chiang rai--I camp for views like this

Rocky and I cashed in our last babysitting swap for a while (however long it takes to have a baby, recover and volunteer to babysit three kids and a poorly trained but lovable bulldog) and flew off to Chiang Rai. 

Chiang Rai is the most northern city in Thailand. It's located just below the Golden Triangle--where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet and also where, apparently, the weather, altitude and isolation is ideal for growing poppies. 

We spent our first night in town and the next morning, we headed into the mountains for a two day, one night trek. Since our Thai is limited to giving directions in a taxi and asking assorted questions but not understanding the answers, we hired a guide--best money we spent.

The tribes we visited were displaced from their own countries and came to northern Thailand seeking refuge several years ago. Many of them continue to live similar to the way the have for hundreds of years. The first major difference we noticed was the replacement of the horse with the scooter. We saw several boys speeding up the single track dirt trails loaded with bags of corn. The second difference, all the villages seemed to have a shop where you could buy candy. Really, really bad candy.

When I arranged this trip I had an absurd idea that it would be neat to spend a night in a village. So upon leaving that morning we checked out of the beautiful resort on the river. It was so beautiful.

We hiked ten miles into the hills through the green landscapes. We came at the perfect time for both the wet and dry rice fields. It was a bit of an ordeal for me, sinus wise. As I found out yesterday, I am allergic to nearly every type of grass and rice field in Thailand. (I had hoped I was allergic to Scooter, back the drawing board on ways to get rid of him.) We passed through a few villages. They became significantly more primitive, less outgoing and their wax chocolate candy shops became smaller and smaller.

We ate some delicious food. This is one of my favorites. If you had told 10 year old me this, it would seem so unbelievable, the only conceivable solution would force me to live in fear of an impending lobotomy.

We ended up in a Lahu tribe village. 

This was our home for the night. I thought it fitting that there was a soi dog in the picture. What would have been more realistic though, would have been about 30 soi dogs, 15 pigs and 50 chickens. Because from the noise level that night, I assume the family whose home we stayed in, owned at least that many animals. It's hard to tell as all the animals roam freely through the town. When night falls, the owners call them back and they obey. Maybe I can bring Scooter here for training lessons--though after his only run in with a soi dog, the odds of him lasting in this place are small. (Lightbulb.)

The tibet tribes build their homes on stilts, like the Thai people. The Thais built their homes along rivers that flood--hence the stilts. The Lahu tribe we stayed with used stilts so their animals could sleep underneath. 

If you're wondering how loud all those animals are with only a thatched wood floor between you, the answer is, very loud. I maybe got a combined 45 minutes of sleep. Since there was no electricity and it was pitch black by 7 pm, that left a lot of time to think about the beautifully, comfortable resort we slept in the night before. A lot of time. 

I did ultimately decide it was good for me to be reminded of the way so many people in the world live. Once in a live time opportunity. And next time I go camping or decide to be voluntarily homeless (maybe in 2020) I will not be sleeping amidst a herd of pigs and several deranged roosters. 

We did decide we need to find a way to hire our kids out to work the rice fields every summer.  Then I wouldn't get so many complaints when I ask them to clean their playroom. And think of what a breeze of a chore doing your piano practice would seem after you've had to weed an entire dry rice field. 

"Hey, Rocky, look how close I can get to this giant pig." Little did I know, we were about to be bunkmates.

Really, these were some of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. 

The next day we took the river raft back to the city. (yes, in case you are keeping track, I am wearing the same outfit. I only own one camping outfit and it has been shelved for the foreseeable future.)

 

Where we ate more delicious food. 

Apparently no trip to Chaing Rai is complete without a visit to the White Temple. I had never heard of it before this. It is amazing. The world renowned artist responsible for its design and building, has come back to his hometown to build something incredible in an attempt to excite the youth about their Buddhist religion. 

After the earthquake last Spring set back the completion date by a few years, it is scheduled to be done in 43 years. That should make my parents feel better about their backyard remodel.

I asked Rocky send me pictures from our trip and he sent me about 40 of the temple, I assume that was his favorite part.

This was mine. Khao Soi, it's heaven in a bowl. Also the beautiful resort we stayed at the first night. Did I mention how comfortable it was. Granted, if it hadn't been followed by the hut the second night, it would have seemed like just another hotel. I feel their is a lesson in this, but if I have to learn it by camping, I opt out. 

But really, all sarcasm aside, I loved this trip. It was incredible and mind opening and one of my favorites I've taken. Next stop Bhutan or Budapest. Whichever has less camping. Who am I kidding, I will camp as long as it comes with beautiful views and break from kids. 

And I do love Scooter (75% of the time, which is also the amount of time he spends sleeping). Look, I even dressed him up for Halloween. 

Though I doubt he loves me. Especially after I just took control of his food and cut his intake in half. Don't worry, Scoot, Violet will still be sneaking you several croissants a day and I will pretend to not notice half the time.