lazy Lampang

traveling another 5 hours north by train, we found ourselves in lampang. Planning to stay only one night, our guesthouse on the river nan drew us in another night, and then another, and then another. Though the town boasted some old Burmese-Thai teak Wats and other historical sites we are honestly "wat-ed out". On our first day we rented a motorcycle and rode to Pha Tai caves, the largest limestone caves in Thailand. After a false start in the wrong direction - we were off!

Safety First!

And after 2 hours, we hiked up the 330 steps to the entrance of the cave. The cave was approximately 400m long and filled with stalagmites, stalactites and bats. Lots of bats. We were the only people there and had a private tour.

A stalagmite over 10 million years old

On our way back, we stopped at a local "gas station" (think of three kegs filled with gas) and found the most incredible "SAUSAGES".

Even though they appeared to be made of some mystery meat, at this point we were starving and they smelled amazing! And to our surprise, these were stuffed with rice, vermicelli and pork.

Isan Sausage on a stick

After trying one each we ordered another four. DELICIOUS! Worth the six hour bike ride, numb butts and sunburn. The road was surrounded by pineapple farms and we also stopped to purchase a freshly picked pineapple.

Over the next few days we alternated between

playing scrabble (look at the focus on ari's face...little did he know I was only working with AEIO blank, and I)

lounging at our guesthouse. Next to the river, where we successfully completed taxes and Ari had a few other (not so successful) attempts at river fishing.

and eating. Here we are with Michel (a Swiss traveler) at our last dinner in Lampang at Aroy One Baht. Named after the one baht (1/30 USD) rice porridge they serve.

Sadly, we've realized we are running out of time and are going to have to pick up the pace if we want to see as much in Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines....