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Thai Boxing
Mid-fight action from a night of boxing. To our first destination, Chiang Mai. We'd heard good things about Thailands second biggest city, so we decided to stay there for 5 days, thinking we'd finally get a bit of time to relax. How wrong were we. After checking in to a hotel, we stopped into a tour agency and 30 minutes later we had something booked for each day (except for me, who, because of an irrational fear of falling small distances, declined a days ziplining through the tree tops.) So after a steady evening (that included the best game of minigolf ever!), we were nicely refreshed for the first adventure, White Water Rafting! We had all rafted before, but it was the first time any of us had experienced such a thorough saftey drill beforehand, so we didn't know what to expect. We certainly didnt expect the rapids to be as wild as they were, and suffered a very nerve-wracking situation when, after becoming stuck in rocks, the boat filled with water, Amy and Sophie were swept overboard and dragged through the rapids. It was a very scary situation for everybody, but luckily there was a safety team standing by and the girls were pulled from the water,
The Gibbon takes Flight
Sophie prepares to glide through the trees. bruised and battered, but safe. We were all relieved when we finally reached the end of the run, it was far too much adventure for one day.
Back on the dry land of Chiang Mai, we took in an evening of one of Thailands national pastimes, Muay Thai (Thai Boxing), before retiring for a well earned sleep. The next day the girls headed of to the Flight of the Gibbon, a tree top adventure land of ziplines and the like, while I strolled the city and spent hour after infuriating hour uploading pictures of Cambodia and Laos onto the blog on the slowest computer ever created. A delicious Tapas meal followed for date night (just me and Amy, not all four of us. would have been wierd) before heading to the night market for a good old fashioned haggle. The adventures continued the next morning, with a trip to a waterfall, tribal village. and an elephant trek through the jungle, before yet more shopping! (these girls have a serious problem!) Finally, Saturday comes and theres a chance to relax, seeing the sights of the city before cooking up a storm in an excellent cookery class. We learned to make
Queens of the Swingers
Posing amongst the treetops 5 or 6 classic Thai meals, so be prepared to be dazzled by fine cuisine when we return! On our last day in Chiang Mai we visited a big temple on a hill, with magnificent views of the entire city, before heading to the airport to catch our flight to Bangkok.
After arriving late at night and checking in for the night, we headed out bright and early the next morning, intent on seeing Bangkok in a day. After being sent from one side of the city to the other to get our plane tickets out of Thailand, Sylvie and myself headed off to see the Royal Palace and Emerald Buddha. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the most beautiful buildings i've ever seen, covered in intricate decorations in the brightest, shiniest, most vivid colours imaginable. After trying to get to see the Reclining Buddha, and being lied to be Tuk-Tuk drivers who said it was closed, we headed over to Khoasan Road, the tourist street of Bangkok, to meet the rest of the gang. After dinner, and arranging transport to the island, guess what it was time for. Thats right, MORE BLOODY SHOPPING. Serious problem.
Elephant Trekking
Enjoying an elephant trek through the jungle with our randomly Japanese elephant driver. The next morning Sylvie and I raced off to see what sights we'd missed the previous day, while Amy and Sophie visited the post office and sent the accumulated bounty of South East Asia back homewards (Sorry Moe, more boxes for you!). Then it was to the luxury of our private mini-van for the trip down to Koh Chang, for four glorious days of laying in the sun. We split into our respective couples for the days, and spent the time relaxing, eating and drinking far too much! It was nice to take an actual vacation within our travels, four days with no need to do anything or be anywhere. Lovely. Amy and I stayed in a quiet, secluded resort, where for three days it felt like we were the only guests, with the pool to ourselves, nobody bothering us. But it was soon time to get on with the trip, so it was back to Bangkok.
And now we are up to date. We're going to say our goodbyes to Sylvie and head to the airport for the next destination, Shanghai! We've heard mixed things regarding the internet in China, as to what we can and cannot see/do,
Bathtime!
Sophie and Sylvies very hungry elephant take to the water. so this may be the last blog for a month or so, or we might be able to blog there. We just dont know yet! So we'll speak to you soon if we can, and later if we cant.
Take care
Dave
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Nana
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Fantastic
You all look to be having a great time. I am enjoying all the information. Take care. Big hugs to you all. Nana Lings