Showing posts with label chiang dow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chiang dow. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Cave Exploration in Northern Thailand, at the Bang Mapra Tham Lot

   
     The cave at Bang Mapra is far more extensive than one would predict before entering it. This cave is close to one mile long, and is only accessible by floating downstream on a tiny rickety bamboo raft, with both a guide and raft-man.

    As we approached the cave, there was a back board set up in all its glory, as a wary hazard for first time spelunkers.

    This is Thailand, so we knew it could be rough, as we climbed aboard out small bamboo craft and drifted into the mouth of the cave.

    The original cavern is about 50-60 feet tall, and filled with both stalactites and stalagmites.

Bamboo rafts awaiting their riders.

Approaching the cave's mouth.

     The main cave has three offshoots, one to the right, which is easily manageable, and two off to the left, both of which are only accessible by climbing up a very tall, very straight ladder set all the way up to the top.
Here I am, on the raft as we entered the large cave.

 Thank you for looking, and please enjoy these pictures of teh Bang Mapra Cave in all its splendor

Friday, December 28, 2012

Doi Mae Salong, Thailand

     The Doi Mae Salong mountain road is by far one of the most beautiful driving loops in all of Thailand. From Chiang Mai, Doi Mae Salong is about 4 hours to the North, beyond the Chiang Dow National Forest. The drive is very curvy, and at times very dangerous. However, once you get out into the jungle, you will loose track of time, wherever it is that you come from.  

This post visually describes what you will find in the market at the Chinese immigrant town of Doi Mae Salong. Please don't be afraid to haggle over everything that is for sale. If you don't bargain, they will pull the wool over your eyes.
Although, everyone in the market is very friendly and
sincerely genuine.     

Please take a look at my pictures below,  and then plan a trip to Thailand for yourself.   
Tubers and Guava


Guava

Fresh cherries! 


Look at the child sleeping on the groceries.
He is content to rest for hours while his mother sells her crop.

A Loufa anyone?