I have a lay in. I've seen the town and relax before my bus. I sit up on the roof one last time. Apart from the traffic, it's peaceful updating my notes. I grab a coffee and a banana shake near the bus station at Eagle tours. I use the WiFi to start looking at accommodation in Singapore. Craig had sent a message on Facebook mentioning we may not have been to Chiang Rai which if true is hilarious. I wonder if we went on the way back with Gary after leaving Australia. If anything though the feeling of it is similar and a part of Thailand I have really enjoyed.
The bus arrives and VIP is the correct word. Usually my bus journeys are comedy gold but I have a leather looking seat with more legroom than the average flight I have taken. Smooth jazz floats along with the aircon. I drift back to transport Craig and I took before. Usually always 8 to 12 hours, as opposed to the 3.5 hours here. Rock hard seats on local buses, back of jeeps or trains with wooden planks to sit on. A Night bus where the driver was taking amphetamines whilst carrering around mountain corners to stay awake. A woman straight out of hospital with her medical armband on, throwing up in front of us. To top it off there is a stewardess smartly dressed in green who has just handed me a bottle of water. Before I have typed this...A packet of coconut biscuits. I feel underdressed for such a bus! We are stopped by a patrol, more interested in the locals than a farang. Times have changed. I must have been on the bus for a few hours now, using the time for my notes. It has been a time consuming affair and will finish my blog and photos when I get home. Off-exploring proving to be not the best choice, neither was an old Ipad for blogging and photo uploads. I look up and through the pouring rain the bus is passing by lush forest making our way back to Chiang Mai.
When I get back I grab a tuk tuk. The driver takes me 50 metres before we jump in a taxi. He spends the journey laughing, maybe his last fare of the day from the hand gestures. I get dropped off at the Tae Phae gate near Johns bar. I meet Mo there and we heat back to the hotel so I can pack. We go to Mr Kai's as last time it was closed. A cheery place full of locals and up there with the best of Thai food. I get a Masaman curry, loaded with potatos, great spring rolls, Mo goes for the khao soi. Delicious mild curry with crispy strips on top. A northern dish and one of the best in the region. Mo gets a dragon fruit shake to go with it. The colour is a bright purple but refreshing. Mr Kai wears a bandana and every dish brings comes with a smile. If I was staying longer I would be back. Full we head to Havanas. Along with Johns it's become a favourite. It's not open yet, so we walk round the corner to the Saloon bar. It has a student feel with hand written messages all over the walls and tables. Sitting at Havanas we have a few buckets of rum for old time sakes before crashing back at Mo's hotel. It has been a great last night.