Arrived in Chiang Mai at 6:30am, afer (nearly) a whole day of traverling.

Left Kanchanaburi at 8:30am by bus, windows were all down and had a fan whe stopped so lovely and cool. At some stops people came on selling fruit, meat on sticks etc and one blind begger who walked up the bus tapping the seats with his hands open. Changed bus midway through (3 hour) journey and used first flat loo, as you can imagine toilets in bus stations are never great to begin with - try using one with no flush, just a bucket of water and a scoop.

Arrived at Ayuthaya where we had 3 hour stop at local guest hotel to freshen up etc. Most of the group were happy to sit and chill, so with Maria and Payong(?) went for an explore and saw a few temple ruins, Wat Mahathat which is famous for the Buddah head in the tree, and a couple of Thai food markets, which are always great and vibrant. Had a drink that came in a bag (like a sandwhich bag) with a straw.

Left Ayuthaya for Chiang Mai by 12 hour night train. Which is an experience. Spent the first few hours looking out the window, or standing at the back of the train which was open at the views, lots of rice (jasmine) fields, and a beautiful sunset. At one station was a large statue of a yellow monkey and further up the line there were monkeys sitting on the side watching the trains go by. Going to the loo was fun, as it was flat loo on a moving train!

The porters made the beds around 8pm and most people went to bed (8pm!). The beds were one up and one down all the way down the carriage. Yu had a curtain for privacy. I went to bed around 10pm, but made the mistake of looking around first and seeing how dirty and how may bugs there were. As soon a I turned my torch off I could feel bugs crawling on me and something fluttering in my hair. Eeeek! So sat up and read for a few hours watching the cockroaches scuttle by. Fell asleep abut 2am after tucking cutrain in and with cover pulled up to my ears, trying not to move to much as I didnt want to touch the sides and not looking up. Woke up this morning with only a few more bites to go with the ones on my feet which I dont think are mosq as they are tiny red blisters in a circle on both ankles) and huge bruises up both arms.

Have never been so pleased to have a shower!

Have a free day today, so am having a wander and going to see a few temples/Buddah's and treat myself t a nice Thai lunch. Chiang Mai seems full of tourists at first impression, but that could be because i am in a internet cafe.

Going to nigh market this evening and then starting 3 day trek in morning. Will update next week.