Chiang Mai: the Robust Sequel

Well, Peter claims that since KL was his favorite big city we hit, he gets to have sole provenence over posting for Malaysia. Therefore, I've been relegated to do Chiang Mai yet again. luckily, it was a very different experience from last time (in a good way), so lots to talk about! That, and if I fail to do so there is a threat of strange British insults coming at me from certain elder female siblings of mine... Hmm, I think I got the title for this post from a bad animated movie Troy and I made on his computer years ago... more on that if my neurons decide to start firing in the appropriate fashion (all I can remember is that it involved an obscene amount of explosions). But anyway, on with the exciting relating of tales from a foreign land! (you know, unless you're Thai).

Oh yeah, also worth noting: These are taken on two different cameras. If there is a sudden slough of pictures of either Peter or myself, that means that we were using either my or his camera respectively (taking pictures of the other, much to their chagrin)

now then, on with it!

So, arriving from KL after some airport adventures (Peter gets to tell you about that), we got into Chiang Mai without incident, and so, the forcing eachother to pose in front of various spots commenced. First up: Peter in front of Thaepae gate, a lovely little landmark to use at that end of the city. That, and it's all, "Peter in Thailand, whoo!". And I must admit, exciting for me too :)


Of course Chiang Mai is FILLED with temples everywhere, so naturally, a good place to make Peter pose.



We also went to the big giant temple of the name I have forgotten in the middle of town. More Thai Temples and Tourists anyone?


And a pic of inside. Shiny things abound, and a really nice lady who gave us a smile as we were acting all respectful-like. Dun't feel like near all the hick then


Peter is far to pleased with this picture


The inside of this building was my favorite. All made of wood, very cozy


And bells on the outside of every temple. Hadn't noticed this until now since this was the first windy day at a temple for me


ha! And because it's insufferably adorable, and part of a standing tradition in the family, I give you: Peter chasing chickens around a foreign land


But such pretty results for the chasing. And hey, it wasn't monkies this time...


And of course the best reason to hang around for extended periods of time in Thailand...FOOD! The roadside stalls they set up in the outer lane of traffic at night are very nice, and lots of bang for your baht. Rice, meat, and veg piled high with all the fixin's (chilies, chili sauce, fish sauce, spring onion, sugar, powdered chilies, etc) for around 20-30 baht. Mmmmm, Thailand...definitely an activity the two of us enjoy a LOT


I've had a hard day of a camera in my face. Be sorry for the cute boy...


So, next day we rented bicycles, much to Peter's excited delight, and went off to see the town. Lots of doging traffic and getting a bit lost and such...in fact, the temple area you see below was a complete accident, as we were trying to get to the tribal museum. It was awesome though, so glad we took that wrong turn.



Oooooh, aaaaahhhh


Aaaaand my view for most of the day (ignore the lack of helmet mom. We were safe, helmets just aren't offered or around in Thailand)


And hey, finally did make it to the Tribal museum. It was very pretty on the outside. Inside...eh,not so much. Lots of "we love the king" propaganda though,that was rather fun to read.


And I'm not sure as to the purpose of this... riding a giant styrafoam block in a lake anyone?


And yes, my insatiable love of zoos was realized, especially after a friend of mine ranted and raved about how nice the Chiang Mai zoo was. It was a fun afternoon anyway, though man, they've got some FUN inclines in that one... if fun is synonymous with "frighteningly long, hot, dusty, and more importanly on top of this, steep". Oh flat Edmonton, you DO have your uses


Zoolander face. And I found out Peter has a soft spot for flamingos...


And why is Colin acting like a 4 year old? Because I want what I'm pointing at


Elephants! Duh. This one is pretty cool, as it was being trained to put the hat on and take the hat off of the trainer. It was pretty hilarious to watch, and the elephant kept wanting to take the thing entirely. It got a nice bath for it's trouble though, and Peter had fun laughing at me being all excited.




This is actually kind of freaky, as the hippo here is actually pretty pissed. Some tourists were making noise near it and throwing chips and things into the water. Not a happy happy hippo. The zoo doesn't like to introduce "natural selection" into the mix either, or the stupid people would be squooshed a lot faster. Nice shot though


Snack break! And one of the only "Peter and Colin" pictures in this city for some reason.


The Orangutan (the only Malay word I know) is a pretty neat lookign guy. Peter overheard some Japanese tourists having a good laugh over this particular guy, as they likened him to Buddha with his considerable girth and most tranquil pose.


Awww, somebody not liking the pictures taken of him?


Too bad for you, now smile nicely in the flowers! Hooray!


Though he is only truly happy again once he is on his bicycle. We went to a stall along the way back into the city after this, though it was well o utside to touristed area, so nothing in english. Therefore, the time honored "point and hope it's not gross" method worked well for us. Shrimp rice kind of mix, very nice. Good amount of chili too (not watered down too much, not enought to remove skin from your mouth)


Aaaand the ridonkulous amount of plug and power adaptors for Peter's camera. Truly a toursit attraction in it's own special way.


Just one of the markets by the river. Grabbed a variety of tasty things to eat and wandered the flower markets for a while etc, very nice


And a random chinese temple in the mix. Funny thing is, it has a more elaborate gate than anything I've seen in Singapore, which is mainly chinese. Though I guess we're not all that far away from China in this part of the country....


And night market, land of yet more shiny things and bargains to be had if you have the sense to haggle. Definitely not for the fainthearted in this crowded jungle. Normally we both despise shopping, but have to make an exception for Thailand, it's a whole new ball game...for a time, still can't shop marathons. Ye gods, why do people do that!!! though hey, nice Picture of Peter


And the other of 2 couple shots I found. This is a self timer in a dusty jewellery store/pad thai place up some random street. Street stall price, all the ambiance of a dusty ghetto jewellery store. Pretty damn awesome place to chill for a while, and the Pad Thai was awesome too!


Lol, as Peter also looks thrilled by the food at this point.


But after this night in the shot, we went off to the border with Laos to start off down the Mekong. Stay tuned for that one, Malaysia will pop up whenever Peter gets back into normal circadian rythms again. Meanwhile, I have to kill relax a few brain cells before tackling this week's homework. Oy vey.