Ok so where did I leave off from last time, oh yeh we were in Phitsanulok. Well from there we headed even further north to Chiang Mai. Stayed in this great hostel called Spicythai backpackers loads of events and entertainment. Stayed in an 8 bed dorm which was fun, don't really get a lye-in though.They have a great kind-of common area where you can watch dvd's and tv. Breakfast included cereal/toast, which is great. Its kind-of a home away from home, met so many people.
So in Chiang Mai we went to a thai BBQ with Spicythai, you had you own wee bbq in the middle of your table and you went and chose from a hug variety of meats, fish, veg, rice, noodles etc and cooked them on your own wee bbq - great fun.
We also visited the temple in Chiang Mai which is lovely. The owner of the hostel Pong is a great tour guide and tells you all the history, which helps. At the temple we were splashed with holy water by a monk and given some thread around our wrist to symbolize happiness and luck - just what we need! Went to a lake for lunch and a swim, relaxed in these big bamboo huts and ate a live shrimp!!!!!! Oooooo I could feel it wiggling around in my mouth. Played crazy golf one night which is the hardest one I have ever played ever - much harder than the one at Xscape in Glasgow! Joe won overall - smart arse!
One day in Chiang Mai Pong took a group of us for a "wee" trek up the mountain. Wee trek my arse, my god it was tough. We were actually in the jungle at one point and he was slashing through trees with his big knife and cowboy hat on. Then after lunch it was a 3 hour trek up hill constantly, I was absolutely nackard the most exercise I had done in ages!!!! I had to absail freely down a rock face hanging onto a tree branch! It was good fun, when we got back to the hostel cause it was over!
We also did a 2 day 1 night trek with a group from Spicythai aswell. We set off in the Spicythai truck and went on an hour and a half Elephant trek. It was so much fun I loved it. Our elephant 'Boo-Tu' was huge the biggest there and just so cute. We went up and down hills, which was fun going down them cause it felt like you were gonna fall out your seat. It was an amazing experience. Then after the elephants it was white water rafting which was a hoot. So much fun, it was quite tame and the water was very cold. Our thai captain obviously had alot of British girls do this because he kept saying in a really high squeaky voice 'oh my god' which is what most girls would probably say. We went for a huge lunch at an orchid farm and then went to visit some hill tribes. It was then to our deluxe camping in a hot water springs. All the tents we all set up with duvets and soft beds. Once we had a beer it was into the hot springs which was great. A huge hot tub outside, but the smell of sulphur was quite minging, but you got used to it after a while. Then Pong, Joe and Ben went fishing for dinner, while we moved in and out of all the other big and small hot springs - there were loads. Then it was dinner with a few more beers and then back into the hot springs with a hug bucket of Sangsome and coke. The drink and chat were flowing nicely until the rice whiskey came out - that stuff is disgusting yuk yuk yuk!!! During the night there may have been some games which included removing swimwear, but I wont go into that. Then it was passing out time!!!
The next day was a shorter easier trek through waterfalls which did wonders to the fuzzy heads. Then lunch back at the hotsprings. The journey back to the hostel was long with many folk feeling a bit squeezy! Riding on top of the truck roof, soon made you forget about that. Great couple of days, such a giggle! Think I can still smell sulphur on me!
Joe and I also did a cookery course in Chiang Mai, all day cooking 5 dishes. You watch one being cooked and then its your turn, I was quite good, but none of my dishes looked like the teachers. Very very full after that day you eat all your dishes so basically your eating from 11am until 3.30pm! Spring rolls were my favourite and so easy!
When we left Spicythai in Chiang Mai we headed north again to Chiang Rai, on a very bumpy bus ride. Quieter place, but still popular with westerners. Here we also had our first experience of a lady bar - what a laugh. We didn't know it was one before we went in (obviously). It was quite, a few western old foosty men trying their luck with the thai ladies. One wee thai girl kept wanting me and Joe to kiss all the time! And there was a pole dancer who looked so un-interested in what she was doing, she was crap! Never drank a beer so fast he he he!!! An experience!
One day we rented a bike and headed up to Mae Sai (right on the Burma border). Nothing much to see here, but the ride on the bike was good fun. Such a numb ass!
Christmas in our hotel just outside Chiang ai was wonderful. Our room was amazing (look at the photos). So peaceful, amazing views and the pool was one of those looks like its falling off a cliff ones. We ate too much drank too much, usual Christmas! Christmas day we went swimming and went for a 3 hour spa treatment each, yep even Joe! Completely spoilt ourselves. Bottle of Champagne on Christmas night courtesy of Mum & Dad (thanks again). Felt very relaxed and pampered when we left there. Our only luxury this whole trip probably!!
So it was back to Spicythai for one night and tonight we are getting the 14 hour overnight train back to Bangkok for one night and then we head to Ko Tao. Then its island hopping from there with a half-moon party in Ko PhaNgan on the 8th January. Looking forward to sun, sea and sand.
Still having a ball, weather still fab! Cant believe we've been away for a month, its flown in. Until next time............
Thursday 27 December 2007
Tuesday 11 December 2007
Where to begin!!!
Ok guys, well I thought I better start a blog instead of sending you all those huge e-mails. So here goes......
Well not gonna chat much about Bangkok as already mentioned it on my last e-mail. Last night in Bangkok we went to the state tower and went to the Sky Bar on the 64th floor. An outside terrace bar with cream couches and views across Bangkok - great fun!
