Wat Chiang Mun
Raining this morning so after a quick dip in the pool Geoff and I went to a massive shopping centre. Nothing very exciting but found our first supermarket so I got two papayas ($1.50nz) then had Pizza Hut for lunch. Nothing like NZ! They were like homemade pizzas and were so yummy. We did the massive walk back to our hotel and visited two temples on the way. One was Wat Chiang Mun - the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, built 1296. Geoff bought two baby birds and set them free for good luck (see pic).
John's Place
Cocktails and Dinner at John's Place tonight. Have fast learnt not to expect what you order for a meal due to the language barrier. I ordered a dessert of fried banana and ice-cream, waitress said "no", so I asked for fried pineapple instead of banana, (assuimng I would still get ice-cream!) I got a huge plate of cut up pineapple. Some amusing food experiences, especially when we are all breaking out in sweats and tears because the food is so hot.
Snake Farm and Monkey School
Today we walked to the Chaing Mai bus terminal (in a very roundabout way! But we got to see more of Thailand, a bonus, unfortunately with sore feet!) and caught a red bus for 30bt each ($2.50nz) to the snake farm. Was about 20 min drive and when we got there weren't many other tourists there. We were just in time to see the snake show which featured cobras, jumping snakes, water snakes and a python. Here is Tanya and I with a water snake around our neck, she was also brave enough to have a HUGE python put around hers (see bebo!). The boys were absolute girls, especially Geoff !! They wouldn't even touch the snakes, and looked like they were going to cry. hehe, maybe not quite that bad. Was a great experience, we had a hilerious commentator and 'the snake man' who picked on the boys because they were so scared. We then went to a Monkey Training School. The monkeys were all chained up and we felt quite sorry for them. We stayed and watched the show which was so great, they were doing great tricks and we got to have one on our knee. Has been raining for about an hour HARD today, Karl is back at hotel getting a massage and Geoff, Tanya and I are hanging out at internet cafe catching up on emails etc. Going to bar tonight to watch soccer match and have some drinks. Big day trekking tomorrow. xx
Night Bazaar
We spent the morning lounging around the pool at hotel (see pic). Went to Night Bazzar, popular markets in Chiang Mai after dinner last night. They were awesome, much the same as the other markets we have been to but so much bigger. I can't get enough of the shopping here! So many interesting people walking around (such as the lady in the pic walking around selling jewellery).'Lots of beggars which is a bit disturbing.
Chang Mai
Just arrived in Chang Mai this morning after a very long train ride (about 14 hours), we were in first class which meant we had some fold out bunks which was awesome because we actually got to lie down so slept. Had the most hilerious porter who bought us our own 'party tub' - a bucket filled with ice and 6 large SINGHA's. Also taught us some lingo. All enjoyed a thai cigarette off the back of the train and experienced a toilet which you stood on this platform and squatted over a hole. Still swaying from the train ride. Geoff and I have just had some brekkie at our hotel in C.Mai. I like Chang Mai so much more than bankok already, cooler plus no weird smell. Food looks far more edible too. Our hotel has a pool, area for breakfast, poolside massages available and lots of europeans to make friends with (hopefully!). Room a total dive though, scummy as (I wore my jandals in shower), no hot shower, no fridge but air conditioning a bonus! Only $15nz each a night. We're all pretty tired and need a wind down day i think will be today. Haven't really had a chance to relax yet so will be reading by the poolside and off for more adventures this arvo or tomorrow. (pics; top me at brekkie about 10 mins ago, bottom; sleeper train) For more pics check out www.bebo.com
Airport
Thanks everyone who came to the airport to say goodbye, so many people, quite overwhelming but it was really nice. Here is a pic of us after we'd gone through (looking up at theviewing lounge at everyone) and of our plane taking off.
