Hey All,

Still trying to catch up on last few days. Has been a busy week. Arrived in Bangkok at 6am after 12 hours on a sleeper train - with no sleep!

Monday

After the last few days you would think I would take it easy. Nope. Up at 8am for 30k(?) bike tour of old Chiang Mai. It was just myself, Pei-Ju and our guide called Maide who was really sweet. He had taught himself English from books/tapes and films and some of his words were muddled, but he was great. He also had a habbit after every couple of words of saying Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannd.

Luckily we only had to cross a couple of the main roads, as the roads in Chiang Mai are totaly mad. They do not pay any notice to lights and to cross them you just have to take a leap of faith and step out. We went out of the city and saw a temple (quell suprise) and visited a leaprosy hospice set up at the start of the last century by an American missonary, which is still inhabited today. They have a big craft trade made by the patients, and it is sold in England, by Oxamfam (I think). Then saw a new and an old style crematory (fun) and the ruins of the ancient city of Chiang Mai. It was really nice (havnt been on my bike for ages), we rode slowly and got back to the hotel at 2pm.

Went for a wander afterwards and treated myself to (another) foot/leg massage (I am addicted). I know I only had one the night before, but my calfs felt as though they had been treking up and down a mountain in the jungle and been on a 30k bike ride in the last few days.This massage was great, it really hurt and I came out hobberling, but within a few hours everything felt as though it had pinged back to where it should be.

Tuesday

Up and away early this morning as had a 3 hour which turned out to be over 4 hour bus journey to Thaton. The bus was basic Thai bus, was over crowded and stopped every few mins to let even more people on. I was sitting at the back near the door which was open and everytime it stopped had to hold onto (heavy) bag in fear it would fall out the door. Opposite me was an old monk hacking away and every now and then emptying his chest out of the window - nice. A woman and her child squeezed into the middle of the back seat behind me and not to be cruel, but they stunk of poo. And the kid kept touching my leg and bag. We were all thankfull when we arrived.

Stayed in a beautiful hotel by the river (?) It was seperate chalet type rooms and was the best accomodation by far. Shame we were only there for one night. A few of us caught a taxi/truck and did a tour of the temples/buddah's. There was one amazing white Buddah on the side of the hill that you could see for miles around.

On way back decided to stop and use internet. This was only 5 mins walk from where we staying, but when I came out it dark and I did not have the name of where we were staying or phone on me (I always have these in my bag). Started to walk down the country lane and after 20 mins of walking and ariving at wrong guest houses started to panic. Made my way back to the top of the lane and phone Pun Pun After having to change money with a couple of sweet Thais who thought (and rightly so) that I was a crazy tourist. Pun Pun told me to follow the sign that said River View Lodge and I couldnt go wrong. Which is what I did. Walked exactly the same way as before passing dark lanes and other accomodations untill got to River View Lodge and it was not the right place. There were no other guest houses after this just a long dark country lane. Went to the bar and asked if they had a phone. They lent me their mobile - bless. Called Pun Pun again who was confused as top how I got lost and then lost the connection. Gave the phone back and started to walk away when barman ran after me waving phone. After much confusion over what he wanted. Did he want me to p[ay for the phone, was he giving me the phone. the phone rang and it was Pun Pun saying he would meet me at the top of the lane.

Turns out we were not staying at the River View Lodge, but there was a yellow sign by the turning for it htat lead down a dark country lane and that was where we were staying!!!

Arrived back to find everyone having dinner together and all knowing that I had got lost. The shame ;-)

Wednesday

Caught taxi/truck to the Burma border which took about 2 hours. Crossed over to Burma (unable to remember correct name) Only had 2 hours so spent them on a mad motorised rikshaw tour. It was really funny, the guide didnt speak any English, and would just point at random things, school, hospital, road etc. Every time we stopped at temple etc would jump off take a photo and then we would be off again. As leaving would pass someone else on the tour arriving. It was a bit of a con as half way around he stopped and said "you pay 140 Bhart for next thing" so did ( as had no choice really) and went up a hill that had long neck tribe woman selling goods and a woman popping out of every stall saying "you pay, you take picture with her"

My time has run out again so will update more when can. Off to Phuket in the morning.