Sunday, 7 April 2013

Thailand April 2013 continue



                  Across the river to Burma/Myanmar










            

                 The roads are generally very good and being improved, all part of the development process by the Thais in a zone that was once the Golden Triangle and production zone for opium




 
        

              The border zone has seen the influx of many Karan refugees fleeing Myanmar. Conditions are very restricted and sanitation…. well…..






    
                .the answer, get onto the high ground and gravity takes care of the rest 




                      Weddings are always occasions for great merriment and here is no exception. This procession was driving around the town intermixed with interludes of dancing







                
                     Young monks in waiting are also part of the proceedings






      
 
                 And of course every procession has to have a band. I liked the generator in tow to power the sound system





                        A  nice surprise was Mae Hong Son to the north west of Chiang Mai. There was a small park in the centre of town surrounded by restaurants and the oldest Buddhist Temple in the area. We were invited by the police to park and camp right there! Can’t imagine that happening in Brisbane







               A visit to a Karan village on the Myanmar border where the custom is for the women to extend their necks by the wearing of brass rings. Although I got Marina to try on a cutout version she wouldn’t stick with it. Said something about it being uncomfortable and heavy



                  The number of rings are increased with age to keep up the pressure for extension







                         Until eventually this dear old lady looks as if her head is about to pop off. Research tells us that the vertebrae of the neck are not deformed but rather the pressure is down on the rib cage eventually pushing the ribs down to 45 degrees. Sounds painful to me!







                   ….and it doesn’t look to healthy either!    











                        Who said these places were unhygienic?






       

                       One of Marina’s ambitions was to do a Thai cooking course. Part of the course was to visit the market and get to see and identify all the ingredients that are available





                     She was particularly pleased with this result!









       
                     I thought that I should join the course to be the official taster.     

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