Hit the gym before breakfast today to continue our efforts to not grow morbidly obese whilst away. After we walk to the lovely Dean and Deluca for breakfast. Love this place. They need to open some in London.
It's our only experience of it getting Christmassy with carols being played and all the Christmas stock now in
The very impressive sky train. Beats the tube hands down!
We then go for a little wonder around our hotel as we don't have long before we need to head to the airport. No sign of any unrest. It's all pretty localised and the rest of the city is just continuing as normal. We are actually just around the corner from the Police Sports Club where the Prime Minister got evacuated from yesterday.
Not sure about where he decided to park his food cart.
Time to leave Bangkok. Such a great city. We love it. It is a proper metropolis with so much going on. We could definitely spend a bit longer here although we keep getting sad seeing places we were with with Caroline, Dave and Lynne :-(
Another great flight with Air Asia. Such a great airline. Depart and arrive early again.
Arrive in Chiang Mail and from landing are at the hotel within half an hour. Chiang Mai is a lovely little town. Such character. It is what I was expecting from Siem Reap. We are staying in the old city which is completely surrounded by a moat. Within the old city there are loads of temples, lovely little bars and coffee shops (big here). It's very laid back, a lot cooler temperature wise and on the whole more traditional. We are still on classic back packer route though. Randomly there are loads of Boots pharmacies here too (as per Bangkok)
We check into the lovely Vieng Mantra hotel.
Realise I have booked three nights instead of two! Doh. I seem to have lost all ability to book hotels and keep track of what I have and haven't paid for! Managed to change it though.
View from our balcony.
Not sure of the bench though... Over hangs the side of the building.
Then head out for a wonder around town. Head over the river towards a restaurant recommended by Lonely Planet but actually find a better looking one before we get there.
Turned out to be the right choice. The restaurant was gorgeous. It had a gallery at the front and backed onto the river at the back. A very nice touch that people were letting off Chinese lanterns on the pier at the back. Started off well...
Yes...
Yes...
Blown straight into the huge tree in the middle of the restaurant.
Try again.
Yes...
Nooooo! Of he goes to join his mate.
Luckily the material must be fire proof as no trees were harmed in the launching of these Chinese lanterns (much to my disappointment - you know how I love a good fire!). One finally got past the tree though.
Night cap in the bar down the river which was also really cool and lively. Had a good live band on. New fave beer is BeerLao dark. Tasty stuff.
http://www.theriversidechiangmai.com
Then walk back over the bridge, through the night market home. Great start to our time in Chiang Mai.
Wow! Chiang Mai looks a lovely place, and I'm soooo glad that you left Bankok before the demonstrations ended in more fatalities....would have run out of Zantac....! Hotel looks gorgeous, and full of character.....don't sit on that bench though.....how strange!!!!! Gorgeous walk over the river, restaurant, food, beer, Chinese Lanterns, night market......idyllic- am going to sleep a happy Mum! Just got back from Malvern- Vic out of hospital and doing well! Fond love darlings, Goodnight xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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