Thailand Travel Journal
November 4th |
The Golden Triangle and back to Chaing Mai, Nov12thI went to explore a building away from the main hut that had solar panels on the roof. It was a place where they recharged their batteries by solar power. Bought a few woven bracelets from the ladies. An hours easy walk to the road. We had to cross a stream just after leaving the village. Pauline, Brian and I jumped over the rocks and had no problem. One of the others started over an old wooden bridge behind the guide when it gave way and they both fell in the stream. The guide was on the bottom but not hurt. The French guy, who was a doctor, fell on top of him and hurt his hip. Painful but he was able to continue walking. We were picked up at the road in a truck and all driven to the same lunch spot as the first day. Rita, Bob, Brian , Frank, his girlfriend and I decided to go on to the Golden Triangle while the others went directly back to Chaing Mai. The golden Triangle is where the two rivers meet at the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. It then becomes the Mekong which flows all the way to Ho Chi Min city in Vietnam. Legend is that this area was once mostly poppy fields. The Thai government encouraged the people to plant other crops. Very strict here about drugs. The countryside is quite built up to the border. Area very commercial but nice to see the three rivers. Bought a t-shirt. took a few pictures. Would like to have taken a boat ride but not enough time. Glad I went A long, hot drive back to Chaing Mai. Back in the city there is lots of traffic and pollution. Nearly dark. It was great to get in a shower again. I had not even bothered to wash the night before at the village as you had to walk down to a waterfall and then back up the steep hill. I know I do not tolerate the heat very well. I was told this was not even the hottest season. |