August

1

Luang Prabang: easy-going day with yet more wat wandering and shopping.

2

Fly to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Get re-oriented.

3

Chiang Mai: Wat Chiang Mau, Wat Phra Singh, Old City and wat wandering.

4

Chiang Mai: all day cooking class. What til you see what I can make for you!

Night Bazaar.

Happy Anniversary Lizzy & Steve

5

Flight to Mae Hong Son (no longer willing to take back-breaking and nail-biting bus rides). Wander around town and uncharacteristically spend money on shopping!

Happy Anniversary Annelise & George

6

View two wats in the morning. Private tour to Mae Aw, a Chinese refuge town on Burmese border, Shan and Meo (Hmong) villages, agricultural reserach center, Pha Sua Waterfall, Fish Cave. I'm in heaven as guide tells me all about political, historical, community, and economic info about hill tribes. Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu on top of hill for sunset. It rains. Sheesh, it rains every day!

Happy Birthday Denise & Len

7

Bus to Pai (yeah, I know what I just said about buses). Aimless wandering in Pai, which seems to be a Thai hippy town. Listen to live blues at the Be-Bop Cafe.

Happy Birthday Evey

8

Pai: slept in finally! (using earplugs and sleep mask) Frolicking in waterfall. Massage. Learning how to do nothing. Listen to live blues at the Be-Bop Cafe.

9

Pai: exercise in nothingness continues. Spend four hours at the swimming pool. Listen to live blues at the Be-Bop Cafe.

10

After refusing the first bus because I was not willing to sit in the aisle on my backpack, I aggressively make myself first on the next bus to Chiang Mai -- and garner a questionably "prime" seat -- prime in that I had one!

Chiang Mai: Bike riding. "Monk Chat" at Wat Suan Dok.

11

Chiang Mai: More bike riding to Waronet Market, Wat Buppharam where I work with two monk students on how to design a questionnaire. Kalae Food & Shopping Bazaar where I see Thai dancing.

Happy Anniversary Marguerite & Tom

12

Chiang Mai: More bike riding, this time through flooded streets thanks to remnants of Typhoon Usagi roaring through the night before. Wat Chedi Luang, Three Kings Monument, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Jet Yot (after getting just a little lost in the countryside). It's the Queen's birthday and therefore a national holiday in Thailand -- much like March 19th is celebrated in the United States!

13

Plane to Sukhothai. Despite pouring -- and I mean pouring -- rain I tour the historic park on a bike (OK, so it did stop after awhile, which was good because I was boiling -- yet smug -- in my gortex rainsuit!): Wats Mahathat, Srisawi, Trapeng Ngoen, Sra Swi, Chnasongkham, Mai Sarasak, Son Khao, Ma Chon, Prapawluang, Om Rop, Sri Chum, and King Ramkhamhaeng Monument

14

Sukhothai: More bike touring of the historic park: Wats Chang Lom, Si Tone, Nog Pa Phong, Pa Ma Muang, Mangkorn, Kamphaeng Hin, Sa Pha Hin, Trapang Tong.

Plane to Ko Samui. Beach walk.

15

Ko Samui: beach time.

16

Boat to Ko Tao. Stay at Tanote Bay where I happily snorkel.

Happy Anniversary Norman & Leslie

17

Ko Tao, Tanote Bay: change to bungalow right on the beach. Kayak to Leuk Bay, Hin Ngaam, Laem Thian, Mao Bay, and Hin Wong Bay -- I am woman, hear me roar!

18

Ko Tao, Tanote Bay: snorkeling and hanging out on the beach -- you might say I was relaxing! Mae Haad. Dancing (yes! in the leopard capris!) on the beach at Venus nightclub where I ran into F.I.L. #12.

19

Ko Tao, Tanote Bay: more snorkeling and beach time -- ahhhh

Happy Anniversary Adrienne & Jay

20

Ko Tao: Boat trip around the island with lots of snorkeling opportunities: Leuk Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Mamuang Bay, Ko Nag Yuan.

21

Boat to Ko Phangan. Get minimalist bungalow on the beach at Hadd Yao. Beach walk. Incredible, monsoon-like storm rocks my bungalow.

22

Ko Phangan: Hammock time -- figure out how to "do" Malaysia. Decision-making abiltity returns. Snorkeling, swimming, massage on beach. My vacation from my travels!

23

Ko Phangan: Boat ride to Ao Chalok Lam, Bottle Beach, Ao Mae Hat, and Ko Mae.

F.I.L. #14.

24

Ko Phangan: Motorbike exploration of island with F.I.L. #14: Thong Sala, Wat Khao Tham, Thansadej-Ko Phangan National Park, Phaeng Falls, Domsila Viewpoint.

Happy Birthday Susan

25

Intended to go to Malaysia; change my mind in the ticket office and instead take boat to Surat Thani and bus to Krabi with F.I.L. #14!

26

Boat to Rai Leh Beach with F.I.L. #14: swimming at Hat Tham Phra Nang and West Hat Rai Leh (beautiful beaches!)

27

Rai Leh Beach with F.I.L. #14: hike to viewpoint, and, using ropes, lower self down a cliff into a hidden lagoon called Sa Phra Nang! Manage to get back up again, all aided by singing "I'm a monkey!" More swimming. Dancing in leopard capris (I told you they'd come in handy!) at the Rai Leh Experience.

28

Rai Leh Beach with F.I.L. #14: Explore cave Tham Phra Nang Nai. Swim at Hat Than Phra Nang.

29

Boat to Ko Phi Phi with F.I.L. #14. Waves are so large the boat turns around to go back to Krabi, where we change to a bigger boat. I discover that in fact I do get seasick. Swimming at Ao Lo Dalam. Powerful storm in afternoon. Wandering around the "town."

30

Ko Phi Phi with F.I.L. #14: hike to viewpoint and to Rantee Bay, a beach only accessible by boat or on foot, snorkel there. Walk around edge of island to Ao Lo Mu Di, Shark Point, and Ao Ton Sai.

Happy Birthday Cousin Lynn

31

Ko Phi Phi with F.I.L. #14, swimming, walking around island. Boat back to Krabi by myself (boo hoo!) where I get organized for Malaysia.

Happy Birthday Noreen and Mary Nell