Not worth the visit
Trip Start
Feb 13, 2002
1
6
11
Trip End
Mar 13, 2002
Chiang Saen, Thailand
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Tour group picked us up at 8AM. After 45 minutes of chaos at the office, we finally arranged 2 one day treks. We met the guide from J's tours (Mr. Hong...a 20 year trek leader). First, we took a long tail back to the elephant camp. We walked through the hill tribe stalls and bought a baby hill tribe hat and belt (the belt so we could take a picture). Then we took a 30 minute elephant ride on a 25 year old elephant. After, we took the boat the hot springs (170F...enough to cook a whole chicken in 10 minutes), had lunch and set off on a 5 hour death march through 12' high weeds and bamboo. We saw 4 spoiled hill tribe villages and a beautiful water fall. We ate dinner twice. Once for sweet and sour chicken and shrimp with curry on the corner and again for sticky rice (we learned the Thai name- khao neaw) and green curry, a martini and beer and french fries at the Rattanakosin Inn by the night market. Good service.
12 Trekking guide
. Good, long sleep.03/01
We had an American breakfast at an Italian restaurant. Then to the Hill Tribe museum where we bought a few gifts. Then to lunch at a khow souy stand. Great Khao soay. Khao Soay is wheat noodles indigenous to the north with a light curry sauce. Then we found a place to ship our purchases and do some laundry. Then we had a massage at a nearby hotel. Carrie got a brutal oil massage, and I got a good Thai massage. Then we went to dinner at the same Rattanakosin restaurant- good service again, and I had some grilled Isan sausage with fried sticky rice. Carrie had her new favorite food- green curry. To bed early for our travel day the next day.
