Not so long ago Pai was an amazing
place to visit. I suppose it may still be, but for a different group of travelers now than formerly. The relatively remote Pai has now been ‘discovered,’ and its character greatly altered. Once a quiet village in a broad, peaceful valley, tucked between range upon range of mountains, Pai is now a backpacker mecca. Continue reading
Oh to travel with no time restrictions, but no, I have only three weeks to dip my toes into northern Thailand. The enticement of the Mae Hong Son road is calling. Rumors of twists and turns and an escape from cities invade my dreams. As much as I have enjoyed my few busy, active days in Chiang Mai, I am ready for something much different. More than ready. Continue reading
One of the features which makes Chiang Mai so interesting is its markets – from the tourist oriented Night Bazaar and the Saturday and Sunday Walking streets, to the Talat Warorot, the oldest market in the city. Located along the river, this is where many locals shop for food and clothing. Continue reading
I mentioned earlier that Chiang Mai seems to have something for everyone. Had I had unlimited time to explore northern Thailand, I’d have stayed much longer Continue reading
Well, I did say Chiang Mai had temples. So just a few more before we leave Chiang Mai to explore the Mae Hong Son loop road that climbs and winds through the far northwest of Thailand. 
Barely outside the Old City, just past the north moat, I happened across Wat Lok Molee. The entry path is flanked by elephants and by trees hung with fluttering metal leaves – Continue reading
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep overlooks Chang Mai from the top of the mountain west of the city. One can reach the top of the mountain (Doi Suthep) by car or taxi, or by shared songthaew. Some intrepid souls bicycle the 13 km up the steep, winding road.
To visit the temple, it is wise to start early to avoid the worst of the ever-present crowds, Continue reading
Despite hearing in advance that Chiang Mai has enough temples that even the most dedicated temple-spotter will be fully satisfied, their density and variety was still amazing. I had a list of temples I particularly wanted to see, yet I found myself just happening upon many more that were equally interesting. Continue reading
Much like google crawls the web – that is how I explore a new location. 
With some initial destination in mind, and vaguely mindful of how to find my way back to where I began, I head out. On foot, following whatever draws my attention, one link leading to the next.
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All the superlatives one hears about Chiang Mai are true.
What had always struck me about Chiang Mai is that it is so strongly recommended by travelers with so many different interests and priorities. 
The city lovers and the city haters; the history buffs and the trekkers; the young backpackers and the mature comfort seekers – all had such high praise. How could it be that one place was so satisfying to so many different types of travelers?
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The permitted four weeks in Burma have ended. I have spent several days in Bangkok getting feet back on the ground. Bangkok feels like my Southeast Asian home by now. I have feasted on familiar street food, bused out to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, gone to Pantip Plaza for black market electronics, and repacked to head out to explore more of Thailand.
So early in the morning, having left all nonessential gear in storage at my guest house, I climb onto the local bus headed for the northern bus terminal. Continue reading
In Yangon, near the downtown, the side streets are lined with apartments stacked almost always exactly seven floors above the ground level. At the front is a porch area, usually hanging with drying laundry, mostly barred, and also with barred windows. From each porch hangs a string which reaches to the street below. Continue reading
The stunning golden side of Yangon -the Karaweik Palace is a concrete reproduction of a royal barge Continue reading
When reviewing restaurants and accommodation, sometimes Lonely Planet gets it quite wrong, Continue reading
via the locals bus. Surprisingly, the actual bus we would ride in was the vehicle which came to my hotel at 3:30 am. After gathering up the pre-booked passengers throughout Nyaung U, it parked by the market where it was filled the rest of the way by locals heading east.
We left Nyaung U with every seat taken, yet over the day we would pick up more passengers – Continue reading
Written while in Myanmar, posted while in Myanmar and italicized comments added later.
In Myanmar, the internet is gradually becoming more widely available and efficient. In Yangon it is quite easy to find. It may run quite well, depending on the traffic load, and on “IT management and maintenance actions”. The government owns the internet, runs it, allows it, or doesn’t, listens to the traffic. Continue reading
