Rain, rain, rain and an overflowing river!

We returned from Mae Hong Son to flooding in the Chang Klan, Night Market area even though Sony told us, it was hard to believe this was happening specifically in one neighborhood!

At the airport the taxis were not driving to thus area until I asked if they could at least get us as near as possible. Finally with some convincing they got us a driver. Once in the hood, we got out to check out the commotion and sure enough the last two blocks looked like what Leo coined a "war zone."



Huge dump trucks were taking passengers down the road to their destinations or to drop off points at major hotels.








Some folks had boats filled with bottled water a most water sources were now contaminated. Organized chaos with volunteers, officials, military, locals and "faring" like me, in the dark.





After an hour or so, several of us climbed into a truck while another brought passengers for drop off.









Some SUVs were getting by and I suppose I could have offered some money to get me safely down the street but didn't think about it at the time.





In this photo, Som - in the bright top below - was someone we met at the Fern Resort in MHS. Her friend owns the resort so she helps out though she is helping out these folks too. Som set us up in bungalow #39 where Brad Pitt and Angelina Joile stayed last year.









Views from the truck as we slowly drove down the street.





This is Chang Klan road, the condo was past the building on the left and down the alley.



Looking back at the night market area.



Once at the Shangri La hotel, we off loaded into their barricaded property, where I waited for the truck to pull way then climbed over the wall, gingerly stepping down on the water side until on solid ground and in thigh high (and further) murky disgusting water. After a few steps, a young man from the hotel's engineering department escorted me down the street, clearing the way of floating debris and alerting me to curbs, planters, steps or anything dangerous.


Finally, I made my way down the alley where the water was ankle high and eventually dry at the condo.

At the door, I quickly stripped off all my clothes, scrubbed my shoes and washed my clothes and took a very hot shower. ICK.

Now...figure out how to get out of here tomorrow. Sony has her Thai massage exam tomorrow so she was spending the night at a friend's p,ace and Leo didn't want to cross the waters so he's staying somewhere on the dry side.

Posted from Chiang Mai, Thailand

Fern Resort, Mae Hong Son

It's fabulous to be warmly greeted upon arrival!









Leo and Som toast with lemongrass tea as a welcome to the resort. Som was on the same plane, commuting from Chiang Mai every week. They were so great to take Leo to rent a motorbike then he followed the shuttle to the resort 7 km away.



The receptionist Nopnopas was the first to friend us on Facebook.








Love this detail!

















Sunset viewing area, with fire pit and a bar cafe just to the right of this area.







Other bungalow suites tucked in between the lush trees and shrubs where you can barely make them out. You would never hear anyone since the streams drown out any conversation. The symphony of frogs, crickets, geckos and other creatures add their natural music.







Bungalow #39 where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stayed last year...
This was our home sweet home, too!









From our outdoor patio...










outside our front door are brightly colored water lilies that open in the evening to reveal the fuchsia colored petals.












The restaurant where we established ourselves as the latecomers for breakfast with the staff. First morning we almost missed it and this morning they sent someone down to our bungalow to remind us and we were still late!







Everyone knows "Facebook"...












They also make their own crafts, selling them here. Leo negotiated and i purchased the two pictured here.




















The swimming pool area are surrounded by the deluxe bungalows. Suites are down below in the rice paddies where we are.







Breakfast was an event surrounded by staff. Both mornings since we were so late, we were they only ones there so service was plentiful!














After breakfast and late at night, we settled into the lobby to catch up on Internet tasks and email communication.

Location:Mae Hong Son, by the Burmese border

Thai Herbal Hot Compress

Thai Herbal massage is a type of massage where the muscles are awakened with traditional Thai massage followed by an herbal compress, steam heated then applied on the body a rolling motion.

Sony and I enjoyed our hot compress massage at Peak Spa so much we were encouraged to take a class on how to make them and their proper use.






This is our instructor who helps us to understand the history of the hot compress and the various types. Today we are making both the dried and the fresh.





Flats are ready!



We started out making a quick body scrub from tamarind seed, honey and dried herbs.j










Then started on our own dried herbal compresses learning how to shape a tight ball and a strong wrapped handle.




Tying can be the toughest part!





Now the fresh compress...


A major component is Zingerer which is very much like ginger though not a substitute.


Young tamarind leaf and this special tamarind from this tree.


These tamarind leaves are larger with from another variety tree.


Then lemongrass, yellow turmeric, keffir lime rind, are all mashed together then assembled on square muslin.






Lemongrass, Zingerer and turmeric ginger before mashing


Mashing helps to soften it up



Our instructor jokes about eating it!


Camphor is placed on the muslin first, then salt which aids in opening the pores to receive the herbal remedies.


Then the fresh herbal mixture









All done and wrapped and ready for our practice session.