Saturday 19th March: Chiang Rai. (220km)
We visit the bordermarket in Mae Sai which is the northern most point (town) of Thailand. Here also a border crossing with Birma is located.A visit of te Golden Triangle (former opium trading area at the three country point Birma, Laos and Thailand) and a boat trip on the Mekhong River which includes a visit to Don Xao in Laos is on the programm here.
In Laos we dring pure whiskey which is served from bottles with death pythons, tiger penisses etc). After leaving Laos we visit the mountain people (hilltribes): Longnecks (the ones with the rings around the neck) the Lahu, the Akha and the Yao.
In the evening we're having dinner in a restaurant owned by a dutchmen in Chaing Rai. After dinner we visit the night market of Chaing Rai. Unfortunately it starts to rain tropically and the night market dissapears withing a sec.
Sunday 20th March: Chiang May. (125km)
We visit the Hotsprings in Kaeng Krachan and the Sankamphaeng handicrafts. In Sankamphaeng we vistit the Gems Gallery were jewelery is made. In Borsang we visit an umbrella factory and in Laythong a lacquerware factury. In both factories and in the Gems Gallery a tour throught the factory is made.In Chaing May we stay in the Park Hotel for two nights. In the evening we having dinner at the Kantoke Classical Dance Palace were we watch a performance of classical Thai dancing. Also a visit to a tailor is made. I order a suit and two shirts.
Monday 21st March: Chiang May. (160km)
Today one of the major highlights: The Mae Taeng Elephant Camp. At the elephant camp we off course take a trip through the "jungle" on the back of an elephant. Aansluitend a Ox-cart brings us back to the elephant camp. Here then an elephant show is presented and at the Buffalo Camp the Thai Rural Lifestyle is shown (incl. Rice planting). We leave the elephant camp on a bambo raft Thai Ways Magazine.Todays lunch is in the Bai Orchid restaurant. After lunch we visit the Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.
Before we have dinner at the German Hofbrauhaus we visit the tailor to try on the ordered clothing.
After being seated in the German Hofbrauhaus, which is located in the middle of the Chiang May night market, we are informed that the Thai Princess Ubol Ratana (oldest doughter of HM King Bhumipol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit) is also visiting the resaurant. This also explains the enormous amount of police men in and around the restaurant. On arrival of the prinsess everybody must stand. As her son died in the Tsunami disaster, she's totaly dressed in black.
Tuesday 22nd March: Train to Bangkok. (725km)
Today we take the night train to Bangkok. Before we head to the rail station we take a traditional thai massage which takes about 2 hours.At 16:45h the night train to bangkok leaves Chaing Mai (671 en 741 Bath). We arrive in Bangk en om 6.00 aankomst Bangkok.
Wednesday 23rd March: Cha Am. (200km)
We arrive in Bangkok at 06:00h. The bus, already waiting, brings us to Cha Am were we will have two days of beach holiday. On the way to Cha Am we visit the Khao Yoi Monkey Temple. In Cha Am we stay in the Gems Hotel. In the evening we visit the Hua Hin night market.Thursday 24th March: Cha Am
No program today. Enjoying the beach and also try the temperature of the see water. Unfortunately I have the unpleasant opportunity to meet a nice little jelly fisch.Friday 25th March: Cha Am en Bangkok. (225km)
Jumbo and I take a scooter to visit a nearby mountain temple. On the way back to Cha Am we're having lunch somewhere along the road after first asking local people where to eat best.We leave Cha Am around 16:30h. Due to high traffic density we arrive very late in Bangkok. At the Amari Airport Hotel we enjoy the farewell dinner. After dinner check in is at 23:.00h. Departure at 02:30h.