Chiang Mai International Lanna Music Festival: with Thai Street Food Vendors

     This year's International Lanna Music Festival was especially unique, since there were many acts from foreign countries, including, Kenya, France, The USA, Korea and China.

The music was varied, and some was very well received by the crowd. I was particularly interested in the food vendors who were chosen to cook, and sell their specialties. Thank you for looking at this post, Please let me know what you think, and please take a look at our Original and easy to follow Thai cook books.

Here is a perfect display of Pork Satay!
The sauce makes or breaks this grilled delicacy.

The stage was fairly large, and there were over 600 tables and chairs,
for visitors to sit, eat, drink, and socialize.

Squid, mussels, octopus, and squid eggs.
This was beautiful set up, and
the squid was soft and chewy.



Large fresh water prawns were available,
although they are $3 per plate!



Chicken Feat were the rage.
I am sorry that I didn't have any, but I was
hungry for a more filling meal.

Honda MSX 125 Grom Mini-Street-Extreme, pictures and modifications



Here is Ploy, on a ride from Doi Pui to Huey Thin Thaow.

I just bought and broke in my new Honda MSX 125.

MSX stands for Mini Street Extreme.

    Honda has applied for four separate patents on this little machine, so they have once again strived for innovation, easy of drive-ability,
style, riding position, and attitude!

This mini-bike rips off the line, until 100KPHs.
or 60 MPHs.

You will beat a car around any city on an MSX.



This bike is excellent in and around traffic. I have taken it down curbs, and I pass
many many cars at every single traffic light. Around town, (Chiang Mai Thailand that is), the amount of trafficand car congestion is unbelievable, and this small, maneuverable, light-weight machine may be the best answer to the traffic problem.
PASS THEM when they aren't moving!

A Vacation in Quiet Bang Saphan Thailand, on the Beach

      This was my first trip to Ban Saphan in southern Thailand. It was very quiet, and casual.

The location was recommended by a friend, and I went in order to get away from the busy City Life of Chiang Mai.

Some 4-5 hours south of Bangkok, Ban Saphan is tucked away along the seemingly busy coast of Thailand, on the bay side.

If you are looking for long beach walks, without sight of others, then this is your place.

There are some dead fish along the way, but the beach is clean, long, the sand is white, and
the water is warm. Maybe too warm, if you like it refreshing. 
 I like my ocean water bath tub warm, and that is just how it is at Ban Saphan.

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There are some small islands very close by, and it is worth going to see them.

Bring your food, ice box and sunscreen.

These locations are next to deserted, and rooms are going for about $10 per night.

The islands, the shoals, the perfect water, and the coral, make it an especially good place to swim, sunbathe, and stroll along the quiet beaches.

Here is Ploy, posing in front of a small rocky island.

Sukhothai, The fabulous Ruins of the Ancient Thai Capital City

This week, Ploy and I traveled to Sukhothai, which was the former capital of Thailand. It was built in the 12 hundreds. and lasted for 350 years, under 9 Kings.   

The ruins are spectacular, and I must say that you should visit them if you come to Thailand. 

Please take a look at our pictures, and try to imagine that you were with us, looking at the most precious ruins in Thailand.

This ancient temple has begun to settle to the left.

I love how it leans, and still holds its beauty,
close to 1,000 years after completion.

These ruins are one of the most necessary places to travel to in Thailand, in order grasp Thai history, culture, and ancient city life.

The second location is Ahyuthia. The other former capital, before Bangkok had been made.

This view is from an alter, all the way across the city's grounds, to another pagoda.
(Called a Chedi, in Thai Language)

A Buddha stands intact,
alongside the ruins from a horrific battle against the Burmese invaders.

Here is Ploy, on our walk, and bike ride around the temple sites.

Ploy and I in the inner sanctum.

In the center of this photograph is a Buddha image, in the Parinirvana pose,
laying on his side.