Chiang Mai 1: You're having a falafel.

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We headed further north to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second city. Six hours spent with your knees either side of your chin (me - not Paula, obviously), and with a weak blast of air overhead 2 degrees cooler than outside is as comfortable as it sounds. Add to that the smell of child vomit wafting up the bus and you can imagine how relieved we were to disembark into the hot dusty bus terminal.

We jumped into a tuk-tuk and headed into the centre - Chiang Mai is walled and moated, with much of the interior peaceful and largely free of traffic, so we headed there. Lugged our bags into and air conditioned room, venturing out that evening for our first (and to date only) non-thai meal; Falafalel and chips.

Up next day full of beans. Muesli for breakfast (couldn't find a full scottish for Paula), then hired bikes for the day. We cycled around the moat and explored the whole place, with a spot of lunch at a roadside canteen. Chicken and rice for less than a pound! . Found the local women's prison, which apparently offered massages by inmates who are able to keep the proceeds ready for their release. Alas they were closed.

Then we visited one of the temples, where you can do something called "monk-chat". This does sound like a late night Radio 4 programme, but it's actually a chance for young monks to practice their English, and for tourists to find out what monks get up to. We pitched up and waited, having done some detailed research into Buddhism (we googled it). A few monks wandered past - but none sat down, probably due to our over-eager and slightly psychotic beaming grins. We gave up after half an hour. I will be writing a strongly-worded letter upon my return to the UK.

Not down-hearted, Paula then signed up for a cooking course the next day, and I found a place that hired out small 2-stroke sports bikes (like the ones plastered on my bedroom wall as a teenager) for a couple of quid, and arranged to pick one up early the next day.

A full thai massage that evening, then a bite to eat.

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Comments

[Eric]

I enjoyed your Thailand post. I can't wait to go back there. My blog is looking for travel photos. If you have the time, check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Eric