SUNDAY 8 June 2008
Sunday morning was eventually upon us and I was blatting across town to get to Deeds’ house where it made sense to leave my car for the duration of our trip in Thailand. Boom boom with my new sound system in my car. Awesome!
Not much time was spent at Deeds’ house. Just loaded bags into Deeds’ pop’s car and before long all the goodbyes were done and we were off to the airport. The whole airport ordeal was very simple and pleasant to say the least. We were there early and just glided through everywhere. I’m sorry to disappoint you sadistic people who love my airport screaming rants and raves. Not this time! A few pre-flight drinks were in order and shortly after we were on the plane. WE ARE GOING TO THAILAND BABY!
Climbing onto the plane I was threatening to be asleep before takeoff. I never lie! I woke up for food and although I did threaten to be asleep the whole way, Deeds got me curious about the in-flight entertainment system. So much for sleep - 3 movies, 2 meals and a couple of games later. We did manage a few hours forced snooze so as not to be the zombie version of a fresh-off-the-boat traveler. Squeak squeak 6am touchdown! Whooo hooo!
MONDAY 9 June 2008
By now we had already decided to go direct to Chiang Mai so all that was required was a quickie immigration stop, bag collection and off. Deeds’ bag was in the first 10 to come off the plane. Mine was I’m sure, in the last 10! What’s with THAT??? The bags were checked at the SAME time! No drama at least all the bags were with us. Next stop Chiang Mai.
TAXI!!!! “Take us to the bus station please”. About half way there and 700 Baht later we decided that it would probably be better to fly there? Great. No place for a U-Turn. So we make it all the way there through 2 toll gates and rush hour. I figured since we were there we might as well check the prices. Oh and getting out the cab suddenly this loud music plays and everyone stops and stands at attention. My ego gave way after about 10 seconds realizing it wasn’t the Bangkok Welcoming Committee sent out for our arrival but instead some dedication to the king. Oh well. 900 Baht for a bus ride? For 10 hours on a stinking bus? Thanks but no. TAXI!!! “Take us to the airport please”. Oh the lifestyles of the rich and clueless.
I’m loving the seamless airport adventures I am experiencing now. We just walked in, spoke to 2 people, bought tickets, checked in and before we knew it we were back in a waiting lounge. LOVING IT! 45 minutes later and we were cruising at 32000′. Apparently Deeds had to elbow me a few times cos people started glaring and watching me snore. How embarrassing. What if she wasn’t there? What have people been saying when I have been traveling alone with no one there to elbow me? Oh the shame. Oh whatever. At least I get to sleep!
What’s the frikkin deal here with the bags? AGAIN our bags were checked at the same time, AGAIN Deeds is falling asleep waiting for be to get my bags last off the plane when hers comes off almost immediately. The airport carousel gods are against me! Fortunately though there was a little hotel booking booth in the arrivals hall so we made our arrangements there and were escorted by taxi to the front door. “Backpacking” done civilized! Turns out the “new” Lanna Orchid Inn has only become so in the last 5 days (very new) so all the signs still say Lanna Lodge Hotel. Typical flashy glossy brochure with 20 year old photos when the place was first constructed and delivered all wrapped in cellophane and ribbons. Oh well, our pink curtain 70’s style basic palatial apartment was just what we needed, a clean place to sleep with hot and cold running water and a toilet that flushed properly, after I unblocked it! Best of all it is centrally located to some great places.
We simply dropped our bags and walked out again. It was time to see Thailand! Our walkabout started. On the way in we saw a kewl looking bar called Mad Dog. We tried to find it again but on later reflection it seems we turned left instead of right. No biggie cos that’s when I saw the Häagen-Dazs ice cream shop. God I have been dying for some good ice cream for a while! My GOD that was the most expensive ice cream I think I have ever had. It is an import I guess. Banoffee Pie ice cream… Hmmmm It was worth it!
So picture this now, we are in Thailand and our first meal is…. German food at a German restaurant. I know I know but I don’t care. It was open and it was great! That was also the location of our first Mai Thais, and our second and ummm third and forth I think. Anyway who’s counting? The manager of the place was really kewl. When I asked him where I could pick up a local SIM card he dragged me up the road to the 7-11 and helped me get one and charge vouchers and everything. When we got back to restaurant I asked about a good massage and next thing a car pulls up to take me to a place. Deeds at this stage is half falling asleep so she decided that an afternoon siesta was the plan. She went back to the hotel and went to sleep. I went for my first Thai massage and… fell asleep for an hour and a half. It was just what the doctor ordered and now it was time to get ready and hit town again.
Monday night is Muay Thai (kick boxing) night in Chiang Mai and we were not about to miss it. It was incredible. Excellent Mai Thais (drinks) and beer. Oh and some Jagermeister for good measure ordered from what I think was my first run in with a “chick with dick”. Hey I don’t really know maybe there had been more by now but it was the first obvious one! The boxing was great. 6 year olds beating the crap out of each other, adults, locals and foreigners, guys and chicks and for great laughs, 4 guys blindfolded swinging madly even connecting the ref from time to time. It was awesome. Deeds had a bit of bog (toilet) trouble. Apparently the toilet was a half squat with drippy water and a cup to flush. Aim was a bit of a mission I hear but it’s ok, shoes dry quick enough!
Once we were done with boxing we realized we were on the right side of town again for Mad Dog so we walked around only to find it dead! What a let down. Well it was late so probably a good time to go to bed. On the way we passed loads of loud, small, chicky bars that looked very innocent a few hours earlier in daylight. Anyway, sleep time. We got in and jumped into bed. Of course I snored all through the night and Deeds loved it! In the morning she commented on how rhythmic and soothing it is. Good girl after my own heart!
It was a long 2 days and now its all over. Goodnight Chiang Mai!
I am fully aware that being there will have absolutely no effect on you what so ever but it's still kewl for me to say, "you owe me one"….
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