A big group of us went to a friend's property to camp out over New Years. The property is way out in the country (off GPS maps) in northern Thailand.

Paul has over an acre of land contained within high cement walls. I told him he should put up gun turrets on the corners. We ate barbeque ribs, drank beer and wine, and sat around a campfire until the wee hours of the morning.

I didn't get much sleep that night, but not for the usual reason. It was because my tent leaked from all the heavy dew (no rainfly). I kept getting drips of water landing on my face or head. And, my old body is more used to a nice mattress instead of the hard ground. NO matter though, it was a lot of fun and I took a bunch of photos. I even got to get in the parade of locals celibrating New Year's eve. Lots of dancing and loud music.

I even had a little visitor who just wanted to stay warm. I picked him/her up with the Frisbie and put him in the adjoining property.

There's still some real tiger country around if you've got the right people to show you.

We went up to an old Koumintang village past WaaWii last Chinese New Year.

Neat stuff, sceadugenga. Once you get off the main highways there is a lot of wilderness in Thailand. I love it out there. I don't think you can walk very far without a panga (curved blade bush knife). But, I'm always amazed that you will find people eaking out a living way back in the brush country.

Up to a very few years ago they made quite a good living growing lovely flowers.

It's still a good idea to ask permission before you wander around some of those villages and small communities with your camera.

Up to a very few years ago they made quite a good living growing lovely flowers.

It's still a good idea to ask permission before you wander around some of those villages and small communities with your camera.

I've always been lucky dealing with locals. Fellow anglers always have something in common...

A big smile and a willingness to help goes a long way as well. I turned over rocks so these ladies could capture the shrimp that were hiding under them. I've used the same method when capturing insects to see what the trout were eating.

This unique water wheel was used to pound rice into flour. I packed the heavy bags for them.

They dry the rice on big matts and husk it with steel roofing material

I've never been refused a photo yet.

I Really have to head north soon.

Some strange wild places up here.

You can still get a decent bowl of noodles though.

And WaaWii, the hidden "Doi MaeSalong"