Wednesday 11th August 2004
We returned to Bangkok via boat and six hour bus ride. We then took an overnight train from Bangkok station to Chiang Mai in the north, which was 13 hours - a lot of moving about - so we are going to stay a number of days here to rest.
Chang Mai a cool town and more chilled out than Bangkok. Everyone here is celebrating the eve of the (Thai) queen's birthday tomorrow.
On Sunday we plan to go on a two-day hike into the hills to look for hill tribes.
We're having a great time in Thailand and have moved around a lot but we're going to slow down soon.
I found I can receive incoming calls on my mobile, (at a cost), but I can't make outgoing calls.
Everyone we meet is a school teacher.
Tuesday 17th August 2004
We are staying in place called "the little home guest house" in Chiang Mai. This is a great place to stay and always full.
We haven't done much shopping yet - just a pair of Teva sandals costing about four to five pounds which even came with all the labels on them.
Maybe we will buy a few things from the night bazaar tonight.
Food-wise, we have tried most things including the local Chiang Mai sausages and a great dish of fried egg noodles with chicken and curry sauce with red chillies - just fab.
Health-wise, we are both fine. George had a bad time yesterday after taking her malaria tablet, but she is ok now. I miss seeing everyone, my bike and Guinness.
