On to Chaing Mai

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Yesterday, after I wrote, we went back to the guest house and I took a much needed shower and a nap. Then I had the BEST croissant with salami and cheddar cheese and french fries for dinner. Yum!!! I needed that!

Finished book number one and hung out at the guest house until it was time to board the overnight train. We gathered everything up, got on the train where they has these little berths for each of us. It was luxurious almost - pillows and everything. And they brought us a Singha beer as soon as the train started. We went to sleep pretty early and slept most of the way to Chaing Mai.

THis trip has made me really grateful for flush toilets, hot water and US sanitation standards. I'll never baulk at using the loo at LAX again.

Moving on swiftly....

The train ran about an hour late and we arrived in Chaing Mai about 11:00. First thing was sending all of our clothes to the laundry. That gave us an hour to grab somethign to eat quickly - I must be feeling better as I passed up the sandwich for this great noodle dish - and then we got into two minvans and headed out to the country.

There we took an elephant ride through the forest. Elephants are much nicer from far away. their noses run - a LOT - an they don't seem to mind blowing their snot all over everyone. But it was quite cool to actually be up on one and be able to touch it. They're really sure footed - we went up some really hilly terrain - it was quite interesting.

then we came back to the guest house. Since its cooler here, and I've sent all my long pants to the wash, I had to go buy some. I set off on my own into Chaing Mai, bought some $4 pants which leads me to here.... :-)

Chaing Mai is an itneresting little town. lots of foreigners come here, i think. It has a Starbucks - Athena and I are going for coffee tomorrow morning! Yeah! :-) Its supposedly the best place for cheap shopping so if you have any requests.... :-)

Will write again tomorrow. We are here for a couple of nights before our wilderness trek. :-)

Christine

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Photos

Elephant riding
Rachel and I on the elephants

Athena and Sheri
Athena and Sheri on the the elephant

Very sleepy me
On the overnight train to Chaing Mai - very sleepy!

Comments

[Bob]

Itinerary
Are you returning to Bankok and then Phuket? Sounds like a great trip so far!