Ok so I've found that I'm spending a LOT of time writing each blog and uploading pics so Im gonna do it in smaller, more frequent installments and see how I go. Very organised of you Lizzie indeed I hear you say.
Chiang Mai rules and Im so glad I decided to leave Bangkok with Dan and come here. I was so depressed after my 2hour hunt up Kao San Road for suitable, affordable digs only top give up and stay in a pretty pricey guesthouse. I reckon my perception of Bangkok was a little warped because of that and so I was real worried about staying on in what seemed to a rather intimidating city on my own for the first time. After a little bit of thought I just booked a flight to Chiang Mai - this was a pretty fortunate decision for Dan cause he would have struggled without me I reckon. They were'nt as attentive when we arrived to the aiport as previously. After we finally managed to get a wheelchair, poor Dan had to then look super 'special' holding all my things and backpack whilst I wheeled him around the airport before I went to
Rikka Innwhere we stayed for one night only - in Bangkok
his gate. My flight was delayed until 1.55 so after Dan went (sob sob) I had loads of time to kill. I mostly worked out exactly what to do when I got to Chiang Mai and emails a few folks. I felt pretty down indeed but also a little excited about the next lone chapter of the journey. I think its been long enough now for things to really sink in. I miss a lot of people and home luxuries, but honestly - I wouldnt change my circumstances for the world. Everything is so new and exhilarating!!!
The flight went over jungle regions and I tried to capture this on cam unsuccessfully. After getting the cheapest taxi in the world to Julie's guesthouse I arrived and they were heaving with backpackers. It may have something to do with it being the most popular budget place in the lonely planet guide ;-) Im kinda glad of this though cause I ended up somewhere really cool AND cheap! I spent a good couple of hours walking around the center before arriving at my digs and stumbled across this cool little guesthouse (Rama Guesthouse) and a girl called Agnes who asked if
I wanted to share a room, to which of course I replied ayyyyyess! So now Im paying 75 baht per night and I've also met someone to spend a bit of time with here!! So we went for a cheapo slap-up Mexican last night and today we explored Chiang Mai a little and booked a 3 day jungle trek beginning on Thursday. We are also trying to get onto an overnight meditation retreat tommorrow which is a free course you can do from mid-day Tuesday to mid-day Wednesday and its basically just chillin oot man. This is something I really feel like I need to do - I guess the past few days have been a bit full-on emotionally and physically so this time will be taken for recuperation. I was so whacked last night I flopped at 9pm and slept right through til 9am...
Anyway, so alls good and Im really really excited and optimistic. Agnes and I seem to share a common idea of what we'd like to get out of this so we'll see how it all pans out. I found out that a guesthouse nearby lets you use their pool for 50 baht a time
so I may go for an early dip tomorrow before meditiation time.
We saw a few cool little temples today, chatted to a couple of locals and ate the most amazing food in a little cafe that had no english translation of the food they offered - which meant it was soooo good. I know its a cliche but everyone really is so friendly here! Tonight I think we are gonna hit the town, live music is common around here and its something I have been a little starved of so I hope that we can see some. So thats it for today peeps!! Sending love as always. mwa x
stray chuckensjust out on the road nearly getting run over...I love this place
Thailand's Flag
Map of Thailand