Bangkok and Chiang Mai

We safely arrived in Bangkok on the 21st and spent a good few days looking around all the cheap stalls!! Found a few bargains. Filled with loads of other backpackers. Such an overwhelming experience, definately a culture shock. But still managed to sneak into McDonald's!! Went to the famous weekend market where they sell EVERYTHING from dogs to thai massages! Almost bought a puppy :) Gemma had the back and shoulder massage - WOW and Jamie had the foot massage - giggling throughout the whole half hour!! All the women were loving him, especially throwing his legs behind his kneck!!!! (Gemma Grove - we expect some more of this when we're back!) We have now become pro's at bartering!!

After a few days in Bangkok, we booked our trip to take us to Singapore. We first headed up to the old capital of Thailand - Attuhaya and looked at many temples and Buddha's. Caught the overnight train to Chiang Mai - 14hrs!!!!!! Comfy and slept most of the way so it was quite fun!

Arrived in Chiang Mai ready to start our trekking with a group of 8 of us (all of whom were a great bunch!) We rode on an elephant through the jungle and the river before having a little swim in a waterfall. We had no idea what was up next...a 5 hour trek through sun and rain storms through the jungle (Jamie had a funny stomach and when asking the guide where the toilet was, was told take your pick of any bush! - thanks Mummy Grove, tablets and tissues were a great idea!)

All of this drama paid off though - we finally got to the hill tribe where we were staying the night. Jamie played a game similar to football with the local tribe boys (he was in his element!) After many beers and dinner, we were greeted with songs by the local school children and dances around the fire!! (Gemma then decided to give them a taste of an english song...which know one knew!!!) EVERYONE KNOWS MY OLD MAN MR. GROVE!!!

Slept on wooden beds a few metres off the floor. The night wasn't without drama - someone went to the toilet (in pitch black) and didn't come back...he fainted in the most skankiest toilet ever and crawled his way back through the mud (...and poo) to try and find his way back! No-one knew (including his wife) this drama until the next morning!! HAAARSH.

Morning came and round two of trekking began..this time the novelty had worn off! 4 more hours with tears and laughter (Gemma!) and got to the river ready for bamboo rafting!! It was all worth while, one of the best experiences we have ever had!

We are missing you all. We are loving all of your messages!! Lots and lots of love
Jay and Gem xxxxxxxx

written by

Jamie & Gemma on March 30, 2009 from Bangkok, Thailand

from the travel blog: Jamie and Gemma's Round the World travels

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Sounds amaizng! Love reading the posts and the pictures! xx

written by Cassie Elliott on April 2, 2009

great to hear your news
ATB
Malcolm

written by Malcolm Cross on April 13, 2009

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