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Published: October 22nd 2008
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Onward to Chiang Mai…It was a VIP bus-though I didn’t find anything much better about it than the other bus I had taken. The only differences-it was a double decker bus, you were given a water and a little bag of snacks, and a so so meal at one of the stops. Nothing too VIP about it-I think the other bus was more comfortable too. So I spent the night travelling, and arrived in Chiang Mai around 5:00am. I was supposed to be picked up by a taxi and taken to my hotel, but when I got off there was no one standing there holding a sign with my name! I was a little frustrated and I had tuk tuk and taxi drivers coming up asking if I needed a ride and I had to say no I have a ride arranged already. Eventually one driver came up and asked where I was going and he knew there was a driver waiting for me. So I jumped in the taxi and was off to my hotel. Once I arrived, I quickly checked in and was taken to my room. I looked it over and felt a little disappointed….ok really disappointed. I
tried to ignore the fact that ants were scurrying outside the bathroom, the blanket at the end of the bed had cigarette burns in it, and the room looked like it was in the ghetto. So I laid out my sheet and tried to get some much needed rest, but I couldn’t. I felt so uncomfortable, like someone was going to break in any minute. So I got up and decided I was calling the agent to complain. It was early morning, but I didn’t care, I was going to wake her if I had to-this was not right! So I called and told her we have a problem. She was zero help in the situation. She told me to go talk to them-even though as agent it was her job-and then if they couldn’t help call back. I ended up getting online and looking for a hostel to go to-I gathered my things, grabbed a tuk tuk, and checked in to a dorm room. After I took a short nap, I went back to try to sort out the issue. The guy helping me was very nice, and I felt bad trying to explain that the place was crap!
Still they did nothing-no refund. I decided instead of spending money in two places I’d suck it up and stay in the room. It wasn’t THAT bad, and what did I expect?! He ended up giving me a ride on the moped to get my things from the hostel and explain to the owner what the issue was. Luckily the guy running the hostel was very understanding and I gathered my things and settled in at the hotel-again. Chiang Mai was a very laidback experience for me…the only thing I really did for an adventure was Flight of the Gibbons-which was a network of ziplines through the rainforest. I did enjoy this very much, but wish that the ziplines had been higher and lasted longer. The group I was with was a fun little crowd and we managed to all make it out just before the downpour. Unfortunately, the second part of the trip up to the waterfall was no longer a possibility, too much water they said, too dangerous. The drive to and from the Flight of the Gibbons was kind of long-but the gorgeous scenery helped to pass the time. Other than the ziplining experience I spent time
walking, walking, and walking. I did manage to make it out for some Thai whiskey with the guy that helped me get settled into the hotel one night. We sat around and listened to some live music, chatted, and had a few drinks. I did manage to make it to the Night Bazaar area several times while in Chiang Mai. I even managed to walk in the completely wrong direction one time and ended up having to get a tuk tuk back to my hotel. Another night while walking back from the Night Bazaar, I met a guy from India and his friend from Nepal. They had stopped me to chat about westerners being afraid of meeting new people and opening their mind to a culture. I talked for a bit about my view on the situation and on travel and we exchanged cell numbers so we could meet up later for some dancing at one of the clubs. We did meet up later but instead of dancing at the club we ended up staying the entire night at a rooftop bar, with a group of five, chatting about life and the like. I took advantage of Chiang Mai as
a place to just lie about and relax. I spent one day lying by a pool, and most days walking through the street markets. I bought my ticket for the next stretch of the journey-Laos.
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mama cass
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you go girl
Hel mel, its cass, I ve been traveling with you reading you wonderful blogs, I think it's so great you seeing the world it should be a prereq for life you so lucky and I'm jealous. everyone says hi from the chop house and we miss you keep on traveling and blogging away. cass