Chiang Mai is such a nice city. We have experienced so much during our stay here. A trak in the northern mountains, visiting hilltribes, thai cooking course, seeing pandas, Thai boxing, and a thai massage.

The journey up was exhausting. We caught a bus at 3pm from Ao Nang to Bangkok. Got into Bangkok at 5.30 the next morning, wasn't too bad as we were talking to these 3 girls from Manchester who had just spent 6 weeks in Australia so we were getting all the info. (where to go, what to avoid etc.) We got off the bus and were swamped by tuk tuk drivers who wanted 100baht to take us to koh san road. We decided no way and walked. Koh san road was just literally 100metres around the corner. To get to Chiang Mai we were thinking we were going to have to get another over night VIP bus from Koh san, we just had to wait for the travel agents to open. Luckily many cafes and restaurants are open at this time in this area.

Trying to stay awake, we browsed through the Lonely Planet to see about bus times and prices. Turns out you could get a bus from the bus station that run every half hour starting at 7am. Brilliant. We got in a taxi and drove the half hour across the city for 80baht (less than a tuk tuk could take you around the corner) and got tickets for a 7.25 an got into Chiang Mai at 7pm.

Once arriving we were soooo tired, so we decided before we get too settled to get out and eat. We entered a street market, and couldnt find ourway out of it. It was good though, unusual things for sale, street entertainment, firebreathing, and foodstands. The next day we got up early to try and find somewhere better to stay, as it was late lastnight when we arrived we just took the first available cheap room.

After trying several places we came to a guesthouse that looked good, and was quite cheap, but only had a room with aircon, we refused but after seeing the bulldog Richard convinced me that we need aircon, and it was still very very cheap. Hmm now i wonder what changed his mind!??? (bulldogs being his favourite dog)

Theres many things to do in Chiang Mai, first all all we wanted to get to know the surroundings, so we walked all all around the city visiting many Wats. At one we decided to give an offering. The ladt worked out what day we were born and gave us a candle that corresponds, we had to scratch our name into it, and with a bigger candle, some flowers and incense, light them in a specific order and offer them to Buddah. This is the first time we have done this, but at every Wat you see all the Thais do this.

We wanted to do a trek, but most of the 3 day treks and 2 day treks include going to an elephant camp and doing some rafting. We have already done this in Kanchanibui so we didnt want to spend a whole day doing this again. So we decided on a one day all walking trek, visiting 2 hilltribes, a waterfall, and cave.

The trek was tough, we drove for an hour up north into the mountains and headed out. We were given bamboo canes which we thought we wouldn't need, but god did they help. We walked up and down, and up and down. Some parts were real steep and you thought you couldn't go on any more. We crossed little rivers and streams, and had to climb up rocks and all sorts.

Our first stop was the waterfall. No one wanted to go in. Our group consisted of 2 Austrians in their 40's, and 1 Danish who was late 30's. After missing out of swimming in the waterfalls in Kanchaniburi because of the huge biting fish, I really wanted to swim in this one. There were no fish, so i undressed and waded in. Wow, was it freezing, I didnt dare go in as i thought i would have a heart attach, but i slowly lowered myself in, and tried to pursuade others to come in with me, but no one would. So Richard took a few pictures and I got out. My legs were starting to go numb.

Our next stop was at the Lahu Tribe. We ate our dinner here. It was really interesting to see the village as they live. Others dress up especially for the tourists and make a big show, but thats not real. This tribe were off working, little girls age 6 doing some washing, and young children 3-5yrs old crowding round us. Chickens running around, pigs in a little wooden shed, we walked passed on our way up all the cabbage fields they owned.

The second tribe (mong) was a little more deserted. People were all off working, and there was a young 15 year olg girl pregnant there to greet us. She had recently married a guy from the same tribe. They all get married and have children at this age. A lad came out of his his hut with a huge gun, and jumped on his motorcycle. Our guide said he was off to shoot birds.

The trek was so tiring, but we are so glad we did it. Chiang Mai is full of cooking schools, and we signed up to take part in a cooking couse. We ate everyday at this place just down the street from our guesthouse. Delicious food, big portions, that virtually cost nothing. Average price about 30baht. So the next day we got up early yet again, to go to the market to do some shopping with Tun - The restaurant owner, for our food we were going to cook.

It was just me and Richard taking part in the course that day so we were very lucky. It was brilliant. We made pastes with a Mortor and pestle and with all the preparation done all the cooking time consisted of was 5 minutes for each dish at the most. We wondered before how Thai food comes to the table so quickly and wondered if it was premade and warmed up. But no, All/most Thai dishes only take a few minute cooking time. After we made 4 dishes each, we sat in the restaurant and ate them all, drinks were free and we got a huge bowl of rice to go with the meals. Anything we wanted we just had to ask. The owners of the restaurant are so lovely.

Tun asked us if we were interested in seeing Thai Boxing, we said we always thought about going, just needed to fit it in somewhere. He said as weve done the cooking course we could get tickets through them for cheap. Ring side, so we decided why not, and that evening, went to the boxing ring. We have never seen anything like this before. The nearest thing i have seen is Robert in a Tai Kwon Doe tormenent. haha, We wern't sure whether we would enjoy it or not, but it was real good. They are brutal, really go for it, tear each other to peices. Real good atmosphere, all the Thai audience really get into it. I'd reccommend it for anyone to go and watch a match.

Todays our last day and we are typing frantically to catch all this up before heading to a different country. Tomorrow we leave for Laos. We couldn't leave Thailand without getting a Thai Massage done, so we looked around and found a nice place. We both went in and had it done together. Richard was about 10 minutes ahead of me, so everytime he squeeled i got worried. It was painful, they use everypart of their body, stand on you, pull you, push you, stretch you. Everything. Was real good though, I can see why they get it done. Richard didnt like it so much. It was so funny though, he made the weirdest sounds. An oil massage next time for him.

Thats about all we have to say for now. Next time you hear from us we'l be in Laos, if not Vietnam (not sure if they'l be many internet cafes in Laos).

Take care all and finally we are up to date!!! xx