Nanee’s and The Erotic Garden

Sawadee Khrap

On March 3rd, Simon and I took a quick trip to Mae Rim and visited  2 locations.

At both places we met the owner and artist who developed the attraction.  They are located right next to each other in beautiful Mae Rim valley area.  What a day to relax and meet two wonderful people , each with inspiring stories. – Great places to visit and NOT the usual tourist traps, but unique sites of Unseen Thailand.  Seeing is believing, so I really recommend that you visit them yourself on your next trip here..

Nanee’s:

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IMG_20190303_103817-Pano

Erotic Garden:

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Ciao

Buddhist Hell – Mae Jo

SawadeeKhrap

Simon and I went to explore the Mae Jo local temple – Buddhist Hell –  20180513_153201at  Wat Mae Kaet Noi – also called – Wat Si Don Chia Pa Tung Ngam.

It’s like a Disneyland area – turnstile entrance (10 Baht ea.) , divided in 2 section areas – Heaven and Hell.       Amazing – The first thing that stands out is the deplorable attitude about sex – same as in the Christian and Islamic religions.  Statues  with emphasized penises, vaginas,  disfigured and/or being mutated –  Here are some glaring examples – the rest are in the Slideshow.20180513_15024220180513_15054320180513_150325

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Make sure to visit the display – very eye opening and shows the blend of Buddhism, Hindu, Chinese Gods, and Animism.  Sex always seems to be the point of attack around the world – actually there are only 3 functions in life, Eating, Sleeping and Sex.  And the first two are only done so one can do the last – SEX   Think about it and make sure to visit the Temple.

Ciao

Phayao – Chiang Muan – Nan Trip

Sawadee Khrap

Simon, James and myself took  a two day trip to Phayao, Chiang Muan and then to Nan and back.  Lost the photos, mostly phone photos, but DSC04962-Panodid manage to save a few from the camera. Particularly nice is the over 180 degree panoramic shot from Wat Phra That Phu To.  This temple has a 360 degree view of the Chiang Muan Valley. Impressive.  The area was in Gov’t plans to flood but now they have decided on a smaller dam not far away from this location.  I’ll have to take the trip again to get some shots to post.

Ciao

The “Teardrop”

Sawadee Khrap

With all this bullshit about the Russians meddling in our elections – this bayonne13_fshas been entirely forgotten.  The teardrop Monument presented to the US by the Russians after the 9/11 destruction.

Here you can read the full story at the official web page  

Our Gov’t has completely ignored it or just covered it up – I haven’t heard one comment or saw one photo of it on any new cast – yet all this bullshit about collusion.  When will we take politics out of being a profession and return it to being service to the people.  Thanks Kevin for pointing this out.

Ciao

Lets Swim

Sawadee Khrap

My car is in the shop and I am relativity stranded in my condo, thinking about the last time I was at Sai Kaew beach in Sattahip.  Went there with a friend and he wanted to race me to the water – this image comes to mind.   So here is a 20 by 30 inch acrylic oil painting, or at least what I remembered it was like.  I know I’ll miss going there.lets-swim-web 

Ciao

Defender of White Temple

Sawadee Khrap

Never miss seeing the “Wat Rong Khun – The White Temple” when you visit the Chiang Rai area.  Located 15 KM before you arrive at Chiang Rai City itself.  Impressive, privately designed and re-built by Khun Kositpipat.  WhiteTempleStatue-web  The temple is magnificent, glowing white – quite a sight to see – and this is one of the creatures guarding the “gate of heaven” at the entrance.   Not sure if this is Death or Rahu.    Something new every time you visit the project.  It is constantly being expanded by new works , stated to be fully completed in 2070.   A 20 by 30 inch canvas acrylic oil type painting.

Ciao

Beached boat–Sattahip

Sawadee Khrap

You can find many such images as you tour the beaches of Sattahip, Thailand – South of Pattaya along the coast.   many beaches and tranquil places to stop.  I just loved this old boat beached there.beached-boat-web  This is my normal painting size of 20 by 30 inch canvas. And when you are down there be sure and stop at Sai Kaew Beach on the military reserve.  You can see photos I’ve taken there in many past blog posts.

