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Published: December 18th 2006
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Hello again!
Since our last entry we did go to Phat Pong and for anyone who wants to know it was absolutely honestly and truly a horrific experience. For both of us! How people find that sort of thing arousing or even entretaining is beyond me. It may have been the place we went to but, well all I can say is we knew it wasn't going to be for us before we went and having been we definately know that it is not for us! It was more sad than funny!
But that aside, the night market in Phat Pong was pretty cool and we did (being slightly tipsy) make a few purchases! So it wasn't an entirely wasted evening.
The next day with horrific hangovers to contend with we spent the day lapping up the luxary of the Atlanta and enjoying the sunshine and the pool and fantastic food whilst we waited for our visas and tickets to be done and for our train to Chang Mai in the evening. The train was pretty cool. Much more comfortable than I had expected, however I was a little disappointed that the compartments weren't of the style of
the Orient in Hercule Poirots famous movie, Death on the Orient Express! Instead we had to share our compartment with 20 or 30 other people (not so bad) and we all had bunks which ran down the side of the train which were made when we wanted to go to bed with sheets and pillows and everything. Not something we ever experienced in South America.
Having got to Chang Mai, we are staying in the Royal Guesthouse, much less swankier than it sounds! Not too bad, despite there is as we sit here a distinct whift of piss and drains in the air....hummm lovely! Also not to mention that three rooms had their doors kicked in and all their belongings nicked last night. Glad they choose the 5th floor as we are on the 4th! Quite glad we are leaving tomorrow!
But what have we been up to, well we have done one day trek, which included and elephant ride, which was really cool and I could have done it all day, shame we didn't really go anywhere, only in the surrounding forest around the elephant camp, but good fun all the same. We also did a bit
Our guide Som Pong
Standing by the elephant mount, the first elephant is our one! He was the bull..... of a trek to a waterfall, which was cool, but very over crowded with tourists and then we visited a couple of local villages and then went bamboo rafting which was excellent. I had limited expectations as to how good it would be, but it was actually a real laugh. Despite getting a soaking arse. But we did fair much better than some others who got completely soaked.
Yesterday we did a days cooking course which was fantastic and we are now of course experts in Thai cuisine... Somehow I got the nickname 'Spicy Girl' as everyone else was a bit of a wuss when it came to the heat of their curries. I was quite certain that I wanted to experience it as it should be, how the Thai's would have it. And it was really wansn't that spicy, bloody delicious in fact. We got to cook six dishes each and spent most of the time either eating or cooking and felt thoroughly stuffed by the end of the day, but got a cook book to take home so you can all experience our new skills for yourselves when we return.
The Night Bazarr here in Chang
Elephant
More interested in finding food than following path... Mai is excellent, far to tempting to spend loads of cash but we have managed to pick up a few bargins. Aparently the markets in Laos are much better, so I am trying to resist the temptation to shop until we get there. Much to Rich's slight concern.
Well its the start of our transfer to Laos tomorrow, first stop Chang Kong, then day after its the slow boat which will take us over the boarder into Laos to Pak Peng for one night along the Mekong and we should eventually arrive in Luang Probang on Thursday. Can't wait to get to Luang Probang by all accounts it should be fantastic and as it will be where we will be spending Christmas we are hoping it will be a good distraction from not being at home with all you guys. Not to mention we have booked ourselves into a particularly fancy four star hotel for christmas day to the 27th, called La Residence. Should help provide some mild distraction, but we promise we will think of you as we sit by the pool and enjoy a massage or two!
Well best say chao for now, and time for
some photos.
Loads of love to you all and wishing you a very merry christmas indeed.
Love Rach and Rich xxxxxx
PS who is sitting beside me drinking a singha beer at the moment.
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sarah
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No idea what Phat Pong is and now i'm not going to ask! How naive am I? Glad you've found somewhere to stay for christmas day and its a bit of a treat. Hopefully speak to you on the day. Loads of love Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx