The hostel is packed but I oddly I have the dorm to myself. 2 people moved in at 3am but like a whirlwind they had left by 8am. Mo has gone to the Thai immigration to extend her visa and I book the bus to Pai from the hostel. At 160 bhat (£3) each it's a good price. Searching for accomodation in Pai is harder as appears very popular. I sit with Harry. He's been trapped here waiting to contact his parents as he's run out of money. I take my stuff to Mo's. ...

The room is empty when I get up. Mo has a Thai lesson so I head up to Johns to find WiFi that works and enjoy the breeze. I walk around some more, hunting for some of the old Chiang Mai I remember. A lot has changed, and I only have the square moat as guidance. I pick up my laundry, the Thai's not letting me down and I have a coffee at the Pirates Cove bar on my street. A parrot screething in the cornorToday is Sunday and Mo and I head to the large market th...

I agree to meet Mo at 1pm. It's the anniversary of Mo's mums death today. The weather is hot today and we go for nice lunch up my road from my hostel. Not a lot of Thai dishes, so coffee, orange juice and a chicken sandwich. Mo goes for egg and toast with a big pot of tea. I dump my laundry, not expecting miracles but the Thai's used to be good at it. My hostel provides a pool and we walk up the road to it. Chilled place called Deejai Gardens. Sheep dip hea...

The rains have cleared and I wake up to sun and a dry day. I go back to Johns and agree to meet Mo there. We decide to go check out some of the Wats. Chiang Mai is full of them. Starting with Wat Chedi. A nice temple with a gold Buddha in the middle. Next is Wat Sumpow, with pretty grounds at the front. On to Wat Duang Di. Nice grounds and an ok temple. From here we move to the 3 Kings, a non remarkable monument but a break from the Wats. The temp...

Sleep in after a rather late night. Pouring with rain and the hostel is quiet. I speak with Sarah and her friend before heading to Johns. No point avoiding the rain. The WiFi here is pretty good and catch up on some notes, watching the soaked tourists pass by. A Dutch guy turns up to the room as well as an Irish girl. After saying hello I wander down to the night market, lots of stalls and bar/restaurants under a cover to keep out the rain. I meet...