I Slept really well last night and upon waking up started the day by venturing out for a reccy of the local area and it didn’t take me long to sniff out the nearest pub 'The Beatles Bar' which is literally just around the corner. Took myself to look at the Old Railway Station, transformed into a tourist attraction and spent a while snapping away quite happily before getting back to the hostel and having a refreshing cold shower...just to cool down, the humidity is stifling!!! The Beatles Bar is really cool actually, obviously the music is very much to my [View Full Entry]

---

---

The day started with me checking out of the latest hotel and then getting stuck in the chaotic Bangkok rush hour traffic ...made significantly worse by a faulty set of traffic lights! Cue 'Street Cop' who thus proceeded to wave his arms about as if trying to swat a wasp whilst traffic whizzed about him tooting their horns merrily. Haven't been worried for a couple of days, but definitely slightly concerned about this guy! The flight was actually pretty pleasant, apart from having to listen to 'Snoring Man' doing what he does best across the aisle. My first observation about Kuala [View Full Entry]

---

---

And for the eighth time today, NO...I do not want a ride in your Tuk Tuk!! Tuk tuks are the Thai equivalent of mobility scooters but go a damn sight faster, at least back in the UK you have half a chance of outwitting one on the pavement...here, it's a question of how many bones get broken when one collides with you! I spent most of the morning walking the streets of Bangkok which are cluttered with the good ole street traders, beggars and 'please go to my shop merchants' whilst savouring the subtle aroma of a combination of cooking meat [View Full Entry]

---

---

Today, I bid a fond farewell to my two travelling companions but not until Charlie has commandeered an airport security guard to do a spot of portrait photography. These guys have looked after me really well for the past week and I feel that I have learnt a lot from them both... thanks once again for everything. Chiang Rai International Airport is tiny compared to most and wouldn’t look too far out of place in Trumpton, I can almost now envisage Captain Snort and the Boys from Pippin Fort in Immigration, Farmer Bell collecting some rice on his Etam and Windy [View Full Entry]

---

---

Slept pretty well considering, though was constantly worried about the likelihood of Tarzan crashing through my cabin wall at some point during the night. Today saw the intrepid three venturing NE through hill tribe country to Chiang Rai - the final stop on the tour. The hill tribe people live in pretty basic accommodation, a simple wooden hut the size of the average lounge and live off tourists and the land. Could I do it...hmmm I very much doubt it, though my second prize in the Sandon School Plot Competition may prove very useful should I ever dare to do so! [View Full Entry]

---

---

It's a sad day, gotta check out of the Empress and leave the amazing night sights behind and continue with my journey northwards into hill tribe country. I got to play at Hannibal today and nope that doesn’t mean leading a team of soldiers of fortune, including one with a fear of flying and jewellery fetish...or indeed neither was I eating people!!! I was in fact elephant riding and what an amazing experience it was! We arrived at the Hmong Lodge mid afternoon, the setting was really impressive...unlike my wooden cabin which basically sucked. Firstly, there was no electric sockets to [View Full Entry]

---

---

I woke up this morning feeling totally refreshed for teh first time since leaving the uk after seven solid hours of sleep. Today, we headed high into the hills above Chiang Mai to view a very sacred temple, giving me another well received opportunity to get high on incense! I cant ever see the eventuality of having to approach a drug dealer on the street and asking him for an ounce of Jostick though. This evening, I was treated to kantoke dinner with tribal dancers, including one dedicated if slightly insane chap who firstly waved swords about with great enthusiasm and [View Full Entry]

---

---

After the Feast of Steven last night, you wouldnt believe how nice it was to see six slices of toast for breakfast this morning. We left Lampang for Chiang Mai taking in the sights of Burmese style temples (complete with monks) and a thai market. WARNING...If you are eating, please stop until you have read this paragraph. Thai markets are horrible places but I guess as a westerner, I have to accept that this is a normal Thai way of life. From the outside, it looks very normal and its not until you get under the roof that you begin to [View Full Entry]

---

---

Day Nine...The Munch Bunch!!! If I eat anymore pineapple, I am worried that I am going to turn into a member of the Munch Bunch...not quite sure which one but I am sure Jojo or Miss Kat will inform me of this vital piece of information. Thai food is actually beginning to agree with me, which is a big surprise especially having never eaten the stuff in my life before. Also at this point, I have to mention to The Macsquirrel back in the UK that they lay every table out here left-handed...the amount of grief she gives me back in [View Full Entry]

---

---

Day Eight...Northern Thailand!!! Crikey, is that the alarm already!!! Its stupid o clock (aka 6am) and today i am checking out of this hotel in order to spend the next seven days touring Northern Thailand. Firstly, I must point out that I am actually on a group tour but in fact find myself being a soloist as everyone else cancelled due to the trials and tribulations of the past few chaotic weeks. So allow me now to introduce my two travelling companions for the coming week...Charlie the Tour Guide and Chi the Driver!! First port of call, Ayuthaya, former capital of [View Full Entry]

---

---