Lampang to Chiang Mai

Lysa and Dave getting worked Thai style

I am writing this blog entry From Chiang Mai in northern Thailand,but want to first describe our experiences of Langpang to the South. Langpang is a small city approx 2 hours by bus south of Chiang Mai and due to its proximity is usually no more than a day stop for most people going north. We spent 4 days here and could have stayed longer. Langpang has alot going for it not the least is the slower pace and not yet tourited feel. The people are genuinely happy and curious to see you in their town. We were one of very few Americans there. We stayed at a very comfortable guesthouse situated on the river,run by an Italian lady we never saw. Our daily routine usually included eating breakfast there then off to tour the city or surrounding countryside. One day was spent visiting the nearby elephant sanctuary. We saw a performance where the elephants demonstrated their skills including how they move big logs with instruction from their mahout who sits atop their neck and gently prods them with his feet while barking orders. I got the impression that there was a real bond between trainer and elephant. I understand that there is a one man one elephant relationship which can last a lifetime. The show ended with 3 elephants demonstrating their painting skills! Very impressive if somewhat gimmicky. We wandered the grounds and eventually took a 30 min. ride through the forest. Lysa and Anika on one and me on another. Lysa esp. was in heaven. She has always wanted to ride an elephant so it was a lifelong dream fulfilled. There are only 2,000 elephants left in the wild in Thailand due to habitat destruction. Elephants require large expanses of uninterupted habitat and unfortunately that has been compromised. Seeing them up close is a highlight. Looking into the eyes of a beast so majestic was humbling.
      Another day was spent investigating the local massage culture. Massage services are provided everywhere so choosing where to go is the biggest challenge. We read about one place that seemed interesting. From the description it sounded like it was affiliated with an herbal health clinic and it also offerd herbal sauna treatments so we were off on an adventure. I was picturing a somewhat medical looking clinic but had no idea what we would find. Thats part of the fun of not knowing. We were dropped off by our tuk tuk and seeing the confused look a local assumed we must be there for massage because there wasn't much else around that I could see. He pointed us in the direction of a very dilapidated wooden building which did not look like a business. We finally saw a sign amongst the rubble indicating we were at the right place. Following a corridor back we reached a large room strewn with misc. stuff and an older women(mid 60's?) working on another woman. She saw us and with hand gestures understood we were here for massage. Without interupting her work she phoned another woman who showed up within minutes. We both wanted hour massages while Anika preferred to watch. No english was spoken but we were able to communicate none the less. We both lay down on mats fully clothed and the treatments began. Thai massage is a vigorous style of pressure point kneading, joint stretching and limb manipulation. While working the women were having a polite conversation between themselves. I was trying to guess what they might be talking about, Us? the weather? their children? While not what I am used to it wasn't bothersome. Since we are on a mat not on a table the massage person uses her body in an entirely different way.Often her leg would be used as a prop while working. Some of the moves were very intense bordering on painful but I trusted her and never felt threatened. One move in particular invoved a spinal stretch akin to a yoga pose only with the assistence of the therapist. My spine released in a series of pops in both directions!
      After our massage we were given a wrap and led to the herbal steam rooms, Lysa and in separate small enclosures.  She mixed up a batch of herbs and dumped them into a bubbling cauldrin of water. The room was very small and funky but the effect of the heat and herbs was intoxicating esp. after the massage. While we were in our rooms Anika was being attended to with a mini traetment of her own.After about 3 rounds of heat lysa and I were both blissfully ready to go. One last treatment was provided to us where the older woman who worked on Lysa used  balm of some sort and did some work that made me jump from the effect it had on my nerves. @ plus hours and a total of $12.00 later and we were on our way. I attempted to explain that i owned a spa and gave her a card. I think they understood.  Can I just say that in general the Thai people are gentle, kind and helpful. It must be the Buddhist influence. After our massage we visited an old teak mansion filled with antiques ate lunch and went home.
      I need to say again, the food here is FANTASTIC!(and cheap) Lunch for 3 costs about $6.00 and dinner about $10.00.
   Another highlight esp. for Anika was the night market. They close the street and all the vendors come out. Anika was nearly delirious with pleasure. All variety off goods were offered from clothes to toys,  crafts, food etc.
   People back home who have been to Thailand tryed to describe the experience but of course only a visit will truly suffice. I had no idea how many temples one country could have, all magnificent in their own way,most in some state of renovation.
    Lastly before I cant type any more i will describe our tour up into the mountains to visit a national park known for it's waterfalls and hotsprings! We hired a private driver to take us there and along the way stopped for pictures and to tour a wat(temple) and visit a weaving studio. Both interesting but the park was fantastic. Being out of the city gave us another perspective on this land. The mountains are forever green and flowing with water. We took a short hike to a series of waterfalls. On our way we met a man who was once the helicopter pilot for the royal family. He explained how he used to fly them to this park when it was the private domain  of the royalty. The queen bequeathed the park to the people only 20 years ago. After the hike we meandered through the hot springs. Picture a mini Yellowstone. The locals buy a basket of eggs and cook them in the pools. We opted for the soaking experience and had the entire outdoor pools to ourselves. AHhh.

entering the temple

    Well, thats all the energy i have for blogging today. Lysa and Anika are at a cooking class then we will all go to a high end spa for treatments. This will give me the yin yang experience of Thaii massage Until next time, Sawadee(hello, goodbye) Hotwater