Well we've made it to Chiang Mai after a 9 hour overnighter from Bangkok. WE must say it was the most luxorious mode of transport we've done so far. The bus was kitted out to resemble an aircraft and had massive leg room, super modern toilet and to top it all a massage chair. We also had dinner and breakfast seved by an on board Host.

The bus arrived in Chiang Mai at 5am and we managed to get a taxi to our guesthouse which was in the main part of town. The guesthouse was called Thai Thai Kitchen and it was superb. We showed the lady our booking slip but she ignored it and gave us more discount. We got the room for 150bhat which is just under 2 quid, bargain basement stuff!!!! We both had a well deserved sleep and had a shower and decided to grab some lunch in the restraunt and go out to look around.

The part of town which we are staying in is within the Old Moat which is a perfect square and has small fountains. The place seems really relaxed and the amount of temples is crazy. There's lots of monks walking around and we felt obligued to step out of their way as they approached. We had a lazy day all in all and had some mexican food in the evening. We went back and had some Chang beer while sitting in a swing chair, listening to really peaceful music and having a heart to heart

Next day we got up early and went in a 4x4 to the monkey centre where we paid 400 bhat to watch monkeys with chains on being made to ride bikes, do push ups, pushing a trolly, doing weights etc etc. We found it really cruel and inhumane the way they were on chains. Upon our exit there were moneys tied to trees and baby monkeys just sitting and rocking. I think we were both a bit disturbed and felt glad to leave. We then went to the botanical garden which was lovely and you could see the hills around. We got up there by a streched golf buggy and the driver was going hell for leather. We spent a while up there and the same driver took us down, it seemed double the speed and the driver kept looking at us in his mirror and laughing. We then went to a waterfall and it had little areas raised so you could sit and have a meal or a drink, so we sat there for a while, sipped some coke and went back to our abode. In the evening we went to a really impressive and extreamly peaceful Wat (Buddist temple) up on the hill. The only trouble was we had 30 mins up there as the driver wanted to leave. You can either take the steep steps or take a portakabin lift up, we opted for the lift as we only had limit time. The place is really nice and had great views over Chiang Mai. We felt we wanted more time here but the driver said 1/2 hour or he go. So we say you no go but you take us to the night market. We got dropped off and walked around, theres some really impressive thing here and we were so tempted to buy them but we held back. We did however get some shorts for Ellie and they're spot on. We walked around for a while then walked to our guesthouse. Our quiet abode was take up by 25 group travellers eatting and drinking beer from a mug. Why a mug you ask, well the local elections were on and just like Goa,India alcohol is banned but the crafty b*****s used tea mugs. We thought you don't look so macho with your swearing now.

Next day we went internet crazy, eat food, bought our bus ticket to Khon Kaen and bought a book called 'FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER' by Loung Ung. Ellie then proceed to ignore me the whole day and managed to read the whole book that day. In fact the whole day was spent chilling. The lady at our Guesthouse is lovely and really chatty and bends over backwards for you. The staff are great too. She upgraded us to a double room the night before and it was really nice.

Next day was checkout but the lady at the guesthouse said we could stay in our rooms till 2pm so we had a lye in and grabbed some lunch. We then went on the internet and also temple watching. The temples are so impressive and really peaceful. The last temple we saw was large and had a service happening, monks were chanting and there were mini monks mucking around in the corner. Mini monks were whacking each other and we found this amusing. We went back to our guesthouse and got dropped at the station!!!

We liked Chaing Mai, we loved our Guesthouse Thai Thai Kitchen and we loved all the temples and the scenery. What we didn't like is the amount of people drinking to have a good time. We can honestly say we haven't drunk excessivly anywhere, and we've still had a good time. Oh well guess we're getting old and I guess we're on the real tourist trail now. In a way we hated India but also loved India for not being the way we've found SE Asia to be so far. Can't wait to get our own campervan in OZ and be our own boss.

Also every local here thinks i'm from Thailand , Phillipines, Malaysia or even Hawaii, if it gets us local prices i'm not complaining and also the goaty beards gone after endless nagging by the wife and a sweet word in my ear from the guesthouse owner.

Next stop Vientiane via Khon Kaen (Freindship bridge)...........