So next stop after Bangkok was Ayuthaya, which is about an hour and a half north of Bangkok. Lonely Planet book was right about the train Station and we were caught by an information girl who tried to steer us to a travel agent for a commission - no fooling us we have the Thai's sussed now no thanks!!! We headed up north on a third class train, very uncomfy seats, but for about 45p each you cant really complain. There are numerous street vendors that go up and down the train selling everything from water to a full meal all for about 30p!!! When we arrived in Ayuthaya is was a short ferry crossing very hot walk - my bag weighs a ton to the hostel. Cute wee Thai place have to take your shoes off everywhere. Great wee Thai lady runs the hostel and would do anything for you - 30p for a can of beer here as well!
This place was much more laid back and peaceful compared to Bangkok. First night we went to the apparently popular Tony's Place. Its a relaxed open air bar full of backpackers. The next day we hired bikes, fully equipped with bells and front baskets. We set off to do a DIY tour of the city sights. It's quite obvious that the main tourist attractions in Thailand cities are the temples or 'wats'! Very impressive, but by now we had seen so many that they kinda all started to look the same. We then headed to see the Elephants being effortlessly controlled by their Thai masters. They were retired elephants that were well looked after. Amazing to be able to touch such huge creatures, they are fascinating to watch. Joe pampered himself with a cut-throat shave and Thai massage today - well worth the whole fiver apparently.
We went to an Ayuthaya light and sound show, which was good fun very colourful with numerous people involved - just didn't understand a word that was said! It was all to do with Thai history.
Ayuthaya has to be the city of dogs there are thousands of them. The howling dogs and the singing cockerel every night still didn't stop us from having good sleeps!
Next stop north was Phitsanulok. 7 and a half hour train journey in third class again, it was hot. No air-con on these trains, but most of the time the windows are wide open so you have a draft. This place is quieter than Ayuthaya, not really much to do here. Dinner on a floating restaurant, great night market, and more temples! We just wandered the city yesterday, relaxing day. Last night we had a traditional Thai foot massage at the night market that lasted a whole hour and cost 1 pound 30p. It was just on the street so you watched the world go by. Local restaurant for dinner, loving the food. Its all quite spicy stuff, but I am managing well, loving the noodles. Chang and Singha beer and spy wine cooler (fizzy wine, rose is the best!) are the drinks of choice at the moment. Today it was a very rally driven drive to Sukothai on a bus, an hour away from Phitsanulok. Again few more temples, but this time in lovely river settings, very peaceful. Actually had enough of temples now.
So, so far everything has been quite relaxed which has been great, experienced a great amount of Thai culture and really enjoyed the places so far. On the move again tomorrow this time to Chiang Mai. Booked into a hostel this time into an 8 bed dorm, could be interesting! Should be a bit more lively up there and cooler. Weather has been roasting, very strange December.
Well not gonna chat much about Bangkok as already mentioned it on my last e-mail. Last night in Bangkok we went to the state tower and went to the Sky Bar on the 64th floor. An outside terrace bar with cream couches and views across Bangkok - great fun!
So next stop after Bangkok was Ayuthaya, which is about an hour and a half north of Bangkok. Lonely Planet book was right about the train Station and we were caught by an information girl who tried to steer us to a travel agent for a commission - no fooling us we have the Thai's sussed now no thanks!!! We headed up north on a third class train, very uncomfy seats, but for about 45p each you cant really complain. There are numerous street vendors that go up and down the train selling everything from water to a full meal all for about 30p!!! When we arrived in Ayuthaya is was a short ferry crossing very hot walk - my bag weighs a ton to the hostel. Cute wee Thai place have to take your shoes off everywhere. Great wee Thai lady runs the hostel and would do anything for you - 30p for a can of beer here as well!
This place was much more laid back and peaceful compared to Bangkok. First night we went to the apparently popular Tony's Place. Its a relaxed open air bar full of backpackers. The next day we hired bikes, fully equipped with bells and front baskets. We set off to do a DIY tour of the city sights. It's quite obvious that the main tourist attractions in Thailand cities are the temples or 'wats'! Very impressive, but by now we had seen so many that they kinda all started to look the same. We then headed to see the Elephants being effortlessly controlled by their Thai masters. They were retired elephants that were well looked after. Amazing to be able to touch such huge creatures, they are fascinating to watch. Joe pampered himself with a cut-throat shave and Thai massage today - well worth the whole fiver apparently.
We went to an Ayuthaya light and sound show, which was good fun very colourful with numerous people involved - just didn't understand a word that was said! It was all to do with Thai history.
Ayuthaya has to be the city of dogs there are thousands of them. The howling dogs and the singing cockerel every night still didn't stop us from having good sleeps!
Next stop north was Phitsanulok. 7 and a half hour train journey in third class again, it was hot. No air-con on these trains, but most of the time the windows are wide open so you have a draft. This place is quieter than Ayuthaya, not really much to do here. Dinner on a floating restaurant, great night market, and more temples! We just wandered the city yesterday, relaxing day. Last night we had a traditional Thai foot massage at the night market that lasted a whole hour and cost 1 pound 30p. It was just on the street so you watched the world go by. Local restaurant for dinner, loving the food. Its all quite spicy stuff, but I am managing well, loving the noodles. Chang and Singha beer and spy wine cooler (fizzy wine, rose is the best!) are the drinks of choice at the moment. Today it was a very rally driven drive to Sukothai on a bus, an hour away from Phitsanulok. Again few more temples, but this time in lovely river settings, very peaceful. Actually had enough of temples now.
So, so far everything has been quite relaxed which has been great, experienced a great amount of Thai culture and really enjoyed the places so far. On the move again tomorrow this time to Chiang Mai. Booked into a hostel this time into an 8 bed dorm, could be interesting! Should be a bit more lively up there and cooler. Weather has been roasting, very strange December.
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