Day trips Around Chiang Saen

Our days at the babies home had an easy going rhythm.

Brad or I would take an early morning walk in the surrounding village.

Breakfast and then an outing where we would take some of the babies if there was no school, or some of the school children on the weekend.

Neighbourhood sights.

Some of the trips:

Golden Triangle with a boat trip to check out Burma and Laos from the water.  Then the Opium Hall Museum for some history of opium in the area.  With the present drug activity it was not safe to go to some of the hill tribes and the young people, especially woman can't believe that we would teach our children to go to the police if we were in trouble as that is the last place they would feel safe going to.

Chiang Rai Children's Home for a quick visit and then off for an elephant ride.

You might think bang for your buck is a longer elephant ride, but let me just say, 30 minutes is plenty!

Sunday church service with some of the children from the home leading worship. A special morning and though we couldn't understand a word, we left blessed! Afternoon with the children then dinner on the Mekong River. It is quite common that the locals go out for dinner on Saturday or Sunday night. Marg ensured that each meal we had was something new and local and totally delicious!

Trip to the Mae Salong Village where  the lovely Asumay (one of the staff and also one of the first children at the home) was from.  This trip took us up and around a sharp corner and up and around more sharp corners and repeat who knows how many more times, till we finally arrived.
Only two of us got sick.... (Sad to say I was one of them.....)
And of course up here in the middle of what seems like no where, a stunning temple with gorgeous views of the valley below.
There is amazing history in these hillside villages and tribes.
This village now grows tea, but opium trade still happens.

Visited a lady who cared for baby Isaiah until the home was able to come and get him as the family was trying to sell him.

She was thrilled to see him again, growing and healthy and safe.

Marg graciously drove us to Chiang Khong where we plan on taking a two day river boat cruise down the Mekong River into Laos. Safe arrival at River House Hotel.