Been a bit slow on the update since i had no wifi for 14 hours unfortunately! But i have arrived in Chaing Mai after a fun journey on the sleeper train from Bangkok. I'll be honest i was a bit apprehensive about who i was going to be sleeping next to in 2nd class(some smelly, sleazy old man) but ended up next to a nice wee group of 3 from China who were away for 2 weeks holiday and couldn't believe i had packed in my job to go travelling. It seems they are a bit like US where people wouldn't take the risk of leaving a job!
I actually had the best sleep so far in my trip in the top bunk which was so cosy and comfortable (and i didn't roll out!!) then woke up at 7am and watched the scenery which was alot greener than Bangkok. I liked it already!
My hostel was only 10 mins by tuk-tuk so i arrived and thought i'd walked into a 5 star hotel (slight exaggeration). It only cost me 7.50 a night, ok i am sharing with one other person but there's a pool and very clean outdoor toilets and showers! I spent the morning at the pool (only about 3 other people arrived there after me) then had lunch at a wee cafe down the road. I was going to venture into the city as my hostel is a bit further out but felt too hot so just chilled in my room for a bit.
My room-mate then came back, a girl from the US and we decided to head into the town to have a look around the night markets. It was pretty massive, so much to take in along two long streets and various side streets. I ended up buying new sunnies as mines must have broken at some point which i was gutted about but i replaced them with some new 'Ray Bans' for just 2 squid - my first haggle as they were originally 4! We then had some beef noodles then took a tuk-tuk back to our street and ended up in an ice cream parlour which was amazing!! (mint choc chip of course!)
I'm now just relaxing and having an early-ish night since it's an early start tomorrow..going to do a Thai cookery course for the day so i'm sure i'll have an update on that!
