We arrived in Chiang Mai today after a rather comfortable bus journey from Sukhothai. Having a rather chilled night so thought would take the opportunity to update thus far!

Day 1: 27/11 - We arrived in Bangkok after a so-so flight! Pug's t.v didnt work so we got a free bottle of champers of BA! wohoo! Then got ripped off getting a taxi into Bangkok but they dropped us right outside our guest house so it was ok. Lamphu House was awesome to stay in - hot showers and not too far from Khao San Road. We headed out for the evening. Had an eventful ride with a tuk-tuk man - which everyone has to experience but they do take you to suit shops trying to earn commission. He did take us to the night market though, where we had some dinner and listened to some pretty terrible music!

Day 2: Attempted to see the sights of Bangkok and were stopped by far too many'helpful' locals telling us the Grand Palace and such were shut because it was monks day and we should go somewhere else. In the end we got fed up and when we finally found our bearings we went to the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun (across the river) and the sleeping buddha which is huge! and they were all open. We then had dinner and some drinks on Khao San, which was good fun. Cost 50 baht for both of us to have dinner! and took all of 30 seconds to cook. Also saw a bar call Susies Bar! haha! took a pic for you Suze, will upload on a faster computer!

Day 3: Left Bangkok, which we were pretty happy to be doing as we had booked the first two weeks with a tour company - which at first we were a bit unhappy we had been roped into it but it's turned out ok so far. We visited the bridge on the River Kwai, went to a useless war museum and a pointless train ride - at which point we were thinking what the hell have we done! but we had some lunch on the house boat where we were staying the night then went on an elephant ride and bamboo raft down the river - which was really relaxing. Then headed back to the house boat for the night. We met some brilliant people, we all ate dinner together then drank some beer while our host Jo was singing and dancing around to dodgy thai music! (i.e. a version of black eyed peas my lovely 'little' lumps).

Day 4: Had a brilliant morning at Erawan waterfall, had the morning to ourselves to walk all the way up the 7 stages of the waterfall and swim in whereever we liked. At the top level you can climb up into the waterfall which was good fun - although on the way down i had a little tumble! haha! thought i was stepping into shallow water but it turned out to be a plunge pool! woopsie! After lunch we went to 'Tiger Temple' which was a bit overrated but got some pics with Tigers which was cool. There was much debate to as if they were doped up though. We didnt really like seeing them like that or seeing the elephants chained as some were the day before. :(
Then we headed to Ayuthaya, the second capital of Thailand. Stayed in Moradok Guesthouse, which was fantastic. Met some brilliant people, including a lovely man from Glasgow!

Day 5: Spent the day chilling around the ruins at Ayuthaya and had our first Thai green curry which was hot but minty and cooling! Not much to say about this day but had a brilliant evening at the Guest house again.

Day 6: Was sad to leave Som-sri and Gina (our hosts at the guest house) as we were treated like part of the family. They dropped us at the station and we headed to Sukhothai.

Day 7: More ruins! but they were better than Aythaya, very impressive for the first capital of Thailand. Bumped into Chelsea and Vernon, a couple of Canadian firefighters (from Thunder Bay!!) we had met in Ayuthaya; had dinner and some drinks with them.
Day 8: Made our way to Chiang Mai on the bus with C+V. Have had a bit of mooch around Chiang Mai this afternoon and tomorrow morning we are off on a trek, which are looking forward to. Met Swedish Ethiopians which Pug was happy about - although I'm having to get used to referring to Pug as Dave which is funny. Pug is too much to explain!

So far we are having a great time. Highlights include the house boat with the showers straight from the river and crazy dancing, Moradok Guest House (and my braclet from Som-Sri - for some reason she took a liking to me and invited meto join her grandsons friend's birthday party our second night. She was crazy but adorable) and the waterfall. Weather not too hot so far! and food is good - although I'm keeping pug to two meals a day - haha! He's unimpressed.

Hope everyone is keeping well. Will let you know how the trekking goes on our return.

xxx