North to Chiang Mai

All roads lead to Bangkok from anywhere in Thailand especially the railroad. After barely squeezing a couple of sleepers into Bangkok, we found that we were trapped for a few days till we could head north to Chang Mai (bus or train). Trapped of course isn't a bad thing, it gives you time to go and explore.

We took a river boat ride to a floating market. This lady was selling
 something wrapped in banana leaves. Love the smile and hat combo.

One of the merchants at the floating market - bananas maybe

.

Went to the circus in Bangkok known as Khao San Road.
Always something going on, like this street bar made out of
an old VW bus....

Took the river taxi to the Palace. Once we wandered the palace and enjoyed a great meal at the ThaChang Dock, we headed back on the river to Khao San Road for the evening. Gazing out over the water, we were startled back to reality by a traveling Alaskan Mermaid (Tina Baugher). This world is pretty dang small.

Best Pad Thai and Smiles on the riverfront..
@PadThai ThaChang on FB

goofing at the Royal Palace

Incredible gold and inlay work everywhere

Immaculate Palace grounds

twins

Even scarier than the last guy!

Luxary VIP bus to Chang Mai: attendants, clean reclining 
seats, 2 levels, Thai music videos and...

...little snacks in a pink box!

Chiang Mai.................known for it's Markets, Temples & Cooking Schools

Colors

patterns

steamed bun faces

An overwhelming number of temples in Chiang Mai.
Each one out doing the other for more gold.... 

and bigger gongs.

Of course, I had to take another cooking class... here's my  Thumb Kaa Guy
 (Chicken in Coconut Milk)

Dish Decoration is part of Thai cooking...this is my tomato rose. Tomatoes are
 my least favorite vegetable to cut, mostly because I think I use dull knives
 and unripe tomatoes at home! Even though this sliced easily, making consistently
 thin cuts is a task requiring a desire for detail. That's not really me...

Here's the finished rose with cucumber leaves and a plate of Yam Woon Sen 
(Spicy Glass Noodle Salad)

Best thing about Chiang Mai is running into Girdwood friends for dinner. No, I didn't cook any of this. We went out and had some western food and beer!

Shine & Jennifer on our last night in Chiang Mai.