Completion of Chiang Mai

If you can believe it we had one more big adventure in Chiang Mai. We traveled about 1 1/2 hours deep into the rain forest for the Flight of the Gibbon. It was a beautiful drive with trumpet flowers, poinsettias that grow in the wild that were over 6 feet tall, periwinkles, and many flowers that I couldn't identify. The boys, all 8, girded up and zipped through over 2 miles of rain forest, streams, and deep ravines stopping at 15 platforms along the way and a couple of sky walks. The girls, Molly and I, stayed in the small town that was the starting point and we had a most interesting foot massage. I was really proud of all the guys, it was quite intimidating to look down over the jungle and hook yourself on to the steel cable and fly like a gibbon(a monkey). Too intimidating for the mammas that's for sure! I'll post a slide show with some of the many shots that Mark took while trying to maneuver the zipline himself. Meanwhile back at the village, Kuhn Jane had found a village woman willing to set up a massage station in her home. It was such a small village, we were told 35 families, there were not many facilities for tourists. It was quite a privilege to be invited into a Thai woman's home, she was eager to earn some extra money and so hospitable. We were led upstairs to the second floor that was covered with mats, the walls were decorated with posters of the royal family and a clock. The windows, which were open, were covered with very colorful curtains and it had a TV antenna across the top of the roof in the inside of the house? Anyway, it was quite cool and relaxing if you could block out the intermittent sound of the electric saw at the neighbors house, the barking dogs, roosters and the man's voice talking rather loudly to a small child. It was humbling that she was so gracious to have us in her home and she provided a very enjoyable foot massage. After about 45 minutes she led us downstairs to the first floor of the home. It was an open room, chairs against the walls with a TV and china closet of sorts on the other wall. Do you know that traditional Thai homes do not have indoor kitchens? Most Thai homes don't have an oven and they cook over a flame like a bunson burner. They don't have hot water and wash all their dishes in a large tub in cold water. This house was the same, from the ground floor room you could see her outdoor kitchen. She was so polite and kind to serve us some bananas and water, remember this was all spur of the moment. We could barely communicate. She did lead us to her bathroom that was also outside, it was a rock building and had rock and tar floor, we had a hard time getting that tar off of our feet later. Remember, you always remove your shoes outside a Thai home before entering. I was genuinely moved by her hospitality to us. Can you imagine 2 strangers showing up at your door, unannounced, that you have no way of communicating with, providing an opportunity to earn some unexpected money if you would rub their feet for 45 minutes, it made me teary. I prayed for her as she was rubbing my feet asking God to bless her and this home, that He would reveal himself to her (if He hadn't already-I don't remember seeing any idols in her home?). She blessed us with her servant heart.

The boys all returned in one piece and had lots to talk about, sadly it was mostly about how uncomfortable the harnesses were-Boys!!! What an unforgettable experience they were given, it was just a great day and great trip.

The summary of the Chiang Mai adventure wouldn't be complete without telling you about Duke's. Big Bob from Houston who runs a Mexican/hamburger joint in Pattaya had told me to be sure and visit Duke's for some good ole American food. We ended up going there twice we liked it so much. We laughed at how pitiful we all were, just lapping up the 'American' atmosphere-it's the little things, like receiving all your food at the same time. In Thailand the dishes just trickle out, you might be finished with your meal before the next person has even received there's and don't even think of waiting until everyone is served before you start! We had the best onion rings-just like the US, we loved their hamburgers. It's really hard to find a decent burger in Pattaya. We were able to order salads with Ranch dressing!! Thailand only has Thousand Island and some vinaigrette and you just don't see a tossed salad in restaurants here. We really crave salads sometimes. I make them at home but it's really hard to find decent tomatoes and the lettuce can be iffy and ruins really quickly. You can find some packaged lettuce and spinach for instant salads just like home but it's pricey.I think we would all agree Duke's was just the US hit we needed if they would have had Dr.Pepper, that would have been the icing on the cake for the boys. Duke's was a big hit. We all love Thai food but the boys get really tired of it, remember that is what they have at school everyday. Okay, enough!