September 23, 2010 @ Mae Hong Son, Thailand



Coca Coke in Thai


Clean and roomy room for only $19 USD a night!


Convenient Resort


Long driveway before getting to the hotel


Bangkok airport


Last time we had mooncake on a train in India!


Nok Air, local airline


Things get more basic in Mae Hong Son


But only $9 USD a night


Outside is quite nice


Even got a nice view


Friend House


Thai chicken rice, sorta like Haian Chicken Rice


Local restaurant


Similar candies as in US / HK


Place of my first and only bike accident in Thailand


The Padaung Kayan long-necked tribe


Their village


Nap time


Funny kid


Look at all the rings!


Love her outfit


She probably has the most rings in the village


Where is her rings?


She is from long ear tribe


Volleyball court


Toilet


A quiet day, not many tourist


Their ring, it is heavy!


They use modern technology too!


The young ones usually have fewer rings


Very colorful rooster


Me and long-necked gal!


I got neck rings too!


I think she has the most rings of all


Back home taking care of the kids


Very dangerous!


Very dangerous!


Very dangerous!


Their homes


Their stores


Their kid


FF visits to the long-necked village


Their military uses hammer too!


Temple near Padaung


Temple near Padaung


Temple near Padaung


Temple near Padaung


I passed by this gate so many times when I got lost


How many students are there?


Phraya Singhanatracha Memorial


This momument commemorates the first governor of Mae Hong Son


Phraya Singhanatracha is a Thai Yai native from Burma


Wat Kam Ko


Young monks


A Burmese-style temple built in 1890


Passageway from the entrance arch to the chapel


Chedi @ Wat Kam Ko


Chedi @ Wat Kam Ko


Large white chedi with extensive gilding


Inside the temple


It stores text in Thai Yai script chronicling the Thai Yai history


Wat Phra Non


The stairs are guarded by two massive stone Shan lions


Wat Phra Non


Passage to the Holy Relic on the hill


Beautiful architecture


This dragon handle bar is very popular in Mae Hong Son


More stairways


Seated Buddha


Seated Buddha


Small square chedi


More Buddha sculpture


Dunno what this is called but it is everywhere


Burmese-style mondo


Very fine multi-tiered metal roof


Cannot ask for better weather


12-metre long reclining Buddha image in the Thai Yai style


AKA Temple of the Reclining Buddha


Wat Phra Non


Wat Muai To


Very colorful temple


Dragon stairway again


Inside of the temple


Love these red/golden columns


More dragon stairway


Dragon everywhere


Six large chedis


This is one of the more beautiful temple in Mae Hong Son


But it is not in most guidebook


They must repaint the dragon frequently


Buddha door


Stair up Doi Kong Mu


View of Mae Hong Son


There is a road to get to the top, no need to climb all the stairs!


Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu


Two large white chedis


Mae Hong Son Airport


Houses the ashes of Mae Hong Son first governor, Phaya Singhanat Racha


Mom & baby hen


The temple itself is notable for its two large white chedis and its typical Shan architecture


Black and gold Buddha


Young buddhist making their pray


Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu


Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu


Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu


Hong Kong Congee in Mae Hong Son!


Night market


Night food market


Chicken head/neck, quite gross


Thai omelete


Picnic


Thai dessert


Thai dim sum


Wat Chong Klang


White and gilded chedi


Very fine multi-tiered metal roof


View from Friend House


Spectacular view of the entire valley in which Mae Hong Son is nestled