Chiang Mai, Thailand

I didn’t get going until 10 this morning and it was an organizing, get shit done kind of day.  My first stop was to the motorcycle rental shop where I had booked a bike for a trip today.  I didn’t feel ready to do that trip yet but thought I should let the owner know since he had reserved a bike for me.  

On the way back to the hostel, I stopped at a hole in the wall for Pad Thai.  Who eats tofu?  They offer Pad Thai with tofu, chicken, pork or seafood.  Silly me didn’t specify so I got tofu.  Not sure if it was that or just a shitty restaurant but I wasn’t impressed. I’ll try again elsewhere-

I stopped at a few bike rental shops and got prices varying from 300 baht ($12.81) to 600 baht ($25.63)/day.  I have decided I’ll rent from Anna’s Motorcycle Shop and will confirm next week.  She has 30 Honda Clicks!  That’s big money here as most people only make 300 baht/day!

I found out the route I will take, starting at Chiang Mai and heading clockwise with the first night stop in Mae Hong Son and the second night in Pai then back to Chiang Mai-

I have booked my hotels so it is a go!  I’m looking forward to it now; last night I was just too tired to feel good about going today.

I need to get my malaa - (Buddhist rosary) restrung.  I found a jewelry store last night that will do it but they are closed until Monday so I kept looking.  In the four or five silver stores where I stopped, no one had the required cording so I guess I will wait until Monday after all.  The silver earrings I wear exclusive travelling are black so a jeweller polished them to look brand new!  It took at least 15 minutes and he did all kinds of things to them.

I kept walking and came across more wats.  I didn’t go inside any so didn’t have to take my shoes off.  There’s Wat Donkham-

and a few others with different architecture-

Cool lanterns-

Weird feet-

I passed a camera store so stopped in to explain that my camera will not connect to wifi so I have been unable to use it. The woman suggested I bring it to her so I did and she and her co-worker spent at least an hour trying to figure it out.  They were really enjoying themselves - computer nerds I guess, and I couldn’t wait to get out of there.  They did figure it out, I think…time will tell-

I came back to the hostel for a coconut shake without sugar - it’s frothy coconut milk with no ice cream involved, and visited with a couple of British women from Brighton who are travelling 6 weeks.  Then I came back to my room to chill. 

After a rest I headed back to the night market for a closer look around.  Eggs anyone?

I forgot about these beautiful greeting cards-

Weapons-

Supper was very delicious pork dumplings-

and mango sticky rice - almost as good-

in the food court at the night market-

I wandered a bit to see if any wats were lit up and found Wat Chediluang-

Not sure what I’ll get up to tomorrow, maybe nothing!

P.S.

Today is Mitch’s 36th birthday!  Hard to believe I can have a son in law that old!