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So already one week on since the elephant nature park... When I started to write this I thought I had had a really lazy week doing not very much, looking back in my journal I have done more than I realised!
Chiang mai is a city in the north of Thailand that has so many glittery temples that even after a week I haven't seen them all. By night they sparkle in the moon light and by day those that are not filled with tourists and backpackers are truley peaceful. The monks at some of the temples are chatting to tourists to help practice their English, going to speak to one made me realise they are just young men who are studying at school. In Thailand all young men are expected to be a monk for a short period of time and I feel most are using it for free education as it costs here. Those that become older monks may be for true Buddhist reasons but maybe I am a pessimist!
As well as exploring the temples in Chiang mai I have claimed the steps and got to the nearby peak temple just outside the town...I imagine the views would be amazing if it were not so hazy! I have also joined a tour ans headed to the other large town in the north Chiang rai, we visited the white temple where you entered in hell and walked through to heaven, it was truly beautiful.glittering white in the bright Sun!
We also went to the Burmese boarder which used to be known for its opium trading, now for its cheap markets and visa runs! Only did a spot of shopping before heading back to Chiang mai! The next day me and some friends from the elephant nature park ventured to our cooking class, we cooked 9 Thai dishes, I now have a recipie book and know exactly which dishes to cook for people at home! I hope you all like red curry and Thai samosas (no spice!)? I not only cooked all 9 but we then ate all 9 as well! Safe to say I didn't find dinner that evening!
As well as all these things I met up with my friend from the tour, also met some more friends at the hostel with which I enjoyed the reggae bars and some live jazz! We also watched a lady boy show, their outfits were amazing and if you didn't know I would never have guessed it was men dressed up singing and dancing! Oh and of course some serious shopping! This week I am heading further north to a small town called Pai that comes highly recommend and then making the trip back to Bangkok!
- comments
Omie and opa Becky, you will never stop talking about this journey when you are home again. Does mai mean west and rai east? and Pai something different? And what are samosas? So questions enough. A kiss from opa and opa.
mum Wow! You are going to need some time to sort out your photographs as it will be a shame not to put them in an album with the stories to go with them. Does everything still fit in your backpack?
kieran That sounds like you're throwing yourself into it! It's good to read about your trip to the elephant (and dog) sanctuary. I hope you enjoy Pai and keep seeing amazing things. I'm looking forward to seeing all of your photos, especially Ankor Wat and the elephants! Lots of love, Kieran.
Rosie Enjoy Pai - you will love it - just be careful whose motorbike you get on the back of ;-) I read some really interesting books about the monks while I was in Chang Mai - mostly accounts written by the young boys - what happened next type of thing. Some stayed monks but you're right, most of them didn't! Jealous of your sun, it is grey and miserable here. And as you;ve guessed, I am booking you in for all 9 of those dishes! Yum! Lots of love xxx