Arrived in Chiang Mai after a mammoth 36 hour combined taxi, ferry, long distance bus and train Journey! The train arrived late after we had to stop for repairs mid-journey! There was some rocks on the track so the undercarriage on our cart was damaged, next stop part of the train was welded together!! I have learnt to watch the locals and gauge their reaction as to whether I should be worried, so when we hit the rocks and started skidding along the track all of them jumping up and looking out the windows definetly made me and the rest of us travellers nervous! No matter we arrived safe but rather late, we had not pre-booked a guesthouse so were forced to search Chiang mai for a hostel/room late at night, we found somewhere soon enough and have been here now for 3 nights, the more time we have spent in reception the more Thai women we have seen web chatting with people from back home, they certainly don't hold back!!!
The city has been amazing and we have both enjoyed our time here immensely, it's a lot more relaxed than Bangkok and easy to navigate on foot, we have spent a day playing with fully grown tigers and a day training to be a mahoot - looking after the elephants, feeding/bathing/riding and cleaning up their poop. The most amazing experiences and we even tried to visit the local women's prison for a massage! Off to Laos tomorrow for some more adventures, will update when we can. Take care all!
Whilst writing this the Thai woman sat across from us is currently skyping with some 'lucky' Scottish guy, trying not to stare, but it's hard when she's offering him "hot massage" and saying "I give you 1-10 showers at night when you next visit" !? Actions and all! We won't forget this place that's for sure.