I *love* Thailand! I envy you your trip there. I haven't seen Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai yet, but I do want to go there. I went to Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui. Bangkok, and especially the royal palace, are like being in a fairy tale. So many golden temples and ornate artwork. I couldn't get over the grounds of the royal palace with so many mosaics and tapestries and gold leaf, etc. on all the buildings. You will love it there. Besides, the prices are so low that you can bring back lots and lots of souvenirs. I got some things dirt cheap, like a Thai silk wrap skirt for $12 from a vendor at a temple. Of course, I had to bargain to get it down that much, but that was all the cash I had left on me, and she took it.

I found Bangkok to be clean and beautiful with friendly and polite people. I learned a few words of Thai before I went, and they really liked that. Every where I went in the parts of Thailand I saw, I was very impressed and really want to go back again.

By the way, in Bangkok I stayed at the Sheraton Hotel right on the Chao Phraya River. My room had a fantastic view going the width of the river from floor to ceiling and wall-to-wall glass. It was just like being over the river, and it was neat to watch the boat traffic when I was relaxing in the room.

Diana San Diego, California