I woke up around 5 am as the room only has some basic curtains that don't block out any light at all. I looked out & was delighted to see that all the cloud had disappeared from the night before. I quickly threw on some clothes and went out onto my balcony to take some photos of the incredibly beautiful valley before me. It was so clear, I could even see the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in the distance! Stunning! After eventually dragging mysel...

Up at 4 am but kept waking up before then to check whether it was 4 am yet! Thanks, body! Checked out then headed back to the airport. I'd forgotten how much longer everything takes in India! Even just getting into the airport is a process as you can't go in without a ticket (which must show your name) & your passport. It's a pointless check however as anyone could just write up something on their phone and show the guard at the door. He doesn't verif...

Up early & made my way to the gym since I'm still hoping to go some trekking somewhere in India so need to keep my fitness up. Unfortunately, the air con in the gym wasn't working so I did a Bikram workout! I don't think I've ever sweated so much during a workout! It was constantly dripping off my nose & my gym towel was soaked by the end of it but I still managed 45 min or so. Immediately went to the pool to cool off before the impending storm hit,...

I wasn't quite so active today and spent most of the morning organising & researching stuff for India. I finally have my flight confirmed plus a visa so I can go now! I wanted to visit the hill tribes near Chiang Mai & see the long neck people but it was pouring with rain so that wasn't really an option. I found a half-day tour that I could do to learn a little more about Chiang Mai so booked myself on that instead. We started at the Silver Tem...

Got picked up at 8 am, then we drove for about an hour outside the city to the Mae Tang River for some adventures with 8Adventures. I did a short 3km hike to a waterfall, then went whitewater rafting in the afternoon. A few highlights from each: Hiking * Fruit: Burmese grape (like a sour lychee - delicious! Had fun convincing some Americans to try it too), pig egg (a little like a plum), grapefruit, lychee * Banana plant uses: new shoots (eat like cucumber, f...