Songkran Party is still Going On - Golden Triangle

Even though Songkran is officially over in Mae Sai, the party still goes on through today or longer.

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".

After you watch the video you will know why they call this dish "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.

Home in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, Thailand

We made it home to Mae Sai and everything was just like we left it a little over three months ago. Motor bike started okay, satilite TV works, internet works and we are happy. We are going to rest up a little and get back to the part of having fun in the Land of Smiles.

We did stop by the Land Office parking lot this afternoon. There are a lot of venders selling things in this large parking lot.

We took a little video of the Coffee Guys selling iced coffee. I must say their cup of coffee is not boring. We hope you enjoy this video. Click HERE!

Sunday & Cock Fights

Well, it's Sunday and we skipped church to see the cock fights. Daeng or I have never seen what cock fighting is about so we wanted to see what was the big deal.

We need to be a little careful writing about this with the pictures as we're not sure if cock fighting is even legal in Thailand.

We were told where a big fight was happening today. We hopped on a motorbike and headed to the area along the Myanmar (Burma) border that the fight was to happen.

We stopped a few times to ask directions. When I say "we" it was actually Daeng that stopped. You know men never stop to ask directions until we're out of gas.

Everyone that we asked knew exactly where the big cock fight was and just pointed us up the road.

Then we got to this area were a lot of motorbikes were parked. A man showed Daeng where to park in the shade and charged 10 TB to park.

He pointed up the way and to the left so we walked up the little path. There was a lot of noise with people screaming.

When we rounded the corner there was a covered area with maybe fifty roosters, each one under what looked like an upside down basket.

There was also this concrete arena type structure that was in a circle with four tiers of seating.

It was covered with a metal roof that had water spraying on the roof to keep it cool. In the picture you can see the water running off the roof.

We walked into the arena and it was full of men watching two chickens battling each other. (Daeng said there was one lady besides herself.)

I tried to get some video but could tell that the folks around me were not happy with my camera being out. The only reason I got away with getting some pictures was everyone was interested in the fight.

I did load the videos I was able to get onto YouTube.com. I had to do it in two (2) parts.

To watch them just click on the parts you want. PART I or PART II

Part II shows the winner but we don't know which one won! The guys with the white towels have something to do with the cocks, maybe the owners.

Myself, I did not feel that I wanted to be part of this so we just slid out the entrance and moved along up the road. I now can understand why cock fighting is illegal in most countries.

On the way out Deang showed me a plant that recoils when you touch it. I was able to get video of that plant. CLICK HERE!

Tomorrow we are going to go up into the mountain and part way to Ban AYO. We have been having trouble getting a hold of Chom-nom, the man that is building the shelter for the kids.

04-19-09 Crab for Som-Tom Papaya Salad

We just thought you might like to see a little video of Daeng washing the small crab to steam for her Som-Tom Salad. Just click here: CRAB FOR SALAD








No, it does not taste like chicken!

04-05-09 Church in Mae Sai, Thailand

I just wanted to add to yesterdays blog my visit to the Rev. Sunit's temporary Church in Mae Sai, Thailand. I don't consider myself as a religious person although I do have some spiritual beliefs. If you don't think that there are powers greater than yourself, the next time you are at the beach, try to stop a wave.

One of the things that I have noticed over the last 67 years is that children that are taught in religious ways tend to be better citizens. Whenever I see kids at Church, or Temples, or what ever name you use for the gathering of people to worship, it also makes me fell good.

Yesterday, after Daeng went to work at her Som-Tom Papaya stand, I got dresses and walked about a mile over to the home that Rev. Sunit had moved into this week. He was going to try and use it as the temporary church, as well.

As I walked up the road I could hear the sound of people singing. When I got the rest of the way up the road the building was full and people siting and standing outside the church, too.

Kids from Ban Nana, "Childlife", were there, also. If you would like to learn more about "Childlife" here is a link to the video: "Fences Between Us!" .

It was nice to see Daeng's Mother there, also. She is the lady in yellow.

Both Daeng and I want to wish the Rev. Sunit, his family and the congregation the very best with their new home even if it is temporary.