On Thursday we explored the centre of Chiang Mai. We stopped off at the Main gate, entrance to the city, complete with a moat. We then walked round several of the main temples, you get exhausted before you exhaust the temples! This week is a special ceremonial week when the boys learn from the monks, get there heads shaved and get there orange robes. So alll the temples are busy with families watching there children. Fridy we did a mamoth day trip 7am -10pm. We took the 3 hour drive north to Chiang Rai. First stop were some hot springs which the locals use to boil eggs! Next another old temple, then onto the Golden Triangle. This is a river where the border is between Thailand, Burma and Laos. Further up the river leads to China, so a lot of dodgy dealing has been done on this section of water. We took a trip on a boat past Burma but it wasnt safe to get off the boat, but we were able to go onto Laos. We got off at a small village and got another country's stamp for our passport. In Laos the speciality is cobra whisky, it is exactly as it sounds whiskey with a cobra in it along with other lizards and snakes. After lunch we went to the main border crossing into Burma, a bridge across a river, children swim freely across the small river between the countries. A lot of Burmese children cross to come and beg from the tourists in Thailand. This is the Northern most point of Thailand. Final and best stop was into the mountains to the hilltribes. We got to see the famous long neck Karen tribe. The women wrap a long metal ring around there necks to stretch there necks. Its a long tradition in this tribe and has numerous bizarre reasons, including to protect the women from been biten from tigers, and they think it makes them look beautiful. They start wearing the rings on there necks from 4 years old, and increase the number every 4 years, up to a max of 27 rings. It was a bizarre but awkward sight, felt guilty taking photos, but they seemed to like you to take them and of course the money helps them survive. We also got to see the long ear tribes where they put big tubes in to stretch there ear lobes. Women also had metal rings around there legs. They live in small wooden huts in the middle of the mountains. They were such lovely friendly people. We also met the akha tribe who wear funny costumes and hats. We set off on the long journey back to Chiang Mai, passing numerous villages. The kids have started celebrating new year, they stand at the side of the roads chucking buckets of water over all the cars and people going past. We then had the worst experience of our trip on the journey back our minbus had an accident. Our van knocked a man on a bicycle down, we were all ok, but the poor man wasnt. It was an awful sight, so wont go into details but thankfully he was alive but not concious and we waited with him until the ambulance arrived. We couldnt carry on in the bus as the front was all smashed in. We had to wait an hour for another bus to arrive for us to take us back. The most upsetting part was when you realise how the locals were not shocked at all by the incident, and unfortunetly this is a common occurance on the roads. We have since found out that the man is apparently ok. Yesterday we spent a relaxing day in the sun and cooling off in the pool. We also enjoyed a feast sat round the pool of Thai Toast, Springrolls and Satay Chicken. It also finally rained for the first time in ages. Underterred we headed out to another night market, this was more of a locals market than the nearby night bazarr. Jill got her nails painted for 40 Bhats about 60p, apparantely a bargain! Today we have been out exploring a couple more temples around the city including one with tunnels. Each tunnel leading to a small shrine where people were praying and burning incense which filled the tunnels making it a very spiritual experience. Tonight we meet Kristy & Martin from Leeds who are starting a holiday / tour in the region. Then we are off to Phuket on Monday.