Chang Mai take two

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The nightbus was more of a nightmare. The VIP bus had taken a turn for the worse, so they piled all the tourists on the local bus. No problem apart from the fact that it stopped every half hour or so which meant the lights kept coming on and off, hence sleep was near impossible.

We pulled into Chang Mai's bus terminal around 7am on Tuesday morning and after a few wrong turns, managed to locate the Sk GH. We had made reservations for this place as it had a pool and after several close calls with heat related illness and in general being fed up with sweltering, we thought we deserved some poolside refuge. As murphy would have it, today it rained and was much too cold for swimming. The rain also cancelled today's plan of motorbiking it up to the hilltop temple of Doi Suphet as the winding roads were bound to be slippery and the visability poor. Instead we visited the Chang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre which had beautifully presented displays, but the information was dry (to the point of drought).

We hope to get to the National Park in the next few days, as well as the temple. We will stay in Chang Mai until Monday as I collect my Chinese Visa then. The Sunday walking market is also on our "to do" list. I really wanted to see some Muay Thai boxing here but it is super expensive and so that might need to go on hold until we get back to Bangkok. I also hope to do a 1 day massage course on the weekend. Chang Mai is a lovely place to rest up and I'm sure we will fill our days easily.

I am happy to hear that the farm got a decent rain. At the museum today I learnt that the Lanna people would use pieces of woven bamboo stuck onto bamboo rods to entice the gods to protect the rice crops. Dad, if you get desperate you can always try this method????
To the teachers, enjoy your last few days of freedom. I hope you have all had a lovely break.

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Photos

Truths unfold
Sunday walking street market fortune teller revals what the future holds.

Bamboo feast
Chang mai zoo

smiles
all aboard the packed with school children express

coffee
does my face match my coffee?

Comments

[brenda]

Woven bamboo
Hi Chloe and Lisa.... where can we get that woven bamboo??? Only kidding! Mind you, dad might say otherwise. Lovely to hear from you again. What a shame about the fact that it was too cold to swim. I can't imagine that in your part of the world. Now, here... that's a different story. We decided not to let the fire burn overnight at the farm last night... big mistake! It's freezing. At least the sun is shining, so we can find a sunny spot in which to thaw. No, it's not really that bad. Mia and Jarrad are leaving Perth about lunchtime, so they will be here late afternoon. Am looking forward to having them here. I hope you get to do the massage course and all the other things you want to achieve while in Chang Mai. the days must seem numbered to you now and I imagine you are trying to complete your 'to do' list, as well as chill with Lisa. vegemite is barking in the background, Chloe. He and trailer are up in the shed with dad. he is a very happy boy but we are looking after his health too.... when Trailer jumps off the ute at the gate, although Vege would like to join him in the run home to the farmhouse, we don't let him, as we figure he is getting plenty of exercise anyway. Yesterday we took them into town to visit Tim and Annet. We walked them to the park with the kids and then on to look at the motel. Keep well and hopefully, keep enjoying all on offer. All my love, Mum