February 8th - 12th

Feb 8th
Thunderstorms all night and rain all day! We did walk the beach in the drizzle but pretty much waited for 'happy hour'!!
Feb 9th
Got to the airport in time for our 12o'clock flight to Bangkok. Thai time is 1hr behind Bali ,flight was 4hrs. Took taxi to Khao San ( backpackers area). Traffic was crazy, then our taxi driver told us he had no more gas, so he started unloading our luggage on the street. Managed to flag another taxi who didn't mind the crawling traffic. Got the last available room at Khao San Palace Hotel. It was on the main road, noisy but it had air-con ,t.v.,shower and a swimming pool on the roof with great views of the city all for $20. Went out for an evening walk about and stopped at a food stall for noodles and banana roti with chocolate sauce.

Sunset view of Bangkok from the top floor of the hotel.

Night view .

Feb 10
Slept well despite the noise from the numerous bars. Checked out of hotel, put luggage in storage while went downtown to do some shopping. Caught the river boat, love this ride because of the views. Afterwards we caught a taxi to airport ( barely one day in Bangkok), for our 5.30pm flight to Chiang Mai, where we'll stay the night with Terapat ( Pattaya balloon festival organizer). He has just purchased a hotel there, so we spent the night. Huge place, with over 100 rooms, needs some work, but must have been a gem back in the 70's.

Feb 11
We caught a bus to Pai in the morning with Terapat and Wouk ( Belgian pilot). Ride was about 3hrs through mountain roads, great views. We plan on flying for Terapat in Pai when he has customers. We'll do some night glows and tethers for approx 3 weeks.
Feb 12
Met the crew at 6.30am and headed for the launch field for a ' test flight'. Got the attention of the locals. No balloon business in Pai yet!
Derek flying low over the town to get the publics interest.
Lots of different resorts here, mainly cabins on stilts.
Choice of cabins of tents at this river resort. Flew low over them, but didn't see anyone appear.
One resident was watching us!

Landed safely, packed everything away and headed home.

This is our truck and we have plenty of crew.
We are staying at this resort, we have our own cabin, with outside shower and communal kitchen.
View from our cabin.
This is Wouk's balloon flying over one of the resorts. He had a flight last night, but the winds were taking him towards the mountains, so it only lasted 10 mins!
Dereks landing field.

Our cabin.
Dinner with everyone downtown. Food is great and the town is really nice. The main season is Nov-Jan. but there are a few festivals now so we'll see how much business Terapat can do.
Our launch field is just behind City Hall.

Dereks first flight over City Hall.

This is one of the main roads through Pai. The view is foggy because the tribes people in the mountains are burning areas in preparation for their next season of crops. Despite the pleas from the city that the smog is everywhere they still persist daily. Police cannot arrest anyone because the tribes are always on the move.

Wouk flying over the river, he flys the Singha beer balloon which is a popular beer here.
After the balloon flight, we all go out for breakfast at a local street vendor. Chinese rice soup with herbs is delicious.
Very friendly cook who doesn't speak a word of english, but was good enough to pose with his cut out image.
Derek had to get in on the act as well!! Good start to the morning.