Thailand Adventure--Day 10

Up at 6 this morning. We needed to be on the bus by 7 for our excursion to visit two local hill tribe villages. We stopped at a gas station along the highway where we transferred to one of the light duty trucks that carry locals around like taxis. The truck bed has a canopy over the bed with two bench seats facing each other. It was about enough room to seat 8 adults. The trucks took us up into the hills where we visited the Akha and the Yao tribes. We met the locals who showed us around the village while wearing their traditional costumes. 

We danced with them, visited their homes and in return they did their best to sell us their crafts. It was a fascinating look inside the daily lives of the more primitive people of this part of the world and how the modern world is impacting their lives. Sadly their traditional rustic homes built of rough hewn wood with thatched roofs are disappearing as these people become more affluent. The new homes are built of cinder block and have electricity and running water. So our view into their lives is really one that will soon disappear entirely.

We got back to the hotel by 11:00 where we relaxed, showered, did a bit of e-mailing and then boarded the bus for our drive to Chiang Mai, the last stop on our Thai adventure.

Along the way we drove passed fields of strawberries, tobacco, dragon fruit, corn and much more. Worker rest huts, round shaped with a conical roof and made of straw appeared in the fields here and there. We also passed more rice paddies in various stages of planting. We stopped a couple of times to watch as workers harvested rice plants out of the rice nurseries, wrapping them in bundles. At another spot we watched workers bent over, planting the same baby plants in freshly prepared fields. For this back breaking work, the field workers are paid only about $5 per day.

 

We made a lunch stop at another in the chain of Cabbages and Condoms restaurants. We each had a single plate lunch with fresh veggies, pork or chicken and a big scoop of rice. With a bottle of water, our lunch was less than $5. It was delicious.

Food is, generally, so inexpensive here. Imported foods are usually expensive which is fine since I didn't come here to eat Italian food or munch on M & Ms. Our experience with foods bought on the street has been very positive. Often the street food has been better than that of our hotel. The hotels are lovely, air conditioned and there is art on the wall, but your dinner will go from 45 Baht to 150 Baht or more for the privilege. Plus you will be eating with other Americans at the hotel. On the street you eat local. Is there that great a difference in the quality or quantity? Not that I could tell. At triple the price you don't get triple the food or quality. So we suggest heading out on the street and have some fun. I'd say it is less risky to stop in a place that has a lot of customers and maybe a covered place to sit and eat. The walk up stands can be great as well. Just take a close look at their sanitation and the numbers of customers that surround the place. That'll be a good indicator.

  

We both did have some intestinal distress for a couple of days, but that happens to us wherever we've traveled. It is just a part of the adventure. Take along some Imodium, take it easy for a couple of days, keep hydrated and your system will settle back down. It isn't a big enough deal to stay at home and do nothing. Besides, who hasn't had intestinal distress right at home after a spicey Mexican dinner or too much pepperoni pizza?  It happens.

Our evening was spent at a Thai classic dance dinner show. Only about 5 of the group went. It was in a lovely open air venue with a stage in the middle and low tables, asian style, all around. I was happy to find out there were wells for your legs and feet under the tables. I know I wouldn't have lasted the evening sitting lotus style while attempting to eat and enjoy the show.

The dinner was served on trays which were covered with little bowls of different foods from Thai style fried chicken, to pork curry, eggplant dip, fresh vegetables, pineapple. Everything was refreshed as many times as you wanted. My favorite was the pork skins which were like the Mexican chicharones you can buy in the states.

 

The show was pretty good, hit and miss in quality really, but a fun evening. It included dances representative of the different regions throughout Thailand.

We were back at the hotel and in bed by about 10:30. A very big day. Another coming tomorrow.