Wat the...?

Yesterday was temples, national parks and waterfalls, and today was scary borders (Laos and Myanmar, probably the scariest concept since Uzbekistan for me). Fascinating stuff.





By request.... ok I haven't (yet!) seen any R2D2 projectors, so here's me on an elephant.

I'm the one on.... oh I've done that gag before.



Can't go wrong with a fine bit of templage.

PS A "Wat" is a temple, so it isn't a typo... I had a txt message from this peculiar chap who does this occasionally. About a year ago, a young lad is hanging around outside Te Papa looking desperately around for something or someone. So he's asking if anyone will let him borrow the phone to contact a mate. No problems, says I, foolishly underestimating where this would go. So now, every few months, this mate texts me in txtspk to find his mate. Dumbass. Anyway, he sent one yesterday saying "Wat's going on?". How cool is that?

Chiang Mai

You may be aware that I should have gone to China. Oh well. We all make these decisions. It doesn't seem especially like I'll be repenting at leisure. So far at least.
Air NZ did their traditional attempt at sabotaging holidays. You might argue that fog in Auckland is beyond their control, but I know of at least one person who wouldn't even believe that. Eh Bob?
I had the Murray Head One Night in Bangkok, although staying at an airport hotel is less than likely to make the tough guy tumble. The next day we (my guide Pat - counterpart makes her sound like R2D2) headed off to Chiang Mai, immediately seeing a few of the sights here.
A temple in the hills above the city:


Not my Mom.

And then today a lot was crammed in: elephant football, ox-cart ride, elephant trek, bamboo raft, monkey show, snake handling and long-necked and big-eared women. Mixed. Monkey show and tribal women left me not knowing what I felt. I could see the point, and also the value, but I'm not that kind of voyeur, maybe. The snake handler was worryingly close to torture, but it was very entertaining. The ox-cart ride was not really my thing and the elephants were fantastic. There were also orchids and butterflies... Too many pictures for words, so if there is anything you fancy then let me know.

Next, please!

So, here I am at work, taking 5 minutes out from my Sunday (not a wise choice, but kind of essential). Two weeks off, and by the time I return there will be two fewer members of staff and another one on her way. I going to be busy. Therefore, while my holiday was unfortunately timed in one regard, it was perfect in others: we'll be understaffed for a little while ahead, and I'm going to be busier than ever.
In the meantime, I am off to Thailand. I don't have any plans while there, beyond the flights to Bangkok then Chiang Mai. Wait and see. It is clear I have neglected this page for a while, but I am disappointed at the lack of financial support you lot mustered for me to go on another vacation. You are just so selfish.
As ever, as expected, I have been lazily failing to prepare, and, as such, I am not yet excited. I think it will hit me along with the heat and the spicy food.
But, back to work for a little longer...