Daeng, Peter, Nok and I drove over to the center of the Golden Triangle. I think President Nixon nicknamed this area "The Golden Triangle" because it is were Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand come together on the Mekong River.
The Mekong River is the world's 12th longest river and the 7th longest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,350 km (2,703 mi). It runs to the ocean from China through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.
We have been on this river a few times in the past. To read two of those stories just CLICK HERE for our first trips on the river. That story also talks about "cookies are better than guns". To read the story of the completed school on the Mekong and see pictures of this old, white, fat boy dancing just CLICK HERE.
This area was, at one time, the largest opium growing area of the world. Today, it still ranks as number two, losing out only to Afghanistan. The whole area for hundreds of square miles around is know as "The Golden Triangle" but this is the center.
We had a nice lunch looking over the river. The day was fairly cool, about 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius. We ate salt fish, som-tom papaya salad, bar-be-qued chicken, spicy seafood soup, sticky rice, orange soda and "dancing scrimp".
Here is a video of the "Dancing Scrimp".
Peter and Nok would not eat the dancing scrimp but I tried it. The taste was very strong from the spices that were used with the scrimp and mango.
After we ate we walked up to the "Big Buddha" on the edge of the mighty Mekong River. There were lots of folks visiting this well know Buddha.
We started to drive down the road to Chiang Saen, about 10-15 km to see if the dragon boat races were still going.
We got to the edge of this little town and the traffic was stopped and everyone throwing water around. Together we made the decision turn around and go home. After all it was three o'clock and full stomachs. A nap sounded real good.
We did have a fun day with Peter and Nok.
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