3. Chiang Mai
In need of a holiday (!), we left the bikes in Bangkok and took the overnight sleeper train north to Chaing Mai and chilled out for 10 days. Bill's Thai agents had organised a hotel for us, however, we arrived to discover that, apart from us, all other residents were from SAGA Holidays!!
We stayed and enjoyed the swimming pool (and the pensioner company!) and ventured out occasionally:-
- C.'s highlight was a day long Thai cookery course. "It was fantastic". Went to the rice market, the fish market, the coconut, fruit & veg and noodle shops for the ingredients. Then cooked and ate five dishes: fish red curry, chicken and coconut milk soup, fried veg with noodles, pork and veg in oyster sauce and steamed banana pudding. So, if they tickle anyone's taste buds & your prepared to provide a kitchen and utensils, C. is available for chefing!
- Took a day tour: elephant riding, bamboo rafting, ox-cart riding, visit to a very poor "ethnic minority" village and an orchid farm.
- had a Thai massage with a difference. Performed by blind masseurs. They still managed to pummel us into shape ( and our money went to a good cause)
- there was a great night bazaar. Hundreds of small roadside stalls selling clothes, watches, CDs, souvenirs and handicrafts. It was an excellent place to buy presents for a glut of March birthdays back home. We also chapperoned Jessie & John (our SAGA Holiday friends from Tinsley, Sheffield) one evening as it wasn't on their itinery.
SUMMARY
- Thailand was a whole lot more easy going than Malaysia. A country of many contrasts.
- The food was excellent, hot (they need to go easier on the chillies!) and cheap
- The accomodation was excellent and cheap. We regularly stayed in 4 star hotels for 15-18 GBP
- The people were kind, friendly and very gentle (similar to the Balinese)
- However, the country is very corrupt. The current P.Minister seems to use his office purely to further his own commercial interests, public ofice jobs are generally bought and the press is restricted (while we were there, The Economist was banned because it was critical)
- The King, however, is highly respected and, at 6.00pm every night, the country stops for the playing of the National Anthem!!