Chaing Mai

Arrvied in Chaing Mai arter a 5 hours bus ride, mmm aircon and comfly seats, not as intresting as the oridinary buses though. Dam bus teminal was a long way from the guesthouses I wanted to check out so I threw myself into the hands of the local taxi mafia, got into town for 50b after many comments of you are tall and petrol very expsensive now etc. Staying at a mint guest house very friendly, good info and ok room. Checked out a couple of old temples, with lots of bling, gold paintm glittery glass etc, very impressive. Visited 'Monk chat' and had a talk to a monk who is studing english, was a laugh. Went to the Chaing Mai night bazzar, whooow lots of stuff for sale, got myself a beer chaing t-shirt had a good barter prob got ripped 180b (6 dollar) but its was great fun, almost brought a flick knife but thought better of it :D. Pirated dvds and fake every type of label clothing for africa. Had to run the gogo gaunlet to get there, dam its a pain in the arse having hot chicks trying to coerse you into there bar ;)

Chiangmai Night Market

Umbrella making



Day two begain with a mission to find a somgthew to get up the hill to Doi Suthep (Mount Suthep), which has a nice temple on top of it. Got up there via a nice but winding road, and since it was still early morning alnmost had the place to myself. Visted the local National Park HQ and hashed out a walk, always get a little concuss that im traveling on own when wandering in the forest. Walking track was a bit rough and many mozzies but had my 80% deet on so all good. Visited Nam Tok Sai Yok (waterfall) lots of signs in thai, I think danger slippery rocks could have been one of them ;). Trail was all down hill which was a bonus went for a swim at the next falls, totally diff to my last park as there was piss all people about. Walked about 10 kms was very nice. Have a group meeting tonight to go over the trek, will be my first organised event. Its a 3 day 2 nighter, hill tribes, cave, elephant ride, bamboo rafting will fill you in when I get back.

Temple on Doi Suthep