Sawadee, G'day and Bonjour

Did I mention that Stray flew back from Paris last week, just in time for Songkraan? He had an unforgettable time with his wonderful hosts S1 and S2. In 2009 he met these lovely Parisians here in Thailand. Last year and I also had the pleasure of catching up with them, in the flesh, here in Chiang Mai.

Stray, would you like to tell our readers what you got up to?...Stray?...Stray?

Oh, no, that's right, he's flown off AGAIN and left ME to do all the talking! ;)

Apart from the obvious Paris landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, River Seine and Louvre, I have no idea where these photos were taken. But, I do know, that I like them and it was hard to pick just a few from the disks Stray left behind...in my hot little hands.

First of all Stray is not responsible for the incredible photography, apart from being in some of the shots. 1. our camera is not that great and 2. I didn't want to part trust him with it.

Troot Songkraan

Out with the old and in with the new year!

It all starts out quite serenely with *Tungs waving gently in the hot breeze from sand pagodas and street poles. Fine sprays of mist, softly and respectfully, refresh you as you walk through the gates of temple grounds.

Aloha Chiang Mai

For the last week or so Hawaiian shirts, sarongs, psychedelic moo moo dresses and large tops made from material similar to that of a table cloth, have been appearing on mass in the department stores. Not only for sale, but worn by the store staff. Blue Hawaii, except I haven't spotted Elvis...yet!

This is great, because we're going to Phuket soon and Chiang Mai isn't usually a flood with beach going gear. Understandably, considering there's isn't a beach within cooee. I'm still not quite sure how I feel about those one piece swimsuits with the skirts attached, which seem to be in the majority...but, then again, this is Thailand!

Presuming, but not sure, this was all in preparation for Songkraan, I asked my favourite checkout chick...she just loves my dumb questions...I mean, she really does!

This is really bugging me!

Gotcha! I'm not really going to have a whinge, I've been going through photos from when JJ was here and completely forgot to post about the Siam Insect Zoo...which is on the way to Maesa Elephant Camp.

The zoo/museum is a small affair which appeared to be somewhat family run. The owner/collector happily filled us in on some of the non dead creeping, crawling displays on show, inside the building. Regrettably, many of the photos weren't up to par because of the protective glass.

Note the two butterflies on the right, one male, impaled on a pretty pink sewing pin and one female. Now look at the butterfly on the left. Half male, half female, or super glue?

Finding and losing friends

Poster over on Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai ...no point in typing it twice ;)