Chiang Mai

Hey all
Well we arrived in Chiang Mai, north Thailand, yesterday (Friday) morning after a 14 hour train ride from Bangkok. We had a little sleeping cabin which was cozy, but poor old Dave is a bit bigger than, well, just about everything in these aprts of the world and consequently was a bit squished up in his cubicle. Nevertheless, we made it to the far north hassle free.

Chiang Mai is the capital of the north and rich in history. It is surrounded by hills and hill tribes and probably the most popular thing for travellers to do up here is to partake in one of the countless treks available. However, 'coz we are short for time we will have to pass on this.

We spent yesterday afternoon walking around the city - which is surrounded by a moat - and looking at some of the 300+ wots' (temples). They are incredibly amazing in architecture and design and covered with paintings. We also viewed the Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Museum which was quite fascinating. They locked the doors and the big concrete wall surrounding it at 5pm and Dave and I had found a back exit out of the building and had to jump the tall fence. It was a bit of a laugh.

Last night we went to our first Muay Thai Kickboxing event. The 'kids' were like 15 and the heaviest was 56kg - much lighter than me - but boy can they go at it. There were a few knockouts. The part where we were sitting was full of foreigners, mainly English (dam they're everywhere and boy do they talk some shit i can say that!).

Today (Saturday) Dave and I thought that we had better have some time apart (its good for the relationship) so he skedaddled off this morning. I hired a bicycle for a couple of bucks and rode around the city. It was so much fun - i feel fitter now but took in a few petrol fumes along the way. The roads are crazy and there seem to be no road rules, just watch the hell out wherever you go. I made it on to a couple of highways by accident but managed to manouvere along and across them okay. I hadn't the slightest idea where i was going and i neglected a map, kinda fits the philosophy that Dave and I have for travelling - and boy its fun!! Try it! So this morning we made a plan to meet at the local Irish Pub at 4:30pm to watch the Hurricanes. It will be our first dose of rugby for over three weeks so should be good. After that we will head to the night market which by the sounds of things is massive - ohh too much shopping to handle - anyone want to sub in!?

So tomorrow we will travel to Chinag Rai which is closer to the Laos border and from there we will cross over before our VISA runs out.

And now i must apologise, after finally working out how to upload photos onto the blog, my USB doesn't seem to be working...so hang on there and ill try sort it out in the next wee while.

Peace to all,
Dane and Dave