Ciao

Great Battle Of Yuthahathi

Sawadee Khrap

If you ever go to Bangkok, be sure and visit “The Ancient City ” in Mueang Boran.  One of the monuments there is a statue of the battle when  King Naresuan liberated Siam from Burmese rule – The Great battle with Phra Maha Uparaja, the Burmese Prince and son of King Nantabureng at Nong Sarai, Suphan Buri Province and declared Siam  independence in May 1584 A.D.   This is my vision for the final blow in a 20 by 30 inch digital painting – What do you think? – Did I do it justice? ThaiBattle-web Does it bring you there?

Ciao

Bouquet

Sawadee Khrap

Last years “Chiang Mai Flower Festival”  on one float was this great bouquet of flowers, much larger than shown here but I always thought it would make a great painting  –  So here’s my version – on a  20in by 30in Digital canvas.Bouguet-web  What do you think, did I do it justice?

Ciao

Benefits of the Burma Trip

Sawadee Khrap

Back almost a week from my trip to Burma and I am realizing some beneficial side effects.

  1. The extremely bumpy roads on the trip – the constant rocking back and forth, which I thought would hurt my lower back – in fact actually helped it – like getting a great massage – when I got back i had little or no lower back pain and it did not start coming back until several days later.   So I am trying to make sure I do not sit for long periods of time and always do some movement and stretching.
  2. Before I went on the trip I was experiencing constant joint pain  especially in my knees. But on the trip, because almost all the dishes served for lunch and dinner were spicy, I opted only for rice and mixed vegetables – which was mostly cauliflower.    When I got back I noticed almost all joint pain was gone.    At home I was eating a lot of potatoes, tomato, egg plant and bell peppers – NIGHTSHADES – and some researching of the Internet showed studies that indicated nightshades can product allergic reactions in many people similar to arthritis. – which is apparently my case – after the trip I had no joint pain but after coming back and going on my normal diet  – the aching joints came back.  Now I will stop eating nightshades and see if the joint pain goes away again.     I had thought it was from mostly old age.
  3. And thirdly, since I began taking a daily dose of Cialis for prostate, blood pressure and ED control, I have had relativity strong edema in my feet, very noticeable and commented on by several of my friends.   So,  since I didn’t imagine that this trip would produce any amorous situations, I stopped taking the Cialis.  Sure enough almost all the swelling in my feet subsided.  For obvious purposes I don’t want to eliminate the Cialis from my daily meds now that I’m back – unless I can find a substitute that is – a natural method if possible.  I am still working on that, but for the near future I will just put up with the slight edema so I can gain all the other benefits. LoL.  At least now I am sure what’s causing my edema.

The trip also has re-ignited my travel interest and so I am planning a future trip to Laung Prabang, Laos – hopefully next month, maybe for Songkran.   They celebrate it there and I understand it is a wonderful experience, similar but not the same as Thailand.   I am now checking Planet Romeo for possibility of contacting new friends in Luang Prabang, who could serve as my guide and companion for a visit there.  Having someone who is familiar with the area would be quite a blessing.

One can only speculate what benefits another trip might reveal.

Ciao

Burma Trip–Mong Yawng

Sawadee Khrap

On the second day we left Keng Tung and headed back to Mong Hpayak IMG_3700where the monks could get their lunch.  The tiny market there had all kinds of bugs for sale , but I opted just for some fried rice and cauliflower and then we went on to Mong Yawng where we would spend the next 2 nights.  This would be the most rugged part of out trip – and I mean rugged.  From Hpayak to Mong Yawng is 80 KM of which 1/3 was just single wide crushed rock roads – the rest was under some kind of construction.  Not too far up the road we lost the right IMG_3724mirror on our van  – hit by a passing truck on the narrow road it ripped off the mirror but did not damage the side of the van.   The dust and bumps were amazing – we had to cross over a mountain range where we came to a full stop because they were widening the road by cutting the hillside away –  but we did get through and ultimately got to IMG_3743our newly opened  “Nant Khat Guest House” in Mong Yawng.  Sparse but adequate.   The next morning, 5AM, we all headed to the local area market – still dark, but it was a full moon which was the biggest market day of the month – there must have been over 300 people there – go early get the best deals – all vendors were gone and the market was closed by 7:30.


