Northern Thailand and the Golden Triangle / Nov27

This morning we fly up to Chiang Rai and then drove up to the Golden Triangle (so called for its part in the opium trade) where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet.

This is our guide, Da, showing us some Thai flexiblity.

Booooooong

And of course Buddhas

Taking the dogs to the vet.

Happy Buddha
You throw coins into the top of the metal channel which roll down into the Buddha's belly.  When you do he laughs and blesses you.

The bench is donated by the 'United States Drug Enforcement Administration'.  Isn't that nice!

We're making our way to Chiang Khong as the sun sets

Then, the tire blows on small crater on the road.  Here we are supervising repairs.

We've finally made it to our hotel on the Mekong for our last night in Thailand.  Dinner was followed by traditional Thai dancing (as interpreted by a bunch of westerners), John Denver sing-along and Christmas carols.  The locals were impressed!

Much too early we're up

to see the monks collecting their alms

Off to the ferry dock to say goodbye to Da and hello to Laos