November 2, 2008 After breakfast, we traveled to Phayao. We had lunch in Chiang Rai, the city of the “Golden Triangle.” Due to the sheltering hill, navigable rivers, and fiercely independent tribal cultures, the region was once infamous as a center for renegades and drug smuggling. There are many legends and stories about the opium trade which made this area known as the Golden Triangle. We continued to the small village of Mae Chan and traveled on an open songtaew taxi truck to climb a narrow mountain road to Mae Salong (about 3,000 feet above sea level) a rural town where we visited a hill tribe. We went into the compact huts, saw women in their traditional clothing, and glimpsed a way of life that hasn’t changed in centuries. There are more than 20 distinct, semi-nomadic tribes along the border of Myanmar and Laos. We visited the Yao tribe or Mien tribe, whose women wore large black turbans and colorfully decorated pants. We also visited the Akha tribe, who wore elaborate headdresses and put carved fertility figures at the gate to their village. We then travel back to our bus by way of the open songtaew taxi trucks. Then on to the Golden Pine Resort Hotel for dinner and a good nights sleep. November 3, 2008 We all took the optional tour to Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. We crossed the Sai River and entered the town of Tachilek. Myanmar is a country between Thailand, Laos, China, India and the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the least Western-influenced countries in the world. We needed to go to customs to check in and noticed that there was a time difference of one half an hour from Thailand. We rode a motorized rickshaw through the city of Tachilek to visit the Shan-style temple. Then we took our rickshaw (drove on left side of the road) to the local market where we walked among many booths of interesting products. Later, in the rain, we visited a village which was on a hill. The water was flowing down the hill very quickly. We took cover in a little, very little, store and then made our way to a home which housed a small school of about 9-10 children of different ages. The home owner felt badly for us so he invited us all into the living area of his home. We talked there for a while and then left in a light rain back to our taxi. Ours was the only taxi that had a covering to protect us from the rain. We visited another Temple and the rain stopped. We had lunch after we crossed the border back into Thailand. To get to lunch we traveled through the jungle by truck and then walked up hill to a small resort. Here we could choose chicken or fish; both were delicious. For dessert we had crepes with bananas. After lunch, we walked through the restaurant to look at the art display which included t-shirts, paintings and a surfboard. Then we walked back to the truck which took us back to our bus for a ride to the Mekong River where we took a boat cruise. Here we got a different view of the Golden Triangle. Then we crossed to the other side of the river to enter Laos. Here it is 4-5 kilometers to Tibet. We had some refreshments and watched the river flowing by very quickly. We then returned to our hotel for dinner. November 4, 2008 This morning three people including Rudy (Rosemarie and Joan) became ill during the night. Since we traveled most of the morning to Chiang Mai, he was able to relax on the bus. Chiang Mai is the principal city of the north, a major cultural center and a favorite with tourists. There is a medieval wall that encircles 36 glittering temples. These temples are made with small pieces of mirrors. It was a sight to see!!! One of the temples had a mural of things on earth including Pres. Bush, Nikes, Matrix and other things. The guide said the painting was trying to show that in the heavens there was a clash between good and evil. As we drove onto our next stop we saw roosters in cages for cock fighting which is not illegal in Thailand. We then made a “Happy”, or bathroom, stop at the Cabbages and Condoms. A man started this rest stop many years ago to help spread information and to educate the population on safe sex. There is a section in all the Cabbages and Condoms rest stops that have every kind, shape and color of condoms as well as food, drinks and a Happy Room!!! We had lunch at a local restaurant and then onto the Handicraft Street….I guess you know what they were selling!!! Since Chiang Mai is the nation’s premier craft center, I thought I needed to buy a few items to help their economy!! We went into a lacquer factory, a Thai silk factory, a silver center and a gemstone center. That is where I brought my sapphire and I love it!!! After arriving at our hotel and having dinner, some of us went out to the Night Bazaar and experienced the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling night life!!