A bit of Fang

Trip Start Nov 08, 2008

Trip End Jan 17, 2009

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Flag of Thailand Fang, Thailand
Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Far up in the Northwest corner of Thailand is the town of Fang, a place that has piqued my curiosity and the curiosity of Jim, who loves these out-of-the-way places. It's one of those places that quite a few Westerners pass through -- it's on the way to the popular trekking destination,Thaton -- but few stop in Fang.

We know a few people from that area, so we wanted to see what it's like.

Now, having seen it, I'd say it's an unremarkable town, but perfectly pleasant and prosperous. Most enjoyable was our evening at a restaurant/bar called Sabai Sabai, a family affair with three generations involved in the operation.

To get to Fang, we took a local bus from the north bus station in Chiang Mai

01. Chinese characters on a house in Fang

. The trip was made more interesting for me by having to get off for a toilet stop and having the bus leave without me. I simply caught the next bus. Another pit stop, another bus. Finally I reunited with Jim and Nancy at one of the two bus terminals in Fang.

Returning the next day to Chiang Mai by minivan, I encountered no such necessities and simply enjoyed the views of the the craggy mountains between Fang and Chiang Dao and the colorful fabric banners fluttering in the wind along the way.

Jim's sisters, Ann and Mary, arrived from the US the following day for a two-week holiday.

Time draws short for our stay in SE Asia. Much remains that we would like to experience, but we need to keep in mind that anything we decide to do will be one more experience we wouldn't have had if we had stayed home.