Just leaving Chiang Mai by sleeper train; heading to Bangkok. It's LITERALLY the last leg of the G Adventures tour now and our last sleeper train as a group (sniff sniff). From there, me, Pippa, Jason and Marcus are heading south to Koh Tao to have a few days together. Sara and Daniel are staying an extra night in Bangkok too.

Chiang Mai was pretty good on reflection. It was too short a stay to be able to do all the things I actually set out and wanted to do. I did get the chance to go to the famous 'Tiger Kingdom' and meet some of the biggest of the sancturary.

- I'm not going to lie, I was absolutely crapping myself once I finally got in there, depsite that fact that I was well up for it before hand and even talked Pippa round to coming along. I don't quite know what triggered the fear. I kept overthinking the situation and wondering about their nature and how unconvincing it was that these wild beasts could be tamed and domesticated so to speak.

The experience was mental but amazing all the same. I did it! As my nana would say "I'm an idiot for doing it" she may very well be right. I'm out of there alive and that's all that matters.

The super-sized tigers themselves were so gentle and actually surprisingly playful (more with each other than with me but it was fun to watch). I got a rare chance to see some cubs too. Too young to be in a public domain so were sectioned off in a small house where only their handlers could be, they could barely walk but that didn't stop the mischevious little things! :)

The rest of the day spent spent in Chaing Mai was equally as good as the Tiger Kingdom. Me, Pippa and Michelle went for lunch and also to a Thai prison to pay for massages off the women inmates.- intense and painful spring to mind! I thought I was on the bring of being snapped to death at one point- turns out my back wouldn't make that loud clicking noise my prisoner massseuse had hoped for (probably due to the amount I keep treating myself too).

I asked what all the women had been in for, to please my own burning curiosity as well as some of yours as you read this blog. They were all in for drug supplying in a round about way... A common livelyhood so I'm informed. I was an experience I must say but not a relaxing one and not one I'll do again.

In the evening we all went out to the big night market (WHERE I AGAIN DID'NT BUY ANYTHING) and then went to watch a free lady boy show- It was hilarious!

Right now, I can't hide my rage about the room me Sara, Daniel and Pip have on this night train. IT STINKS! ...The aircon is blowing a strong stentch of wee and by the way, it doesn't turn off! A freezing cold, foul smelling train we have to endure for 14 hours, GREAT!

As Daniel quite honesty said to the train attendant walking past "It's reeking of f***ing piss!" I hope we get moved- nobody else's room is stinking!