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CHIANG MAI
Following our relaxing week in Ko Samui, we made our way north in an exhausting 30 hours of travel to the city of Chiang Mai. While there, we enjoyed this historic city, their annual Flower Festival, and a 3 day trek to visit Hill Tribes and enjoy some incredible experiences in the mountains above Pai, Thailand.
We were fortunate enough to be in Chiang Mai during their annual Flower Festival, the highlight of which is a parade through the streets of the city. With large, colorful flower floats, marching bands, and big crowds, it reminded us of the Rose Parade which precedes the Rose Bowl.
Here Heidi, Bo and Kelly pose with one of the floats.
The floats were all quite beautiful and intricate. This one, made entirely of flowers of course, shows the King of Thailand, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej. As the longest reigning King in Thailand's history, and holding claim to the person who has held the longest reign of any current monarch worldwide, the King is much revered in Thailand. His image, and that of his wife, can be seen everywhere. A very patriotic people, all Thai's can be seen standing solemnly during the playing of the country's Royal Anthem (composed by the King himself) which seemed to occur twice a day over public airwaves.
Kelly and Rich outside Tae Phae gate (adorned with pictures of the monarchy) of Chiang Mai. The old city is surrounded neatly by a square brick wall and moats.
During the Flower Festival, the obligatory beauty contest is held. In addition, Chiang Mai, and the north of Thailand generally, is said to be home to the most beautiful of Thailand's very attractive women.
Four Buddhist monks walk about one of Chiang Mai's many Wats. Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand, practice by 95% of the population. Saffron robed monks are a common site in Thailand, as all males are expected to become a monk for some period of his life (often after he completes his schooling but before he begins his career or marries).
One night we enjoyed an evening of Traditional Thai dancing, together with a traditional Thai meal. It was a wonderfully entertaining evening as we sat, bare-footed on the floor, with the dance floor in our lap (the great seats were courtesy of Kelly's insistence on an upgrade from the cheap seats).
Traditional Thai fingernail dance.
Of course a little audience participation caps off the evening. Sitting in the front row, we were likely targets as one of the dancers first invited Bo, and then Kelly, to dance upon the stage, mimicking as best they could the dance she and the other dancers were performing. Rich was horribly disappointed that he was not selected.
While in Northern Thailand, we decided to go on a Hill Tribe Trek.
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