Chang Mai, Thailand

---

The footy and I survived the flight, the food...and arrived back in 'civilisation' for the first time in almost 2 months 😊

Took another random Christophinoz tour around the place and saw:
Even more Wats and Pagoda's...I think I now qualify for an honorary Monkhood as I've now visited more Buddhist religious sites than any other (I'm discounting knocking on front doors). Wonder if the orange sarong will take off back in Blighty??
Lots of sad old men wearing white sports socks with sandals
Lots of ladies of the night ready to love those men "Lonnnnnnnnggggggggggg tiiiiiiiiiimmmmmeee"
Chang Mai footy stadium
Starbucks (x2), McDonalds and Haagen Daas
Thought about buying a suit

Then took a tour to the jungle for 3 days where I did the following:
Trekking
Elephant riding
Got very cold at night
Listened to the Israeli girls play Hebrew songs on the guitar - Happy Hanukkah!
Swam under a freezing cold waterfall
For those that know my random eating dislikes I ate egg, cauliflower and broccoli!
White water rafting
Met the first proper hippie, who'd just had her feet tattooed with coloured stars, since I've been away.
Bamboo rafting
Had a great laugh

Heard my first festive song last night (lyrics below) which is a personal record. Still haven't seen a mince pie or cracker. First person to get the artisit gets a pressie from me in the post:

Are you hanging up your stocking on your wall
It's the time when every Santa has a ball
Does he ride a red nosed reindeer
Does a ton upon his sleigh
Do the fairies keep him sober for a day

So here it is, Merry Xmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun

Are you waiting for the family to arrive
Are you sure you got the room to spare inside
Does your grannie always tell ya
That the old songs are the best
Then she's up and rock 'n' rolling with the rest

So here it is, Merry Xmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun

What will your daddy do when he sees your mama kissing Santa Claus A-ha

Are you hanging up your stocking on your wall
Are you hoping that the snow will start to fall
Do you ride on down the hillside
In a buggy you have made
When you land upon your head
Then you bin slayed

So here it is, Merry Xmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun

So here it is, Merry Xmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun

So here it is, Merry Xmas
Everybody's having fun (It's Christmas)
Look to the future now
It's only just begun


So, hope you all have a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. I'll be with Smartini in Bangkok for Xmas and raving it up on the beach with 20,000 others at Koh Phangnan for NY. Take care and remember that it's all about the Johann Cruyff inspired 'Total football', Copa Mundials and the Adidas Tango Telstar.

p.s. Ok, so the cricket didn't go as I'd hoped and I'm trying to avoid all Aussies. May now have to bypass Oz if it gets any worse...at least Warne won't be playing again!

---

Photos

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh
Just before I realised that riding an elephant bareback is actually quite painfull...

Waterfall somewhere in northern Thailand
Mmmmmm, I fancy getting under that...

Thai government dacha
There's a helipad 50m from this!

Comments

[Stu]

Total football, copa mundials, and tangos...
couldn't have put it better myself.....Although the Espana was better!

[Lydia Shekiluwa]

SEASON'S GREETINGS!!!
I'm really jealous of the amount of 'fun' you are obviously having mate! In contrast to all the amazing things you have been doing, you'll be pleased to hear that i'm still 'faffing' for last minute xmas buys! Nuff said Chris, wishing you a Happy Xmas and a peaceful New Year Love Lydia x

[Lucy]

xmas lyric
Is it Slade " merry xmas everybody"? just heard it on top of the pops and recognised the lyrics that you wrote. Hope i get a big pressie.

[christophinoz]

You win gaffer. Give me your address and something will appear in the post...well at some point in time depending on whether or not Dick Dastardly can 'Catch the pigeon'...