The Oz part of the trip...

Well,
looks like the Oz part of the trip started earlier than expected. Signed up for a 3 day trekking trip into Chiang Dao about 2 hours outside Chiang Mai. Group had eleven people. Me, a half Chinese/American called William, and 9 ozzies. As usual, they didn't dissappoint. What a great bunch of guys (and girl). Anyway, we drive out in the back of a covered pickup for what seems like forever then finally arrive at the national parks area. We pile out and scramble down to this cool waterfall which we then climb. Great fun... I think this trekking lark sounds easy... we pile back on the bus and drive a bit more and then we come to this village and all pile out... and so the 'trek' part begins..these guys breed dogs and monkeys to eat which was a little hard to stomach - luckily all we got fed was decent veg and chicken (i think). I have to say it certainly great fun, but Jesus I was knackered. We basically following 'tracks' if you can call them that, through Thai jungle. and by god its hilly. There were a few times I thought I was going over and I tell you out there if you fall, you are screwed. However, I made it through with nothing but a few bruises. We trekked about 2 and a half hours on day one and about 3 and a half on day 2. Believe me its enough. Stops for lunch made by our guide 'Jackie Chan'. What a cool guy is all i'll say. Knows his stuff.

We stopped overnight twice, once near an elephant camp and once is an actual tribal village (Jackie's in fact). Its in the overnights that I learned the true meaning of getting 'Chang-ed', Chang being the number one beer here. Jesus, those ozzies like to drink. Had some bloody good laughs around the fire and some great pics. Will (the american) didnt really like to drink so found himself on the edge of things a bit which is a shame but hey, all the ozzies love a pom and this was no exception. Got suitably 'Chang'-ed again the next day and last night they took me out around a typical night out for them around Chiang Mai, once we got back and cleaned up. They kept me out till 4am and finished me off with the BK triple challenge (basically to eat Burger King's biggest burger having injested half the beer and tequila in town). Luckily for me I passed and didnt chunder all over the resteraunt. It was like being a student again. Think we're doing the same tonight although I'll be taking it a little easier as I've got to get up tomorrow for a trip to see some more stuff....I'd put some photos up but the hangover is still kicking in so it will have to wait....oh did i mention we also rode elephants, did some white water rafting and bamboo rafting too....no... just shows you my brain is fuddled today... right i need to eat...

laters.

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Hats off to Ed, Huddo, Jez,Justin,Frankie,Paul and the rest of 'em who's names escape me at the moment...

Greetings from Chiang Mai

Well,
after a very pleasant flight from BK airport I arrive in Chiang Mai and what a lovely change. Admitedly, when I arrived it was raining and it took me about and hour and a half to find any place to stay. I was going to head to 'Julie's' guest house, but alas it was full. Then I was offered a room and bed with a fan for 150 bhat (about 2.00) a night but it was more like a cell at the Bangkok Hilton. After a little more searching I've found a place called the Sunshine Inn for about 400 a night (About 7-8 quid?) which has a nice bed, fan, mozzy screens, toilet and hot shower.. If only I'd known it was one of the city's biggest yearly festivals (doh!) I'd have pre-booked a room. Still, no worries I'm there for 3 nights so I plan to book a trekking trip now to start when i have to move out which will give me another 2 nights and 3 days out of town. Then I'll book back in for the remaining days here and do some day trips... Watched the parade today and took some pics... I've upped a few so you can see the sort of thing I mean. Bear in mind this went on for 2 hours (float after float). I was knackered just standing there so got know how some of those kids were holding up..

Oh, went to see some Thai boxing last night too... not a show fight but a proper club vs club one. Pretty vicious stuff, especially when the two thai fighters got going. One gave the other a round house to the temple and knocked him out cold... he was still limp and and lifeless 5 minutes later when they carried him out on a stretcher... mental...

Right, time to do the laundry... laters.

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Suits and Temples..

Hello, the skinny one checking in. Its Wednesday evening and I'm finally getting the hang of the heat and the stink. For some reason I've found it really hard to eat over the past couple of days (think its just the sheer change in temperature and environment, plus a few nerves I guess as I've never been alone in a foreign country this far away...). As a result, I've felt pretty weak and tired the last couple of days but finally seem to be in the swing... Spent yesterday organising my suit @ Mr Om's. Well I say suit. Somehow, he managed to sell me two...and that was after about an hour of haggling... oh well...its worked out at about 115 per suit and that includes 3 shirts and 2 ties (all made to my spec). I go back for a fitting tomorrow so I guess we'll see if he's any good. Had a few decent reviews online so I remain hopeful.

