> Dancing Shrimp, Chaing Mai, Thailand     

While visiting my good friend Carlos whom I meet months earlier traveling southern Thailand, I had the benefit (?) of tasting these little morsels on a little trip to a local favorite lake playground. Carlos had settled in Chaing Mai to teach English and afforded me insight into local culture beyond normal tourist exposure due to his resident status and Thai girlfriend, Khan. When offered dancing shrimp, who would turn that down? Why are they dancing? Because they are alive. dancing in your mouth.
 > Monks Taking Pictures, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chaing Mai, Thailand     

Near the top of Doi Suthep west of town is a towering temple complex with commanding views of Chaing Mai and the beautiful and popular temple grounds themselves. While wandering the temple, these monks cordially cornered me to practice their English a bit, and then reverted back to tourist mode themselves, snapping pictures as was everyone else in this busy and worthwhile tourist attraction and actively functioning Buddhist Wat.
 > Elephant Statues, Chaing Mai, Thailand     

These wonderful symbols of Thailand are represented throughout the country in complementary statuary. Here just outside the Pae Gate to the old quarter, three small giants line up and hold that pose. Chaing Mai, as Thailand's second largest city after Bangkok, is still a friendly relaxed alternative to the hustle and craziness of that metropolis. It's an attractive place to visit for it's easy going real life character, and a large number of expatriots have settled here as a result. Visits often last longer than planned for all the things to do in easy going pace lived here, nearby destinations to explore, and most excellent dining and mellow nightlife.
 > Doi Suthep Mounatin View, Chaing Mai, Thailand          

Atop the mountain road west of Chaing Mai, mountain ridgelines repeat in the mist behind stalks of drying grass. In the lower right corner of this photograph is a Hmong village, classically in the mountains away from other signs of civilization. This is a fairly large village, perhaps an outgrowth of refugee camps as Hmong were forced out of their homeland Laos, with neighboring Thailand receiving a bulk of the exodus.
 > Princess on Motorbike, Chaing Mai, Thailand     

On our own ride up Doi Suthep mountain west of Chaing Mai to visit a temple and other lofty sites, this happy family passed while we were admiring the view. Classic SE Asia, the whole family on a bike, this one a very small family. But with helmets in hand in spite of being required under law, enforcement appears only sporadic when necessary to fill the local constabulary coffers. Hence little girl with tiara instead of helmet, riding at 50 KPH or so, hanging on to daddy's neck for safety. Smiling in the Land of Smiles (LOS), Thailand.
Dancing Shrimp, Chaing Mai, Thailand

While visiting my good friend Carlos whom I meet months earlier traveling southern Thailand, I had the benefit (?) of tasting these little morsels on a little trip to a local favorite lake playground. Carlos had settled in Chaing Mai to teach English and afforded me insight into local culture beyond normal tourist exposure due to his resident status and Thai girlfriend, Khan. When offered dancing shrimp, who would turn that down? Why are they dancing? Because they are alive. dancing in your mouth.
 > Dancing Shrimp, Chaing Mai, Thailand     

While visiting my good friend Carlos whom I meet months earlier traveling southern Thailand, I had the benefit (?) of tasting these little morsels on a little trip to a local favorite lake playground. Carlos had settled in Chaing Mai to teach English and afforded me insight into local culture beyond normal tourist exposure due to his resident status and Thai girlfriend, Khan. When offered dancing shrimp, who would turn that down? Why are they dancing? Because they are alive. dancing in your mouth.
Dancing Shrimp, Chaing Mai, Thailand

While visiting my good friend Carlos whom I meet months earlier traveling southern Thailand, I had the benefit (?) of tasting these little morsels on a little trip to a local favorite lake playground. Carlos had settled in Chaing Mai to teach English and afforded me insight into local culture beyond normal tourist exposure due to his resident status and Thai girlfriend, Khan. When offered dancing shrimp, who would turn that down? Why are they dancing? Because they are alive. dancing in your mouth.
Photo by: photographie-irie · see photo in gallery