Here’s the plan…

Or some of it at least. I am not known for finishing what I start.

Besides, we all know the best way to make God laugh is to make a plan.

She’s rolling in the clouds with this one.

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Day 8: Ninh Binh, Ha Noi, Flight to Laos

Laos

Luang Prabang – Pakbeng – Houy Xai

Day 9-10: Luang Prabang

Day 11-12: Slow Boat up the Mekong, Pakbeng, Houy Xai

Thailand

Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai – Bangkok – and places in between

Day 13-15: Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun

Rong Suea Ten

Bann Dam Musem

Mai Sai Waterfall

Hilltribe Museum

Tea plantations

Phu Chi Fa National Park

In 1262, Chiang Rai was founded by  King Mangrai as the capital of the Mangrai Dynasty.  “Chiang Rai” translates to “The City of King Rai”. 
In the 13th century, the city was center of the Lan Na Thai Kingdom. It was conquered by Berma, remaining under their rule for several hundred years. In 1786 it became a vassal of Siam, and in 1933 it became a province of Thailand.
In the north of Chiang Rai province is the ‘Golden Triangle.’ where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma meet. During the French and British colonialism era, opium became the major cash crop, and Chiang Rai was the hub.
Until a woman stepped in. Doi Tung Royal Villa is the former residence of the mother of King Rama IX. Thanks to her interest in the area and her activities, the hills were reforested, and the hill tribes diverted from growing opium poppies to crops including coffee, bananas, coconuts, and pineapples. Before the transition of crops, the entire area was unsafe because of the constant presence of drug smugglers.

Day 16-30: Chiang Mai and more

Happy Elephant Home

Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, and the second largest city in Thailand.
Located in the Thai Highlands along the Ping river, the proximity to major trade routes made it an important location.
On the site the Lawa people called Wiang Nopburiby, in 1296 King Mangrai moved the capital of Lan Na from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, or the “new city.”
With the decline of the Lan Na, the city was occupied by the Taungoo in 1556. In 1774 it became part of the Thonburi Kingdom, but by 1791 it was abandoned.
The modern city was officially recognized as a municipality in 1935, and has grown in size and population since then.
The Thai word for Temple is ‘Wat.’ You will see a lot of wat in this area, since the Mueang (Capital) district alone has 117 Buddhist temples. I plan on wandering around and asking my friend what wat is dat?

One event on the calendar for sure is an overnight visit to Happy Elephant home. My friend MJ, who is my generous guide through Thailand has spent time helping the elephants in this facility, and her stories inspired me to take an interest in Thailand.

Day 31-35: Bangkok and Ayutthaya

Bangkok, known to the Thai as  Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital of Thailand. It is also the most populous city with over 9 million people.
Originally a small trading post in the 15th century as part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, it grew significantly to become the capital city Thonburi (Burmese 1767) and then Rattanakosin (Rattanakosin Kingdom, aka Kingdom of Siam, 1782), and was eventually incorporated as the city we know today as Bangkok in 1972.

In a quirk that can only perfectly describe this random yet entirely unusual city, the full name of the city is:
Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.
The name holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest city name. A rough translation of the name is:
“City of Angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra’s behest.”
No wonder they call it Krung Thep.

Ayutthaya, now a UNESCO world heritage site was founded in 1350 was the 2nd capital of the Siamese kingdom and a prosperous international trading port. It was leveled by the Burmese in 1767, but today, the ruins form the Ayutthaya Historical Park. An active archaeological site, the Historic Park continues to uncover palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. 
Just north of Bangkok, I want to spend at least a day here looking at old things falling apart, because I feel ya.

Cambodia

Krong Siem Reap

Day 36-37: Krong Siem Reap and Angkor Wat

Although I could have spent a week or more in Cambodia, the drive for going at all was to see Angkor Wat. I will try my best to cram it into a 2 day experience.
*Angkor Wat is a Hindu-Buddhist temple complex, located on 162.6 hectares (about 402 acres) . That makes it the largest religious monument in the world.
*The name Angkor (Capital city) Wat (Temple) is translated to ‘city of temples.’
*Angkor Wat is featured on the Cambodian flag, and is one of only 2 flags in the world to feature a national monument. Do you know what the other country is?
*Astronomy influenced the building designs. The main temple has an observation deck to watch the Sun and the Moon. The outer wall axis around the complex is precisely equal to the solar years in days, and its perimeter is equal to the lunar year in days.
*Angkor Wat is unusually oriented towards the west, which in Hindu culture is associated with death. Either someone couldn’t read a compass, or wasn’t Hindu.
*You still don’t know what Angkor Wat is? Watch Laura Croft: Tomb Raider. It was a location site for the movie.
*It is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

Indonesia

Bali

Day 38-40: Bali

Yeah, I’m still planning this. Surfing, monkeys, temples, beaches, mountain sunrises. I will figure something out.

New Zealand

everywhere I can get

Day 41-54ish

Australia

I want to milk a Kangaroo

Day 55 ish -82:

United States, Take 2

Minnesota – Iowa

Day 83:
*Get on the plane
*sleep
*locate the day I lost the last time I was on a Delta flight. I must have left it in the overhead bin.
*Stand outside airport
thinking this place reeks of responsibility and adulthood.
I think I will get back on the plane.