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9/10/10
Sleeper bus was nowhere near as bad as India, maybe because I took 2 sleeping tablets, brilliant.
Arrived at Julies hostel in Chiang Mai at about 6.30am. This place is really cool with a big communal area where you can take beer out of the fridge, write it in a book and pay for it when you leave which is a bit dangerous. Met some people right away, Laura, Craig and Sam from the UK. We all had some Chang and then there ended up being 7 of us in 1 tuk tuk heading to the Thai boxing. Saw our first gaggle of lady boys at the boxing, they weren't very convincing but they started singing and dancing and one took their top off whcih was amusing. Boxing was fun, the English Thai boxer asked me out but i don't condone violence, I'm a lover not a fighter (plus I forgot his name which is never a good start!).
10/10/10
Went to tiger kingdom as recommended by Ben. Got to stroke and lay with tigers. I was absoultely petrified, my heart was beating so fast, all one did was flick its tail and I was running so fast. Was an experience but think we all felt a bit bad for the tigers. back at the hostel we all decided to book a trek together as thats what you do in Chiang mai. Took in the night market, saw a girl I went to school with there which was crazy, it's such a small world. early night as off trekking tomorrow.
11/10/10
Finally get a chance to wear my trekking shoes and trousers. Our trek guide isnuts and says we should call him 'jonny walker'. He also has his own catchphrae "Oh my Buddha!" which is definately going to catch on. Went on an elephant trek first which I was'nt that fussed about, especially when mine and Lauras decided to start running, I was so scared I couldn't even scream. Walked all uphill in the first day in about 35 degrees, at the end I was struggling to put one foot in front of the other. our guide kept shouting tuk tuk and taxi. I got me leg stuck in a tree root and face planted the floor which was not funny, got some cool bruises now though. Saw some wild elephants on the way up, that was really magical, far better than riding on one. Although it was hard work the scenery was amazing, thick jungle covered mountains, but what made me even happier at the summit was the cooler full of beer and coke! We stayed in a bamboo hut with stilts with a decking area which overlooked the mountains. We sat and drank beer as the sun set and I saw the milky way which I had never seen before, think that was one of the best things I have ever seen. Our guide cooked for us and we all stayed up playing cards till late.
12/10/10
All downhill today. Craig hardly slept on account of the jungle noises and the spider which was running at people from his bed. He also said he could hear scuttering in our room. My policy for dealing with this stuff is complete denial that it exists. Headed downhill which was pretty dangerous as it had rained in the night, finally reached a waterfall, it was beautiful, but not very user friendly, really strong water and shrap rocks, there were also a lot of people there so not very peaceful. My search for the perfect waterfall continues. When we reached the river we went white water rafting. the safety instructions were basically hold on and don't die which is always reassuring. Its was so much fun though I could have done it all day. Our friend Sam got thrown out which was funny as he kyacks white water. We bamboo rafted the rest of the river. As we were floating serenely down the river watching a JCB dredging, it scooped a massive wall of water and drenched us. Back at Chiang mai the whole 10 of our tek team got together and celebrated our achievement with Chang, Sangsom and other nasty thai drinks. We met 2 other grils from England, Georgia and Sarah. Our dutch trekking friends taught us a new drinking game which I'm defiantely bringing home, along with Irish snap and ring of fire. I have never laughed so much in my whole life, the dutch are hilarious. After that it seemed a good idea to find a bar and we all ended up stealing the microphone from this thai singer in a backstreet bar and singing Hey Jude, very badly!
- comments
Evelyn (work auntie?) Blimey - this latest blog made me tired just reading it! Can't wait to hear whats next. News from home is that Marianne is 'Bobless' Sopie gets married on Sat and my Chris has resigned from the day job. Look forward to reading about the next adventures - try to make them MacDonalds free! xxx
Auntie Vivvy Grinned like a cheshire cat when read your milky way story. Must agree it is the mot beautiful thing I have ever seen. Now you know what I mean about the stars not being the same in the southern hemisphere. Absolutely breathtaking. I used to sit on the deck (or "dick" as they say in NZ) at 3 in the morning just to watch the sky. It fascinated me. Glad your okay and sounds brilliant about the eliphants. You'll have to teach me the Dutch drinking game, sounds hilarious. Keep safe and love you loads.
work mum You'll never guess what happened on the way into theatre to have bob removed! Was telling the nurse all about 'Bob' which she found hilarious when who should walk in....only Bob the ODA (you couldn't write this stuff!).I promised that bob wasn't named after him but the nurse said that he is small round and a bit of a pain (more raucous laughter!)They promised to weigh bob for me and did more than that...they took a photo!!! I thought about emailing it to you so you could post it on your blog (maybe not!). Anyway am recovering well and enjoying my time off. Cant believe you have only been away 2 months and had so many adventures already. take care love Woody
Real dad Hi Jess How come my daughter is travelling the world having a great time whilst her parents are stuck here working?? Watching the Milky way sounded such a great experience I got your mum to walk up and down the patio waving a mars bar while I sat on the steps with a Guiness!! somehow didnt seem the same (never mind) stay safe and keep on keeping on luv xxxxxx
Work Dad Hi Jess. Sounds like you're having a great time but you're missing out on so much here! The big news is that '3 minutes of noise' won the quiz again by a massive 2 1/2 points. Me, Ian and Keith had a serious laughing fit in the van last week, like the one we had with Maggs but so much worse. Last night a patient nearly died trying to get to us in the Mansfield. He didn't know the way but followed somebody who walked too fast for him and by the time he got to us he was literally hanging off the door handle ...scared AJ. Afterwards she took him back in our chair and when she got back to the department I was lying on my back in the changing cubicle with my legs sticking out from under the curtain...then she nearly died! Cruel but funny. I hope you don't feel like you're missing out on the fun too much. WD