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Published: February 10th 2007
Thursday - still suffering from journey and move from manic guesthouse, we were in bed Thursday night by 9 p.m. bottle of cold water, packet of fags and 'Coyote Ugly' on the T.V. our alternative Full Moon Party!!
Friday: Today we decided to walk the perimeter road of the old city - staying inside the walls so as not to get lost, as the local maps differ from reality. We set off to see some Wats. First one was closed, can't remember which Wat it was until photos downloaded, so carried on - had to stop for a cold orange juice but remembered too late that Thai people have salt in their fruit drinks - ugh! So using Thai phrase book managed to get two more without salt, forgetting this time that if you don't have salt, then you must have sugar - ugh! Set off again by now only walked about a mile when J. complained of 'feet of fire' she was walking along the 'pavements' (which are pretty non-existent) in raffia flip-flops, so had to stop in local park (Buak Hat Park) which is a cool oasis amidst the mania of Chiang Mai city. Apparantly Chiang Mai is so
Pad Thai
The best place to eatmuch quieter than Bangkok, our next port of call!! already the air pollution here is pretty bad, at rush hour it's choking. Walked a further 400 yards, J. suffering with 'walk exhaustion' had to stop for iced coffee's - next Wat, Wat Meh Thang, open, very nice WAT.
Well it's a tuk-tuk back to hostel for swim in pool, manicure and foot massage. It's GOT to be done - and we have seen two 'Wats' today. Stopped off at Ethnic market for J. to buy proper sandals.
By 7.15 ready for the off to the 'Khantoke Dinner' sat on floor of Thai Cultural Centre - copious amounts of food and traditional Thai dance displays, beautiful costumes and very elegant dancing, unlike us when we tried to get up after squatting on the floor for nearly 2 hours (try sitting in a position where you don't show the soles of your feet, which is considered insulting. Back to our favourite coffee house on the corner, to watch the old Farangs with the young Thai girls. It's a shame that the Thai girls are so poor that they have to make up to the old European wrinklies - or does
Ahhhh!
I want to take him home! it suit both parties, it helps the old man retain their youthful memories, and the Thai girls help their familes to have better lives. We also play a game as to which old men have a packet of Werthers Originals in their pockets, you'll know what we mean Lyn!!
This may be considered a poor country, but we have never seen so much food available everywhere day and night. The food markets are full of vegetables and fruit of every kind, the majority we can't recognise - but have probably eaten. Yesterday J. had a longing for some strawberries which they seem to grow FLAT so that they can stack them on their stalls in a beautiful pyramid shape. We purchased some in a pot covered in sugar - so we thought - it was a mixture of sugar and salt! Straight in the bin. Purchased bag full of pineapple slices today, luckily the vendor had included the bag of 'sugar' in a separate little sachet - we tasted the contents before coating the fruit - it turned out to be sugar, salt and chopped red hot peppers - WHY!!
Mossie count still stands at J. 12 and
Elephant Trek
Loved the elaephant trek mum 1. And J. managed to stay awake all day today!
Me (mum) fears that the purchase of a suitcase is 'on the horizon'. Our tales are not of 'daring do' trekking through the jungle looking for that elusive species, but more of following map to next market and 'bartering' for the best bargain! Instead of dodging the perils of the jungle tracks we spend our time dodging the Ethnic women selling their necklaces, bangles and wooden 'sound alike' frogs.
Bye for now from Chiang Mai, next blog will probably be from Bangkok. Love to you all. Hopefully will be able to include some pictures in this blog, check out the baby elephant.
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Debby
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Missin U Both!
Life here been really wierd. Miss Carl so much but we Kinda sorting things in a peculiar way!! Lauren came to see us and we're going to stay at hers on Wednesday for a few days as I need to see her and Sue as I need some sense talked into me ! Ha HA, take more than a few days eh??!! Anyway apart from all that I'm ok and the boys are fine and looking forward to seeing Granby!! Oh its the highlife for us!! Love u both and miss u so much. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx