Arrived in Chiang Mai at 7am, and got a Tuk Tuk straight to our hotel.The hotel seemed lovely and our room was ready even though we weren't due to check in for another 4 hours!We went to sleep for a while and then spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the hotel. I (Laura) went for a massage at the hotel to help my back (great excuse) and Craig chilled by the pool.Its definitely cooler here than Bangkok, though it's still around 30degrees! That night we got a taxi to the night Bazaar - Chiang Mai feels so much more relaxed and friendlier than Bangkok.We had a nosy round the market for a while before getting something to eat in one of the food courts - cheap cheap! We both had meals for around £3 total! We got some ice-cream after dinner and had another wee walk around the markets before heading back to the hotel.

Not an eventful day today.Laura still coughing loads and not feeling good, so went for another massage (the things one must do when unwell!) and spent day at the pool.We went back to the night Bazaar for dinner, ice cream, and headed to an Irish bar for a drink.Mainly older people and Americans who thought they were Irish! So needless to say there wasn't much craic.Afterwards we just headed back to the hotel.

The next day we had arranged with Mongkol, the hotel driver to take us to the Tiger Kingdom!! Jack had recommended this place for us rather than the Tiger Temple near Bangkok, and as usual, his recommendation was a great shout!We arrived after half an hour drive, and paid our fee (about £40 for everything) to play with the baby cubs (6 weeks old), and the biggest adults ( 2 years old) plus professional photos with each.It was amazing!Laura wanted to kidnap the cubs…..and actually the 2 year olds as well!Craig was a bit more nervous with the big boys especially when getting his photo taken with his hand between their front paws.The keeper said to make sure not to touch the tiger's paws or he may grab you………what if the tiger moved and touched us - I was only 2 inches from his paws!!!!After playing with the big ones we collected our CD of photo's and headed to the next stop, the monkey school.Neither of us were that keen on this place as it seemed a bit cruel.All the monkeys were either in pretty small cages or on chains and didn't seem too happy so we stayed for about 20minutes then headed back to hotel to cool off in the pool!

Jack and the rest of our tour group were making their way back thorugh Thailand after Laos so we arranged to meet up on the Friday for a bit.Arrived in Burger King (meeting place) and met Ross and Fran along with Jack who had his usual 2 meals in front of him!!We headed back to their hotel for a drink and to meet the girls after they came back from Tiger Kingdom for a brief celebration for Anna's birthday.Had a piece of cake each before saying our goodbye's all over again…for the last time!Laura still not feeling good so Jack recommended an international clinic for us to visit which we went to straight after they left.Turns out she has a really bad chest infection and requires yet another course of antibiotics and 3 injections over the next 3 days - poor her!!We went straight back to the hotel where we stayed pretty much for the next 3 days to get as much rest as possible.Lots of time in bed for Laura and lot's of time at the pool and swimming for me - still no sign of this tan though!!

Laura finally started feeling a good bit better towards the end of our time in Chiang Mai, so much so that we were able to go on an evening Thai Cooking course just outside the city on our last night.It was really good fun and good value - £14 each for transport to and from the cooking school, a tour of the market to pick up ingredients (all included), instruction to cook 5 dishes and getting to eat them all!!We also got a free recipe book for everything we cooked plus lots extra so we'll be able to rustle up a proper Thai curry and a few extras for you once we get back!!

We have really enjoyed our time in Chiang Mai and both are actually quite sad to be leaving which is largely due to the hotel where we stayed and the Thai people we met during our week here.Chiang Mai is so friendly and relaxed which we found to be the total opposite of Bangkok, a welcome change.We feel like we are now starting to see the real Thailand and experience their culture which we are both really enjoying.

As a side note, anyone who is travelling to Chiang Mai in the future we would recommend you look into staying at the Rainforest Boutique Hotel.We have never been in a friendlier, more chilled out hotel anywhere in the world and the staff literally could not do enough for you.They constantly were checking on Laura when she was sick and seemed to take a real interest in you, going over and above their jobs as cleaners or waiters or receptionists!Add on top of this excellent food in the restaurant and deluxe room rates of £8 per person per night and we honestly don't think there is anywhere we could have stayed that we would have enjoyed more.Check it out at www.chiangmairainforest.com

On to Phuket now ahead of our month in the south of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.Supposed to be a bit hotter down there so we're glad it's right by a couple of stunning beaches.Keep checking for photos.

Craig and Laura =)