Sa Wat Dii (Hello) everybody,

We are now in Chiang Mai, miles away from the bombings in Bangkok on New Years Eve. The scary thing was, we were only there two days before! But we still feel safe here and all is now ok. We had a bit of a crap coach drive up here. It kept breaking down but we got here in the end! What do you expect for a fiver each though.

Chiang Mai is really lovely. We thought it would feel like a smaller Bangkok but it's so different. It has a good vibe for a city of this size. Our Guest House is just off a main road with it's own courtyard. So it's been lovely to just chill out and read etc before we go out of an evening. There's even a Starbucks (Darren's favorite coffee place) just on the corner of where we're staying. But for some reason we didn't go once, so not sure why we're mentioning it. Oh well, never mind. Where was I.... Oh yeah, it's really nice here.

Chiang Mai has a huge Night Bazzar. We went there twice and its packed full of stalls selling anything you can think of. Also food stalls and lots of western 'fast-food' places. It had an amazing vibe and really cool atmosphere. We went there on New Years Eve to watch fireworks. It was really buzzing. There is a 'Red Lion Pub' there as well. We were going to have our New Years Eve dinner there but it was a bit too pricey for us backpackers! We had our picture taken with some nice Lady Boys (see photo album). Not sure if we should say this, but we were trying to figure out where they pack it all down there :o) Anyway, moving on. Afterwards we walked back up to our road which is very close to the Night Bazzar. The road had been closed and again there was a huge market with lots more goods. They were also releasing balloon like lanterns up into the night sky. It was beautiful and halfway up the lanterns would start releasing their own fireworks. Not sure how they achieved this but it was amazing to watch. So we had a good new years eve.

On New Years Day we did nothing and just wandered around Chiang Mai and took it easy. The following day we decided to hire a car to go up into the mountains and vist 'Doi Suthep National Park'. We both put our names down so either one of us could drive. It felt great again to be driving after such a long time. On our way up to the 'Nam Tok Monthathon Waterfalls' in the National Park we stopped at the 'Wat Doi Sethep'. It's a 300 step climb to the top with spectacular views of Chiang Mai. Unfortunally it was a bit hazy but we could just about make out the city below us. The Wat was beautiful with gorgeous grounds around it. Afterwards we carried on our way to the Waterfalls. It's right in the middle of the National Park and has nine tiers. We walked up through amazing jungle like scenery. The views and the surroundings blew us away. The walk up was very rocky in some places where you had to use your hands as well but it was alot of fun. Got some amazing photos which pleased us. Afterwards we just went for a drive around in the National Park. We stumbled upon a tiny village in the middle of no-where. It was very peaceful. Darren saw a couple of monks. One was shaving the other ones head. After that we headed back to our guest house. Darren asked Gemma if she wanted to drive, but she said no. Ahh, too scared! We had a really good day. We still feel the scooters were a lot more fun but it was nice to have a bit more comfort of a car and of course air-con :o)

Thats about it. Tonight we're heading down south a bit to Sukhothai. It has Thailands largest and most impressive Historical Site covering a 5km radius. So we're looking forward to that. On a negative note, whats with all the stupid late bus/coach times. Sukhothai is over 5 hours away and coaches leave from 7pm till 2am. So we're getting the first one at 7pm which should get to Sukhothai just after midnight. But some of the hotels and guest house's, as we found out today trying to book one, close thier lobby by 10pm. I think some of these people need a lesson in how to run a business and not to turn custom away. We're getting the main coach there but they wont stay open for it. Really stupid or what? Oh well, only in Asia :o) As we've come to know by now.

So we'll speak to you all again soon. Hope you enjoy the photos (nice lady boys!)

Lots of Love Darren and Gemma xxx xxx