Off to the islands!

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The night train was definitely worth the experience. We had a 1st class cabin. It was approx 7ft by 6ft with a cushioned seat that turned into two bunk beds, a tiny wash basin and one toilet between the 10 1st class cabins! (I say toilet but it was just a hole in the ground) Very difficult to use when chugging along on a train. We decided against the on board dinner and had oreos and beer instead and I became the champion of draughts. We didn't manage to sleep much but at 6am we looked out the window to very different scenery from Bangkok. Very green and cloudy.

After arriving at our hotel in the city we had a free day before our 'Active Chaing Mai tour' started, so we had a traditional Thia massage instead!


Thursday- Visited a temple on Doi Suthep mountain and then went on a guided 30 k bike ride around the city.Stopped at a state primary school on the way back. Cycled through a leprosy colony which was very sad and felt very uncomfortable when the guide was telling us about the colony only 50yards from an outdoor funeral service! In the evening we went to a lovely Thai restaurant on the river.



Friday- Busy day! First we went elephant riding(quite scary at first because the elephant would not behave until he had eaten around 100 bananas ans sugar cane) , next mountain biking through the country side (steep hills, I watched Paul climb the last!) and then we went white water rafting which was excellent.


Saturday- Flew to Phuket. Found a hotel with availability on Kata beach. Plans unsure but probably going to stay for a couple of nights and then catch a boat to Phi Phi for Paul's birthday.

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Photos

Photo 18
View from Bangkok hotel

Photo 7
Thai meal next to the river

Photo 9
Learning how Buddhists pray

Photo 10
Blessed by Monk

Photo 11
At Buddhist school for hill tribe children.

Photo 6
Arrive in Chaing Mai

Photo 2
Reading at Grand palace Bangkok

Photo 3
1st class cabin to Chaing Mai

Photo 8
Feeding nelly.

Photo 12
State primary school in Chaing Mai

Photo 13
View during city bike ride

Photo 14
Elephant riding

Photo 16
Cycling up the mountain (im in the car)

Photo 17
Kata beach Phuket

Comments

[helen logan]

hello!
what lovely photos-will show Honor tomorrow-thanks for your letter what a lovely time you are having who are you travelling with? Helen Logan

[katy]

missing you loads! keep those photos coming love seeing where you have been and hearing about where your going! thought id let you no megan has had a baby boy!! going to see her tonight.have a very boring week of work ahead of me! but looking forward to the weekend as its caris hen party! love to paul xxx