Bankok
Arrived safely, have only 4 mins to do this post so excuse spellign errors. Damn hot, around 30 degrees i reakon. Driving CRAZY! no such thing as a two second rule. Still felt totally safe, even though our taxi driver was the only one i saw indicate. Saw an elephant carrying someone on the side of teh road! Flight v.long and not looking forward to heathrow flight. Off to chang mai tomorrow night on sleeper train, in lobby of hotel now waiting for tanz and karl to meet us for our complimentary brekkie. then its off to shop shop shop cant wait. thanks everyone that came to see us off at airport. xxxx lvoe missy and geoff
LATER ON THAT DAY:
Wow what a culture shock! Spent the morning trying to get into town (our hotel is about 45 mins walk to where we wanted to go) and saw some interesting sights. SO many strag dogs, Bankok stinks and we are targets for scams because we look so touristy. Can count on one hand the amount of other europeans we have seen. The food stalls on side of road are so dodgy looking and also stink. In the course of a day we have learnt so much already, what is a decent price to pay for things at the markets and for transport. Have had a few rides on tuktuks which i'm sure are made for 2 people but we crammed the four of us on, backpacks, sweat and all. Needless to say we are all very good friends now. hehe. Shopping is fantastic so far, Geoff is like a woman and is going crazy. I think he has bought more than Me, Tanz and Karl put together. Incredibly hot that going into a 7/11 to get a bottle of water is a treat because it's air conditioned. (the time is nearly 4pm and i've bought and drunk about 5 bottles of water already; thats how hot it is !) Our hotel rooms are also air conditioned which is awesome. Catching a boat canal tonight to the western area of bankok for some bar life (our hotel backs onto the canal). Internet time running out so got to go.
THE NEXT DAY:
Spent today taking boat canal to area where temples are. Quite touristy, interesting but not bothered about seeing more temples. Very gaudy and very 'thai'. I found the boat canal far more interesting, canal backed onto our hotel and along the way we saw how the poor people live. Must have guts of steel, water looked like poo! Stunk! Kids were swimming in it and drinking. Shacks of tin were their houses. Very interesting. (pics top; house on edge of canal looking out from boat, bottom, some gold buddhas at a temple we visited). For more pics check out www.bebo.com
Geoff's Godson
Had a visit from Les, Jodie and Austin this morning as Les and Jodie couldn't make the party last night. Was great to see them and say goodbye, especially Austin as he may be much bigger when we next see him. P.S Les has just rung Geoff and asked him to be his Godson, I told Geoff he now has to start being responsible!! He is very stoked to be asked!
Farewell PARTY !
Awesome night last night, I think all who attended are nursing hangovers this morning. Thanks so much everyone who came, it was great to see everyone and have one last party before we go. I managed to get pics of most people that came but obviously couldn't put them all here so check out
www.bebo.com for the rest of them! xx
P.S Is anyone missing a case for their digital camera? Its black and has PHOTO DIGITAL written in yellow on the front. Let me know if it's yours because I have it.
Mum's B'day
A great day celebrating Mum's b'day, I have finished work so I got to spend the whole day with her which was nice. I made a yummy dinner last night and Mum's sister and her family and Nana came over to celebrate.
Tanya and Karl Engagement Party
Congrats to Tanz and Karl !!! (our travel buddies) Had a fantastic night Friday night for their engagement celebrations. Was fun catching up with everyone and having one last party at their house before it gets sold. Big congrats to Les and Jodie who also got engaged in the same week.
Coffee Group Trip to the farm
Some of the play group I go to with Zhara came out to my farm today, it was so cute, all the kiddies turned up with their gumboots and raincoats all bubbling with excitement. I now think Mum and Dad are extremely clucky and ready for grandchildren (Ange I hope your reading this!). Zhara even went for a ride on the tractor with Dad, her smile was so wide it was very cute.
Mahurangi
Girls weekend away at Mahurangi this weekend, Me, Lauren, Mel, Caz and Rocky (Lauren's puppy). It was a shame that some of the girls couldn't make it due to uni asignments etc but we still had a wicked time. Stayed at Cieran's family batch, it was awesome. Tons of space, gourgeous views (this pic at the top is the view from the balcony outside my bedroom). Great to get out of Auckland for a bit, passed the time with many bottles of wine and ended up gossiping, laughing and getting hip hop lessons from Caz (see pic). Great night away. Geoff went away White Water Rafting with work but typical boy didn't take any pics so nothing to show there, sorry.
