RhinoTusk

Chilling out at the Huang Num Keau Waterfall on Koh Kood. It's in the middle of the jungle and not easily accessible, a 20 minute ride along some dirt road, then another 15 minutes to climb down a rocky trail, but well worth the effort because I have it all to myself. Sitting under the falls, letting the cool fresh spring water pound on top my head. Refreshing.

I've gotten food poisoning twice in Thailand (in more than 10 years), both times from seafood at hotel restaurants.

Never spent much time there but your photos make me want to give it another chance.

I booked the promotional fare on Air Asia, 590 baht each way from Bangkok. Some people like to take the train but air fares are so low it doesn't make sense unless I'm bringing my motorcycle. Chiang Mai is a lot of fun with lots of things to do but mongering options cannot compare with Bangkok or Pattaya.

Saturday Market Not quite as popular as Sunday Walking Street Market, on Wualai Road just south of the old city, from 5 to 10 PM. I didn't spend much time on Loi Kroh this trip After a visit to the Sunday Walking Street Market, it's nice to veg-out with a Long Island Iced Tea at the THC Rooftop Bar near the Tapae Gate and enjoy some views of the city. After Chiang Mai, a trip to Pai: http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/topic/64434-pai/

On the Banana Pancake Trail. Everything is gray and smoggy now, I'd like to return in a few months when everything is green. Was inquiring about renting a 650cc in Chiang Mai for 1500/day but they wanted passport. Now that I've seen what the roads look like I would love to go cycling the area. I'm thinking about taking my Honda Phantom up on the train.

Pai (Population about 3,000) is a small town about 80 km north of Chiang Mai, as the crow flies, and about 140 km when you ride the snake, on the road to Mae Hon Son. The journey takes about 3 hours by minibus because of the 762 curves in the road. Bring your air sickness bag, as the Chinese woman sitting next to me was throwing-up all the way. We passed a spot where a motorbike rider had just gotten nailed by an SUV, and our driver stopped to lend assistance until the ambulance arrived. It's not the road to Hana, but still quite scenic. There aren't many attractions in Pai, just a few waterfalls and hot springs outside town. So why go there? It's all about the vibe: serene, tranquil, relaxed. I rented a bamboo hut along the river for 400 baht. Temps were hot during the day but dropped to 18 degrees at night. The main street in town is Walking Street. There are no GoGos or freelancers but you may be able to score a teenybopper. See my Chiang Mai trip report here: http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/topic/63643-a-week-in-chaing-mai/

I spent Saturday night at my favorite Chaing Mai bar, the North Gate Jazz Co-op, enjoying a cocktail I'd heard of but had never tried before. The drink is a variant of the Long Island Iced Tea, but instead of triple sec and splash of coke, this variation uses pineapple juice and Blue Curacao liqueur. Otherwise, all the other ingredients are the same: Gin, Vodka, Tequila, and White Rum. The drink is called Adios Motherfucker. 140 baht and highly recommended.

More Attractions Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Founded in 1393, about a 20-25 minute drive up the Soi Suthep mountain. It can offer some great views of the city but you can't see anything in the spring. Fortunately, there's a tram so you don't have to climb the 309 steps to the top. Lots of great stuff here. Pagodas, statues, drums, bells, and the copper plated chedi. Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders A small house converted into a museum, conveniently located around the corner from Wat Chedi Luang. Admission 100 baht. There's a much larger version of this museum somewhere else in town that might be more worthwhile. I wasn't too impressed with this abbreviated version but I'm not really into bugs. Night Safari Opened in 2006, the world's 3rd nocturnal zoo (others in Singapore and Guangzhou, China) and very popular with Chinese tourists. It's basically a zoo with a layout similar to a theme park with three main areas. Jaguar Trail is a 1.2 km walking trail around Swan Lake. Visitors can view a Tiger Show and a choreographed Water Fountain show, then tour the other areas via tram. Savanna Safari Zone has Rhinos, Hyenas, Lions, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Ostriches, Zebras, and even Kangaroos whereas the Predator Prowl Zone has Tigers, Lions, Vultures, Wolves, Wolves, Black Bears and Crocodiles.

