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Our SE Asia Tour 2013
We had a leisurely breakfast and awaited the arrival of our driver to take us from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. We had hoped to get the same guy as yesterday as he drove well and had good English. We were to be disappointed. The car turned up at the appointed hour but it quickly became apparent that the driver was not up to yesterday's standard. For a start, he was seriously geographically challenged, did not know of our hotel and could not understand the map of Chiang Mai. Nevertheless, we set off. The roads yesterday had been of a good standard, the main roads being dual carriageways but we proceeded off down bumpy backroads. When queried "Is this the road to Chiang Mai?" We were assured "Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, short cut". Fortunately we did emerge on to the main highway before too long. The driver was the worst we had experienced since "Bulldozer driver" in Vietnam back in 2007 but at least he wasn't reckless or fast. In fact we were about the slowest vehicle on the road. After 20 min or so a suitable name came to mind - "Buffalo driver", as he and the vehicle appeared to have a different sense of purpose. We were backing the car! It was an automatic but every time we approached a corner, a hill, an oncoming vehicle or a dog on the side of the road he would override the automatic, put it into 3rd gear, slow down and pull to the left. He was either extremely nervous or had appaling eyesight. We suspect the former as he was constantly mopping his brow and had to stop every hour for a brief rest, even reclining the seat and having a nap. The last km or two into Chiang Mai took half an hour as he was being talked in by the receptionist at the hotel. When the hotel came into sight he announced it proudly as if it was all his doing. I think the receptionist had some idea of our mental distress as she met us outside and said "follow me" as we got out of the car, and that was the last we ever saw of the driver. Hooray !! The hotel is great. It has rooms built around a central tranquil garden. Just what we need.
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Tony & Rowena Glad to hear that you're still enjoying your Asian experience. Obviously the patisseries are too far apart for you to consider cycling exploits in SE Asia! It sounds like Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai have changed dramatically since our visit in December '82. Pity you couldn't take a photo of Madam at the Thai border crossing. Would've loved to see Cheryl in action shoudering aside the Chinese en masse. Hey, all that training's being put to good use! I go back to the specialist's on Wednesday and hopefully will be told that I can start walking (without airboot). I'm moving around with the airboot more easily now but it's slow going and frustrating. Still, my recovery is going along just as the doctor predicted so I guess that's positive. Tony's been walking around the village with his backpack (looking like a goose).