After Mr Om's I headed on the Skytrain (overhead rail system here) to the National Stadium (Wembley it ain't but these guys do seem to love their football). Wasn't really there for the footy though (although someone was training). In fact I think the Thai national team is currently training over in the UK at Manchester City's training ground with guidance for our old mate Sven.... but I digress. I came to this stop to visit MBK(see above pic) - just google it if you want to 'proper' thai name as I can't remember. Well, what a place... totally mental... If you thought the shopping centres like the Shires in Leicester or Selfridges in Brum were big, this must be their mother! Not only are all the outer 'units' in use, every available inch of floor space is taken up with smaller vendors selling everything from fake t-shirts to iphones to TV's. In fact there's an entire floor of just phone vendors, hundreds of them. I'm going back there tomorrow to pick up some more knock off if i get time and maybe some little gadgets too... Will hold off an iphone as I've no idea if it will work back home.

As for today, I went to see the Grand Palace the worlds largest reclining buddha at 43m. Here's a selection of typical touristy photos to bore the crap out of you... don't worry, I'll have plenty more to show you when I get back! Tomorrow, I'm going to try and get up early and head across the city to the river and take the tourist boat upstream which stops at all the floating markets. After that, its the suit fitting (fingers crossed). I'll try and get some pics of that...and my friend Mr Kumar.

For now... Another Heineken please... over and out.

Day 2 - I think....

Well, arrival was a blur..... but let's get the flight done first. Arrived and attempted to check in...got my e-ticket...please report to information desk... ok. I am greeted by a lovely bloke who asks me if i _really_ want to fly today>? He then offers me 450 quid to take the same flight the following day... I decline... the idea of hanging around an airport hotel for 24 hours does not fill me with joy...so I get my seat and eventually board.. as with all BA flights, the leg-room is designed for circus midgets... no matter, so long as the person in front doesn't hit recline for the entire flight I'll be ok....ooops.. to late - I'm pinned in by the tatooed uber bitch from hell and her chav boyfriend. Oh well. Apart from leg cramps and DVT I've survived... maybe I should have taken that cash? Never mind. On the updside I got to meet a cool guy called Dave who's about to embark on a book tour of Oz. Website : http://www.davecornthwaite.co.uk/

If I get a chance, I'll hook up for a drink when he arrives in Adelaide for his book tour. Who knows I may even buy the book.

Anyways, I seem to have slept loads since I got here... think it was the crappy flight and the sheer heat. Wandered around near the hotel last night. As you'd expect the place is full of street hawkers, vendors and bars. Whiled away the time by eating drinking and soaking it all up but was back at the hotel by 11pm and out like a light. I'm now on the hunt for a tailor I found via the web (seemed to be ok according to the reviews so I'll guess we'll see). Will sort out the suit this afternoon and get an initial fitting. Then its off on the Skytrain to MBK Plaza for some shopping. Loads of stuff there apparently. Tomorrow, (hopefully) I'll have a crack at the more 'cultural' bits and try and see the Budhha and temples... so that's it for now.

catch you soon.
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The last minutes...

Well, the tickets are acknowledged, the changes are raised and the remaining gunk in my bucket is finally given out to the deserving hoardes at the office. 48 hours from now I should be getting comfy in my super fab economy seat and checking the inflight movie... only problem is I'll probably have already seen it...oh well. I'll try and put some regular blurb on here along with some suitable pics but knowing me i'll probably ask a passing kid to take my pic and instead he'll just take my camera! We'll see I guess. Feel free to post comments and stuff if you wish. I've never done one of these before so I've no idea how it will pan out. If it all goes quiet then its probably because I've eaten something from a street vendor and am now confined to whereever the nearest toilet is. In the meantime, check in when you can. Laters....Ad.

So the story begins...

Well,
the blog is in place. I travel out of the 27th of January so I've got the next few days to get to grips with using this thing. It can't be that hard can it? Of course I'll need to figure out how to add pictures and other content but I'm sure it'll be child's play... which means I'll probably struggle to get anything even amateurish online and readable...we'll see