Nan Province

This morning we split into 3 groups : going-straight-back-to-Bangkok group, going-back-to-Bangkok via Lampang group and my group, going-to-Nan. The road from Chieng Mai to Nan is very beautiful, it sneaks around the mountain. The scenary looks like Fall season with Summer all together since the leaf falls down, however the flowers are in full bloom. Here and there we see the Cassia fistula (ราชพฤกษ์) or Yellow Silk Cotton (สุพรรณิการ์) with the yellow color flower, Horse Cassia (กัลปพฤกษ์) and Javanese Cassia (ชัยพฤกษ์) with the pink yellow flower, and Pride of Barbados or Peacock's Crest (หางนกยูง) for the red and yellow flower.

We stop by at K. Winai's gallery "หอศิลป์ริมน่าน".
Nan Riverside Art Gallery was founded by Khun Winai Prabripoo, one of the famous artists in Thailand.



Chomphu-Phu-Kha flower (Bretschneidera sinensis Hemsl., family name - BRETSCHNEIDERACEAE) is in full bloom at Doi Phu-Kha.

Doi Phu Kha National Park
Here are found several rare and near-extinct floras, particularly the Chomphu Phu Kha, whose pink flowers are in full bloom during February.

At Nan Boutique Hotel.

K.Pliu releases Pang DeeJai to the forest.

We have a short trip to Lampang, ChiengMai and Nan provinces during the long weekend.
Some of the gang including I go to Lampang by car.


We stop by at NakornSawan to have noodles at "ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเนื้อวัดดงมูลเหล็ก" and spring rolls by Lae-Ki as starter.
Note: warning not to wear red shirts to this noodle shophouse since the owner is one of the yellow supporter group.

Reaching Lampang around 15:00, we go directly to the Elephant Reintroduction camp. K.Pliu and his family release Pang DeeJai and Pang NokLae to the forest.

We all then go to Chieng Mai to have dinner at The Steak House by Le Crystal restaurant.

Altaf is visiting Thailand.

We get together to host dinner to Altaf, our friend who comes to visit us, at "Kin-Lom-Chom-Saphan" near Rama VIII.

Eat and Talk at Khun Ood's house

We get together at K. Ood's house, for delicious lunch and talking non-stop about trips. Pe Paew brings her delicious dish (ขนมจีนน้ำยา) for us to enjoy.

K. Sivaporn's Birthday Party

We host Khun Sivaporn's birthday party at Benihana, Marriot Resort and Spa Hotel.

Seri's Birthday

It has been such a long time since we last met. Finally, Seri who I haven't met for the last 10 years arranges for his birthday and renioun party at Pizza 53. Once we all were very closed but working and family responsibility drifts us apart. Time flys so fast that when I look back it has been about 25 years that we are friends. Although, I didn't go to the same school with them but we had a lot of good times together.

Wang Nam Kieo - Day2

K. Suthas brings 2 cans of Abalone for the boiling rice breakfast.


Lunch at Nam Hieng in Kabinburi district.

Wang Nam Kieo - Day1

My third time to visit Wang Nam Kieo. My first and second time was in 2006 and 2008, respectively. Wang Nam Kieo is one of the good choices for a short visit from Bangkok since it is not too far (about 3 hr drive) with fresh air and good food. We are staying at K.Sivaporn's and K.Pichai's houses there.

Since the area was quite barren two years ago, a lot of trees are planted using the wine bottles to slowly water them. See how much wine that our friends have had to drink, just to help growing trees in the property!!!


Pe Nong is helping Pe Norm checking the hay stack to see whether he can sleep there at night???


Lunch at Krua BerkBann.


One of the hot places in Wang Nam Kieo, A Cup of Love.



Next week, January 22 – 24, is the Chrysanthemum (benjamas) festival in Wang Nam Kieo.


K. Pichai prepares the BBQ for our dinner. The grilled spareribs are really good and succulent.

China - Day 6 Kun Ming

The flower market in KunMing.




At the park where I try to take a picture of seagull.






The last place to visit is at a temple.

And that should be all for my trip.
Thank you Khun Wichai, our guide and the owner of KunMing tour. K. Wichai who is the photographer himself teach me many functions of my camera that I have never used before. (plus lending us the gadget: remote control, ND filter - Thanks a lot ka). It is very enjoyable trip with the bonus of attending the camera-shooting-field trip at the same time.
Contact:
TravelPro (his partner in Thailand) at : 02-942-0080
K. Wichai's mobile phone in China at : (009-86) 135-0871-3644
email: dengyuanjun@msn.com

China - Day 5 Luo Ping & Kun Ming

Although, we know that the best time to visit Luoping is during February to March in order to see the rapeseed in full bloom, we don't have any choices since there is a long holiday during year-end.




Our first stop is at Jinjifeng (Golden Chicken Peak), the most famous spot to view the rapeseeds flower.


We then visit the Jiulong waterfall.
The Jiulong (nine dragon )Waterfall - consisting of 10-tier waterfalls compactly grouped in a valley. They appear in different shapes, magnificent and beautiful. The biggest waterfall is with a drop of 56 meters and 110 meter in width.
The second biggest waterfall called Lovers Waterfall is a deep pond.The other waterfall also have their distinctive features.

Very happy that there is a cable car to go up to the top view point.








Lunch at Jiulong visitor area.


Stop by at the Jinjifeng again on the way back to Kunming.



Luoping is a national base for raising bees and producing honey products.






Arrive at KunMing very late, we go straight to have “mushroom” sukiyaki for our dinner.