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I first came to Thailand in 1986 for a long break from the rat-race of California. I was tired and bored and I wanted a change of scenery. I had saved enough money for a couple of years of not having to work, and I wanted to experience and learn about a different way of life. Thailand was on the other side of the planet from California, so I thought this was a good start.
When I arrived, I went immediately to Chiang Mai, which I had heard about when I was in Hong Kong some years earlier. It was described to me as a small city in the mountains of Northern Thailand, accessible only by train or over-night bus. Something clicked when the name was mentioned, so I thought that this was a place I was destined to visit one day.
I studied Thai at AUA in Chiang Mai to give me some ability to communicate with people. I've never liked to travel with a tour group, so, to travel alone, I needed the language skills. After a month of study, I took off on my first long trip on my newly-aquired Honda MTX 125cc bike. I went up to Chiang Rai and Mai Sai on the Burmese border, and came back around following the Mekhong River much of the way. Everywhere I went, people were great to me. After the initial shock of seeing this gigantic foreigner riding this tiny dirt bike, they would shout at their friends to come see the 'Farang'. People would ask me a million questions, but my language skills were too minimal to really understand much. My most effective way of communication was through smiling. This helped calm even the most terrified children.
I spent a few more months in Chiang Mai, clocking up over 20,000km on my trusty MTX. I then decided that I wanted the Tropical Beach Scene for awhile. Just before leaving Chiang Mai, an old friend from Australia came to visit me with her brother. Her brother stayed a few days and then my friend and I went to Koh Samui. We found this perfect bungalow on a quiet beach and proceeded to live a life of swimming, fishing, drinking fresh coconut milk, and relaxing in the sun. We explored Samui and Koh Pangan and discovered some of the most beautiful places and people in the world.
Now (2006), after more than 20 years living in Thailand, it is my home just as much as California- maybe more. I have had both good and bad experiences, but in the end, Thailand is my favorite place to be. I am now living in Chiang Mai as a retired teacher, and living a relaxed life.
Please let me share some of my favorite Thailand links with you so that you see some of the beauty of its places, people, food and way of life.
ENJOY!
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Chiang Mai Motorcycle Touring Club...Simply the bestHere are some of my favorite THAI FRUITS
Here are some of my favorite THAI PEOPLE
Leave me your favorite RECIPES
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