Thailand
As the only Southeast Asian people never ruled by a Western power, Thais possess a unique and independent cultural heritage which they have maintained despite meteoric development and industrialization. “The Land of Smiles” might be a trite title but it is remarkably accurate. Wherever I went, I encountered friendly people willing to show the unique facets of the Thai culture. During my stay in Thailand, I was able to learn its history, accomplish some hilltribe trekking, visit ancient temples, brave the bustling cities, experience village life, and appreciate its natural beauty.
We began in Bangkok, with its shimmering temples, colorful markets and simple rural life off back canals. North of the capital we visited the former capital of Ayutthaya, a temple city that was once covered in gold. Then, by train, we traveled north to lovely Chiang Mai, a center of great folk arts and the starting point for our highland trek among the colorful hilltribes. We’ve included pictures from our trek and descriptions of some of the sights that we were able to see during our visit from July 12 to July 20, 1999. Enjoy!