I thought about cancelling my trip but don't think short-time exposure is going to be too harmful. After 48 hours here I'm starting to feel a slight burning in my eyes. Thunderstorms are expected next week and that would really help. Here's a shot near the North Gate I took last September. You can see Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, through the haze, in the upper right. Today you can't see the mountain

You shouldn't have a problem Teelack, there will be plenty of rain by June to clear up much of the smog, or at least below danger levels. Conditions seem worst around 11 AM, they're advising children and the elderly to remain indoors, shut their windows, and use the a/c to filter the air when it gets really bad. I think the hat is a Monticristo Atlas, but I may be wrong. I do know I had to pay duty on it. "How do I stay so healthy and boyishly handsome? It's simple. I drink the blood of young runaways." -- William Shatner Last fall, when I stayed at the Raming Lodge, Loi Kroh road was dead by midnight. Quite a contrast to the Zoe in Yellow Garden, which was jamming at 1 AM last night. Maybe it was just for St. Paddy's Day, but I got the feeling every night was St. Paddy's Day!

Purple Haze all in my eyes, don't know if it's day or night, you've got me blowing, blowing my mind is it tomorrow or just the end of time? -- Jimi Hendrix Farmers burn off the rice fields every spring and this creates a serious health problem. Heart attacks spike during this time and a few thousand people with respiratory problems end up in the hospital. Amazingly, this happens every spring! Four flights had to be diverted yesterday when visibility fell below 800 meters. The city desperately needs RAIN to help clear the air but the forecast calls for 40 degrees every day with no rain until next week. Booked the Yindee Stylish Guesthouse for 1100, in the backpacker area just off Rathwith, around the corner from the Chaing Mai Saloon and UN Irish Pub. The UN Irish Pub was featuring a buffet for St. Paddy's Day. Drink just 8 pints of Guinness and get a free hat. Such a deal! Headed over to Wat Chedi Luang to capture a few snaps before sundown. Paused for dinner at La Fourchette, Pumpkin Soup (90 baht), confit de canard in rhubarb brandy (480 baht) with an Irish Coffee (220 baht) to commemorate the occasion.

The Queen Vic Sunday Carvery

They've run the same TV commercial for over a decade.

Here's some vintage footage of Patpong and Soi Coyboy in the '80's

I lived on the 26th floor from 2011-2013, facing Walking Street (so my view was not obstructed by the Hilton, see my avatar),and my rent was 24,000/month.

I remember Cafe New Orleans was a great place for all-u-can-eat bbq chicken and ribs. Steve was having a benefit for the tsunami victims when Gary from Alamo bar introduced us. I believe he was a lawyer from Reno. The best thing about his bars they were open on Buddhist holidays, without alcohol, but you could bar fine.

They're cowards that will eat anything. When the yellow shirts occupied the park I suspect many monitors got roasted on the Barbie. I wonder how they taste? But they're great swimmers and can scale a tree like a squirrel. http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/verts/monitor_lizard.htm

Nice Plahgat! People should know that although the monitors are carnivorous and look menacing, they do their best to avoid human beings. So don't be afraid to enter the park! LOL

The Beasts of Lumpini Park: The Water Monitors

They've been working on it for 10 years

Love the sounds and smells of Chinatown. Here's the Song Soem Roundabout, maybe 4 blocks from the China Gate. Immortalized in the movie Hangover Part 2 as the home of the drug-dealing monkey.

Couldn't you get a 12 month retirement extension with your tourist visa? Was the change of visa necessary?

You must have been pretty wasted. The Pickled Liver Pub is on Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, that's quite a ways from Patpong, but the pub is still there.

I remember the short time room upstairs, and before Coyote GoGo it was called 'Never Go Home Alone'. So many businesses have failed at that location. What's next?