a typical sight... an overflowed truck 

Inside the cockpit of the sub 

a diver outside the sub holds up an unusual fish 

inside the sub which seats 48 

getting ready to board 

We took a ride on the first tourist submarine. 

Carving a mural out of teak. 

visited a factory for making silk fabric. We saw the silk thread being draw from worm cocoons, and then here we see a loom for creating a sheet of silk fabric 

ahead of us in another type of taxi a young fellow squirts unsuspecting pedestrians 

On the way back to the hotel we got hit by a big bucket of water from some Songkran celebrants. These open air taxis are too much of a temptation to those carrying water. 

and put the bottle in his mouth and then walked away 

he puts his water bottle into the moat 

this fellow knows how to beat the heat 

The panda is a big attraction 

We took this tuk tuk from the hotel to the zoo and the driver offered to take us around the zoo as well. It was a good idea as the zoo is spread out over the hillside -- like the San Diego zoo but even more spread out. 

Songkran, the Thai new year is today (april 13th). Thai's celebrated by sprinkling a bit of water on eachother. Then the westerners get involved and bring with them the WMD's of water (like this guy with a mega-squirt gun with water backpack) and it becomes a huge water battle. 

In thailand everyone seems to be a businessman. This isn't just for the tourists, you see it all over all cities. Shopping isn't going to a big store but instead is going around to individuals who have what you need and bargaining for it. 

Another temple in the old city of Chiang Mai. Temples served and still serve as schools in Thailand. Many children spend a good number of years as monks while growing up. 

The reclining buddha is the symbol of people born on Tuesday. This is the position of Buddha when he died. Ae is making an offering using a candle, incense and flower. 

Now were in Chiang Mai itself. It has over 1000 temples this one being one of the oldest (about 700 years old). It was damaged by an earthquake.  

Buddhism is a very forward looking religion. Christianity is all about feeling guilty for things you've already done and trying to get forgiveness. Buddhism is about trying to get good luck in the future. Ae is the one on the right. 

The day of the week you were born is important. There is a different buddha statue for each day of the week (and there are two for wednesday). When you make an offering you go to the one representing the day you were born. 

People come and give offerings to the monks who then give them blessings 

The pagoda covers the relics. The umbrella like object signifies that this is a royal temple. 

Six hundred years ago they were transporting some relics of buddha across the mountains when the elephant carrying them stopped, bellowed, circled three times and dropped dead. This was taken as a sign and in that spot they built one of the most famous temples in Thailand: doi suthep. These are the 306 steps leading up to that temple.