Chiang Mai

Arriving in Chiang mai at night  and quIte late we hired a tuk tuk to take us to our accommodation. The drIver had hIs small daughter wIth hIm who was obvIouusly very tIred and grumpy - she would have been about 7. Gary tried to interact with her, which made her cry and every now and then she would turn around and glare at Gary really gIvIng hIm the evIl eye. The driver eventually found the guest house tucked away down a narrow Soi (street) and we tumbled out tired and exhausted apologizing for being so late. The accommodation looked really cute but the lady behind the desk wasn't, she was not impressed that we had not phoned and she made that quite clear to us. The room was impressively big, the bed was nice and soft (Asian beds are extremely hard) and once again we breathed that sigh of relief that has become all to familiar us, we had booked an ok place. We needed some food as we had had nothing all day so set out to find somewhere close. Stumbling across a French sounding place which sold local food and also arranged tours we sat down for a meal. Shortly after getting our drinks and having ordered our food a violent argument broke out between the Asian and European owners. Subsequently our food took ages to arrive with huge "sorry, sorry, so sorry" from the distressed waitress. The next day the restaurant was all closed down. So back to our room for a shower and a good night's sleep. That's when we notice the shower is held up with a green plastic bag, the light switch is hanging off the wall and the place is filthy and overrun by cats. We can stick out 2 nights then find somewhere else. Our morning wake up came initially with a lot of noise we couldn't fathom like chopping of something plus the singing of children a little later. We found out later we had a "chop chop chicken" diner right behind our room whIch opened at 6am and an elementary school to the side of us. Next day we spent looking for new accommodation, exploring the old city of Chiang Mai as we were wIthIn the old cIty walls, booking a tour with a travel company who also booked our future flight to Bangkok and our bus to Siem reap. They were amazing and spent a lot of time going through various options with us in a very professional manner. Here were people we could trust. Next day we moved to our new accommodation in Soi 5 which was a large, airconditioned room, very basic but clean, in a cute little guesthouse fronted by a Thai man who constantly cracked jokes. The drawback was it was on the top floor - number 4 - with no lift. Lugging our cases up 4 floors was no mean feat for Gary but bless him he made it and I did carry all the others!!!!! Opening the bathroom door we were confronted with a big notice above the sink - RUN WATER FOR 1 MINUTE TO ELIMINATE ODOUR and it was definitely necessary each time. Oh well no sweat we have to learn to live within our budget. Spent the rest of the day exploring Chiang Mai again on foot, it is a huge city with so much to see and do, but the day was very hot and debilitating so after covering a few kilometres and rehydrating with an iced coffee we took a tuk tuk to the day market. An Indian meal on the way home, an opportunistic haircut for me and a massage for Gary whIlst he waIted completed a very tIrIng day. Returning to our accommodation we dragged ourselves up the four flights, ran the water for 1 minute whilst we waited outside the bathroom, had a shower each and rolled into bed - and nearly rolled directly out the other side!!!!! The bed was like a plank, in fact I am sure that is what it was. It had no movement in it at all and we might just as well have been sleeping on the floor. Oh well, you know, we have to live within our budget. I can tell you when we left that place we were exhausted through lack of sleep but the breakfasts were good!!!!!!!! Not having got to Pai or ChIang Rai, Laos or Burma, running out of time believe it or not, we decided to take a day trip to see 3 out of the 4. Well what a magic day that was. We had the most fabulous female guide, lighthearted, fun, happy, English speaking and outgoing - she made the trip and the day. Yes we went to the Golden Triangle where Burma, Thailand and Laos all cojoin which meant I at last got my trip on the Meekong river. We sampled Tiger Penis whisky amongst other things, shelled out 60 baht to set foot in Laos and once again gorked at Burma - once again so close but not achievable. We visited hot pools, too hot to dip your feet in and hot enough to boil an egg. The most amazing, modern White Temple in Chiang Rai - absolutely beUtIful to behold as the sun makes it glitter. We visited a village of Long Neck women where I finally bought somethIng, a scarf in the hope that somewhere along the line all monies received may improve their lot A vIsIt to the border at Mae SaI was our next and last stop. ThIs Is a smaller border than at Mae Sot but still no luck in even getting across the bridge. We gave up at this point and decided we had had enough of Thailand and it was time to move on to Cambodia. We have enjoyed Thailand a lot, have not seen all the places we wanted to see so undoubtedly we will return. We have had high points and low points throughout our journey and have survived them all. We have met some amazing people along the way too and our experiences will stay as memories for ever. We fly to Bangkok and after an overnight stay bus out to Cambodia picking up a visa at the border. Another story in the telling. Nite all sleep tight