Three Countries in a Day

Today was our optional day to three countries-Thailand, Burma or Mynamar, and Laos. It was a really fun day and it was amazing how different the countries could be when they are so close together. First we went to the border with Mynamar and Ya took our passports and we each had to have our photos taken to get temporary visas as we went through the office. We walked across the bridge into Mynamar and it was neat because they drive on "our" side of the road whereas Thailand drives like the British do. So on the bridge, the traffic has to change lanes to the other way of driving! We got on motorized rickshaws to take our tour. We went to a temple and talked about the differences in the monks in Thailand and Mynamar. There were monks taking alms all over the city and the little boy monks stayed with us hoping for us to give them some. We came back to the shops near the border and had some free time to shop before we crossed back into Thailand. The country is much poorer and more primative than Thailand. It was obvious from even that short of visit. Back in Thailand we got on the local transportation-which was a truck with a motor that you can take off and use for all kinds of farm labor. It was very noisy and bumpy but the roads were a challenge for it! We rode way back in the "boonies" over dirt roads to our lunch stop with a lovely young lady who has a place that serves meals and has an art gallery of her work. And the local hill people from there set up their wares for us out on the road. We took the same transport back down to the Mekong River where we boarded a form of longtail boat and went up to the port where Burma and Laos and Thailand meet. Then we stopped at a small island in Laos and had some free time to shop and wander. We tried the local liquor with snakes and scorpions in the bottles...for a discovery!. ugh. We came back to Thailand and went to the opium museum and wandered around the area until it was time to get back on the bus to return to our resort. Tonight before dinner, Ya gave us yet another discovery. Tomorrow is the full moon and Buddha's birthday so we lit hot air balloons as we made wishes and sent them flying and we were amazed at how long they burned and how beautiful they were. It was a fun day. Tomorrow it is on to Chiang Mai.