March 1

Thursday, March 1 we set out for a nice relaxing day went to see a few tribes from this area.  I have included some photos below one interesting tribe actually have gold bands around their neck.  This tradition was initiated originally to protect women from tigers in the jungle.  Tigers would attack the neck of their pray and was a threat so girls from the age of five started to wear neck bands.  They added three rings every three years to the age of 25 and would then wear this for life.  It would appear that the bands stretched their neck giving them name the long neck tribe but in fact it doesn’t stretch the neck it pushes down on the clavicle, shoulder and ribs giving the neck a longer look.  Women would not be able to remove the bands because the neck muscles will become so weak that it actually could kill them if they remove them.  You can see from the pictures they were demonstrating there cultural dress and work life.  The photos actually show you a real tribe, these people live here.  Most don’t have any running water or electricity.  The sell there wares and other items to tourists to help support the tribe.  From this location we headed to the Golden triangle where we enjoyed a boat ride on the Mekong River.  This River separates the borders of three countries, Burma, Laos and Thailand and does so geographically in a triangle.  This area is well known for the opium drug trade.  The Mekong river originates in Tibet and ends in Vietnam flowing into the China sea.  We viewed the town and opium museum then back to enjoy happy hour at the pool.  We were treated to a special night of a sit down feast several courses.  I was glad to meet a cardiologist from Montreal who dined with us who is on the tour just in case my ole heart needs help:). I must say this hotel was amazing sad to leave tomorrow.   We are headed to Chiang Mai by bus with stops at sites along the way.