We only have a few days left here in Chiang Mai, but we have saved some of the best adventures for last!
When we were here last year our friend Riam talked about taking us out to the Samoeng area to see where she grew up, and where her father still lives. Samoeng is in a valley north west of Chiang Mai and to get there we head north up to Mae Rim and then across the mountain ridge and then down into the valley.
The drive is taking us through some spectacular county, surrounded by jungle and crossing over a mountain ridge provides for some postcard views along the way. Fortunately for us Riam indulges our desires to stop frequently to take pictures and it seems like we have hundreds of questions about the sights we are seeing along the way.
Today is more of a friends and family day out so Riam’s children are along for the ride, it is nice for us to be included in the trip, but I think the kids are a little shy at first being around a couple of foreigners 🙂
Our first stop is at Ban Pok, a small village near Samoeng and where Riam grew up. Riam knows most of the people in the village and some of her friends from her childhood still live in the same houses. As we walk through the village everyone stops to chat for a moment to say hello, and I am reminded of what it is like to go into town back home with Mrs. Columbus (the mayor).
We get to see the original house where Riam lived, and then just up the road is the new house that her father built and lives in now. Her childhood house is a stark contrast to the kind of places we grew up in as children, and it is a good reminder of how most Thai families are not at all focused on material things. Her father’s current home is quite a bit more modern, but still reflects the Buddhist minimalism that the majority of Thais believe in here.
After Ban Pok we drive along the winding road through the valley and stop in Samoeng for some lunch. Riam and her husband know the people that own the small local restaurant and the food is fresh and very tasty. We have a nice leisurely lunch visiting a little over some good food, and the kids are starting to even get used to us being around! And who can beat lunch and drinks for 6 people for 280 baht (about $9 US)!!
Back in the van we start the drive back to Chiang Mai – we are going along in a loop so our rather than going back the way we came, we are going south through another pass across to Hang Dong, and then back up into the city. It has been a great day – we get to see some more of the country outside of the beaten track, and spent the day with some good friends who we enjoy seeing each time we come back. Of course you can’t have a complete day without some shopping, and I think that Riam has sensed a bit of Mrs. Columbus’ pent up anxiety, so we stop at a roadside stand that sells all things banana, where we pick up what seems like a year’s supply of banana chips. I will however admit to getting into the bag of sour cream and onion banana chips and helping herself finish the bag – if the rest of the flavors are equally tasty, we may not have to pack any of them home!
This is the last time we will see Riam and her family and it makes us a little sad to say goodbye at the end of the day, but we know we will be back, so we are grateful for the great day we had and look forward to next year. Pop gun mai bpee naa krap! (see you soon next year)