We arrived at our hostel in Chiang Mai to be welcomed by Adam & Cat, once again nice to see familiar faces! After a quick freshen up we headed out for some food and a few beers. We went to the “Night Bizarre” part of town which was fantastic, I could have spent all night there! Basically it involved streets lined with stalls selling clothes, bags, jewelry, you name it – Debs, again we would have needed empty suitcases! One thing we quickly learnt is bartering in Thailand is not as easy in China; the Thai’s have been exposed to tourism for years and are streets ahead, when you start walking away over the price they aren’t as quick to concede as they are in China.
Day one in Chiang Mai we went to cookery school. This had been on the agenda before we left as Dan really wanted to learn to cook (and give me a break – he he only kidding!) It was great – we learnt how to make Spring rolls, Thai Green Curry (which as it turns out is hotter than Red Thai curry), Chicken Coconut soup, Deep Fried banana – which I have to say was the best dish of the day! I soon learnt that the Thai’s love their food hot, when making the Chicken Coconut Soup, I put two chillis in mine, normally they would put in 15! Being with Cat & Adam made the day fun, especially when Dan threw more red chilli’s into Adams Panaeng Curry, which was then so hot he couldn’t eat it!
Day two, we had a full day of activities – visit to an orchard farm, elephant trekking, waterfalls, white water rafting and visiting a local village, the first and last of which were totally rubbish, the others were brilliant. The elephant trekking was good, we had the biggest elephant out of everyone which ate pretty much the whole way round. The elephants are pretty smart and have cottoned on to tourists giving them bananas, as soon as we got on he threw his trunk back to us as if to say “banana please!”
After the elephants we trekked out to the waterfall. The temperature was really hot so after a 40 min trek through the jungle we couldn’t wait to reach the falls and go for a paddle. The force of the water is something else (obviously nothing in comparison to Niagra), I couldn’t go under the falling water otherwise I would have lost my bikini!
The best bit of the day was the white water rafting. I’d been really wanting to do this since Yangshou in China – it was a massive adrenaline rush although definitely not long enough. We started at a real choppy bit in the river so straight away were into it. We got completely soaked and I nearly fell out the raft at one point – great fun!
We decided to stay on an extra night in Chiang Mai, which I’m really pleased we did , not only for the lie in but to have a lazy day getting to know the city. Tempeled out from Russia, Mongolia and China we visited one main temple in Chiang Mai and wandered round the rest of the day. In the evening we treat (not sure that’s the right word) ourselves to a Thai massage – ow lord, I thought massage was supposed to be relaxing - I thought I was going to snap. Not sure whether you can call it a massage, prodding, pulling and stretching is more appropriate I think, overall it was fab and my neck and shoulders felt the best they have for months!
Boy or you two going to have a shock when you start work , Sounds like you are living the high life . Bet the elephants were fun ,Not sure on the massage . Will look forward to Daniel cooking me a thai curry. Take care
I am so glad you are enjoying Thailand. We think it is wonderful and we love Thai food – as you say it is very spicy!!!. It all sounds wonderful but I must say I do enjoy their 5* hotels – it’s just an age thing!
The waterfall looks fab, but think l would have been with you Karen…paddling looks a bit keen to stand under…
We all await the delights of your new cooking skills, not to heavy on the chillis for me though.
Elephants reminded me of Peter, keep feeding him and you are OK!
mx
Can’t wait to come round to yours for tea!