Home again

As we touched down at Heathrow the elegant air hostess handed me a beautiful orchid as a reminder of a great trip.  

Another view of Bangkok

For the final day in Thailand we joined the busy river traffic to get an alternative view of life in Bangkok.

 Getting back on dry land we set off to explore the Grand Palace. 

 

By early evening we had to head off to the airport for the flight home.

Escape from the city in Bangkok

I prefer the tranquillity of rural life to the busy traffic and high rise buildings in cities.  

But we found a wonderful place where the people of Bangkok go to relax.  Wandering around Lumphini Park one feels far removed from life in the fast lane.  There is a large lake for boating, playgrounds where kids can play and extensive winding paths for walkers and joggers.  Whilst some get twisted in a knot doing yoga, 

others sip tea playing board games.  

 I was puzzled by the sign on one tree 

above an area paved with pebbles until I saw some ladies taking off their shoes and walking around on it.  Of course!  It’s an outdoor reflexology facility.  

 I had to have a go at it myself but found it wasn’t really designed for donkey hooves.  

But the biggest surprise was yet to come.  Out of nowhere a real live monster appeared and sauntered across the path.  At first I thought I was seeing things but then someone explained that there are many of these water monitors roaming freely around the park and they serve a useful purpose as scavengers to clean up any leftover food.  Well, I wasn’t taking any chances by getting too close but just had to have a photo taken to prove I’d really seen one. 

Last look around Chiang Mai

Much of the day was spent relaxing at Wat Pra Singh

before catching the train to Bangkok. 

Up the hill to Doi Suthep

Venturing further afield we went off to visit Mount Suthep.  Climbing up the steps of the mythical Naga Serpent Staircase 

we reached the temple with its magnificent  sacred stupa. 

  
I did have some trouble explaining to the temple official that I wasn’t able to remove my shoes to enter the temple as they were firmly nailed to my hooves.
Fortunately I was allowed in and got the see the Emerald Buddha.  

I also have to ‘fess up that I couldn’t resist giving some of the bells a ding-dong.  (But then what Dinky Donkey can resist a little ding-dong?). 

The charms of Chiang Mai

Staying in the old walled city meant that within walking distance there were dozens of places to explore and I kept wanting to see what was waiting around the next corner.  There were quiet secluded surprises 

and busier areas with gilded temples.  

Gaps’House is also a culinary school so taking an evening meal there is a must.  

Happy New Year!

A new year and a new town to explore.  After leaving Nan the countryside flashed by during the bus ride and by mid-afternoon we arrived in Chiang Mai.  A ride in a tuk-tuk 

and we arrived at Gap’s House. 

Here we found a beautiful oasis of tranquillity tucked away from the bustle and traffic of the city.  

It was more like an outdoor tropical museum, crammed with wonderful antiques that the charming and elegant owners had collected over the years.  Our room was tastefully decorated and held a special treat for me – a handsome and friendly horse.


We had a great time chatting and exchanging tales of our respective travels. 

Farewell Laos, hello Thailand

Heading back to Thailand we arrived in the late afternoon at the town of Nan. The kindness of the locals was astonishing.  After making our way to the first guesthouse by pedicab (bicycle rickshaws) 

we found that it was full. Walking around the corner, we tried another nearby guesthouse but found that it too was full. By then our cycling taxis had disappeared, the owner of the guesthouse didn’t speak English and we seemed to be stuck! But no ... someone overheard our conversation and offered to take us across town to another place – and luckily we found a room there. Next challenges were to find an ATM and to get back to the bus station to try and buy tickets to Chiang Mai for the next day – not easy when it was going to be New Years Day. B and P ended up getting lifts on a scooter to the ATM and B was then scooted off into the night to buy the bus tickets, aided in translation by the Good Samaritan on his little scooter. So much hospitality and goodwill.

But now it was time to welcome in the New Year! Off we went to the town centre where a big celebration was underway – lots of food stalls, tables and chairs for the crowds to sit and eat and even an outdoor stage with entertainment. 

 
 The highlight (and it literally was high lighting!) was the sending up of dozens of lit lanterns that went soaring into the night sky like a myriad of luminous jellyfish. 

I cheered myself hoarse (or is that donkey?). It was indeed one of the best New Years parties I’ve been to. Here’s hoping 2011 will be an exciting year for everyone with plenty more adventures.

Off on an elephant trek

‘Twas early morning and the valley was shrouded in mist.  We all (dogs included) set off to the morning market.  It was quite unlike any market I’ve seen before.  The place was buzzing with colourfully dressed people and an amazing array of goods for sale. 

 
Having bought a selection of interesting foods for our lunch Monika took us back to Jumbo Lodge for breakfast.  She had a special treat in store for the day – she had arranged an elephant trek!  At 8:30 the dogs rushed out into the garden barking, announcing the arrival of our elephant and her mahout, together with a local guide.  I stayed well clear of those enormous jumbo feet while P and B climbed aboard from a platform in the garden.

and off we all went  - with me trotting along behind.

 
I resisted the temptation to have snack from the veggie gardens we passed and on we went through forests and across rivers  to reach a nearby village for lunch.  

I suspected that a donkey would be something of a novelty for the local children and the elephant and I decided to stay on the outskirts of the village so as not to alarm them.  Whilst the others went to visit the school we were invited to enjoy some corn on the cob for lunch 

before setting off back home.

Slowboat up the Mekong

I’m the kind of guy that tends to go against the flow, so whilst most tourists opt to travel downstream on the Mekong we boarded a slow boat heading in the opposite direction.  The captain had never had a donkey as a passenger before and he had some doubts about how I was going to manage getting up the gangplank.  But I’m game for anything.  I tried to look like a cool dude sauntering up the plank but I nearly missed my footing and landed on the boat with a skip and a hop.

We all settled down and watched the assortment of cargo and remaining passengers following us aboard.  Soon we were on our way and I could put up my hooves and watch the river world go by. 

Our destination was the village of Hongsa so we had to disembark at Tha Suang.No gangplank this time – we had to leap from the boat onto the beach.  

Now that’s all very well for people with big feet but my hooves sank deep into the sand and I went right up to my knees in water.  I managed to scramble up the bank and join the others in the sawngthaew.


It was dark by the time we reached Jumbo Lodge in Hongsa but Monica welcomed us with a tasty meal and I enjoyed meeting all the dogs and cats.