Nic Cave-ing at Borichinda Cave, Doi Inthanon, Thailand

The entrance to Borichinda Cave in the Doi Inthanon National Park [near Chiangmai]. Obviously, very few tourists come here - the untrodden 'path' over the peak of a mountain often forked ambiguously and was overgrown by the forest. Signs were infrequent. Finally, a suspended plastic bag unauspiciously heralded the cave opening and hinted at the steep descent.

Courageously confronting an army of white spiders lying in ambush, Nic bravely struck out ahead into the gloom to slaughter any lurking dragons:

Once down the steep entrance and out of the sunshine, the enormous bowels of the mountain loomed into view. Particularly impressive was this phallic [limestone?] stalactite towering almost up to the cathedral ceiling. Not too many more centuries to go before it touches, methinks:

This was our second attempt to find the cave, so this time we had taken the precaution of hiring a Park Ranger to navigate. He was a diminuitive Thai man with a big voice, and like most Thais has difficulty imagining that silence can sometimes actually be pleasant and meditative. Perhaps we should have pretended we don't speak Thai. There were a few moments when he stopped: the only sound to be heard was one's own breathing and the distant twittering of bats from on high.

Further into the cave, light glowed spookily through holes in the roof. Bats occaisionally flitted past your ears with a faintest puff of air. It would be an awesome experience to be here during/after a rainstorm, but I'm relieved we weren't... the mud would've been impossible, and the return trip down the mountain even more so.

Marie acknowledges applause after an impromptu pipe-organ recital.

Then it was back down the mountain, with Nic carrying the dragon's scalp:

...to the easy bit:

...and over a fast-flowing culvert, which, according to the guide, was the water supply to the nearby village of Sanpatong.

Whenever she goes caving, Nic always remembers to take along her fav brand of Thai drinking water:

Nix latest pix

Marie and Nic confront their demons outside Nam Luang Cave in a national park near Chiang Rai. Nic has been visiting to the beautiful of Nature many many:

Large stalactite [stalagmite?] hanging by a thread. Nic was ready to leap aside at a moment's notice. Hey, anvils and meteorites can fall out of the sky. Even more chance on Qantas planes.

Limestone has gradually formed behind this hugely tall old tree.

...and yet MORE caves, usually on tops of f------g mountains, and always inhabited by some local spirit/deity. Hence the necessary protection by friendly naga serpents:

An unusual shrine outside one of the caves. Instead of Buddha, there appeared to be a reclining garden gnome. The mannequin (!?) seemed to have blood coming out of her mouth. Maybe we should ask the pope to canonize Nic for having witnessed this miracle.

Isaan rice harvesters en route to work near the village of Mae Chan:

At a small hot spring (of which there are many in the north) Nic and Marie had a 30 baht sulphur hot-tub spa session. Low-key, relaxed and nice. As usual, cheaper = better. Outside was a typical view of rural Thailand: a farmer in his paddy checks to see if his rice crop is ready for harvest:

Later at the better-known Samkampaeng hot springs there was a much more commercialised hot spring 'theme park' to which Thai families flock on weekends. Nic resisted dipping again as she already reeked of sulphur:

...but the stench had an up-side. All the kids immediately panicked and vacated the playground when Nic strolled in:

In Thailand there is a growing trend to 'moo-bans', ie gated housing communities with row after row of identical houses. They can spring up in the most unexpected and remote spots... probably where land is cheapest:

Nic and Marie did some Thai-style dancing at an Empower party. Lean close to the screen and you'll probably hear the noise:

We stayed in Maesai at a small guest house on the fast-flowing river with Burma on the opposite bank. In the morning there was a steady stream of Burmese (men) wading across here to Thailand. They strip off their trousers and often carry their bicycle over their head. Quicker than going through the official passport channel, but colder and cheaper. The Thai-Burma border is remarkably porous.

Nic gave us a guided tour of the Maesai underworld. Then we got some badly needed karma credit by visiting a Chinese temple.

A jungle trek to unearth the elusive Borichinda Cave (next time we'll take a &*@* helicopter) concluded with a brief dip in the pools under a waterfall:

We considered booking a slot in the wall at the Doi Suthep temple on top of the mountain. One spends a long time in eternity after all:

...but hey, the view of Chiangmai is good on a clear day:

...and all this came after Nic's recent stint of work in Phuket where she was the cheeky Artistic Director of a fun Festival frolic:

The moto-cy that ate Chiang-My:"Mai-bpen-rye"

It's white-knuckle time. A terrified and helmet-free Marie grimaces in terror as Nic does screaming do-nuts along Ratchaphreuk Rd.
Click on the above pic to see the expressions in detail.

The irony is that P and M are taking off for the beach at Hua Hin just as the smoke is clearing here grrr. But on the other hand, beach = good ;-) Below is the view from our guest room. I took this photo because it was such a novelty to be able to see the mountain:

Nicolette's new house in Xiengmai

Nicolette's here in Chiangmai for 6 or 12 months. Welcome to my country, Kuhn Nic [wai].
Nic's's moved into a new house. It's not the one above. ;-) .but it's located in the same soi:


Nic's is the left-hand half of the yellow shop-house. The shop entrance is traditionally at street level, and the inhabitants access the house proper via the stairs [behind the little potted tree]. From where Nic is standing, she's checking out this streetscape to the north:


.......... ...and to the south:


Here's the fam checking out the new house and bringing luggage. The official photographer has snuk in a cameo appearance, too. Nic's doing the Grand Opening of the Roll-a-door:



Then comes the tour, beginning with the ground floor cinema and art gallery:




Yes, the roll-a-door and beams really are that low:


...but contains a banana good-luck charm [above, top left] to ward off evil head-banging spirits. Hasn't worked yet.


Then up the endless stairs, 4 toilets, and endless rooms dotted through the 3 floors...








...and back out into the soi to walk up to catch a passing songthaew. No English spoken in this neighbourhood. This is the corner of the soi where you turn off the main road - Nic's place is 2 minutes walk to the left:

I lied-- there is some English. On the way, Marie miraculously discovers the headquarters of her favourite shop, "Miss Chocolate":