Well, tonight is our last night in Chiangmai... Sad but true. Sad because so far (even though it's only been a short journey) this has been the nicest place to visit. But we are off to Phuket tomorrow and I am looking forward to seeing another part of Thailand.

So... our adventures?? I know my blog isn't as exciting as Adam's, so I'll let him do all the detailed recounts of what we've been doing and I'll just do what I know best... Ramble. PS - I won't be checking grammar/spelling.. Instead I'll blame my impossibly long nails (which have grown since the wedding) and the damn Thai keyboards.)

I wanted to writr yesterday about my adventures, but the damn computer I was using was shite so I gave in.

Elephant Conservation Centre
WOW! I had a wonderful time! I think Elephants are such interesting creatures and I've never seen one up close and personal before so for me it was sooo fantastic to finally get to do this. We saw them bathe, and walked with them up to the show area where we saw them do all sorts of Non-Elelphant things... It was cool! Two of them did a painting, which was clever then we fed them after the show AND I (or should I say WE) bought the painting done by the little Elephant. It's sooo cool! He painted flowers! Adam's a biut iffy about it. He says the mahout did all the work, but I disagree. The mahout gave the elephant orders and told him what to do. He also chose the colours and dipped the brush etc, but the Elephant DID the painting. Elephants don't paint normally, so I was totally blown away by what he did. I can't wait to show it off... Anyway, though Adam and I disagree on "who" painted the picture we both agree the money went to a good cause. Everything we spent our money on went straight back into the conservation centre. We went for an elephant ride which was slow and steady, but apparently that sort of thing wins races? Anyway, it was great, even though the driver understood no Enlgish, mean while I was asking him questions and he was nodding and smiling! The elephant also decided to do a big wee and a big poo (do elephants do anything other than BIG?) We went for a walk after that and saw a baby elephant and he was just adorable. His Mum was very welcoming too. We got to feed and touch and them they were both very gentle. The baby was so soft. I just wanted to jump in there and cuddle him and probably get trampled by the Mum in the process.

As Adam has already said, we had to try and get a bus home, which meant hot footing across the "super high way" and walking along the side of the road while cars, trucks, buses etc sped by.. I didn't feel safe and made my point clear to Adam who says I was whinging. He'd be whining if something went horribly wrong. Yes it started raining and THEN I started to whing, which is what I do when I'm a little scared and un-sure. But a FULL bus came along and picked us up. The bus ride was shit not just coz it was uncomfortable, but because of the jeers and laughter when I got on. Here in "friendly" Thailand, people are for some reason amused by someone of my size. I realise that most Thai people are tiny and they probably don't see too many large people, but surely they know what tact is. Adam doesn't notice, but I do. Since I've had to deal with this kind of shit my entire life, I know what's going on, even when it's not said in my language. The bus aisle was very small, as most of them are and we had to sit on a litle plastic stool right in the middle, which was great entertainment for most passengers, especially the part where they had to lift the arm rests so I could fit. I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat for the entire journey, just like I do now recounting this exprience. I wish I had a before and after shot to shove in their faces of me now and me last year.. There's a god damn 20kg difference! Mostly I try to ignore it and get on with it but that bus trip was my WORST experience in Thailand. Even the uncomfortable 12 hour train ride was better than that trip.

Other wise, a great day!

Yesterday we met Uncle Brian's good friend Nikom who was just what the doctor ordered. He was very friendly and easy to talk to. He took us to many places (refer to Adam's rants) and we had a great day. I think the snake farm was our highlight as we got a fair bit of snakey attention from the handlers, thus becoming part of the show... It was a nice kind of attention. Last night we went to the Old Chiangmai Cultural Centre (recomended by Nikom) and the food and entertainment was awesome! I also loved the monkey school. For some strange reason, I felt at home there... hahaha! There was a cheeky little baby monkey that we got to touch.. He was soooooo cute! The tribal village was pretty good too. We weren't really sure what to expect. But what we got was satisfying. Though the place we visited was not their "natural habitat" as such, it was a little look into what it's like. I actually liked it better because if we'd actually gone to their real villiage where they live, I'd have felt like we were intruding. The most interesting thing about it was the long necks. They look differnt and for that reason I thought they'd be fairly much still into their culture, but the girls we saw were listening to loud music through a battery operated boom box. A strange sight. But I bought some hand made goodies from some of the tribes people which are lovely.

Today, we went out again with Nikom and also his brother. Another nice day. We went up Doi Suthep to the huge temple in the sky. It was very spiritual for me. Nikom guided us through the experience and I felt very relaxed at the end. We spoke to a monk who was very "soothing". He "blessed" (?) us and splashed us with water... I'm not sure what to call all that, and I hope that my description doesn't sound disrespectful. I really enjoyed it.

Down the mountain again and we did some touristy type things like visit factories and their shops. I enjoyed this and would have happily spent lots of money, but Adam on the other hand. He's very suspicious of some Thai activity... Probably coz of our past experiences with the scammers.

We went on a river cruise. Though the river was stinky and the car engine mounted on the back of the boat was stinky AND noisy, it was very relaxing. We got to see some Thai backyards. Very interesting. I had myself a little kip on the way up the river, the car motor strangely soothing.

Talking to Nikom about his family, he told us a little about his work (as a tuk-tuk driver) and how he is working hard to provide for his family and especially his son, who wants to go to university next year. Apparently university is pretty expecnsive but a good opportunity (much like it is at home) and a good stepping stone for young people. I don't want to big note us, but as a sign of our appreciation for his kindness and sincerity, we gave Nikom 3000baht to put towards his sons university fees. We both agreed this would be a nice gesture, however Adam has since said that he hopes we didn't offend him, something I never thought about. But since all the Thai people we have met have had no problem accepting money from us (sometimes more than was fair) it should be ok. Our good deed for the day.

There has been so much to write about in these last few days, but this is what has stuck in my memory. Hope you are all well and good. We miss you all and look forward to our return to share more stories and photos with you!

Something I saw today and really admired... "There is no way to peace... Peace is the way"...

Peace Out!

Nee x x x x