We checked out of our hotel in Chiang Mai and met outside. A few people werent coming with us as they were staying in Chiang Mai longer and we had some new people joining the group that had already stayed in Chiang Mai longer. Our method of transport for the day was mini bus or two infact. We divided into two cars and set off on our way. About two hours into the journey we stopped at a market place in Chiang Rai. There were many stalls selling clothes, jewelery and food. This was where we were to have lunch. It was also a spot with hot springs. There were many little streams and pools with warm water running through them. In the centre of the market place was a hot pool which local ladies were using to boil eggs in and sell. YES! The water was hot enough to cook eggs in! Some people had a fish spa for their feet to help pass some time. Their reactions were quite funny.

Then it was back in the mini bus for another couple of hours drive to visit the White Temple. We only just made it there in time as it was just closing. We were the last people allowed in. The white temple is still being built and it will be many years before it is finished. As you can guess from the name the temple is completly white and is decorated with silver sparkly sequins and jewels. They really did sparkle in the sun making it look magical. It kinda looked like an ice palace. There was a big bridge leading to the temple door. You could only walk one way over the bridge and werent allowed to turn around and come back again. This was because it is the bridge leading to Nirvana. Under the bridge were lots of hands reaching up out of the ground. Inside the temple the walls were still in the proces of being painted but what had been done so far was really good. It showed aspects of modern day life some getting closer to Nirvana than others. At the front of the temple was a statue of Buddah in Nirvana. We couldnt stay too long as they wanted to close.

It was then back in the mini bus for a couple more hours to the border town of Chiang Khong. It was dark when we got there but we could tell we were right next to a river. It was the Mekong river and across the river we could see the lights of Laos. We were staying at Charlies guesthouse. The rooms were really nice. We met downstairs to go into the village for dinner. The poor restaurant workers got a little flustered when 24 of us turned up. It was quite hectic but we all got fed eventually. We then went to a bar across the road and had a group game of pool before going back to the guesthouse. I wanted to have a shower before going to bed and when I eventally figured out how to switch it on it was freezing cold. I couldnt stand under it. I did the best I could to wash my hair and got out as quick as I could. The blankets on the beds were quite thin and it had got quite chilly as the evening had gone on. I didnt sleep much at all, as I was so cold.