Northern Paradise

What an amazing couple of days we have had. Every day spent here feels like 3 days rolled into one. We have just come back from the Golden Triangle- one of the most interesting places to visit; with its history of opium growing and selling, the country is rich with stories and political intrigue. We spent the first day of our trip up north cycling to the Sri Lanna National Park- a stunning paradise. The program said an ‘easy ride’ … perhaps if you were Cadell Evans. After two hours on the hard bike seats the trip took it’s toll on a few of us and one by one we dropped off and ended in the support car. I too succumbed, not to physical exertion, but the butt numbing pain of the seat! We then lunched before kayaking out to our house boat- nestled 7kms further down the lake. Every moment was a scene from a movie- the still lake with warm waters, the surrounding mountains with their mist and lush green jungle. Once we reached the houseboat the girls spent hours diving off the platforms into the water and laughing and screaming. That night, after another amazing meal, we sat quietly as the lights swayed in the distance from other boats and the half moon looked on. It was idyllic.

The next day we took a long boat back and then headed further north to Chiang Rai. Here we met the mighty Mekong River for the first time and followed it up to the boarder. On the way we visited the Long Neck Karen tribe- which was for the most part intriguing and disturbing. We stepped into a purpose built village- all for tourist to come and take pictures of the tribe and buy their wares. Your daughters have certainly held up the Thai economy on this trip! And quite honestly it was like a human zoo. In contrast the Akha tribe we visited later in the day welcomed us into their village and explained their customs and daily life, but it was like stepping into another time, rather than a museum of oddities. That night we reached Chiang Seng and supped near the Mekong, whilst looking over and Laos.

The next day we took a boat over to the Laos Island and shopped…again. The girls saw weird and wonderful ‘aphrodisiacs’ in pickled jars, fake Chanel bags and more local wares. It was a thrill to be in another country… technically. We then went further up the river to the Golden Triangle where Burma, Laos and Thailand meet and then on to the Opium Museum. Being a teacher I have seen my fair share of Museums and this was really impressive- it took the students on an interactive journey through the history of Opium and the drug wars, to the economic and social effects of heroin use with quite moving testimonies and case studies. It left an impression on the girls. On the way back to Chiang Mai we stopped at the Wat Rong Khun White Temple- which is Thailand’s answer to Spain’s Gaudi! A surreal and outlandish Buddhist temple.

The trip was ended with a Khantoke dinner and lanterns, fireworks and fire-breathing! We are now packing to go on the Barge and contemplating out final days here in this amazing country.

Marian Haddrick