VISITING THE BEAUTIFUL LADIES OF THE LONG NECK KAREN HILL TRIBE

One of the itineraries of the tour group was visiting the Long Neck Karen Hill tribe. There was a small entrance fee to get into the place. It was only a small village with young ladies sitting in stalls selling all sorts of items to tourists. I was not sure whether it was alright to take photos with them, or maybe they expected us to buy something first (or later). But they were all friendly actually, smiling to the visitors and I managed to take a few photos but after asking for their permission.

The women are wearing the copper bangles around their necks as they believe that the longer necks they have, the more beautiful they will become. The bangles help to stretch their necks actually. They start wearing the heavy bangles at an early age and more bangles are added from time to time. This is an example of how people (read: women) are willing to endure pain just to look gorgeous. Anyway, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I respect them for sticking to their own definition of beauty.

Their huts looked traditional but I think they lead a modern lifestyle. I saw one of the girls using a smartphone under the hut.

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CHOUI FONG TEA PLANTATION IN CHIANG RAI

We were then driven to this tea plantation called Choui Fong. We were just standing at this one place near the cafe to observe the surrounding, and that was all. This visit reminded me of the wonderful trip I had with my students to a tea plantation in Bandung last year where we took a lot of photos surrounded by the tea plants. [READ HERE]

There was a tea shop on the ground floor where you could sample the hot tea before making your purchase afterwards. 

There was also a cafe where you could buy your drinks. I would always get Thai Milk Tea and I think they must have added either mint or clove as the tea tasted different.

We just lingered at this place for a short while before we went for lunch.

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VISITING "BAAN DAAM" - THE BLACK HOUSE

16th December 2015 ~ The driver took us to the next venue called Baan Daam, or The Black House. It is actually a museum that exhibits traditional houses and other not-so-traditional buildings, as well as other preserved dead animals and their body parts. Too bad there was no guide to explain what this place was about. Read HERE about The Black House and you will be amused (or shocked) as it is no ordinary museum.

We spent about 45 minutes at this place, but if you are a keen observer, you might need more time to enjoy and learn new things here. 

[MY CHIANG RAI TRIP MAIN PAGE]

MOVIE REVIEW: "IP MAN 3"

Once in a blue moon, I watch Chinese movie at the cinema, especially if it gets good publicity and reviews. This time, it was another fighting movie. Well, when it comes to Chinese films, they always have to do with fighting - stuff related to Shaolin and Kung Fu. I always thought that the movie was called I.P. Man, like your computer I.P address. It should actually be pronounced as [yip] man. I have never watched Ip Man and Ip Man 2 but peer pressure was very strong so I just agreed.

There are two big conflicts in the movie. First, the kung fu master had to resolve the problem created by a gangster group which used violence in the effort the get a school closed down so that they could buy it. Second, another kung fu expert opened up another kung fu school and challenged the protagonist for a fight so as to prove who was the better master. The verdict: of course, the hero must win. Another subplot: the protagonist's wife died of cancer in the end.

There were a lot of people, a full house kind of show. Everybody seemed happy after watching all the fighting scenes and hoped there would be a movie sequel for Ip Man soon.