From the mega tourist scene of Chaing Mia we headed north to find somewhere more quiet. Riding a few hours in the back of a caged pick-up truck we eventually reached the small town of Tha Ton. The main attraction here is to climb “9 levels” of Buddhism up the mountain to a Buddhist temple sitting on top. Each level hosted some kind of shrine or monument with some Monks calling the surrounding hillside their home. The reward was a terrific view of the valley on one side, and a look deep into the mountains of Myanmar on the other side. In the evening we enjoyed a birthday beer and a nice spicy pork curry, fiery hot!
Early the next morning we jumped in the back of another taxi pickup heading a couple of hours further north high up into the mountains of Mae Salong. The 36 degree temperatures gave way to 22 degrees high altitude temperatures - No more Sweating! Our first mission was to work our way 3km down the mountain ridge to a nearby tea plantation. We were interrupted by a couple of torrential downpours, scurrying for cover onto some locals front porch. On the way back up the hill we stopped for some spicy Thai soup at a small village restaurant and enjoyed a tasty cappuccino.
Here is where the fun begins for Renee, as she stubbed her toe (same toe she stubbed twice in the past 2 days and most other days for that matter). It was on a 2 inch rise at the convenience store but things were a bit bloody so we hobbled home. Upon entering our hotel room with 5'11" door-frame smacked her head resulting in a big lump within 2 minutes. Leaving the washroom after bandaging up the toe she whacked her head on the bathroom door-frame sitting at 5'9". Another big bump, side by each (twins) and a swollen bloody toe.
Renee called it a day, so I headed up into the mountains on a little hike. To get to the top there are 718 steps (I didn't count, said so on the map). The wetness of my shirt confirmed there were at least 718 steps. On the way down a friendly woman was chopping small pieces of bamboo near the road with a machete. After a short chat, she handed me 4 foot length and said "walking stick for you". I said thank you and continued on my way.
Later in the evening Renee and I were enjoying dinner at the hotel, when this lady appeared at our table. She told the owner that I owed her 100 baht for the stick I took from her. I was completely flabbergasted, telling the owner she gave it to me as a gift. The owner pasted on the words in Thai (She spoke English when I met her, but can't speak English now...hmmm?). I told her I will go grab the stick for her, but nope, she wanted money. Things became really heated as the owners son chimed in telling her to get lost. The lady took off towards her scooter, but the owner beat her to it grabbing her machete before she could. She lost her mind and some bystanders had to hold her back. Eventually she left the hotel and things cooled down, but the owner was furious, and terribly sorry for the way his fellow citizen had acted.
Later in the evening while at the internet cafe the hotel owner came bursting in looking like he had seen a ghost. We had been gone for an hour and fearing the worst he thought we had run away into the woods or worse the machette Lady got us. Neither was true and to his great relief we were simply surfing the net. When we checked out of the hotel I gave the stick to the owner as a gift. He said he was going to take the stick down the village chief to submit as evidence.
Aside from the above story, we have found ALL of the Thai people to be extrememly pleasant and helpful. Only 1 bad apple out of 100's of great interactions ain't bad at all.
Side note two, Renee's toe and noggin are healing nicely!!!
COLIN
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