Rally-itis

From conversations with fellow drivers on this trip who have done many of these long rallys I have learned that we all go through a sequence of mental stages on these journeys. in the beginning, the excitement and mystery of things to come dominates and everyone is busy, organizing and learning the ropes. The first few weeks, we are all focused on getting from location to location without getting lost or breaking our gear. Towards the middle of the event, people start suffering from rally-itis. You're a bit tired from driving, you miss things at home, the quirks of your car- and roommate start getting to you and you still have a few thousand miles to travel. Closer to the end of the journey, you realize that this adventure is going to be over soon and it's clear again that this is a non-reoccurring opportunity to experience places most people can't get to. A bit of sadness in the face of the end of traveling sneaks in. The most intense period of trips like these, I've been told, sets in when we are all back home and our brains relive our experiences in the comfort and safety of our familiar environments. I wonder what this will be like and if it is all true. For now, we have a lot more traveling to do and the next few days will take us through Laos and then Vietnam, probably the most basic countries on our trip. Away from highways and cosmopolitan accommodations.

Very zen...candles sitting on golden vessels floating in reflection pools. 
Even here, at the end of the world, you can't escape the globalization of American "culture": McDonalds and Starbucks in Chiang Mai. But I must admit that that grande latte was pretty good.
Of all the hotels we've been at, I think the Chedi here is my favorite. I'd like to return here one day if I can.
A picture from our probably last buddhist temple visit. There are seven buddhas, one for each day of the week. You pour oil into the lantern corresponding with the buddha of the day of the week you were born. That is supposed to bring lots of luck. There are so many rituals in buddhism that are intended to extend life, bring happiness, guarantee love and create wealth that we participated in that I should be set for life :-)