Chiang Mai - Long time no see

Blogging briefly tonight but hope to update tomorrow (Saturday) Two key things to mention; one, having gathered reports on the extreme weather conditions 'sweeping parts of the UK' I would like to issue and un reserved apology for the incessant use of the word 'Heat' from here in Thailand. I ccan only imagine how I would feel to be in Britain during a snowy and cold december to read the complains - admittedly by a 7 year old - of the heat !. We will mention it no more. Secondly, BKK to Chiang Mai went with little problem and we emerged into a bright Chiang Mai to be met by our old friend Soo who drove us to her lovely home on the outskirts. Since then eating, playing table tennis and today, like ghosts from the past, revisiting old friends and haunts. Including; our old home and IWDC office in Northern Chiang Mai, meeting our old land lord Khun Lung, and having a drink in one of our favourite restaurants leading up to the mountain overlooking the city. The third and final point is simply that compared to 14 years ago Chiang Mai is virutally un recongnisable as virtually all points of reference have been either built on, taken down or crowded out with traffic of various description, constructions of differing heights and people of assorted shapes. Out of this the only fixed points in this 'satellite of change'are the people themselves who have remined reassuringly friendly,courteous and kind. And, in a world of transition where technology, geography and society refuses to be static, that is something to hold onto. 

Below are a few summary shots; hope to update further detail in day or two.




One of many beautiful Thai flowers (taken by Samina)



Street Life - fresh mango and melon



Doi Suthep - the mountain overlooking Suthep Road where we lived



Trying to be grown up in posh cafe place with old friend Soo



A photo of a bloke staring at a spreadsheet would be uninteresting were it not for the fact that this office was, 15 years ago, our front room in Chiang Mai! 



Janaki and I outside our first old office - which hasn't changed a bit (although everything around it has)  

Soo - the Thai Karen food queen - tucking into another snack