, or dark flavours.  Then we enjoyed a delicious cup at the café.  Unfortunately, we hadn’t had the opportunity to acquire any currency and could not purchase coffee to bring home with us.  ;-(

We engaged in more backtracking down the mountain, winding tight curves and negotiating even tighter spaces when meeting other vehicles.  We passed by the Phuping Palace and occasionally we snuck sneak peaks of the vista below.  Finally we arrived back at the red-truck drop off point where we stopped to visit the temple. 

The Phrathat Doi Suthep Ratchaworawiharn temple (Doi Suthep), the royal temple, is one of the most significant temples in northern Thailand.  We travelled by cable car up to the temple which was built in 1836 this location according to the white elephant legend.  While carrying a piece of Buddha’s shoulder bone on his back, the white elephant climbed up Doi Suthep mountain, stopped, trumpeted 3 times, turned in a circle 3 times, then died on the spot and that’s where the temple was built.  It was quite an impressive temple with pagodas, statues, bells, gongs, shrines and was filled with tourists, citizens, and monks.  There was also a gorgeous panoramic of Chiang Mai to enjoy through the thick haze.

Later than evening, we dined at the Thanom Potchana restaurant.  Greg tried the fried fish, which was difficult to eat and a bit of a disappointment, but he washed it down with a large beer.  I had the pad thai and fish/veggie soup, which was very tasty.  Of course, all the time, I was feeding the local insects because I forgot my bug spray.  The whole meal cost the equivalent of $15.

 inside the red truck

 tight squeeze

 shoes are not worn inside any dwellings or structures

 preschoolers at nap time... obviously getting a "Head Start"

 lunch room and cooking class

 soccer pitch

village Elder

 inside a traditional home (with brick extension)

 roasting Arabica coffee beans at the Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, staffed by many villagers

 at the Phrathat Doi Suthep Ratchaworawiharn temple, a very famous temple in Northern Thailand where people come from all around to visit this temple and seek blessings

 even the visiting Monks take pictures

 painted ceiling in the temple walkway

the legendary white elephant

 bells; you should ring them 3 times

now that's a gong

Singapore - 20 Feb

After breakfast, Greg left for a full day of meetings at Nan Yang University which was located about a half hour drive across town.  Left to my own devices for the day, I spent most of the morning sorting through photos and updating the blog.  Then I headed to the rooftop gym and had a vigorous workout for about an hour, watching the sprinkling of rain progress to a white out downpour.  Once the deluge was finished, I had a cooling off swim in the pool.  Then I headed off to High Tea.

Reflecting on Singapore some more, it really is quite the meshing of western and traditional values.  The relatively high standard of living here is influenced by the consumerism of the west.  But the growing middle class is very generous and supportive of social programs.  Recently, the budget did not have any perks at all for the middle-class, middle-aged population.  Instead, it focussed on improving conditions for low-income and elderly citizens and the reaction, as captured in the newspaper was full support of the budget.  The middle-class individuals surveyed were very happy to share the wealth and were happy to be in a position where they did not need help themselves.  The wealthier senior citizens interviewed were committed to supporting themselves in their own homes, rather than moving into senior accommodations provided by the government.  Clinging to their independence, their plans were to pass their homes along to their children, rather than selling and taking advantage of the tax incentives.  All in all, Singapore although adopting western consumerism, has maintained traditions of caring for vulnerable and elderly populations.

It was nice to be able to drink the tap water again.  Singapore is quickly becoming an incredibly green country; recycling, conserving water, products derived from recycled materials, minimizing office lighting at night, etc.  But one thing about Australia and Singapore is air-conditioning and doors wide open.  I think we are way ahead of them in this regard.  But I suppose a little eastern seaboard blackout was inspirational in that regard.

Greg arrived back from the university well after 6pm because he could not get a cab, so had to take public transit.  Singapore has an awesome and expansive, efficiently run system.  But the fares vary depending on how far you go. 

At dinner, there was a birthday celebration for little boy who turned one.  He was way too cute and reminded us of Aidan, being busy, busy, busy.  But lucky for us, we got another Skype call from Aidan and Drew because it was family day and Aidan’s daycare was closed.  Drew was at home hanging out with Aidan while Andrea was still fighting her bug.  He’s walking around now hanging on to things with only one hand and occasionally taking a few steps on his own.

Can you believe?  I didn't take any pictures today?  So, I'm going to share more pics taken yesterday at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

 girl on a hammock statue

  girl on a swing statue

  girl on a bicycle statue

  a sweet bride and groom

 Greg, stopping to smell the flowers.  Really, it can happen!

Singapore - 19 Feb

A visit to Singapore’s Botanic Garden took up most of the day and we may have seen about one-third of it at most.  I was beginning to think that shopping and entertainment were the only things to do, but wow, the garden was outstanding and free.  Spanning a massive 183 acres, we were unable to soak in all the beauty and in Greg’s case, all the smells.  We focussed our time on the ginger garden, rainforest, and National Orchid garden (which is the only one requiring a modest $5 fee).  Most of our time was dedicated to the orchid garden, being my all-time favourite flower, and choice of wedding bouquet.  Greg was a sport waiting incessantly for me in the cooling centres when he had his fill.

Throughout the world, there are over 700 types of orchids, more than 25,000 orchid species and more than 100,000 hybrids.  So when I tell you that I photographed at least 300 orchids, please don’t think me mad.  It’s only a drop in the bucket on the world scale.  Orchid hybrids are created here with many being dedicated to visiting dignitaries and celebrities and I’ve featured the ones dedicated to former Canadian Prime Minister - Jean Cretien, former South African President - Nelson Mandela, and the late Princess Diana.  This venture took up our entire day and we barely got back to the hotel in time for afternoon tea.

I took an interesting picture of Greg in front of a statue called the “Passing of Knowledge”… Knowledge,  like water, is vital to life.  In this work and continuous stream of water connects the two figures.  The water is symbolic to the passing of knowledge from generation to generation.  This embodies the Rotarians’ hope that values cultivated by the 4-Way Test will continue to be a guiding principle in human relations for our future generations.  The 4-Way Test:  Of the things we think, say or do;

1.       Is it the TRUTH?
2.       Is it FAIR to ALL CONCERNED?
3.       Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP?
4.       Will it be BENEFICIAL to ALL CONCERNED?

We did enjoy the rooftop pool which was very refreshing and that’s unusual around these parts.  Normally the pools are not terribly refreshing, just warm.  Afterwards we enjoyed another delicious dinner at the hotel.

And lucky us, we had a Skype visit with Aidan and Drew before retiring (plus a sniffle-fighting Andrea in the background).  He was enjoying the annoying little Valentine’s card we got him that plays “Who let the dogs out” when opened.

 Hybrid dedicated to former Canadian Prime Minister - Jean Cretien

 Hybrid dedicated to former South African President - Nelson Mandela

 Hybrid dedicated to the late Princess Diana

 Hybrid dedicated to the late Princess Diana

 this orchid traps and digests insects

 this orchid traps and digests insects

 Greg in front of a statue called the “Passing of Knowledge”