So we flew back to Bangkok after Vietnam, was so nice to leave one place and arrive in another place with a couple of hours! So we checked back into the beloved Makkasan Inn, who looked after our suitcases while we did our laos and vietnam trip. Jess and I decided that we wanted to kiss goodbye to our suitcases so we went on a hunt to bye backpacks. After a long shopping trip we got suitcases for just over 20 pound in the Siam shopping district. We then got some dinner off Kho San Road in a really cool bar.

The following day we moved to accomodation off Kho San Road, in Ben's Guest house, it was funny for all. The accomodation was really nice, two floors, one with a little living area downstairs and then the bed upstairs, it was very quaint. We also got our washing done finally, it was nice to have clean washing rather than handwashed clothes. We shipped Sarah's suitcase off, after we had to go through everything in the suitcase. We then just mooched around Kho San Road, did some shopping and just ate and drank at a really nice bar with live music. Then we decided we wanted an early night, but as we were about to fall asleep, loud techno music started, OMG it was annoying. Finally got to sleep about half 2 and then at 7isham loud banging started. We were not happy!!! Jess got up and went on a hunt for a new guesthouse.

After we moved to Green Guesthouse, we shipped our suitcase off and said goodbye to our snobish travelling. That evening I think Jess and I spent the best 450B ever, we went to the Calypso lady boy cabaret. Was so surreal, them lady boys were rocking female alot better than some real women i know. They lip synced all the songs amazingly, the routines were amazing and there was no willy in sight. I think i sat the whole way through with my mouth gapping open because i was in such shock. It was also very funny in places, but my favourite parts where the Chicago routine and Marlyn Monroe routines. At the end we had a chance to get our photos with them, Jess had one of them to say a birthday message to her brother which we filmed, then we had our photos with a group of them, which then jabbed me in the ribs because they wanted a tip. Them male/females were strong, Jess then dragged me out so i didnt have to pay.

The following day we met Jemma and Steve for some lunch, we then took them to the Fish spa, Jemma was hilarious. We then got an oil massage which was soooo needed. My man started to sing to me during the massage which was very uncomfortable. That evening was our coach up to Chiang Mai which was pain free for a change.

We arrived in Chian Mai at 6am, we are staying at the SK Junior Guest house, which is very nice and cheap only 300b for a twin room. As we had to wait to check in, we went for a wander around the city, which is more like a town, nothing like Bangkok, its not very built up, its not smoggy, the heat is very dry and there just isn't alot of traffic. The old city is surrounded by a square moat, this is where we are staying. I really like Chiang mai, its busy another and has enough things to do, but it isn't as dirty and busy like Bangkok. We had a wander around the local market, looked a few temples and just generally got our bearings around this new city. We then headed back to the Hostel, checked in, changed and headed for some lunch. We then went to look at a number of the temples around Chiang Mai. They are all very beautiful, we went to the oldest one, the biggest one, where there was a service going on and some others inbetween, i wish i could say which ones, but we stumbled across alot of them, there are so many here.

That evening, we went to the bar 'Riverside' which was amazing bar/ resturant on the riverside out of the moated area. Along the riverside they also let off loads of fireworks. Jess and I ordered so much amazing food, I had Sea Bass and Jess had Ribs and we had a combo to start AND....we finally had WINE!!! It was a massive couple place, as it was all candle lit and lanterns everywhere, but it had amazing views of the river and it was one of the nicest resturants we have ate at. After dinner, they had live music, which we enjoyed, they had different thai bands that were singing a combinations of Thai songs and western songs. We had some cocktails and a little dance.

Today (14th Nov) we went to Tiger Kingdom, here we paid to go and see and touch the tigers. It was so amazing to go and see all the tigers and get to play and stroke them, i also spooned a big one. We played, fed and stroked the 2 month old Tigers, they are the cutest thing ever. They were really playful, they nipped Jess a few times. She is clearly more of an animal person than me. We then went to see the small Tigers (7months), which to me where quite big. We got to stroke and cuddle these ones. These ones were outside in one of the enclosures. They were quite active, and were playful with us and each other. I was a bit nervy, as i was very aware that these animals eat us for dinner. We then moved onto the BIG cats and i can tell you they are BIG cats. I was very nervous about going to see these cats. We were allowed 15mins with each of the cats. I got to stroke the big cats and i spooned two of them, the ultimate spoon. I don't think the Tigers liked me, i got whipped in the face and one growled at me. But i loved it, and im glad i went, it was an amazing experience. Although, im sure they give them something to relax them. I know they make a big deal about saying they dont drug them, but the ones that we couldn't stroke were very active and the ones we could were very relaxed and didn't move to much. But i tried to over look this as it was brilliant to stroke them.

We then went to a Monkey Centre, where we saw a monkey show, which was funny, they did lots of different tricks. Slam dunking balls, riding a bike, number guessing and shaking people's hands. I volunetered Jess to get involved where they tied her hands together, and the monkey untied them and then gave her a kiss. It was amazing to see the monkeys but afterwards was a little upsetting. We saw where all the monkeys were kept, they were chained up and all little crazy, some of the cages just didn't seem very humane. So we made a swift exit. We spent the rest of the day chilling on the roof of our hostel on the sun loungers and dipping in and out of the Jacuzzi.

We are now off to the night market to have a wander around and get some food. We are off to do a day of trekking tomorrow, where we will be meeting the long neck tribes, jungles trekking, elephant trekking, white water rafting, bambo rafting and all you can eat buffet of local food.