Thailand part 2

Another stint in this wonderful country, this time visiting the delights of Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Wonderful world, beautiful people...and some elephant snot

Definitely one of the best things about travelling is the unexpected new friends you make. We started off just wandering the streets of Chiang Mai looking for a place to stay and ended up in a lovely guesthouse called Tawan's. Made us feel so at home with it's big garden and bungalows - made me feel like I was in the countryside again despite being in the biggest city in Northern Thailand. On our first day, we did a cooking course with Tawan's wife - Noi, (don't be expecting me to come home a first class chef by the way - even Tawan felt the need to ask me if I ever cooked at home as he watched me chop some veggies) and then stuffed ourselves silly on the final 6 dishes - chicken green curry, sweet and sour pork, pad thai, bananas in coconut milk, tom yam soup and a papaya salad - YUM!!! And if you do want to try something, we have a cookbook - you could borrow mine or get friendly with Carly as she's more likely to try it out again. As for me, I'm already waiting for an invite to one of Carly's dinner parties...

Ever since we had our first massage, both me and Missy G have wanted to go to Chiang Mai to learn the art. Carly went hardcore and went to a proper school so she could get a certificate and, me, I went for the easy option of asking Mae, who works at the guesthouse, to teach me what she knows. But the end of day 2, we'd both decided it was too much like hard work and figured we'd spend the 3rd day shopping. Carly had to tell her teacher she needed to leave the city early...ssh, don't tell anyone! So if anyone fancies me practicing what I learned (apparently I've got the power bit right...just need to practice on the technique a little - don't want to be breaking any bones now) - just give me a call. There's cycling on the person's thighs, lots of finger and toe cracking, lots of pressure point pressuring and even a bit where I get to sit with my knees on the person's bum and just rotate - sounds dodgy I know but am sure there's someone out there willing to take me on...

Nights were spent checking out the live music at the Brasserie and dancing our socks off with Mae and Paa at Bubble after a bday celebration for Mae's son - Plam.

Before our night bus to Bangkok we visited a temple on a mountain, an orchid and butterfly farm and an elephant conservation centre with Tawan, Aimee and Bouay - two girls also working at the guesthouse and training to be tour giudes. The elephants were brilliant and very clever. We got up close and personal feeding them bananas and sugar cane. I did have a small incident with one where he tried to pick me up with his trunk. Ended up with a little bit of elephant snot on my trousers - every girl's dream way of being picked up, I'm sure!

By the time our bus was waiting to pick us up for Bangkok, Tawan was giving us advice on watching out for bad people (just like family in the Phil. did) and we were giving everyone hugs and kisses like we'd become their adopted kids. All the other farangs (foreigners) just looked on wondering what all the fuss was about. We felt so special ;o)

Hot and sticky in Bangkok

Our second time in Bangkok and this time we stayed a few nights. Although cities generally aren't what we look forward to - particularly ones famous for it's pollution...this would be different - I was getting to see my big sis for a day before they she and her friends headed south to Samui ;o) And she paid for mine and Carly's accom - she's such a good big sister!

We spent most days shopping - the thais are SO hip and trendy, it's unbelievable! Places to shop that we loved: Weekend market - like spitalfields but a thousand times bigger with really tasty street stall food to gobble down when you need a break from getting your wallet out, Khao Sarn Road - backpacker central and easier to shop for all those backpacker and souvenir necessities and then there's Siam Square - shopping malls galore and a super funky square where all the young and stylish go. Honestly, can't believe what amazing shopping there is here...just a god damn shame I'm broke! (I've resisted to my best ability...unfortunately, I'm incredibly weak willed...oops!)

Nights out, we spent at CM2 - a club at the Conrad hotel (super posh) where we shook our hips and shoulders to a Nicaraguan band and also at the club at the Novotel (also super posh and where my sis and friends were staying - backpackers, they ain't!). We also went to Tokyo Joe's to check out the jazz scene - not bad but all just a bit too wholesome for us, where's the dark and smoky??

1 week left...........