~thailand/chiang_mai/arrivals

Internet cafe is closing, so this will be quick. I took a series of very very long bus journeys, crossing the border into Thailand, and after a night in the crappy Udon Thani, i have finally arrived into Chiang Mai. This place is reputidly a very cool place. I am thoroughly looking forward to my stay here.

I have been reading, and talking to strange hippy tuk tuk drivers, who cover their tuk tuks with blue neon lights, go faster stripes and painted flames! Among many other things, i am going to start my Muay Thai boxing training tomorrow. It is $4 per day, and is run out of a very prestigious boxing school called Lanna Muay Thai boxing. See lannamuaythai.com for details. I figure that after a couple days hard training, get myself bashed and bruised, and hopefully bashing and bruising many others, i will undertake in a 4 day trek into the jungle. Involving living with untouched hill-tribal villages, rides on elephants and white water rafting (primitive style i.e. rafts are made of a row of sticks tied with rope. I'm gonna die, i'm sure of it!

I could be here for a while, its a buzzing place, rich with culture and 1 too many farangs (tourists) for my liking!. However, sickeningly cheap, i might even venture into the markets and go present hunting. But dont be surprised if i get you something that you will dispise, because i am very good at doing that... Reports from boxing class tomorrow.

Love to Sara. Hope you are getting on well without me... i cant believe i am missing hammock island! That is like my dream! :)

Funny story. Had a Laos massage in Laos (funnily enough), by this chap who we got chatting to afterwards. He spoke good english and talked to me about football. Turns out he supports manchester united, and he was soooo happy to hear that i supported them too. He was over the moon, and green with envy to hear that i had actually been to Old Trafford. And you can only imagine his face when i tell him that i was born in Machester*.... his mouth literally dropped, and i quote "that is my dream"... lovely guy. Good luck Mr Unamed Massage Guy Man!

Beachy: Tell big Dave that i met a canadian guy whose parents own the only hotel in Kicking Horse, the one Dave goes to. He was staying at my guesthouse, invited me over to Canada, but unfortunately didnt get his contact address. Small world huh?

*actually Greater Manchester. Didnt tell him that though.