8th June - 11th June - Chiang Mai, Thailand

We had settled ourselves into a v. "plush" (according to The Rough Guide) guesthouse by 8am and after a quick shower were ready to explore. The place we've stayed really is a beaut! Really lovely gardens with all sorts of amazing plants growing jungle style so you can't see the sky once you're inside. Lots of places for big hairy spiders to hide though! The room is defo more pamper holiday than backpacker but we're not complaing and it's rather nice to have some luxuary!!

We hired bikes and saw all the main sights (temples and markets) and came across an annual festival at one where all the locals come to pray for peace and prosperity for Chiang Mai. We slipped in another massage. Feet this time - luuuuvely! James was slightly anxious that his beautiful sweet smelling delights would overcome the poor girl so asked for back, arms and neck instead. Unfortunately the lady for that hadn't arrived yet so he had to join me with the feet. But part way through the other lady arrived - tiny and dressed all in a white uniform. Hearing that James had originally wanted the other she set to work at the same time. He winced as she prodded and poked and then when she popped him up on a bamboo bed she tried to dislocate his face from his neck!! I didn't really realise why James was gurning quite so much until she did it to me afterwards!! Still, we're both still moving and they were very sweet!! On the advice of come locals we went back during the evening when it was even busier. People were queing at every important part of the temple grounds offering beautiful flowers, candle and incense sticks.

To our delight there were also heaps of fantastic food stalls!! Toes curled in glee as we made our way round sampling all sorted of goodies. We had crispy prawns, pad thai, crab sausage, fried quails eggs, balck bean omlette, black bean huge dim sum donut thing, lanna noodle curry soup, a funny icey sweet dish of pud and some yum fresh sweets made from mini pancake and meringue. All for about two quid!!

We've spent the last two days doing a Thai cookery course which was fab! We booked for one day and had such a good time that we went back for more! The ladies teaching us were great fun and made everything look so easy and not at all fiddly. The only problem was that we got to scoff everything we made ( which was lots!) and groaned around all evening with tummies like drums. And I over did the chilli which was eventful!!

Thailand has been excellent!! Would defo come back!!

Off to the Laos border shortly by minibus. Then planning a two day slow boat ride down the Mekong River to Louang Phabang. Mosi-Guard, and camera ready!