Steven Raucher's World Tour

2001-06-16 in Chiang Mai, Thailand
North Thailand, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and The Golden Triangle

In case I haven�t mentioned it, Thailand is more than a little like America. (did I mention the Dunkin� Donuts concessionaries in the petrol stations?). Well, Chiang Mai is most definitely an extension of this.

Once again being in a city where all one�s whims are catered for leaves a lot to desire for someone seeking a bit of adventure, if you know what I mean. After scouring the streets looking for something a little tough we finally found what we were looking for: Cooking School! Don�t laugh. Ariella and I (along with Paul and Rachel, Brit Bikers) spent a day mastering the best of Thai Cuisine (believe that?) and it was a hell of a lot easier than learning how to kickbox!

One thing worth visiting Chiang Mai for is Brother Took, the best axeman in South East Asia. Jimmy Hendrix eat your heart out. He plays between 11 pm and 2 am Wed-Sun at the R&B Brasserie, miss him at your peril. I know there is a lot more to be seen in this town, but I am not a package tourist. Hill Tribes: Seen �em. Elephant Trekking: sorry mate I�m from Africa!

Well, off to Chiang Rai and the golden triangle then. We went in search of the British Bikers once again. They had a left a day before us and since I had decided we would enter Laos from the south we had not made arrangements to meet up in the north. Acting spontaneously we decided it would be a laugh trying to navigate the roads in the north of Laos, so we went in search of the Brits. We didn�t find them in Chiang Rai, but did manage to meet up with Gion Paulin (Swiss, Yamaha XT550), another overlander we keep running in to (and partying with). The next day was a day spent touring the countryside around the infamous Golden Triangle (see pics). This included nipping up to the Burmese border to say hi to the other side (see smiling commando).

Upon our return I checked my email (at 4:30 pm) and found that the Brits were 150 Kms to North East of our hotel and were crossing the border in the morning. Quick. Pack up. Collect Laundry, Leave Hotel. Fantastic little cruise through the backstreets of Northern Thailand to the very sleepy border town of Chiang Khong. Arrived, had beer, prepared for border crossing the next morning into Laos. Waddaday!!

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ever the poser, the author does the Golden Triangle

taking snaps outside a temple with Paul and Rachel, suffering from temple burnout

A really majestic brick stupa near the Golden Triangle

making new friends at the Burmese border

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