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Hi Lovelies!
Sorry that it has taken a while for us to update this thing.
Well….what can I say, absolutely loving Thailand! Such a culture shock to arrive into Bangkok last Thursday. The humidity is unreal (hence the sweaty face and frizzy hair that I am constantly sporting - Matt is one lucky boy) the sights, sounds and SMELLS are overwhelming at times, ha. Stumbled across 'Soi Cowboy' on our first evening - mental - literally hundreds of scantily clad TINY thai women trying to entice you into their respective 'bars/clubs' I smiled politely and said 'No thanks' for the both of us. The look on Matt's face - poor boy. Then we took a wrong turn down an alley and ended up walking past a million Thai 'smile' massage places. Ha.
Visited lots of temples and holy sites the next day - absolutely beautiful. Also had our first tuk tuk ride (we probably go in one every day now but it was such a novelty at first) - there doesn't seem to be too many rules on the roads we just whizz in and out of the traffic, willy nilly. Love them! Also visited Koh San Road (a famous backpacker strip of bars, restaurants, shops, hostels etc) again, mental - people constantly trying to sell you things and barter with you.
Flew to Chiang Mai the next day, really really like it here, it's like a much more laid back, smaller, cleaner version of Bangkok. After exploring the night bazaar on the first night (where Matt had a half hour foot massage for the equivalent of £2 and we spotted a baby elephant being walked down the main road!) we had an unexpected disturbance in the middle of the night. A noise, which I can only describe as the same noise that the little dinosaur in Jurassic Park makes, you know…. the one whose neck pops out like an umbrella and attacks the chubby guy with glasses, happened so loudly, right next to my head, we had the lights on for ages afterwards but couldn't see/hear anything, despite the heat, to say I was glued to Matt on his side of the bed for the rest of the night is an understatement. We didn't hear from him again but we now refer to the little chap simply as 'Geko' as in, "Don't do that or Geko will get you."
Visited the Sunday Walking Street Market on Sunday night, you'll see the pictures…Matt's word for it (as he kept repeating again and again) - 'carnage'. Loads of buskers turn up in the evening, really entertaining. Bartered over a few things (it's our new fun game) Matt haggled this lady down to the equivilant of £6 for two t-shirts (still relatively expensive to be honest). He kept saying '300 Baht or I'm leaving', the little lady kept slapping his arm saying (read this with a Thai accent) 'Oh you terrible! Give me more, 20 Baht more, just for me!" We won in the end.
Moved to a new hotel on Tuesday - Matt's really pleased with himself as he found it online for 3900 Baht for four nights (about £18/19 for the both of us per night) it's supposed to be 4000 per night! It's lovely, definitely flash-packing at the moment, two swimming pools (one on the 10th floor one on the top - 17th floor - I've taken some pictures from the rooftop).
We've also been to Chiang Mai Zoo - beautiful setting, up in the mountains. We found a place to go on an elephant trek at the top and were all excited to begin with but felt like crying by the end as the people running the place were really working the elephants hard and we saw one chained up by its ankle. I've found out that there's a local park which rescues working elephants - I'm going to email them in a minute and tell them to rescue the working elephants from the zoo immediately!
Went on a hill tribe visit yesterday, it's the low season here (just coming out of their rainy season) so it was just us on the tour, us and our lovely guide 'Ann' and our 'expert' driver Mr.Nong. We drove up into the mountains and were firstly taken to an orchid/butterfly farm (didn't sign up for it but didn't mind too much as we were only there half an hour) then we stopped to visit three tribes living literally a stone's throw from each other. Despite their proximity to one another, Ann informed us that they all speak completely different dialects and cannot understand a word each other says! They all live very primitive but idyllically quiet lives, living off the land and eating their hand-reared chickens and pigs. The last tribe even ate their dogs. Matt was sad about this - I told him not to worry, Max was safe and sound back in Clacton.
We then explored a cave even further up the mountain and Ann informed us of the actual story behind the iconic laughing buddah. He was in fact a famous monk (monks are in fact bald and buddahs wear the ornate head dresses and are often depicted sitting upright and cross-legged). This famous monk was very handsome and, inevitably, attracted many women. He wanted only to be with God as a monk however so intentionally became very fat. This deterred the women, which made him happy - hence why he is laughing. I hope that Ann didn't make this up on the spot.
Had our first real thai food after (I'm ashamed to say that we've been a bit tame in our culinary exploration of this country so far - it's the smells that keep putting us off - babies). I was braver than Matt thought and ate most of mine!
Visited the 'big ear' and 'long neck' tribes next, really interesting, the rings around their necks are ridiculously heavy and are placed on the females' necks from youth in order to stretch the neck muscles. A long neck is thought to signify beauty - 'beautiful like a swan' Ann said.
Chilled for the last few days, flying to Phuket tonight then moving on to Phi Phi Island and Koh Lanta, looking forward to some serious beach time. Will update again as soon as we can.
Hope you are really well….email your updates when you can!
Love love xxxxx
P.s I know it's such a stereotype but everyone here is so small and petite - we feel like giants… I'm beginning to feel massive next to the girls…I must've ballooned.
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