After a few weeks down south pretty much relaxing we headed up north to Chiang Mai to see a different side of Thai life. We arrived in Chiang Mai at 6am, after a 12 hour bus journey from Bangkok and our trek started at 10am. We did the trek for 3 days and 2 nights. Day 1- Elephant trekking, walking for approx 2 hours to a waterfall and then walked some more to Hoi hoi village where we spent the night, our guide Sing was born in the village and gave us a tour around the village. Day 2- More walking [View Full Entry]

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Checked out, got some grub and wasted time on internet. Got mini bus to Chiang Mai and then on a big double decker VIP bus to Bangkok. Talked to an English couple sat behind us for a bit. Managed to get some sleep though Rob was very fidgety and squished. [View Full Entry]

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Hello friends and family!!! Nice to talk to you again after a while :) I have arrived back in Bangkok on Sunday morning 6 o clock after our week long trip to the North of Thailand. On Saturday, the 6th of March we left with 9 persons with the night train to Chiang Mai, 2nd biggest city in Thailand. The trip took approx. 13 hours, we had a great time! It is very comfortable, party with friends and when you decide to sleep just get in your bed up the stairs, very nice! It was Anetes 21st birthday that night, we [View Full Entry]

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Hallo iedereen, het is alweer een week geleden dat ik voor het laatst en update heb gedaan. Het gaat erg goed hier en er is eigenlijk zoveel te doen dat ik er gewoon niet echt aan toe kom. De eerste week is goed verlopen en ik heb gelukkig helemaal geen blessures. Vrijdagavond was de laatste dag van een jongen uit de groep en dus werd er een afscheidsfeestje gegeven, erg veel gelachen en die Thai houden ook heel erg van drinken. Het is Thaise gewoonte om met een paar mensen een fles sterk te bestellen en dan zo snel mogelijk je [View Full Entry]

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After lunch we booked ourselves on a 1 1/2hr elephant trek. We were both a little apprehensive esp when the guide only looked 17! First thing I though when I caught sight of the elephants was 'oh crap, they're big'. Once on them you feel so far off the ground, very unnerving. We trundled along the road and through the forest (both of us were on the back of the same elephant and the guide was kinda on it's head) down to the river Pai where the guy took great delight in getting the elephant to blow water at us and [View Full Entry]

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Baan Yeii (Grosses Haus) In dem grössten Haus das Aussieht wie ein Schweizer Chalet wohnen der Vater Wirod die Mutter Marleen mit den 3 eigenen Kindern (Pla, Save, Nathan). Die meisten aufgenommen Strassenkinder in diesem Haus sind fast alle älter als die anderen mit wenigen Ausnahmen.. In diesem Haus fühle ich mich sehr wohl. Vor allem deswegen, weil die älteren Jungs am ehesten Verstehen können dass es für einen Ausländer nicht ganz einfach ist auf Thai zu kommunizieren und sich deshalb auch Mühe geben beim Reden, so dass schon einige lustige Konversationen entstanden sind. Zu den Eltern habe ich auch einen [View Full Entry]

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Needed to get a few things sorted today. Booked bus to Pai for tomorrow and went on internet to finally get this blog updated :p Swapped a couple of books and had tea at cute, one man restaurant, new food addiction = tofu. Robby had yet another curry. Checked out night market. At first we were underwhelmed but after wandering down a side street it branched out into a huge, pretty lit market area. Spent a couple of hours wandering before getting food supplies for tomorrow. Saw our first little traffic accident today when a 4x4 drove a little close to [View Full Entry]

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I'm updating from Laos today, feeling very jaded after two intense days of tubing and drinking, we need to rewind a bit to finish off the Thailand chapter. The 11th of March feels like a life time ago, this was when we arrived in Chang Mai after the overnight train from Bangkok. One of the most comfortable long hauls I've had so far. Nathalie our lady boy host made the journey! Beds are a decent size, Bridget's only complaint from the top bunk was the ceiling light which shines through the brilliant blue curtains all night long. Set meals are served [View Full Entry]

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Went back to sweet little restaurant from last night for brunch, was emptier and quicker as he had a 2nd pair of hands helping out. Wandered across the city to see the main Wat here, took a few pics (we're getting hard to please!). We then had a long afternoon nap hahah. Well Chiang Mai is supposed to be the place people come to take a breather and rest up! It's sorta like a mini less modern Bangkok and it's full of travellers. The shops here not selling food or drink mainly concentrate on selling tours. Had a jacket potato with [View Full Entry]

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Hello everyone Here we are in Chiang Mai with Jaymes and Lauren - more about that later. Now where were we? Oh yes the Puppet Parade - absolutely amazing. Lyn led the parade waving the arms of the Garuda (mythical beast) and Bob was carrying it with a few other people. We walked around the whole of the town and then along the river - very bloody hot and humid! The kids had a marvellous, shouty time and we took loads of photos (see below). After gathering all the Grace House kids together in the park we were relieved of our [View Full Entry]

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