Riverbank Stone took a holiday from a vacation and rolled into town
from his adopted habitat of Nong Khai.
The daytime "VIP" bus from my regional capital Udon to
Chiangmai is not the most comfortable way to travel, but nor is it the
most painful. After bouncing along for some 12 hours we arrived in Chiangmai
and my traditional mad dash to the Carlsberg clinic to get rehydrated.
Totally exhausted, but with thirst buds appeased, it was then off to
the guesthouse. This was an economy trip, so the only requirements I had
were that the hot water shower and bog be ensuite. A few more beers of
welcome and I poured myself into bed. Actually there are only two things
that get up my nose about guesthouses. First of all everyone is too friendly.
Secondly I find filling out and updating my bill a bother. I'm paying for
it! Why do I have to be the one to accuse myself?
Early the next morning I was off to Wat Chedi Luang. This was the only
monastery that the renowned forest monk Ajaan Man was Abbot of. It was
also the Katin "money tree" festival there. Great crowds, great
sky and dozens of good frames into the new camera.
In my few days in Chiangmai I managed to avoid getting run over by any
of the vehicles that madly race around! On the other side of the coin I
did see an Italian restaurant that appeared to be really Italian and touted
calzone, the covered pizza that I enjoy so much. Quickly and with great
anticipation I ordered a sausage-and-pepperoni-with-onion pie. The "packing"
of onions was soggy at best, with a lonely piece of pepperoni struggling
to stay afloat inside. And last but not least the sausage was half a piece
of chopped up Thai weeny. If the person that owns this unnamed establishment
is truly Italian he should be flogged with a wet noodle and made to drink
Pepsi in his wine. (Dep Ed: this un-named
establishment has never graced these pages and now, probably, never
will!).
JUST LIKE THE REAL THING?
Click for larger photograph
Almost! This metal bas relief of a Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen actually
represents an aircraft of the 64th Sentai, wich was stationed here at Chiangmai.
Framed in dark Thai timber, each piece is numbered and only 1000 pieces
will ever be produced. Made by Thai craftsmen with care.
Having gagged my way through the meal I was badly in need of comfort
and a beer so headed of to my favourite pub in Chiangmai. Having travelled
the world and sat in more pubs than I care to count, I have learned that
there are some places that should be pubs and some that are, oh-well-never-mind.
When I find one, I hold on for dear life and pray the place is there and
the same when I return. I'm glad I have found comfort in one such place
in Chiangmai and hope it doesn't disappear. (Dep
Ed: this fine establishment does grace these pages but Riverbank
prefers it to remain anonymous to avoid being barred elsewhere. Again.).
After a few days of beer, British sausage (in huge quantities), and
encountering too much meusli in the air it was time to ride the night bus
back to Nong Khai. A fairly uneventful ride and a few hours sleep later
we tumbled into Udon on our way back to little old Nong Khai. A change
is as good as a rest, they say. In this instance I'm not sure the mysterious
"they" are right!
The award-winning Chiangmai Zoo at the foot of Doi Suthep
introduced a baby giraffe recently, and is preparing for the arrival of
a pair of rare pandas from China (...).
Riverbank
Stone
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