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Location Date Chiang Mai 
1296259200 Bangkok 1295481600 Koh Phi Phi 1295308800 Koh Lipe 1295308800 Krabi 1294704000 Ko Pha-Ngan 1294012800
I had expected Chiang Mai to be a slightly more rural, smaller Bangkok......which it was to an extent, but it was much smaller, quieter and relaxed than I had expected; basically it was incredible!
Ended up staying there a week as there was heaps of things that Seth and I wanted to do; first class we took was thai cooking on an organic farm. It was a very good day and we learnt alot of new recipes, and the food we made was actually better than most of the things I've been eating, and it was on an incredible little farm amongst loads of rice fields and coconut and mango trees with alot of the herbs and plants that we used growing there.
Also took a thai massage class which was interesting, painful and oddly quite fun. There was a big reggae festival on about half an hour out of chiang mai so we got there for the last day of it......it was right in the mountains next to a big lake in a really nice secluded area and got to see sister carol and ky-mani marley!!!!
We went on a three day trek up into the jungle to stay in hill tribe villages. It was extremely nice to get out of the city and we got to ride elephants, do white water and bamboo rafting and swim in a load of waterfalls. We had really good guides who taught us a few things about the jungle and who could make anything from it.......for one meal we ate out of freshly picked and made leaf bowls with bamboo chopsticks, and for another learnt how to make bamboo sticky rice!
On my last full day we rented scooters and had an awesome drive up a mountain that had a load of wats and good views of the city. But unfortunately Kelsey fell off of hers right at the top, so it was another trip to the hospital. I now feel like somewhat of an expert on thai hospitals and this was a pretty nice one. Kelsey is actually fine now, just scrapes and bruises.
Very last day managed to get a poi lesson, so in the next 5 months I'm planning to turn pro and play with fire!!
Left Chiang Mai on a 12 hour bus to Bangkok where I am now, and will be flying to Ho Chi Minh this afternoon...
- comments
Eddie Hi Alice intrepid traveller that you are, I never cease to be amazed at what you get up to. I'm sure Bretforten is going to be very tame when you get home. You had us wondering about the 'poi' lesson is that when you throw flaming sticks around and make patterns with fire? Also and now I'm going to show my age, who is/are carol and ka-mani marley, they sound like a girl & boy band to me but I'm probably way off the beam. It sounds like your culinary expertise is going to show your father up, I'm sure your teaching skills will be well and truly tested here!! I assume Bamboo rafting is riding on a ready built flat platform of Bamboo which must make for a very exciting ride, that's something I would like to try. You have often mentioned swimming in waterfalls that must be incredibly cold water, rather you than me with that one. Good to hear you are wearing a helmet when you are scootering, we were a little concerned for you given you haven't too much experience. Stay safe and take care Alice we want you back in one piece! Lots of love from us both Nanny & Eddie
grandad beginning to look forward to your safe return. I remember the huge steps on the Great Wall they were very difficult to climb. But good fine love grandad
Grandad I have been up in the night starting the book you are going to write. You have a title Wanderland Alice or Alice in Wanderland already. Every body loves a travel book a real one that is not a Thomas Cook itinery. You already have the Chapters and the content as you have met many interesting people. The ideal is I believe 18 to 20 Chapters of 18 to 20 Pages say330 to 350. Just right for a holiday read. You have to read Wilfred Thesiger the foremost travel writer who covered much of your ground and a bit more in the Middle East.He lived amongst the tribes as did Lawrence in Arabia.I think you could a place in the top twenty in the Times for ten weeks. Say 50,000 copies giving at 40p an income of £20,000.You have a perfect introduction girl from Worcs village contacts many varied peoples. It is said that we all have one book inside us so give it earnest consideration. In your dedications I hope I will be at the end "to Grandad who made me write this blessed thing!!!! Love Grandad