Switzerland

The 2nd country of our trip was in the beautiful (and expensive) Lucerne Switzerland.  Taking the train thru the Swiss Alps was amazing and great for those of us that get car sickness (me).

Milan Train Station

Milan Train Station

On the Train into Lucerne

As we arrived, it was a HUGE snow storm, their first one of the year....lucky us :)!  

Maybe a bike ride?

Bench seat anyone?

Pathway to our Hostel

We spent only 2 nights in Lucerne. Any more and we would have spent all of our vacation money on the food.  $25 for a Hamburger!!  But it was a town that reminded us all of a Christmas village that you see in a snow globe.

Boat Ride on Lake Lucern

Boat Ride on Lake Lucern

Cafe 

Dying Lion of Lucerne Monument

Chapel Bridge

Boat Ride on Lake Lucern

We stayed as warm as we could on our time here. Being in Thailand, the land of endless summer, we survived through the cold by ducking into breweries for  Gluhwein (Hot mulled spiced wine) and cafes.

Pai

We had another 3 day weekend from the Kings Birthday (also fathers day), so we decided to head North to a tiny town called “Pai.” It is 3 hours up a very windy road, NW of Chiang Mai. We rented a motorbike from the same gal in Chiang Mai we’ve rented from before (very nice little lady who delivers it to you at your guest house) and ventured the 760-some turns up to Pai.

I may have found my new favorite part of Thailand. As you gain elevation on the way up,  several things change. You need a jacket as it gets chilly. The air smells clean, fresh, and cool, and there are actually coniferous trees! Not pines, but they smell like it.  The ride was long, especially on a motorbike. We opted for the 125cc Click, and I don’t think we would have made it on the 115cc.  Our asses were sore to say the least.

The food was great, the people were friendly (besides the backpacker hippies but what’s new).  We went for a run and found ourselves climbing a hill that overlooked rice paddies, farms, palms, hills, the river, etc. It was gorgeous. We stayed at a simple but beautiful guesthouse that sat in front of rice paddies where we ate breakfast. $16/night included a delicious breakfast  and some of the best scenery in  the area.

In other news, we bought plane tickets to Chiang Rai in June  for $5.67 each way.  A subway sandwich at the airport will cost more than the plane ticket.

Our bungalow 

Tired after 3 hours on that road.

Pai Chan Cottages 

I'm not the only one who is tired!

From a viewpoint by the Chinese village

Fishing for some piranhas 

Lopburi

Last year Colby found out there was a monkey festival in the ancient town of Lopburi, about 2 hours a way from BKK. We decided to head there, and also went to see some enormous  sunflower fields.

There was some good performances too:

The town itself was nothing too special, but it was somewhat entertaining to see how these monkeys have taken over several city blocks. All the buildings around an ancient temple are boarded up with monkeys perched all over them. They are swinging from the power lines, slowing traffic, and stealing all sorts of tourists items. 

 The main temple (nearly 1000 years old) that the monkeys seem to have staked claim.

"Got the best view up here!"

Merry Christmas!

A random Oregon Ducks doll amongst the rest!

These monkeys would jump up and down on the power lines. 

The courtyard of the temple.

This little guy stole some dragon fruit!

Some Thai tourists  getting friendly with the monkeys.

These workers took their job very seriously. Had to make sure the fruit was presentable for the monkeys.