Chiang Mai, part 1

01/05 Up early to get boat and taxi to Krabi airport heading for Chiang Mai. It was magical Smooth journey to Chiang Mai. Hostel is fine and very cheap, lots of travellers, great cheap Thai food locally. Had lunch at funky monkey on corner, pad Thai 80p. Tried mango sticky rice for first time, all enjoyed it apart from C who didn't try. Hired bikes with seat on back for £1 a day. Amazing cycle through back streets to Buak Had park where girls played in playground and S had foot massage. Hotter here 41c but less humid so actually feels cooler than down south. Visited the famous walking street market, huge

market across many streets with good product and street food. Packed with tourists. Poor E foot getting better but not quite yet. Did the W medicine.

02/05 Breakfast at Mickey Cafe on a fish tank table, random but girls v impressed. Cycled to Wat Chedi lung and wat Phra Singh temples in old town. Lunch at Funkey Monkey again, bad green curry. Cycled to Buak Had Park again, Pete’s turn for massage. Traditional Thai dinner and dance at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre started off well with good door but the acts were dreadful apart from one or two. The girls thought it was wonderful though and surprisingly wanted to get on stage when the dancers asked for volunteers – the only downside was they’d only do it if Mummy came too hahahah!! It was really expensive - £50!! A joke really, comparing it to the free Rajasthani folk group at Over the Flames – there’s just no comparison, Goa we miss you!!

03/05 Free breakfast at Julie's, not sure why but we were very grateful and made the most of it. E and Pete did Thai cooking class doing Pad Thai, Massaman Curry and Mango Sticky Rice, they both loved it (Elodie said she preferred the cooking course in Palolem though)! Shells went to park with Clo where she played with an Italian girl who lives in Chiang Mai. Dinner at Julie's. Met Keisha from Poland and Alex from Brazil who had been living in London until recently. Really interesting (young!!) people. Didn’t seem bothered by the girls at all – in fact they all just accepted them as part of the group, lovely.

04/05 had 7-11 picnic in the park. Girls played pool with two German guys and then it-head card game with Kayley from NZ and Chopi from Australia. Has drinks with them and Alex, and their friend Eedee from Thailand.