So, from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai!

I flew back to Langkawi from Chaing Mai. It was nice to see some friendly faces, and to have a holiday fom a holiday! Basically do nothing for a week but re;ax!

From here I went back to Bangkok for a week. I travelled there by bus and lets just say the extra to travel VIP is well worth it! The seats were like first class aeroplane seats (not that I have ever travelled first class) and it was actually very comfortable!

In Bangkok I did the usual, drinking on Khoa San road! The Grand Palace, some temples and I did a day trip to the bridge over the river Kwae which was interesting. I also went to one of the famous ping pong shows...! Not so interesting!!

From Bangkok I headed East to the island, Koh Chang. This was lovely. It is part of a national marine park and is absolutely stunning. I went snorkelling one day, and this was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen or done.

The rest of my wekk on the island was spent relaxing and swimming on the gorgeous beaches.

The next 10 days were quite hectic! From Koh Chang I headed to Trat, which was very nice and quiet, a little place, with few tourists, so it was easy to see how Thais live, this was similar to the next few places. Korat, after Trat, was larger but similarly traditional Thai living. I went here in order to be able to have better access to The Koa Yai National Park. I stayed for 2 nights in Pak Chong in order to experience this park. It is stunning. Similar to the country side when I wasv trekking in Chiang Mai but with more wildlife. We went to a natural sping and swam in the water, it was like swimming in a pool. The most spectacular sight had to be the bat cave though. At sunset about 3 million bats all fly out in order to spend the night feeding. It was like watching a smoke trail, as all the bats left the cave and flew accross the valley. Flying in a zigzag pattern so to avoid predation.

After here it was back on the road and up to Phitsanulok. I had decided to go here because I stayed 1 night on Phitsanulok road in Bangkok so it seemed logical to see the place! Again a nice Thai village on the river. The only place in Thailand where house boats are still allowed. And a crazy restaurant called the flying vegetable, where vegetables literally fly!

Back on the road after 1 night, to Sukothai, famous for the ancient ruins in the old city and they were really impressive. It was hard though to imagine what the place would have looked like 'complete'.

2 nights in Sukothai and it was up to Chiang Rai, where I am now! A really nice town, with lots of temples. Similar to Chiang Mai but smaller. I am going to take a trip tomorrow to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Laos, Burma and Thailand all meet. I have spent a week here sorting out visas and flights and then on Friday (24th) I will head to Laos...

I will try and get around to uploading more pictures soon!

Love to everyone x