Took the bus to Chiang Mai yesterday (Saturday). This is the first place that I have visited prior to this trip so far and it feels busier, more commercial and harsh than I remember it being before. think that probably says more about me and where we have been visiting than it does about Chiang Mai!

We spent a little time looking round the town to reaquaint ourselves yesterday and inevitably had a visit to the night market in the evening. When I was here 3 years ago I remember wishing I had more room in my bag for shopping but quite a lot seems to have changed or maybe I'm being picky.

Sunday - visited an old Wat which had some lovely elephant statues and also one of the many places where the emerald buddha was for a while. We seem to be tracking him quite well on this trip, having been to his other temporary resting places in Vientiane, Ankhor and Chiang Rai where there is modern replica, the original being at the Royal Palace in Bangkok.

We had not planned to visit the night market in the evening but the roads around our Guest House were home to the weekly Sunday night market so we couldn't help but get caught up in it and to watch some of the street entertainers.