How to beat the heat in Maehongson

 

When it's this hot and dry, here are a few ways and favorite places to cool off in Maehongson...

First you need some young friends who beg and beg you to go swimming...

The same young friends in 2019... growing up - but they still want to swim!

Maesagna Reservoir

Waterfall and stream feeding into Maesagna Reservoir

The former Holiday Inn - now in disrepair - used to be a nice cooling off spot - not so much now!

Though scenic, Jongkham lake really isn't where you should be swimming but several vendors make really nice fruit drinks there. 

Sometimes you have to settle for a very small pool.

Even when outdoors, sometimes the pool can be small.

When you need a little more than a puddle, you head for the biggest river around - the Pai river, that soon after this point crosses the border into Myanmar/Burma

Another vantage point - I was told Queen Sirikit came and visited here...

One of the more unique things that often happens when swimming/playing in certain rivers...you will also be snail hunting which will become your dinner...

...except don't forget to pay attention or your dinner will try to escape...

Snails are soaked in fresh water over night before being turned into a tasty curry or stirfry...if you are into such things...

But back to finding swimming holes...sometimes it takes trekking through an overgrown valley...

...and wading through unknown water...

...to get to your final destination...NaiSoi Waterfall

My friend Ninae emerging out of a cool spot

Maehongson recently upgraded the lake's fountain - now with lights and music, once the sun goes down, it's a cool place to cool off and hang out - but still not a good idea to swim in this lake!

Duncan