05/12/2009 -  1am meet at Suwanapumi Airport and drive to Chiang Mai district

07.30 stop in province of Trak, visit some friends for morning tea

11.00 Jomthong District (Chaimai) - stop for lunch
14:30 Phra Mahathat Napametanidon and Phra Mahathat Napapolphumisiri (Doi Intanon)  (website) (Doi is Thai for Mountain Top)
The monuments honor of the King and Queen of Thailand. I don't know how they get all this material to the mountain tops

18.00 Krisdadoi camp grounds (website). very large, beautiful family camp grounds, tents or bungalows The venue hosted a birthday party for a large family re union on the same night of the King's birthday so loud celebrations

06/12/2009 hung over ....

10.00 Oueen Sirikit Botanic Garden  (website) wonderful tourist venue - 70 acres of exhibitions . you need all day!!

11.00 Doi Suthep Temple - (website)
stunning views and culture - you need all day here

15.00 The Rock Resort - Maehongson.   (website)

The drive to Maehongson (the rock resort) is through the mountains, winding roads. Our drivers have turbo skills so it's like being in a roller coaster ride

20.00  Dinner - the location very cold and we enjoy our party around the camp fire. The resort is on the river in the mountains..

07/12/2009

10.00 visit Pai (website), shopping - many things to do in Pai - quite famous tourist destination

13.00 lunch visit the famous "coffee in love" look out venue

17.00 mountain views and the mountain people

19.00 dinner at the Rock Resort.
The rock resort is located right on a river. The resort offers accommodation in Bungalows or tents (it's so cold I can't believe they can sleep in tents). 

In keep with Thai style, being up late an making a lot of noise does not draw complaints .. if you are "happy" so are they? 

08/12/2009

10.00 depart for Chiang Rai stop at many places the way!

18.00 arrive to Chiang Mai

19.00 Dinner - local restaurant in Chiang Rai
here the girls don't say "kaa" they say...

20.00 visit local shopping bizarre

21.00 local Disco - 3 of the people in our group celebrate their birthday .. (the girls are jealous because the kaetoys look so beautful (haa haa))

02.00 finish 
I really liked the old fashion Thai Hotel (made of wood) but the thai's are scared because of ghosts.. the hotel is stunning with history but no doubt .. the floors creak but it is so amazing in design and craftmanship

 09/12/2009

10.00 hungover again
Mae sai  - shopping
Mai sai is across the boarder, everything is very cheap .. but so is life ....  if you are a keen shopper you can handle the pushing sales people from the stalls. (up to you.. it's not thai style)

13.00 depart to Bangkok
long drive, many stops, share a lot of laughs and friendships with meals and visiting places

swamp more language skills on the bus and laugh about the adventures of our trip

10/12/2009
00.30 arrive to Bangkok
14.00 Thai team fly back to Phuket

video 1 of 2

videos uploaded to youtube are maximum 10 mins.

this video is about 7mins and covers 1st half of the trip

video 2 of 2

this video is about 7mins and covers the 2nd half of the trip

if you like a section and want to know more, view the photo album or attach a question to this form article 

I'm very proud to have so many wonderful Thai friends aspects of their culture.

This video sums up the feeling!!!

The buddhism culture of kindness to others and the Thai culture of family and respect for elders is incredible. These elements are sadly lacking in our Western culture I hope we can re build Comminity values.. We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.