Our Journey to Chiang Rai was back , up and down the long and windy road from Pai. This time bringing Johanna to feel a little queasy. We fought for our seats close to the front of the mini van, which seems to help on the queasiness factor. Our plan was to take the back journey to Chiang Rai, which Ive heard can be done if you time it just right, by taking the morning bus to Mae Malai and from there a local bus to Tha Ton, then a ferry at 12:30 down the river to Chiang Rai. Well, everyone we talked to had given us different times on how long each bus ride would take, we just decided it just cant be done in time to take the ferry, so back to Chiang Mai we went.After a break there, another bus to Chiang Rai where we had booked a little tree house style bungalow out of town, up in the hills of Chiang Rai.
I found this place called Naga Hill on my trusty Trip Advisor, and it was everything it said it would be and more
. Our bungalow, really a tree house , had a sitting area with cushions and a hammock, with stairs leading up to a bedroom complete with the romantic but handy mosquito net for over your bed, and downstairs connected to the back was the outdoor bathroom with the hot shower connected to a tree. And yes, I can see the sky, and at night , the moon from sitting on the toliet :) Now, how many people can say that in their life experiences!
It was so fun taking a shower outdoors, a hot shower at that, under a tree in the open , very liberating to say the least. The bathroom area was enclosed with fence, so it was very private, so no one could see in!
The managers of Naga Hill were so nice and accommodating, one of the great things about staying at guest houses, and small family owned bungalows, they take such good care of you and make you feel at home. The owners were French and Thai, and the place had 12 secluded bungalows, all different sizes, ours was the smallest, perfect for the two of us, and only 800 baht ( $25 a night)
We dined every night at our restaurant at Naga Hill, and the menu and food were fabulous! Very classy place, it even had a salt water pool! We dragged ourselves away from our little oasis to venture into town to visit the famous white temple, and it was sort of like a Disney land structure all in white with many interesting murals, and a very beautiful Buddha inside. It was designed by a famous Thai artist designing a very futuristic end of the world sort of theme
.
Chiang Rai is known for its starting point for treks up north into small villages, but we found not too much else to do here, so not doing any organized treks, we went out on our own trek on the back road from our guest house walking thru some local villages, and thru some rice fields and were greeted with many smiles and hellos, the people are so friendly here.
Our last dinner together, since Johanna will head to Bangkok tomorrow, and back home, and I off on my own up into Laos to begin my solo journey for a few weeks, we had a great candlelit dinner at Naga Hill. One of the Thai couples that work there have a new baby only 3 months old and they take turn working and carrying the baby in a sling attached themselves, mostly the husband, since he is the head chef, and we watched as the he cooked and prepared our dinner with the baby sleeping soundly in her sling attached around him .
They say that the baby's first year , they shall never touch the ground, always being close to the parents and family, it is a beautiful thing to see such closeness with the traditions of family as I travel. The guest houses honor this by hiring families so they can all work together, its really touching and wonderful.
So today Johanna and I say goodbye, and off I go to Chiang Khong, on the border of Laos taking a local bus, only 56 baht ( less than $2) for my 2 1/2 hour journey. I will spend the night there, and the next day I will start my two day slow boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang, it should be quite the Journey!
I Can See the Moon from the Toliet :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Chiang Rai, Thailand
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Comments

2025-02-08
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Nance
2010-01-28
Hi!
I'm a blog virgin! I didn't know I could reply. Sounds and looks like you are having a fabulous time. Relaxing and peaceful....you go girl! Love all the pics~
Seems like you've been gone forever. Enjoy!
Nance
elizacass
2010-01-28
Thanks Nancy! I see that you joined and you are officially connected to my travels, so cool, I love to have fans! Its been a great journey so far, and im so glad to here that you are enjoying hearing about my ventures...hope all is great! :)
marina
2010-01-31
No nagging in naga hill. The place looks divine!!!! Is it one of your favorites? Do you miss Johanna? I am sure she loved every single step of the journey with you. You broadened her horizons beyond all her expectations, I'm sure.
Iris
2010-02-01
Sounds great. Iam looking forward to read about your adventures. I took a long boat from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in a lightning storm, that was quite an adventure. I love the tree house, looks amazing. Have a great time in Laos, it is a wonderful place to explore. Can't wait to read about it.
Happy travels!
Iris