Myanmar

Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)

T he first thing you notice when you take that 1 hour drive from the airport to the city is the noise, pollution, and friendly smiles.

The streets were littered with 'motorbikes'

trishaws (bicycle taxis) and pick-up trucks

full of people.

Traditional Burmese women carry baskets, pots, laundry (almost anything) on their heads, to and from the markets. It's remarkable to see.

All monks wake up at 4am and walk the streets to gather food (and money) from the village people. After 12pm they are not allowed to eat for the rest of the day...

Hired a personal taxi to take me around

Mandalay. This was the taxi (dog didn't go)

One of my stops was to a temple, in the temple a school. It was incredible, tourist were walking around while these children were in their class.

(Because Myanmar only has a few visitors a year, it didn't see to be much of a problem)

This is another traveler I met...we became friends. He and I both got mobbed by these children to buy their necklaces, bracelettes, etc..

They wouldn't take no for an answer either.

3 Monks on a teak bridge...longest teak bridge in the world.

Sunset along the teak bridge was a great way to end my 2nd

day in Mandalay. I've taken hundreds of more pictures. Much much better pictures than these, but unfortunately I saved them as RAW files and cannot convert them until I get home.

I will travel to Laos and Cambodia in the next few weeks, will try to take more .jpg pictures and post them.

Still Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai second week

My buddy Nick taking a picture of me taking a picture.

Still in Chiang Mai...












While riding our ATV we saw many elephants, pretty incredible experience.

Saw this ox while I was on the trail on ATV.

Prayer for my friend's deceased father.

















Released 2 birds for them. One for her father and the second for her...

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

I flew to Chaing Mai from Bangkok on this plane.

I took a 'tutu' which is a motorbike taxi to my guesthouse. These guys are absoutely crazy when they drive (you can see me in the rearview mirror)

This is my second time in Chiang Mai. The guesthouse I'm staying at was situated near the river.

Rented a moped and got lost...hours away from my starting point, I finally found my way back.

Chiang Mai's famous night market.


The night market is street vendors that cover the
streets for 1/2 mile, whatever you can phantom, you can
buy here.

Umm...That's a GUY!
Thailand is also famous for their 'ladyboys'. I saw this one at a Muay Thai fight. Kinda scary..Funny because I saw a bunch of tourist guys talking to them. I don't think the the tourist were aware.

I'm here for another 2 weeks (waiting for my VISA to Myanmar)

so check back for more pictures.

Bangkok

Bangkok - It hasn't changed much, still very poor, but intriging at the same time. This picture was a blind man playing an instrument, I had to capture it.

Arrived in Bangkok 4:30pm - The humidity was unreal!

Everyone is usually nice and smiling. I had a few security guards come up to me and talk to me out of the blue. Both of them bragged about their recent English courses they took.

Of course one of the greatest things
I still can't get over in Bangkok is the traffic.

There are so many 'tutus' and mopeds everywhere.

It pollutes the streets not only with their fumes, but the sounds too.

I stayed right in the heart of the city, which was 'Siam Square' very busy, but there were beautiful architech and plenty of shopping areas (if you like shopping)

I love the blend of cultures here. I saw this monk at the train station looking at the traffic below.

Anticipation

Ok here's my first blog on my page. It's not going to be very interesting, especially because I haven't left yet. But I must admit the anticipation of leaving is a similar feeling to the drive of a big surf session.

I haven't even started packing.

I took this picture at the wedding I photographed on 7/7/07.