After the worst nights sleep ever. due to the sleeping bus actually just being a regular bus for 10 hours, we arrived in Chiang Mai at 6 am. After checking out a few guest houses, we settled on a place called bens and were allowed to check straight in meaning we could head back to bed for a bit. Once up we headed in to town to have a look around and that night we headed to the night bazaar to eat and look around before going to a bar with sean and Janine. After about half an hour we realised it was a gay bar but by then it was too late as we had already got a bottle of rum for the table! Angie was then hassled to dance by 2 very camp gay guys who wouldn't leave her alone all night, which antonio found hilarious. had a really funny night and didn't return to the guest house until 2 am when antonio and sean decided to play knock and run (very mature).

Had a very lazy relaxed day at the guest house and headed out for a McDonalds at 7 pm. After our supersized McDonalds (antonio had a double big mac!) we wondered around for a while before heading in for an early night. After a lie in and breakfast at bens, we checked out and moved to the Royal Lanna, a lovely four star hotel for our anniversary. We booked two nights and went in to our luxurious big bedroom. We had a swim and a sun bathe before heading out to watch football. We then went out for a nice romantic meal at a place called Duke's and ordered way too much food...so much so infact, we had to take more than half home.

Had another lazy day at the hotel making the most of the luxury. That evening we went to watch Muay Thai at the stadium and were upgraded to ring side seats. we enjoyed 6 good fights and one hysterical special fight that was a four-way blindfolded battle royal. The ref got more punches than the fighters. Angie then had a match against a German guy and kicked his arse! lol Stumbled home after another rum filled night and antonio passed out in bed. Got a late check out as Angie couldn't get up and we missed the hotel breakfast (bad times). Headed back to bens and paid up for five nights as we start at the orphanage tomorrow. We also booked on a trek for the weekend so angie is happy as we now have plans...

Orphanage

We started at the orphanage in Mai Rim and were assigned to the sawadee class, which had 12 kids aged 6 months -2 yrs. The kids were amazing, we played with them and took them to lunch before they had their afternoon nap. The next day we returned and spent a full day, and the children were really happy to see us. two little chubby boys followed antonio everywhere and a little boy and girl did the same to angie. That afternoon the next door class joined us but some of them were very naughty and kept nipping and bitting. On our last day at the orphanage we spent the morning on an family picnic with a few kids but after they got too hot we took them back and antonio got to pick little atit (his favourite) to take out for an hour or so. After lunch we put the kids to sleep and took our lunch. When they woke up we spent our last afternoon playing with them and ending up staying an xtra hour as it was sad saying goodbye. We really enjoyed ourselves and hope we helped the kids in some way. As our leaving gift, one of the naughty kids from next door threw up all over angie.

Jungle Trek

We headed off early the next morning for our two day trek, which started off with some amazing views followed by an amazing waterfall. Little did we know, this was the end of a good day, As for the rest of the trek, Angie began to throw up continously whilst walking up a steep hill for 2 hours. It was a tough walk anyway ( 5 miles steep in the jungle mountains) but almost impossible in angie's condition. However, the fact we were in the middle of the jungle meant she had no choice but to make it to the village at the top. After a few hours and her condition not improving we had to get a local to drive us to another village before swapping to a bigger car to rush us to chiang mai ram hospital.

Hospital

Chiang Mai Ram hospital is the equivalent to our bupa so we were in a nice place. Angie was put through several tests and placed on a drip after being diagnosed with sever gastroentoritis. After a day or so, angie gave this to antonio! (not cool!). We were eventually dischared after 5 days. We then checked in to the Royal Lanna to re-coup in luxury however, angie was not better and was still ill. We had to go back to the hospital after a few days and found out she had caught another stomach virus and had sinus problems. She was given new medication which began to work quickly, meaning we (hopefully) can after a few days rest travel to Laos. A week or so behind schedule but hey, better late than never.