Emotional is not the word! Devastated to be leaving Chiang Mai right now but I genuinely would have stayed there forever if I didn’t leave now.
First day I arrived I was so jet lagged I just had 3 beers, chilled and got talking to Zoe who was also travelling by herself but this was her last stop and flying home the day after. Woke up really early next morning and just walked around Chaing Mai and people watched and visited the temples in the old city. Went out that night and met two of the soundest Irish lads you'll ever meet - Ciaran and Eoghan. That night, slightly drunk, Eoghan convinced me to sign up for mountain biking the next day - it was epic. The weather was shitty so the terrain was real muddy and slippery and actually quite dangerous but was so much fun. Took a few falls and actually messed up my shoulder a bit but the experience was totally worth it. Went out again that night with the lads to Zoe in the Yellow and meet some more cool people.
Fay and Emily who are travelling by themselves but met each other in Bangkok were both cool positive people. We hung out by the pool the next day and chilled in the sun - first time the sun was out in a while. Then we rented scooters and went to the Doi Suthep temple in the evening. First time on a scooter, with Fay on the back to boot, but there was nothing to it. The temple itself is cool enough but the real attraction is the view – it was incredible!
I booked my Chiang Rai accommodation that evening to force myself to go in all honestly. People were all travelling to Pai but, I dunno, just not interested. We all went out again that night and it got pretty crazy. Hung out with Eoghan for most of the night and he both me a beer in the Club but straight after my first sip he made me burst out laughing and I ended up spitting some of my beer on this Indian chap. It was an accident and, in fairness, I would have been pretty but this chump then slapped me across the face. Like not a punch an actual slap. Then before I even had time to react, his brother slapped me too, again not a punch a slap, and blotted – scarpered straight out of the area. We eventually found them again and they actually apologised and bough me a beer but seriously dude?! Anyway, me and Eoghan flaked off home soon after that and had a blast with some of the guys back in the hostel after.
I blotted for the train station the next morning, extremely hungover and emotional, but really looking forward to Chiang Rai and calming down for a while. I feel like I drank too much in Chiang Mai so no beer for a while is definitely on the cards – famous last words!
