From when we got picked up from the hostel, to when we arrived in Chiang Mai, it took 23 hours in the end… painful! With the waiting for bus changes and waiting at the borders the journey really dragged. We checked in to Deejai Backpackers which was recommended and met back up with Charlotte, Kelly & Georgie… the three girls doing a similar route to us, and we have already seen in Vietnam and Cambodia.

We had a chilled day after the journey and booked what we wanted to do whilst here. Then that evening we went to watch some local Muay Thai boxing with the three girls. It was really good with about 5 fights taking place, the first competitors being only around 13 years old. We got really into it and everyone was cheering on who they wanted to win. After a few drinks there we went to find another bar, but everywhere was shut because elections were being held the next day. They don't want people drinking and then getting drunk and voting. There were various riots across the country, bombs going off and people being shot because of this. We didn't see any dramas which was good, and went home to bed before having an early start the next day…