Chiang Rai Thailand

Arrived in Chiang Rai on Thursday afternoon on a domestic flight from Bangkok. No signs of any political unrest at Bangkok  airport. Checked into hotel - very  happy with rooms and it's location. Ended up taking a walk around the city - temp. around 25c and low humidity. Very pleasant to what we left behind in Adelaide! Ended up eating at local restaurant for dinner - great food - and then we went to night markets where the girls were in their element! Bazz and I sat and watched a local 3 piece group play Thai music. Also saw famous clock tower that "performs" light and sound show at 7pm. Very spectacular.

Friday - booked a driver and van and went to see the tourist stuff - 

the White Temple - built by local artist and visionary who hopes to have his vision completed by 2070. Can't wait to see it!! Blatant tourist attraction, or true religious legacy... You need to judge for yourself.

Then on to Black House - rather gaudy lot of buildings built by another eccentric local artist. Quite arty and different. Highlight was resident boa constrictor wandering around.

Then off to se 5 tribe village where you can see the long neck women. Just rows of these poor women weaving and hawking their wares. Exploitation in my view, and how these poor women can live with these braces around their necks beggars belief. 

Also saw a young child below, holding what looked like a fluffy toy. In fact it was a dead rat that was to be cooked up for dinner. Kid did not want to part with it....creepy!

                

Next stop was a windy drive up into the mountains to visita tea plantation and taste a whole range of quality teas. All tasty and the scenery was great.

Back to the hotel and then out to a great green chicken curry at a local authentic Thai restaurant nearby, and home to a couple of drinks and bed. Will be doing some local museums etc at our leisure tomorrow.

Notable notes for today

1. Our driver recommended a restaurant on the road for lunch....always a little wary of what over the top costs that could entail, and we were shocked when the bill for 3 Pad Thais; 2 curried chickens, & 3 cokes (we bought his lunch) Came to grand total of  a huge $7.50 the lot. Talk about rip-offs!!...:)

2. The disturbing image of that kid with her furry, lifeless ratatouille dinner in her hands is haunting me.....