Fish Cave, Mae Hong Son Provence, Thailand (Carp Swimming up stream into a an Underwater Cave)

     Last week Ploy and I were traveling to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai, when we stopped off for a short rest at Thai Nature Park, where the fish swim upstream into an underwater cave. It sounds less amazing that it is, so I took many photos of the park and of the beautiful fish to convey how special it is to see them.

     This fish cave park is an absolute must for anyone who travels to Mae Hong Son. It is not a tourist attraction, but a natural wonder.

The large fish swim around in the ponds and stream, until they reach the cave,
where they disappear into the dark cavern beneath the water's surface.

Here is spot where the fish swim into the cave and likely breed in the cool water.

The Annual Chiang Mai Thailand Food Festival, December 2013

   

     The 26th Annual Chiang Mai Thailand Food Festival was kicked off again this week. The location was outside of the Robinson's Central Department store, in a gigantic parking lot. All types of high quality local and regional Thai food was available.

     It is one spot not to miss if you are traveling through Thailand this winter.

Here is a very tasty steamed fish in curry,
nestled in a banana leaf as a bowl.
This is also environmentally friendly!

These are fish Maw balls.
Eaten with a sweet dipping sauce.

A nice guy selling his Pad Thai.
He was proud to be at the festival. You could tell.

Some of my favorites. Beautiful Andaman Sea Crabs, delicious Thai Scallops,
fresh large mussels, and grilled squid.  I ate some of the mussels, and they were good.
Cooked in a spicy sauce, directly over the fire.

Here are the fixings for fancy Thai Som Tam Salad

Here are the rest of the ingredients to put into Som Tam.
This is one of the most well liked fresh spicy salads in Thailand.

Grilled Breaded Fish!

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.

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.

The real Kho Lipe, Thailand, 2012, in the Andaman Sea.

    The arrival to Kho Lipe is somewhat difficult, I won't lie. It's a long way from Bangkok, and everywhere else.  But once you get there, you won't want to leave.

    I have heard that Lipe is the third most popular beach island destination is the world, next to the Seychelles, and the Maldives. I believe this to be true.  
   
     Lately, with the political unrest in the Maldives,  Kho Lipe must be the second best international island beach destination in the world. 

Sea Cucumber in a tidal pool.

In my opinion, Lipe is number #1, for your budget, comfort, and quality of life.


Lipe is still natural, beautiful, and still relatively unspoiled. You better get there now, while it still boasts its original charm and tranquility.
Its Tidal pools are spectacular, clean and excellent to make close up inspections of the Marine life.

0n A boat trip my second day on Lipe, with a old friend.

I arrived as you will, late in the afternoon, tired, sweaty and hungry.    

The next day,  my first day on Lipe, I took on a boat trip to see the ocean and the island from off shore.

Local Market Favorites!

      These are some Lemon and Honey steamed fish. They are being sold at a local market in Chiang Mai Thailand where I live. Just about $2 per fish, accompanied by a bag of rice and some fresh vegetables, you will have an excellent dinner!

Fried Insects are very popular in Thailand. They are eaten something like Popcorn in the West.

Carrying a small bag of crickets, shopping is more fun.



Bugs are eaten like popcorn in most of South East Asia.
I have tried them, and the aren't so bad. Just a little crunchy,
and a but juicy.

 

here are some Roaches, Crickets and Grasshoppers!
Tasty Snacks in South East Asia!

  



Here are some Pig Heads for sale at a local butcher in Siliwattana Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The cheek is the most desired piece of meat, for both flavor and color.

 

Here are some frogs that are available in Chiang Mai. I believe they are made into  Vegetable Salad, or Soup!