Floating markets, fried frogs, river raft and arrived in Chiang mai

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Early morning start. Another tour with tong. (name of the business) We had a guide named Lily.
She was upbeat and very friendly. From the moment we got in the van she started telling us heaps of things about Thailand and Bangkok.

We had plans to give some food in the morning to the monks. I spent around $500 baht ($25 australian dollars) and fed 19 monks. Absolutley amazing experience. I do not have a photo of me doing it but I did manage to get one of Mark. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to give something back. Hard to explain but those that want to know more, feel free to ask me.

We then got back into the van and headed to the railway markets. My favorite part of the day. They have the markets over the tracks... When the train comes however they pack up there stuff and when it has gone, give it about 10 seconds and it is back to the way it was before. There was some trying of food from all the different food vendors. Amazing experience. When you have someone who speaks thai and explain all the differnet foods to you. Trying is the easy part.

I did however think that the fried frogs were NOT for me. Zoe tried a few things as well. She did grumpy whilst at the markets. Mark and Zoe fight like they are brother and sister. Mark saying “she did this” and Zoe saying “he did this” One is usually crying by the end of it! Drives me nuts!

I found a very special place and got some little buddahs to hang on a chain and one of a monk who is very special. There was heaps of room to walk around in this market. Loved every minute of it.

Next onto the floating market. That was a wonderful experience. Lily took so many photos for me, Zoe bought a wood cat, (surprised?!?) We got some yummy noodles from a passing boat. You have to do this. Just amazing!!

Anyways we started heading back as we needed to be at the peir for 2 we had a few more things planned but had to skip as the place we were headed to was for only one night and it was on the jungle rafts with no electricity.

Lily our guide was amazing. I cannot tell you how much it improved our stay in Bangkok and would recommend Tour with tong to anyone!
The river rafts exceded our expectations. Simple but perfect. One thing we did find funny was that they were not as friendly. This took us by surprise. We walked up to a little village where there were some elephants and fed them banannas and took some photos. There is all these walks that you can do in the jungle. Unfortunetly with limited daylight and time we headed back to the bar on the rafts and enjoyed some nice white wine.

Dinner was well.. um... The rice was good. Zoe ate more then me and mark said there was chicken nuckles in the soup. Yumm. Hey I will try almost anything but.. yeah. Hmm.

Anyways, we continued to have a wonderful wonderful night surrounded by great company.
Laughing and smiling. I think all of us well and truly relaxed to start enjoying our holiday.
Early start the next day was on the cards.. So after a nice red wine we headed to bed.

There is no electricity in the rafts but they were clean and simple. The surroundings was amazing. I think one night though is more then enough time for this place.

When we awoke at 5.. to hear Erin and Jono having a shower. Screaming as it was colder then the river. Hmmm we thought, we will wait until Chiang mai. We had a nice boat ride to the pier and met our driver. It was going to be a three hour ride back to the airport. He was so lovely, funny and had very good english. Again booked with tour with tong. 3000 baht cheaper then what the hotel was going to charge us!

We got to the airport and checked in and now here we are in Chiang mai. We are lucky enough to find a wonderful little resturant where I had the best prawn rice and steak. Mark drank two bottles almost of thai whisky. With a bit of help from Erin and Jono. This place is where we plan to go again tonight. Wonderful atmosphere and we were the only farangs (westerners) there.

Chiang mai has a wonderful feel to it. I just know, this will be where I teach one day. Remember that special monk I bought. His pictures are everywhere here. I just knew there was a reason I bought it.

Tomorrow is flight of the gibbon. That should be intresting. : 0 Tonight is night markets and do not think mark will be up for ANY drinking of any kind. Lol. Air gutair was not far off Reet.

Love you all. Enjoy the video.

Now that I am settled blogs should be easily flowing. : )

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