So we settled in Chiang Mai for a while, a nice change of pace after once again passing through through the scam-ridden, lovely little city of Bangkok. We arrived there (at the bus station) after another sleepless over nightbus journey to argue with several taxi drivers who wanted to charge us 300 baht for the '25km' journey into town, none of whom liked being told its was only 4.5km and should cost around 120 baht....(i'd done my research). Eventually we managed to get a taxi who would put the fare on the meter and belive it or not 10 mins later at the cost of 129 baht we arrived exactly where we wanted!!!!!!

Another overnight bus to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, involved us being taken by pick-up truck to a bus on the hard shoulder of the motorway (I think the same bus that had failed to stop and pick us up 30 minutes earlier...) much to the amusement, relief of the other 30 passengers waiting for us.

So we arrived Chiang Mai, in Northern Thailand, a beautiful little town, thats extreme adventure heaven. We spent yesterday at a Thai cooking school, so armed with knowledge, a recipie book and the pictures on here, we will attempt to recreate some of the food we made when we return (if we can find the ingredients). We are planning on a trek in a few days - jungle/elephants/bamboo rafting and white water rafting, and tomorrow downhill mountain biking.

Love lots
Rich and Em xxxx