James-- thanks for the hug for my dog.,But it will be hard to give him a big one since he's only about 5 pounds! :-) But my dogs do have asian connections. They are Japanese Chins and my first one was named Chulalonghrn (better known as Chula).And my young one is named Sanuk. The one who is elderly is named munchkin so he's a bit less asian but he still has the spirit. :-)

Gloria,

Sorry to hear about your dog, I dread ours' growing old.

See you when you are next here.

We are off to Burma next month

Val

Tangata, Do hope you will post a trip report when you return from Burma.

Sinnedgh, I wouldn't write off Chiang Mai. Do some searches on this site & you will see the wide variety of things it offers. Yes, it is a big city but it is low-rise, with GREAT spas and massages, shopping including the Sunday walking street which has a unique selection of handcrafts and interesting items, some lovely restaurants, a wide range of accomodations including new luxury hotels, and site-seeing. I think Doi Suthep is one of the most beautiful wats in Thailand, and if you are interested in elephants there are two places that are highly recommended - the Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang and the Elephant Nature Center. As Kathie mentioned, there are also many cooking classes offered in CM that people rave about. The atmosphere in Chiang Mai is much more low-key than BKK though not as quiet as Luang Prabang.