Mae Hong Song Trip–Simon

Sawadee Khrap

Avoiding Songkran here in Chiang Mai,  Simon and I headed for 2  Days 1_MaeSheThaPathanaChitChaloenPhraKiatin Pai and 2 days in Mae Hong Song.  We tried to visit “Unseen” Thailand this trip and so when arriving in Pai – 2_NextBridgePaivisited a female monk meditation area- Mae She Tha Pathana Chit Chaleon Phra Kait.  Then we went to the Memorial Bridge on the entrance to Pai with it’s unique statues.    We were very4_PoiSangLong-Pai lucky 3_PoiSangLongPai-WatSriDonChaito visit Wat Sri Don Chai in time to view their Shan – Poi Sang long Festival – great and  colorful. And while in Pai stayed at the Phaewdao Resort – very very nice. Excitement did happen as a neighbor 2 doors down from Simon’s 5_PraewdaoResort-PaiDSC04440room was robbed and the police were there investigating in the morning.  One great site, South of Pai, was this (not on the map) hot water geyser, on the side of the road.    L6_NgamtaHotel-MaeHongSongeaving Pai and on to Mae Hong Song and booked into the Ngamta Hotel, next to the lake.  From this base we explored the surrounding countryside looking for “Unseen” sites. Gravel collection site from the river by Shan people, a river-floating restaurant, burning along the side of the road, and went to visit a 106 year old Monk – but he seem to be at the Poi Sang long 7_GravelCfromRiver-8_Riverside Resturanat9_RoadSideFiresfestival in the area, so we missed him.  We did visit several more Temples 10_Wat106yoMonk11_Watonhill12_DhammagiriChildrenFoundationand a special Children’s home for Shan refugees called Dhammagiri Foundation.  Great, relaxing trip – little traffic, lots of water throwing but only in designated areas and along the roads by little children – So I have made this Slideshow of the best images – Enjoy.