A day of traveling with not much of an opportunity to take pictures. We arrived in our resort which was quite the change from our previous stays. High on a hillside individual cabins are arranged to fit naturally into the landscape. Unlike our previous stays, ( we won’t discuss the palatial gold palace) the cabins were very upscale. It is obvious they cater to tourists. We were greeted with Hibiscus tea, and neck warmers to help us relax while we got our rooms. A large golf cart vehicle brings you up and down the resort which is a good thing. It is about 400 feet vertical from cabin to restaurant. A pavilion with hot springs is at the bottom of the hill, and the restaurant at the very top. The road switches back and forth, passing our cabins, pass reception, passing an animal park with horses, goats and a chicken run stretching out along the hillside. No chickens crossing the road here, Finally at the very top is the restaurant. Breakfast was fantastic with a mixture of western and eastern food. The evening meal offers the same variety, so we are all excited to have our western dinner tonight.

Yesterday was Children’s Day. It is like our Halloween where the children dress up and walk from the school following a truck that is lit up with a dragon on the back. They come back and sit in their designated area on tarps and get bags of candy and soft drinks. There is much excitement and noise as they open up their bags. We arrived in the school yard at least an hour before this event. As you can imagine, we were swarmed by the children. We took pictures, they took pictures with our phone, the boys were showing off, while the girls would giggle and come up to us shyly. Many tried their English on us. As time passed by the music was turned on and kids danced on and off the stage. I joined with five little girls and we danced in a circle. I taught them to go under two girls arms and twist around. All fun for sure.

The Thai ethnic group is in this area. These are not the same as the people from Thailand. These people originally came from China. There food is different from the Hmong, and I might say, is better. Their traditions are also different than the Hmong. We happened upon a funeral last night which was interesting to see them building the structure that carries the person. Today we saw them off to the burial, all dressed in white and other finery. The tradition is to bury the person in a certain section of the rice fields and then after 5-7 years they dig them up again. If there are only bones left they take them to the cemetery, have another service and bury them with the family. Or they bury them back in the field until there are only bones.

Almost a full moon tonight creating beautiful moonlight, as I sit here on the porch of our cabin listening to the cicadas singing their song.