Anyhow, we said our good-byes to the Ao Cho Hideaway staff and made our way back to the pier to catch our ferry to Ban Phe.
From the ferry, we shared a van ride to the Bangkok airport and caught a flight to Chiang Mai, which is up in the northern part of Thailand. After a days worth of travel, it was great feeling to have the familiar faces of Robin and Daniel greet us at the airport. Robin and I shared an office at the college for about 2 years (or so, I think?) before she and Daniel took positions teaching in Chiang Mai in August 2008. This fall was the start of their 2nd academic year in Thailand. So, they are finally settling in and are now renting an apartment in Chiang Mai (previously, they lived on the school's campus). They graciously hosted us at their cute place, which I stupidly did not take any pictures of!! I think the first night we went to the beautiful restaurant on the Ping River. We reaped the benefits again of low season and had the restaurant to practically to ourselves. The next morning Robin took us to market near Chinatown. This market has just about anything and everything - fruits, veggies, tea, odd unknown things in bags, herbs/spices, candy, fabric, clothes, toys...literally EVERYTHING.
While the cramped market is chaotic there is much beauty in the everyday things here. (click to enlarge images) 
The flower market was unbelievable. Loads of tropical flowers - each more stunning than the previous. Many flowers and arrangements had been prepared as offerings to bring to temples. Some were quite ornate like the one below which included lotus blossoms at the very tip top. There were also beautiful bunches of lotus flowers. Robin explained that the lotus is the holy-est of flowers and can not/should not be bought for your home. 
STAY TUNED for more on CHIANG MAI after this brief interruption... CHIANG DAO!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment