CHIANG MAI & HILL TRIBES, THAILAND

Orchids farm

Chiangdao Caves



A stop for lunch on the way to Fang to see the Hill tribes Karen, Akha & Lahu...
Thaton Temple ( white Buddha )

Hans & me at Thaton temple
Lahu tribe, their origin is Tibet, there are 73000 of them in Thailand, and this people belong to the "black Lahu"
Akha tribe, their origin is Tibet, there are 48500 of them in Thailand and their location is high in the mountains in the border with Myanmar & Yunnan ( China )
Karen Tribe, there are different types of them, this particular one are known as the "Long necks", they wear this rings around their necks, so it's supposed to press their shoulders down and make their neck longer, and in the beggining it was done to protect woman from tigers wich usually attack by the neck first, and then it was consider as a traditional way for beauty...





Mong village

DAMNOEN SADUAK & FLOATING MARKET

Floating market










This 2 guys seem to be already tired of go & look for food by their own and instead they just demand it from anyone passing by... of course next to them there's a stand where you can buy them some snaks...

Market at Damnoen Saduak
Monastery

BANGKOK

Wat Phra Kaew & the grand palace, Bangkok











Daily view of a local bus...
Khao san rd
Well... it's true... there are insect-snack stands everywhere...
This is a spirit house called " Phra phuum" , always found outside houses or buildings, & it's meant to encourage spirits to live out of the house, but comfortable, so they bring good fortune

smashed fruit with chilly & spices.... hot & good...
Erawan shrine dedicated to Brahma ( hindu God of creation )
Thai dancers on the temple paid by people who has seen their petitions fulfilled

Famous or infamous..."Tuk tuk"
Wat Pho, oldest & largest temple in Bangkok


"Lucky Buddha" temple, quite a story how we ended up here... in short: two lost "farangs" with a map on hand ( us ) + 1 guy on the street + a tuk tuk cheap fare + a quick visit to this temple = a free ride to a jewerly shop!!... a familiar story for anyone who has been to Bangkok... live & learn....
One of the few reclining Buddhas existing, showing the passing stage of Buddha to enlightment ( Nirvana ), it's 46 mts long & 15 mts high at Wat Pho

Standing Buddha