Picto Diary - 3,4,5,6,7 April 2017 - Chiang Mai
Above: My Alaska Arctic Circle cap and Isle of Man TT jacket.
Cathay Pacific Lounge. O'Hare
International Airport. Chicago, Ill. 03 April 2013.
Chicago.
Murder capital of the US. Sanctuary City. Oxymoron?
Good for transit.
Less for visiting?
More than one Chicago friend has told us
that even Michigan Avenue area, down town, is not particularly safe these days. We know a lot of Chicago people. We haven't polled everyone.
Stephen D. Taylor traveling to Hong Kong international Airport from Hong Kong International Airport 停機坪.
April 4 at 1:59pm · Hong Kong ·
Last time in HK was in 06 on way to Ulan Bator and a motorcycle ride (BMW Funduros) in the Gobi desert. Had breakfast with HK resident Torquemada at the Pen where Torq ingested 15 or 20 homeopathic pills to supplement his omelet.
Above: Two images from hotel room window. One night, the other day. "King Klong?" From our hotel (Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok). 04/05 April 2017.
1st visit to Bangkok in fall '63. Dined at home of Tim Wang Lee, Bangkok business man and former student of my dad at BYU. My first multicourse (8 or 9 courses) meal. Gekhos were walking all over the walls of the dining room. A cultural eye opener for this Happy Valley raised, recent high school graduate. Accompanied by Mom, Dad, and Buh.
2nd visit to Bangkok (this is really a Calcutta story) was 10 years later (1973). TIMDT, Mwah (sic), 3 year old FeeBee, and newborn, Rudy Jr., departed for Bangkok from the old Dum Dum airport in Calcutta around midnight. The Dalai Lama and his entourage of monks was in the departure lounge awaiting a flight to Dharmsala, the Dalai Lama's home city. One of the monks came over to us and asked if the Dalai Lama could hold six week old Rudy Jr. We passed Rudy Jr. over to the monk and watched the 15 or so monks hover around their leader as he held our baby. Thankfully, the monk returned Rudy Jr. a few minutes later.
Significant story considering the well known quest of the Dalai Lama to find a newborn to be his heir.
Above: Bishop evaluates1033 Foundation scholarship applications. Sheraton Hotel Bar. Bangkok, Thailand. 05 April 2017.
Applicants are sons and daughters of Utah cops. Love these kids and their respect for their parents. In a world where beaucoup bad or no parenting produces a troubled generation, these 45 kids are exceptions. They foreshadow a more hopeful world than I sometimes imagine as I survey the "bigger picture." Kudos to Tore and Mona Steen for championing the 1033 effort. Proud to support them. — at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers
Above: Big Bangkok Billboards. Bangkok, Thailand. 06 April 2017.
Above: Buddah and TIMDT.. — at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple. Chiang Mai, Thailand. 06 April 2017.
Above: Jade sculptor with his sculpture. Chaing Mai, Thailand. 06 April 2017. Complex sculpture at right can be had for $40K.
Above: Orchid wall. Chiang Mai, Thailand. 06 April 2017.
Above: Rider's Corner, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 07 April 2017.
Go to place for American motorcyclists in Thailand. Dr. G haunt. He sent me there. NE corner old city. Rider's Corner is on the northeast corner of the old city. The square old city is surrounded by a moat. On either side of Rider's corner are located motorcycle sales, rental, and apparel stores.
Above: Bishop at Rider's Corner, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 07 April
2017.
Above: Helmet display. Chiang Mai, Thailand. 07 April 2017.
Above: Bishop at Wat Chiangmun, oldest temple in Chiang Mai. 1296 AD.
Note the black and white bunting at the temple entrance. Bunting is seen throughout the country as a symbol of mourning for the revered Thai king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October of 2016. The bunting is not taken down for a year after the king's death. The king lies in state for a year whereupon his remains are cremated in a temple built specially for the occasion.
In lieu of going on the pre-planned trip to the elephant encampment, TIMDT and Mwah (sic) walked around the old town of Chiang Mai this AM. Huff puff. Walked about four miles ending the walk at noon when outdoor temperature was 90 degrees. Felt good though... even though I napped most of the afternoon.
Thailand is an enigmatic place for me. I don't have any real experience here other than a half dozen times as an "in and out" tourist. This visit to Chiang Mai is my first time to northern Thailand. It seems good to tick Chiang Mai off on the travel list. The reverence in which the Thai's hold their king seems to be a reflection of the monarchy's importance to the Thai culture. Culture, here, in other words, seems strong... intact. Outwardly, as we walk around Chiang Mai, the people seem friendly, ordered, and peaceful. We get offers for cab and tuk-tuk rides, but the touts are friendly... not pushy. I know there are some negatives. There is a thriving underage sex trade in Thailand. The climate (heat) is punishing. Reminds of our three years living in Manila. I'm glad I came... but, there are other places to see before I make a return trip. And... i do make return trips. I love Alaska, India, and Marfa, Tx. As far as new places to see are concerned, Panama Canal is on my bucket list.... Cabo... Cartagena.. West Africa.
Addendum:
Your pics are great especially of the mountain trail.
Bridge,
Palm Beach, FL
Notwithstanding your complaints, Deer Valley will always be the best place to ski (no snowboarders).
Rudy Jr.
Salt Lake City, UT
Good to see you smiling, Steve
Joe, Sydney, Australia
CONGRATS on the 1MM vertical- enjoying sharing a small part of that
Nice pictures.
Montage, Marina del Rey, CA
Wondered if you were there I was in heaven on the lower slope's this morning till 1130. Excellent even some sunshine. V
Odd, I found this in my Spam box, which I seldom look at (too much Russian s** emails). Must have been some cosmic thing that vectored me there.
Boats, trains, planes, buses, taxi, tuk-tuks, and motorbikes - you could write a book, the hook being looking out through a window versus moving outside the window.
I've a two week road trip ahead, and it snowed here in Mile High today - called the Mrs. two days ago and she was complaining about how hot it was in Chiang Mai.
If you've a few minutes while in Chiang Mai, stop in at The Rider's Corner (NE corner of the moat). Owner and Thai wife took on the local expat mafia and have done well. I helped a bit, putting them on the map. They let us (me) HU guys/gals use their place for two nights each year. Buy a T-shirt, drop my name with Phillip or Som, tell them you're in my inner circle of Big Dog existential economists.
While you're cooking at 95 F, I'm at 35 F here, looking at 550 miles through Wyoming, wondering why I didn't become a car junkie instead of a motorbike addict.
Best,
Dr. G