So it seems like not much time has passed since I last wrote, but it's been a busy one!
We had a nice little send off with some friends in prakhonchai and got dropped at the bus station. Then first stop the following day was Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand. We spent the day cycling around, catching the sun, and seeing all the old temple ruins. It was really pretty, and we went to the night market for food. One night, we went to a bar for drinks and the bar man was giving us little quizzes! (For reference: name 12 countries ending in 'land'; name 3 football teams in the English league that have 3 o's in them etc).
After that we went to Sukhothai, another old city. On the first night, we met some Americans who are also English teachers, so we had some drinks with them. Then, the following day we met up with them again and Lindsay (who had been living in Sukhothai) took us to the old city, where we looked around all the temples, cycling around and taking photos. It was really beautiful - and we went out into the countryside, up a hill with a big Buddha where we took more photos! It was really nice, but super hot!
That evening, we got back to the guesthouse, and bumped into one of the guys who I'd seen in Ayutthaya - he was cycling from Bangkok to Chiangmai, and had caught up with us! We had some drinks that evening.
Then next day, we got a bus up to Chiangmai. Had a drink and used some wifi, then had beers with some Danish people...then turns out we couldn't check into the hostel we wanted because it was full! So made our way over to Bunchun which was recommended to us. It's really cool, there's a paper mâché tree in the middle of the room, and graffiti all over the walls, there are hostel chihuahuas wee-wee and juju! It's really fun, and everyone's friendly here. That night, we went for dinner with vee (the owner), his brother and girlfriend, and some other guests, which was cool. Then headed into the city to go to the Sunday walking street market which was really big and loads of cool stalls!
First day, we got bikes and cycled into the city. I bumped into a lady who lives in Chiangmai half the year, and has been teaching English in Spain for 25 years or something, but she's originally from Exeter. Spoke to her for ages, and ended up getting lunch together. In the evening, we went to an art exhibition with a bunch of people from the hostel. It was all the final projects of the art students from the uni. Then there was free beer, so we stayed there all night, chatting and dancing to live music, celebrating the end of uni with all these Thai students! Was fun!
Next day, I cycled around again, visited some temples, and then found Chiangmai women's prison. They have a scheme where the women who are soon due for release are taught a trade and give Thai massages. Then any money they earn is kept for when they get out of prison. We had a drink in the nice garden and then had the massage. It was really cool and the women were really lovely too :) the guy next to me kept laughing which made all the masseuses giggle too!
That evening, we went to the night bazaar, more stalls and bars and stuff. I could buy so many things but try to be sensible because I have no space in my bag, and also no luggage space on the plane (seeing as I already have a massive bag left in Prakhonchai!). After, we went to the cabaret, which was free - you just buy a drink. Loads of lady boys dancing and wearing glittery costumes etc - really good though, and one of the acts came on stage a women and then as it went on, he changed clothes and took his makeup off and became a man; it was really effective and to the tune of 'I am what I am', cool to watch! Went to a bar after for some drinks and met a load more people!
Yesterday, I went ziplining with some people from the hostel. Was loads of fun! There were 24 different platforms, with the longest zipline being 600m long, and some with skateboard, bicycle, a mini abseil, some high ropes courses etc - was a lot of fun! And there was a little 4 year old boy there with his parents too - he absolutely loved it! We figured if he could do it, then so can we! In the evening, we went for steak (the best in Thailand so far - amazing!) before heading to roof top bar, and then to a club. I left at 2am as I had plans today, but the others apparently didn't get back till 4.30!
This morning, got up for my cooking course, sat outside from 8.30 when they said they'd pick me up and noone came... But Thai people are always late so I waited... Noone came so I got Vee to call and ask, and then they came and rushed me to the train station where the other people were there and had already been to the market! They'd forgotten me!!
Anyway, the train took 15 minutes, then we had to cycle to the place in the farm where the cooking course is. It was really lovely, there were just 8 of us (and 2 kids who'd come with their parents - they were Polish and super cute!) so we got lots of attention, and I finished the day SO full up! I made chicken fried rice and tom yum kung (spicy shrimp soup), then massaman curry and curry paste, and finally spring rolls and deep fried banana! Was so tasty! And pretty easy (though obviously easier when someone has the ingredients ready for you and knows what they're doing)! Ate so much, and brought some of my spring rolls and banana home to have in the evening. Yum!
The guests who had been here have checked out today, and I'm shattered so hanging out at the hostel since I got back. Maybe going to the cinema with Vee this evening but not sure... Tomorrow, I have to do laundry, and maybe get another massage, and next I'm headed to Pai and then Chiang Rai! Think I might be coming back here for songkran (the water festival/Thai new year) next month though! :D
Hope everyone's well back home. Feels like time is flying now, and won't be long till I'm home again... Though I spoke to the Polish family today who said its easy for English people to get teaching jobs in Poland so maybe I have a new place to go already...!
Lots of love xxxxx