Soar

Hi,

Today was a very special day. Blue, Ming, Andi and I went to Doi Chaang. Doi means mountain and Chaang means elephant. We went to the mountain and it was quite an experience.

It's official. A bunch of you remembered "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf. Now let's see how you do with this:
"She's walking down the street, blind to every eye she meets. Do you think you'll be the guy to make the queen of the angels sigh? __, __ __ __ won't you tell me your name?...." Hint: The hook to this song is a rather bold greeting. It's by a group that saw their lives on the silver screen.

Last week Ming had a meeting with the founder of Doi Chaang Coffee to discuss opening the first coffee shop in the U.S. Khun Wicha invited Ming and Blue to come to the mountain to see the facilities and the 'Academy of Coffee'. Today was that day and this morning we set out, with some simple directions. We traveled south on the Super Highway and looked for the turn that would take us into the country. We went too far so we turned around and asked for help. We made a wrong turn and ended up in a rustic gas station. A few calls later we headed back to the highway.

Once we were on the correct road we saw a huge lake, incredible jungle/forests, stands of very old bamboo and valleys that took our breath away. Then we came upon the bridge of all bridges. It was near a construction site and when we first approached it looked like the end. We all said, "Where's the road?" Then we saw a car and a truck cross a one-vehicle bridge. After the traffic passed I crept up to the bridge and we saw an old broken down wooden bridge. It was the only way across. Logic told me that if the others could cross, there was a good chance we could too. I kept the tires over the planks and slowly we made it over the bridge. When we were on solid road we all started laughing with relief.

After the bridge we began to climb higher into the mountains. We'd go up, then down and then up higher. There were times when we didn't know what was around the next sharp curve, but we just kept going. When we saw the sign for the final turn off we knew the road was not going to be as nice. Little did we know that it would be impossible in a car. After driving through what looked and felt like an eroding river bed I stopped. A guy on a bike came from the other direction and told us we couldn't make it in a car. Only 4 wheel drive vehicles could do it. Then a truck came up and the guy told us to go back, park and he'd come and get us. As luck would have it, while we were waiting for the truck, a driver from Doi Chaang showed up and we rode with him. It was a bumpy, crazy ride but we made it. We later found out that this same road is what they use to ship the coffee off the mountain. Really?

When we arrived at the top of the hill we were greeted by Khun Wicha. He took us into the main building where we were seated in a sort of living room. Right off the bat we were offered a cup of coffee (what else?). We sat and talked about the complex and the people. The story is quite amazing. Tune in tomorrow for another chapter of Adventure on the Mountain.

We ended the day with dinner at the Night Bazaar and then the light show at the New Clock Tower.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"One can never consent to creep when one has the impulse to soar."
~Helen Keller

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