Our first impression of Chiang Rai was not a good one. We had no idea where our guesthouse was, so we accepted an offer from a tuk tuk driver to take us there from the bus station for 60 baht ($3). He proceeded to drive three blocks before stopping in front of our final destination. He must have seen us coming a mile away. Luckily, the rest of Chiang Rai seemed more in line with the Thailand we knew and loved. To be honest, we took it pretty easy and got a lot of work done on the blog. We knew we wouldn't have reliable internet in Laos, so we said we wouldn't leave Thailand until we caught up. That didn't quite happen, but we made good headway and actually moved the blog into SE Asia (we were still working on Africa content!).

We did make time for a little fun, though. We got to Chiang Rai on the full moon, just in time for Loy Krathong celebrations. Unfortunately, it poured that night, so paper lanterns and floating candles did not have the best chance for success. As any small town would, Chiang Rai stayed strong and rescheduled the festivities for the following night, including a parade around the main streets of town. Everyone got really into it, the floats were amazing and the night finished without hitch or a drop of rain... But it was nothing compared to the hippies and high-altitude energy of Crested Butte's 4th of July Parade!

Chiang Rai has the best markets in Thailand, especially the Saturday walking market. Most of the markets we've seen offer different variations of the same theme (same-same as the Thais would say), but this one felt totally different. It also has all the food organized into a food court of sorts, which was fun and communal. We got offered more food by our table mates, which oddly has happened a lot for us in Thailand... We must look hungry. The night market was also interesting and worth mentioning because that was where we ate our first bugs in Asia. Silkworms, we think. And they weren't that bad.

Our one "sight" in Chiang Rai turned out to be really interesting and an amazing photo opportunity for B. The White Temple is a modern Buddhist/Hindu temple designed by a contemporary Thai artist and really makes a statement. Before entering the temple, you must walk over a moat of condemned souls - dozens of statues of men, women and monsters reaching up from the pits in anguish trying to escape their fate. Beyond the moat lies the pristine White Temple, or salvation. But even this holds contradictory messages. The most interesting part was a full wall mural inside the temple that includes a collection of false idols, including everything from gasoline (coming out of the mouth of a dragon held by Osama Bin Laden and George W.) to Kung Fu Panda. It was really interesting to view as a Westerner and from our perspective, pretty insightful as well. At the very least, it sparks conversation and is not boring.

Our partners in crime for a lot of the fun stuff was a wonderful couple from New Zealand who were on their way home after two-years of traveling and working their way around the world. We bonded over beers, travel stories and fears of returning to reality - we're already getting cold feet and they were nervous, to say the least. We've met a lot of people along the way, but there was something special about Rod and Jacqui that rubbed off on us. They have promised an open door when we get to New Zealand (not on this trip, but someday) and we will gladly take them up on it. Anyone up for New Zealand in 2014?