Nigel: Chiang Mai is the second biggest city in Thailand and is know as the capital of the north. We arrived there again knowing there are millions of temples to see, but there was also a major festival taking place on the night of our arrival. We didn't know much about the festival which is called Loi Kratong, but after the first night we certainly did. The festival lasts for 3 nights and it is a amazing experience being there. All over the city there are fireworks and bangers going off and its a bit like bonfire night but a bit more dangerous. People were holding the rockets whilst lighting them and would hold them till they went off. There was also people throwing bangers in to the road whilst traffic was going past. It was complete free for all. The locals are not keen on the festival as there are many injuries through out the period. Apart from dogging a missile or two, the main spectacle is the lanterns that they let off. They are about metre high and they are lit at the base and you have to wait for the heat to fill the area before letting them off in to the air. The pictures we took did not show how amazing it was but it was like something from star wars. There were hundreds of lit lanterns all heading towards the nights sky. Some didn't go as planned and they would head towards people or get caught in the trees, but all in all it was a sight not to be missed.

A large moat is situated around the city and is the main attraction when you enter. The city was very nice and clean, well the shopping centre was. Again it was good but we didn't do a great load.

Alison: Well said Nigel.........