After the crazy manic pace of the capital we're basking in the relative calm of Chiang Mai. If we'd come here first we might not feel the same way but it's an oasis compared to Bangkok. Look kids, only 20 motorbikes to dodge on this road! There is so much more greenery and people are unhurried with more time for chitchat with dopey lost New Zealanders.

After suffering through an electronics mall (big wife brownie points for me) we had a delicious lunch, experiencing the yummy Thai food that everyone raves about. It was there in Bangkok, we were just playing it super-safe I guess - don't think we could have pushed the kids very far at that stage (ahem, or ourselves). By the time we're in Phuket we'll be chowing down on the pig uteri I'm sure. The setting for lunch was beautiful - a huge traditional old Thai building in what felt like a pocket of jungle in the middle of the city. Hey and we saw a squirrel, that was pretty exciting.

After an arvo in the hotel pool we headed off to the Chiang Mai Night Market. The kids very much enjoyed spending their pocket money on trinkets and toys and for once I was happy to aimlessly shop. I'm sure I'm one of the few people ever to not barter there but just can't bring myself to do it. Maybe as the week goes on I'll feel better about it.

Highlight of the day was undoubtedly the fish foot spa this evening which involved putting our feet into a tank with hundreds of little fish who had the misfortune of eating off all of the dead skin. Poor Milla had to share my tank and it was not fair as my big flippers attracted 90% of the fish. Nothing to do with the state of my feet okay.

We're all happily tired in the evening now rather than head-spinning tired, which is a great transition.

Pic of the day is the lovely Milla-moo, immersing her feet into the fish tank for the first time. Similar to the terrified pic of Eme on the Super-Splash and another one to file under "those poor kids, what are their bloody parents thinking".