 IMG_3926Next we headed to a temple high on a hill overlooking the valley, here as with all the temples we visited,  they did the usual blessing and chanting.   Back to town for lunch and then on to a temple which had a original India Bodhi Tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment.  From here we headed to a “forest” temple and a dedication and then back that evening to deliver a full IMG_3779set of “Buddha Bibles” to the local Mong Yawng Temple.   All the roads we were on this day were just dirt and extremely bumpy making travel speed about 5-10 KM/hr.  Quite a day.   The next morning up again at 5AM for market – Here the lady offered IMG_3798to sell me some “Shwe le maw” very strong Shan alcohol.  then breakfast and on the road back.  Got hung-up once in a new rock road area – the roller crusher hadn’t gotten there yet – but we made it through that area and on to the the major construction site where we IMG_4250were stopped coming in.  It was passable but slow and then on to Hpayak for lunch.   Here is where we spotted the deer heads, I had never seen any wild animals in all my travels in Thailand so this was a great surprise – we did pass several Burmese with homemade long barrel rifles  but with my slow camera I couldn’t get a shot.  Next time.    Time to go home now. And I did get my passport back at the border crossing, all stamped and ready to go.


All in all great trip – meat is scarce and expensive so most Burmese meals are rice,fish and vegetables.  I am amazed that although I ate very little each time, how much better I felt when I got back, tired but much more energy – in addition, all the rough roads and bouncing around actually massaged my back and all my back pain was gone. I was also worried about having to use the squat toilets but at all our major stops there were western sit toilets so that worked out ok too.   Great group of people on the trip, although most spoke very limited English and I limited Thai, we did manage to communicate and actually they took special pains to see I was ok.  I am looking forward to the next trip and will bring my high speed camera and opt for a front seat in a van so I can get more specific images.

Ciao

Myanmar (Burma) Trip

Sawadee Khrap

Tomorrow I leave for a 4 day trip into Shan State, Myanmar with a group from Wat Suan Dok to visit 2 towns –  First Keng Tung then I think our final destination will be Mong Yang.   This is a goodwill trip by the Monk KengTung-small(Advisor) for Monk Chat –  Phra Saneh Dhammavaro.  I am told there will be at least one European with us and his Thai wife.  However the Shan tour guide may not speak English just Thai – hope that isn’t the case.  I also understand that recently there has been some border trouble with the Chinese and shooting in the border area – But I think we are far enough away from the affected area to miss that, at least I hope so.  I am told that Mong Yang is similar to what Chiang Mai used to be like 50 years ago, so I am looking for some good photos.  Anyway, start packing tomorrow and leave at 4AM Friday morning.  They tell me the hotels are air-conditioned but that also remains to be seen – everything included in the 9,000 Baht price.

Ciao

Doi Angkhang trip–Day 3 Mae Teang

Sawadee Khrap

I think the most miserable and also the best part of our trip was staying here at Chiang Dao Hut & Kitchen.

DSC02518DSC02685As I pointed out in the last post we stayed at the “White House” – but it was very cold and damp, hard to sleep, but we were really rewarded with a amazing view in the morning – no fog and such a wonderful place. DSC02708DSC02718  Truly worth the stop – we caught a quick breakfast here but I insisted on a western place for lunch, very tired of Thai food all day.  So off we went to Mae Teang and the elephants.  On the way we passed some monks doing their morning walk for alms.  And finally at Mae Teang  we stopped at the first major resort we came across – Sibsan Resort & Spa – 5 star – as posted on the internet.  It’s an amazing place but definitely 5 star with the prices to go with it.   We had the buffet lunch (total 1,400 baht) which was good but not exceptional, but the grounds were emulate, service exceptional, and loaded with guests. A very cute driver drove us from the parking lot to the main hall for lunch – in fact all the guys were very cute and handsome – great eye candy.  After lunch we headed up the main road to the elephant camps and the rapids area.  Not enough water to really take a “white water” raft ride down but still very picturesque. And both of us had already been to the elephant camps before so that didn’t spark a need to stop and check them out.

    The slideshow is in order and takes you through the day.  


Now that the main images have been posted I intend to go back and choose some of the most sticking of them to do Photoshop work on.

Ciao