We took an overnight sleeper train from Ayutthaya to the famous Chiang Mai. I say it's famous, I'd never heard of it until I went to Thailand but it seems to be the must see place for backpackers. Since its the run up to the Thai new year we just about managed to get the last two beds available on the train by booking tickets a few days before. One was a decent sized bottom bunk with a window, the other a minuscule windowless top bunk resembling a coffin. Bryan being the gentleman he is took the bottom bed. There were little curtains you could pull across for privacy and they provide the bedding so it wasn't bad...that is until you try to sleep. I'm not sure if you can use the word turbulence for a train but that's exactly what it was. It wobbled all over the place and I didn't have a lot stopping me going over the edge! I did however get over my fear of using a squat toilet (hole in the ground). It was a 13 hour journey I couldn't exactly hold it in.

When we arrived at the station first thing in the morning and still half asleep we were bombarded by hundreds of people trying to get us to use their guesthouses or get in their taxis. It was a bit overwhelming. We eventually got to our guesthouse with a private double room with AC. We have been a bit spoilt recently I'm not sure we can go back to hostels!

I can't honestly say I know what all the fuss is about in Chiang Mai. It basically a town turned into a typical tourist resort. Walk down the main streets and you see more tourists than locals and all the restaurants serve western food like burger and chips it's hard to find anything authentic. There's no doubt it does make our lives easier because everyone speaks English and all the menus are written in English but the challenge was part of the fun.
We found a pretty huge night market where you could eat food and watch some local Thai dancing on a stage in the middle. There was lots of nice things on sale but we always have the same problem because we have no space in our backpacks to buy anything. It saves money at least.
One night we went to a bar where there was a Thai covers band which were quite good. Bryan got involved in playing pool with some of the locals. They told him he was the best player they've seen and kept asking him to play game after game. Three and half hours later he's got a blister on his finger and we've spent a fortune on drinks. Funny how easy it is to get money out of people just by massaging their ego a bit.

There were loads of tour companies organising jungle trekking and elephant rides and things like that. We decided against doing any of these because of our budget and we've got a jungle trek coming up in the amazon of all places in a few months time. Ok so there won't be any elephants involved but they are seriously massive. I'm not sure I want to go near one leave alone sit on one!
We're on our way to Sukhothai next for a couple of days before heading down south to some beaches finally. We've been in Thailand almost 2 weeks and although it's been boiling hot we haven't seen the sunshine yet and not even a hint of a tan. Let's hope it comes out for the beaches, although looks like its only thunder storms forecast.

Thanks to those who have posted comments so far. It's good to know someone's reading our blogs as there isn't any counter to see how many have visited. Bit of a rubbish website actually but it works well on my iPhone which is why I chose it.

Til next time xx