I left Bangkok at 18.10 aboard the sleeper train awaiting my first insight into sleeper train etiquette. (If anybody is wondering like I was - no pyjamas, just normal everyday attire!) A couple of hours after the train set off our seats were made into bunk beds and in we climbed. What followed was a restless night sleep - I found that being separated from the rest of a long long train by a thin. grubby curtain in order to sleep slightly disconcerting! Arriving at Chiang Mai train station at 7.45am I was ready to begin my tour of the city. The friendly tour guide took me to the city's three main temples and talked to me about Thailand's history and Buddhism. One of the temples was celebrating, I think I am right in saying, the last day of the year for celebrating Buddhism. It was a very lively environment with lots of people of all ages and many food stalls. Lots of flowers and candles were being left at various sites around the grounds.

This is very short - internet time is nearly up! But one last thing that impressed me was the hostels 25m swimming pool - couldn't keep me away!