Day 1 - Bangkok
Forgot to get a map at the airport which was a bit of an issue but made it out the airport and to my transfer all fine.
When I arrive at Bangkok Centre Hotel I couldn't get into my room so headed across (via some nervous navigating) the road to the main station to get a map, some water and people watch for a bit.
When I came back I was able to get in but had the awful " how much do I tip the porter" moment. Had a little nap just to reboot and then headed out for my first adventure.
Went to see the golden Buddha at Wat Traimit
and then headed down near China town (not sure if I was actually in it or not!) where there were loads of streets stalls selling foods and pretty much anything else you could ever need.
I stopped for lunch at the end of the road where I chatted to an American for I bit (I can make friends) before aiming back for the hotel.
On the way back I passed a massage place where I was able to get an hours foot massage (hardly laughed or winced when it turned a bit 'Thai massage') and use their Internet for £4. Bargin. And my feet felt great!
Day 2 - Bangkok
Second day alone and I decided to brave a tuk tuk. It tuk (hehehe) a bit of getting used to but I think I perfected the holding on and looking cool whilst flying around corners!
Visited 2 temples, Wat Po where the (very huge) reclining Buddha is and Wat Arum (the temple of dawn), and the grand palace.
The steps up to the top of Wat Arum were so steep! I was so proud of myself when I climbed all the way up to admire the view and back down (although I was clinging onto the rope for dear life). I hope you're proud of me Will!
I had to rent a shirt at the grand palace as I wasn't appropriately dressed and using a scarf to cover up apparently didn't count. I think they were only targeting tourists as locals were far more indecent than I was at the start but still were aloud in! Not fair. They also have two prices for everything, water etc, one for the locals and one for tourists.
I took a boat down the canals of the river and saw the wonders of the Thai lock system - it was actually pretty exciting! My driver was far more safety consious than all the others (not a bad thing really) as I had to wear a sexy life jacket throughout.
Met my tour group in the evening where we hit the tourist strip but we never made it to an infamous ping pong show.
Day 3 - Bangkok to Chiang Mai
I decided to join the group tour today and so was able to get on a free(!) public bus. Didn't feel brave enough trying it by myself. Unfortunately one of the group was feeling a bit worse for wear so ending up vomming everywhere. The reaction was so different from that in the UK. Everyone was offering local tubs of green smelling stuff to help. You'd never get people reacting that nicely in the UK.
Everyone went for a wonder around Wat Pho but I just sat next to the fan in the entrance catching up on my diary. CH you'll be pleased to know I'm perfecting the art of fan and shade hopping!
Got another boat tour around the canals and I was definitely ripped off yesterday. I paid 700bht less for everything today compare to what I paid for just the boat ride yesterday.
I think Pong, out guide, was on a mission to put us on every type of public transport as we got a boat and the sky train to lunch, then the Subway home.
Chilled out by the poolside in the evening before our flight Chiang Mai. Once we were there we hit the busy night market. Chiang Mai is far less busy, less smelly and generally a much nicer place than Bangkok.
Day 4 Chiang Mai
Today was a busy jam packed day. We took Song Tau (You say that like you're angry and that's how you say it. Even if I spelt it wrong.) to Tiger Kingdom. I got to stoke lots of cute tigers. It was really scary to begin with and one rolled over as I was stroking it and slapped me in the face with his tail which scared me but it turned out he just wanted his belly rubbed!
My and my new friend
In the afternoon we visited a beautiful temple and we able to read our fortunes Thai Buddhism style. You shack a container that has bamboo sticks with numbers on it. Whatever stick falls out first that number corresponds to your fortune. I got a nice one about being lucky but Flo got one saying no one likes her. Luckily you're allowed to do it again to change your fortune.
The Sunday night (the time I was born) Buddha
In the evening some of us went to a Thai cooking course. It was amazing, I never knew I was such a good cook! Some of it was very spicy when we tried her dishes, I made mine much milder. If anyone ever wants spring rolls, green curry, pad Thai or steamed banana cakes I can sort you out!
Day 5-7 - Hill Tribe Trek
Having checked in with the tourist police we walked to a beautiful waterfall and swam underneath it in the freezing waters!
The trek was not a hard walk but it rained all day so the path was very slippy. All. Will's help paid off again as everyone said I looked like I knew what I was doing and asked my advice as to where they should put their feet. Unfortunately there were lots of leaches and 3 managed to get in one shoe and 2 in the other! Disgusting! And they have a really strong bit so you can't flick them off. I must taste really good or my fortune was wrong because no one else got them!
One the first night we stayed in one village where they fed us green curry and spring rolls. No where near as good as mine!
It rained all night. And carried on raining the entire day. And not just drizzling.. Proper raining. Imagine being fully dressed including hiking boots and swimming in a pool for about an hour and you'll get a hint as to how wet we were!
We walked for 3 and a half hours, much quicker than all of out guides previous groups, to the elephant sanctuary. I guess we all just wanted to get there and get dry so walked super quick! It's much better here than the sanctuary as they're in the jungle where they belong rather than a sanctuary near a city. So cool being on its back swaying side to side as she walked. The other elephant was so cheeky and put his trunk into a field and pulled out a whole corn plant!
Nelly the elephant
It was so good to put clean clothes on in the village when we got there! Played some great games in the evening. The group was such a great group to trek with!
Kettle soot on our faces from the games we were playing!
Day 8 - Chiang Mai
On the final day I just explored the city on foot. Visiting all the temples and stuff. Even saw on open air concert. Who ever he was the old women were goin crazy for him!
Tomorrow morning we fly back to Bangkok where the 2nd half on my adventure in South East Asia begins!
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