Tax return filing time in the US coincides with New Year in Thailand (April 13 - which is called Songkran to the locals or the Water Splashing Festival popular with tourists)- which kind of helps when your brain cells are diminishing with age! This year I accompanied my Thai friends back to their village in the north. I hadn't got a chance to go up country that much so I took my DSLR camera along hoping for to really give it a workout in orchidalia, you know cooler climate, highlands, mountains and streams...
Turned out not so, orchids make rare appearances (in the sense that I really had to look out for one) in the viccinities, which got me scratching my head. I mean, one here and one there, just another house plant, nothing special. Anyway, here are the pictorials of my trip with yes, a few orchids (among other local flora and fauna):
1)From the terrace of the restaurant looking down to the rapids/streams, at the entrance of the Mae Yom national park nearby. I would give anything to have 15 minutes sitting there with a coffee (even just nescafe all they have) and take in the view, but my folks would not have it.
Phrae2.jpg
- the Village New Year Festival:
3) Miss Village contestant
Phrae7.jpg
4) Local Pageantry and 5) colors
Phrae8.jpg
Phrae9.jpg
6) Let's get down!
Phrae10.jpg
7) Senior Dance - this one has special meaning, you have to buy the ticket for you and your selected senior (an older member of your circle) partner for a dance (with his/her song request).
Phrae5.jpg
8) Picnicking back stage.
Phrae4.jpg
9) At home, viewed from the upper floor.
Phrae1.jpg
10) A few dens + one catt hanging around the tree at the front yard. I'm intrigued by the addition of the spanish moss.
Phrae6.jpg
-----------------------
(continued with pt II)