Good morning from Chiang Mai!
This is probably the earliest that we have started this holiday which is surprising considering the eleven hour over-night bus journey that we have just endured. On to that later though.
So yesterday, we decided to seize the day and got up early to catch the river boat to the Grand Palace after having a coffee (and orange juice for Zack of course haha) outside a street cafe. It was absolutely beautiful but the heat made it difficult to walk around for long periods of time. Nevertheless, we were able to see the Emerald Buddha and even sprinkled ourselves with their holy water which was done by dipping a flower into a pot and sprinkling it on your head. We had to stop for a quick pepsi after which, we went to look at the museum, which wasn't up to much if we're honest- a room full of Buddhas. We took the 3 baht boat across the river in order to get closer to the Wat Arun (a famous temple- google it). By this time, it was about 3 o'clock and we were both EXHAUSTED and very very hungry. We perhaps made the wrong decision in not having lunch on the street but instead decided to go to Siam square and the MBK centre to look for somewhere to eat there. The centre was HUGE and unbelievably crowded and the restaurant area on the fifth floor gave us plenty of choice. However, we were attracted by an all you can eat buffet which was not up to our usual standards- lesson learned, we will stick to the street from now on! Coming out of the MBK centre, we were faced with the challenge of finding wither a Tuk Tuk and bartering like mad (we didn't have much change) or getting a more expensive taxi home. Fortunately, Zack was on the ball with a full stomach and spotted two Kiwi guys shouting for a taxi and we hopped in to share the price! Brilliant! They were nice to talk to and had some funny stories, including one where there was only two of them left as their friend had both his passport and 15,000 baht stolen and had to go home early! Obviously not that funny for him but his friends thought it was hilarious. We made a quick stop in an internet cafe to check all your comments :) but did not have enough time to write a blog good enough as we had to catch our bus and really did not want to miss it. After initially looking forward to what looked like a quiet and empty bus (we spread our stuff everywhere, whipped out the savlon for aching bites, shoes off etc.) however, it rapidly filled up much to our displeasure. Watching the lightning light up the clouds and with a 'Real people' magazine from the girls in front we set off to Chiang Mai.
We arrived this morning at 6.30am bleary eyed and were herded onto the back of pick-up trucks (yes trucks) to our pre-paid hostel. Slight chaos ensued as it seemed most people from the bus had also booked at the same hostel. We were left with a room with neither air con or even a fan (it is WAY too hot to even consider that). We asked what the other options were and were told they could transfer us to the twin hostel down the road. We accepted thinking it would be pretty much the same thing, however we couldn't have been more wrong. Firstly, the place was deserted which should have been a warning in itself but the exterior seemed nice enough. Once inside our room and desperate for a shower, Zack got in only to find that his shower was in fact an authentic Thai mud bath complete with authentic dirt and bugs. Elodie heard a scream and laughed and laughed (which wasn't comfortable as we had been on a bus for 11 hours without a toilet...). Zack had a Guy Fulbrook moment (Holmes family will understand) and immediately pronounced 'Right that's it we're leaving'. Grabbing our stuff we protested that we could not have a shower and needed to go back to the first hostel. The owner seemed suspiciously unphased by our demands suggesting that we had not been the first people to leave. Luckily, back there a room had become available with a fan- YIPEE! So here were sitting at very fancy computer with the pool beckoning us. We will try and find a bar tonight to watch the football and there are plenty of young people here eager to watch it too. Zack- Vamos Espana! Elodie- BOO! (joke i don't care).
Considering it's monsoon season we have seen VERY little rain so far and the showers we have seen have been during the night. We are unsure whether we will be able to blog tomorrow as out trek starts and our accommodation is uncertain. We are thoroughly looking forward to our jungle adventure and we will take lots of photos to show you.
Elodie- Claire- YAY you booked your sky diving that's so cool! and It's your birthday sooooooooooooooon! Tessa- Wow that club sounds so cool! I hope Romy had a good night. Did you go and see your brother's new house? What's it like? Jamie- Your comment made us really laugh! Bad luck about Germany, only joking, i'm not that nice, HAAAAAAAAAAA! When are you going to Oz? Mum and Dad- Are you having fun now you're childless? Honeymoon take 2. Poor booboo's tummy give her a cuddle from me. I'm trying so hard not to stroke all the rabid L.G's and cats.
Zack - firstly Clarice congratulations on reaching the finals! Your abstinence from alcohol on the boat trip seems to have paid off! Charles hope you're enjoying the summer cricket- I reckon the lobster look is back in fashion anyway! Abi - miss you loads buddy, hope you're back safe from Oz, when are you going away next? Mum don't worry about the accommodation I will check the email now.
Lots of love as always, xxxxxxx
