Some like it HOTTER

Leo and Sony have been travel partners in Asia for the last 18 months. Friends for longer.  Three years is as far back I go with Leo; having traveled to meet them a year ago in Kyoto, Japan then again in September in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

What I've learned about Leo is that he's well rounded in many topics ~ often the case with engineers, all types of engineers.  Yes, he knows a ALOT about a ALOT of things.   Nature and outdoors, GPS, computers, matriarchal societies, hill tribes, hot springs, massage, Pittsburgh Steelers, skiing and soil.  He's social, approachable and undeniably flirty.  Surprisingly funny, thoughtful and laughable.

Mountain ridge from where the Burmese border is visible.

GPS is his constant companion.

Along with his computer!  At a restaurant...

at the pool...

on a  street in Langpham.

And then there are HOT SPRINGS.  He seeks out hot springs everywhere he goes in the world.  During the time we spent together we tried out six springs.  This 1ST was an hour outside of town. It was private, with shower, towels and soap -- but not quite HOT enough for him.

Flats were careful not to get too wrinkly.  Friend Reiko
joined us for a few days from Tokyo.

Happy, happy in sulfuric water!

The same day, not 20 minutes from the first place, we drove passed this shooting geyser claiming to be the "Highest Hot Spring in Thailand" so we stopped to check it out. #2

Feet first...

Then the whole body dunk.  Yea, it was HOT.

On another road trip, shopping from Hang Dong to Bo Sang we found this place #3 where the dual geysers shot up frequently.  The pools nearby were much too hot; they were used to boil eggs.  

But down stream a bit, the water was more temperate. Though took some acclimating.

You know the drill, feet fist. 

Then whole body.

We flew to MAI HONG SON for a getaway, excited that this place #4 was close by... though when we arrived, we learn it's still under construction.  Now this one was HOT.  I had my feet in for a minute but Leo did the full body.  Some like it HOTTER!!

This out of the way Country Club, down a muddy, pot-holed gravel road proved to have a great pool, with no one there!  Ah, low season is grand.   I thought the temperature was perfect for dunking and stepping out and back in again.  The view was fantastic...and all our own! #5

Our last hot spring together was in Langpham, a couple hours south of Chiang Mai in a National Park.  Light was low, time was short but that didn't stop us for taking the opportunity to have a soak.  This was also quite nice ~ Sony and I had a private room with cool water shower and hot spring tub, then Leo found us.

MASSAGE.  In Thailand, it becomes a part of your day ~ and why not, at the cost of $5 for a traditional Thai Massage, or foot, neck and shoulder?  Massage offerings are on every block, some better than others, more expensive than others, staffed with female former convicts, some staff with men/women/ladyboys, others take place in a Wat or temple, and so on.  The choices are vast.  

Leo likes his "noc, noc".  SOME LIKE IT HARDER

This blind massage place was one of Leo's favorites because
they work his muscles pretty intensely.  And YES, the
therapists are blind. But they recognize Leo by his voice.

This was Leo's smile, just after he called out "Mama."

In Mae Hong Son, this gal intrigued Leo, but ended up
that she did my oil massage.  Unfortunately, her lethargy
transferred to her work. Not good.

 Leo took me to this place requesting  "bao, bao" for me.  As I got ready for my massage, the Thai man next to me in the middle of his session, screaming and groaning which worried me.  In the end, my guy Max was light on me.  I could have taken more pressure but I was afraid.

Back in Chiang Mai, we enjoyed this place a few times, recommended by Sony's Thai massage instructor.  The three of us had foot, neck and head massages...the flats loved it too. 

While Leo likes it harder, stay away from the top of his
right foot where a Mongolia horse stepped on it,
twice.  OUCH!

Yes, the computer goes with us, even at massages!

See the smile on Leo's face?  That's the HARDER thing.
Yea, Some Like it HARDER!

Lila Thai is the female ex-convict place a block away from Tamarind Village.  Easy access though not the cheapest but good enough to try a few different times.   Leo talked his way through the massage, joking, teasing and carrying on in true Leo style.

Leo tried to find out for what she was incarcerated.
No go. Lost in translation!

She was Leo's therapist. 

 Here's Leo's silly, funny side.

How do I look?

I never knew he made this face...goofy!

This is SO Leo!

No silly, turn around...

oh yea, like this?

Leo maintained his humor as I petted his new baby hairs
on the back side of his arms, he calls it bear hair. 

This was all his idea to push his belly out like these statues. 

These pictures of Leo tell a different story then the first impression you might see.  It took awhile before I could see it.  I love to laugh.  And he really began to make me laugh towards the end of the second time around in Chiang Mai.  Best ever.

Seriously?

This is Leo's "I'm a handsome
 guy" look.  Uh huh.

whassup? eeehhh?

wishing lanterns

Leo was pretty excited about the fireworks we had.  He dropped us off at a bench in Thaepae Gate park, zipping off on the motorbike to light his fireworks, then return to our location.  It was great effort but they ended just as he rode up.  Darn!

Leo's tough was out a milli-second earlier...

Ladyboys were advertising a Calypso type show offering free photographs with them.  How can we pass that up?  He chose these two, as he didn't want the ugly ones to feel badly they weren't asked to be in photos.  Geez.  How considerate!

Yea, we know.  Don't say it!!

Hours before my flight ; Sony played around with the iPad taking
silly photos of all of us!

Yes, some like it HOTTER, some like it HARDER ~ laughable, silly, funny, thoughtful, smart, a know-it-all, innovative, charming, family loving, annoying, among many other things!