Chiang Mai

After that epic train ride I think we all just wanted a quiet day, so that's what we had. Also, C and I got upset tummies yesterday morning so neither or us were in a mood to go explore terribly much. We walked up the street just out of our Soi to the pharmacy tio get supplies like Deet etc when my stomach cramped up violently. Dashed across traffic (ped crossings and obeying traffic lights seem to be optional extras in Thailand!) to the McD's and spoke to god for a bit. Felt FABULOUS after that :D M's legs started to swell up a bit tho so after C and I had checked out a little of the old wall that used to surround the city, we headed back. Stopped at a book shop and I got a copy of 'The Life of Pi' since EVERYONE is telling me to read it. Also did a little shopping, go some presents for a few ppl back at home and also got M her 'tacky-gift' gift. We're doing a thing here where we get each other something terribly tacky to take back :D I drew Marion, Craig got me, Marion got Craig. This should be exciting :D Spent a rather lovely afternoon just hanging out, chilling out. M got a txt saying she'd won an interview she was desperately wanting so we all cheered and went a little HAPPY for her :) She has to go to it the day we get back!!!! Thankfully we're back early morning and this will be at 6pm. I'm keeping EVERYTHING crossed for her.
I really like Chiang Mai so far. It's far more relaxed than BKK and more ppl smile at you. It's also cleaner and not anywhere near as hectic. Less food stalls but then again we HAVE found the most important thing you poss can in Thailand; THE BANANA GUY! They cook roti right there for you on like an inverted hot plate. Then they spread raw egg over the top, slice up a banana over that, then pour condensed milk over the whole thing. Then they flip another roti over THAT and cook it for about 1 min. HOLY SENSORY OVERLOAD, BATMAN! You have NEVER tasted anything like it! The bananas here are super sweet and just PERFECT! We loooove it. I think we're pigging out on it again tonight :D
Anyway, some photo's of the local area under the cut and, if I have time, some random shots from Craig :)


Craig trying to get a fix on us with his Tracker. We're down a soi off a soi. It's like a rabbit warren! If you didn't know where this place was, you'd NEVER find it :) We LOVE it. (Soi - like a laneway that runs off a main street. Some are quite big, others you would prob not be able to get the average family sedan down).

( Chiang Mai )

Exploring Chiang Mai

I woke up needing to MOVE!!! C&M were being lazy so I gave them a little time to see if they'd perk up. Went outside on the balcony (as opposed to, you know, inside on the balcony) and saw a SWEEEEEET little grey and white squirrel! He was going ballistic, playing on the rooftops, wires and stealing food off the little Shrines. I tried TRIED to get vid but nooooo, the G9 fogged up, DIDN'T IT!!! ARRRGH! :D C&M were still being lazy tarts and I couldn't stand it any more so I took off alone. That's right, ALONE! OMG alone in a strange city in a foreign land! What ever will happen to our hero now! You'll just have to click the cut and find out, in the next exciting installment of... THE NATURE NERD IN THAILAND!!!!



This just doesn't sound right to me from a Buddhist perspective, somehow, ya know? :P

( NATURE NERD TACKLES THAILAND! )

Tomorrow morning we take off the Elephant Nature Park! That is a rescue and rehab for the elephants of Thailand. We won't be back til the next afternoon. I can not wait. This is what I have been hanging out for the most, even more than the tigers :)
Must find banana man shortly...:)


( vids from today, 2 short ones )