Visa arrives!

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In past several days here in Chiang Mai, have dropped off the passport and visa application with a local travel agent who will do the visa run to the Myanmar embassy, quoting a 3-day turnaround which, proved true, receiving the passport and visa back on Friday. Proceeded to book an Air Mandalay flight into Mandalay for 3600B, directly from Chiang Mai but, found that the "weekly" flight is booked solid for the entire month of December. Alternative will be to return to Bangkok and book a flight there, presumably into Yangon instead. So, purchased an overnight berth for 790B back to Bangkok for Monday night and will go back to Chaiwat Tours.

On Tuesday evening, Lori & Tom took me to the 'Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre' for its' dinner show, costing 320B, and not a bad show, or meal, at least for the price. On Thursday evening, we all went to another local venue of 'Simon Chiang Mai' which is a dance extravaganza by Chiang Mai's contingent of Kao-Toweys (sp?) or lady-boys. It similarly was a well-presented show with the 'boys' making fun of themselves in a couple skits; otherwise, an enjoyable show which we all thought was worthwhile, at a price of 500B

It is now Saturday and am putting in time over weekend, in anticipation of a 6am march on Monday morning by 2000 of Chiang Mai's monks to the Tha Phe Gate, in honour of the King's 78th birthday, a lead-up generally to a 6-month celebration honouring the King's 60th anniversary on the Thai throne, concluding on the actual ascension anniversary of June 9 next year. Monday is a national holiday!

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