The Long-Necked Karen Tribe

Near the Thailand-Burmese border exist a tribe of villagers who have migrated over from Burma (Myanmar) over the years. They now allow people in to their village to exhibit their way of life. Dressed in the traditional garb, the women are adorned in heavy brass rings in order to lengthen their limbs (hence the name . . "long-necked" Karens). Although their way of life seems to be preserved, if the truth be told, modernity is slowly creeping in. The village now has electricity and they have many modern amenities that make village life much easier. It is quite interesting however to see their traditions live on and the ways of the past that still remain.

Northern Thailand and the Elephants

One can't come to Thailand and not experience the life of the elephant. The elephant is a cherished animal in Thailand. They are protected against poaching and valued as a magical animal. Each elephant has a caretaker - called a "mahout" in this part of the world (and India). Each mahout is familiar with his particular elephant and each elephant can easily recognize his own mahout. Elephants are easily trained and become quite helpful giants in bulding, moving and hauling. The mahout then becomes a caretaker and custodian to his elephants best interests. I was lucky enough to get to the elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand where I got to spend time feeding a brand new baby some bananas and catch the life of the mahout and his charge in action. I cought some great shots of bathtime. They really do know how to have some fun as they splash water all over themselves and dousing their mahout in the process. They really are an amazing animal and so fun to see in action.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is very different than Bangkok. Smaller and quieter, it feels a bit more manageable than the larger capitol city of Thailand. Retaining the same Thai flavor and hospitality, it has a bit more to offer in the cultural avenues. There are Thai puppet shows and traditional Thai dancing and dinners. I visited the umbrella factory, the silk farm, the lacquer factory, the butterfly sanctuary and the orchid farm. Everything was so beautiful I wanted to bring everything home with me. Two suitcases just aren't enough. And the Thai massage here !!

Phnom Penh Airport Challenges

Running around doing errands here in Bangkok. Got my label samples back. I was pleasantly surprised !! I had no expectations so there was no where to go but up. They are doing the final runs to be picked up on Saturday. Hopefully it will go smoothly. Heading to Chaing Mai tomorrow. I have a cold. Just flew in from Phnom Penh last night and just as I am able to equalize again, I'll be heading back up there to 30,000 feet. EEWWWW. I'm hoping I get cleared up by Sunday. (when we head
to Koh Tao to hopefully dive).

I have to tell the nightmare story from yesterday evening. We headed to PP airport (via my friend/manufacturer Sam) and when we got to BKK airways counter, they said we were overweight and that we were allowed only 20 kilo's (what the hell is 20 kilo's? - I have NO clue). ANYWAY, we were like. . . uh, no, we are traveling internationally, we are allowed TWO 80lb bags. They said, oooooh noo lady, the peice concept not work in cambodia. We only allow 20 kilos per person !! Somehow we got from BKK to PP no trouble, but now they were trying to "stick it to us" on the return, charging an arm and a leg for the extra weight. Well, we were already short on cash and they wouldn't take a VISA (go figure). I'm sure Jo Airport Dude is back there in the back "collecting." Mom fights it out with them while I go over to pay our departure tax (25 US dollars per person). I go into my money belt to get the 50 dollar bill I was saving out for the departure tax . . . and no fifty dollar bill! I totally freak out, it totally wasnt' there. I have about 2 dollars in my wallet and a few reils (Cambodian currency almost no longer in use) some THAI baht, and Japanese Yen. I couldn't (and STILL) can't figure out where that 50 went because I was saving it specifically for the departure tax. It was just an expensive careless mistake. Anyway, they are yelling at me to hurrry up or we will miss the plane. Meanwhile, Mom is trying to hash out a visa card arrangment with the ground crew once we get to BKK where we can get money (there are no atm's in Cambodia). It was needless to say, not pretty. Amidst the urges from the airport staff to hurry myself along, I convice the lady that if she wanted departure tax from me, she would have to take in in Thai baht & Japanese Yen. We RAN to make our flight, (pissing off immigration in the process). Finally, once in the air, as we sucked down some red wine for sanity, mom looked over at me cracking up and said, "Wow, I wonder how badly your Dad would flip out if he knew we were flying from Cambodia to Bangkok with absolutely no cash." !! I laughed. And for those of you who know my "by the book, dots every i, fighter pilot," father, this makes sense to you. !! (love you Poppy). :)