Day 243, Mumbai, India

Watching the sunset at the beach 

We didn't get to bed until about 2.30, which was 4.00 am Thailand time for me and 8.00 am for Shanna. She especially was tired; I was talking to her about something and nek minute...asleep.

We got up at a reasonable hour though and after breakfast met up with Shanna's best friend's brother, who arrived here 3 days ago and we went for a walk to explore the area and beach.

A perfect shot 

After that we really didn't do much except relax. We sat by the pool, had a swim, Shanna made friends with a wee lad who was playing by the pool, we chatted, had a beer and agreed what a tough life this was.

We also had a beauty treatment; Shanna a scrub and wrap and for me a facial. We were in hysterics over the paper undies Shanna had to wear, they looked like the paper booties that doctors and nurses wear in the operating room! I wish I had my camera then.

Mattie & Shanna Juhu beach

We did enjoy the pampering though, it was so relaxing.

Next we got back to the poolside, from where we sat and watched a stunning sun set into the Indian Ocean. The beach was so busy, all locals, and all just standing around, only a few stretch out on the sand or go for an actual walk; they just stand there.

We cheated and had room service tonight, and as I am writing this Shanna Banana has fallen asleep again, but that's all good, she'll be ready for some sightseeing tomorrow, to see some more on Mumbai.

Day 242, Mumbai, India

One of the floats on the procession 

Inger and I had the morning to spare together. It was the start of the celebrations of the 720th anniversary of the founding of Chiang Mai and we 'stumbled' across this beautiful procession.

Flight destination number 15 (from June till now) and I am on a crowded flight to Mumbai, India. 

I left Inger (still hate those good byes) and Chiang Mai at midday to fly back to Bangkok and then a 5 hour wait at Bangkok airport before boarding my flight to Mumbai. Had a lovely chat to a lady from Qatar on my flight from Chiang Mai, who was on holiday with her husband and had 5 daughters at home (lucky husband!). It's a real bonus of travelling on your own I think as you tend to talk to people much more easily.

Watching a movie on the flight to Mumbai, I actually missed the take off. Not sure if that was due to the skills of the pilot or simply because I am getting so used to flying, haha!

Just a 4 hour flight and the we were in Mumbai. E-Visa processing was very quick and easy, and then there was Shanna, waiting for me at the luggage carousel.

So excited to see her and finally meet up. 

Next, a taxi, a very battered black and yellow little taxi van. It rattled and shook, and the driver had to ask directions about 4 times, but we finally arrived at Novotel, Juhu Beach!

Lots of chatting and then, all of a sudden, Shanna had fallen asleep, hehe!

Day 241, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Huey Tung Tao Lake 

We decided to hire bicycles today and head out into the country. Our friend Google had given us a nice idea on where to go, which was to a nearby lake: Huey Tung Tao Lake.

Bikehire for one day: 50 baht, entry into park: 50 baht, the freedom of biking in the countryside: Priceless.

View while sipping smoothies

Getting out of town was a bit of a challenge and we ended up biking on the highway, which sounds scarier than it was, as there was a large strip to bike on. Once we got into the quieter area I managed to do a wee awkward fall and rip half my toenail off, which was rather painful, but apart from that we arrived safely.

Ready for the flower festival 

The lake was very peaceful, hardly anyone else around, and certainly kept very quiet from the tourists. First stop for a fruit smoothie and then we biked right around the lake. What bliss, so peaceful, sun shining, just lovely.

Back a different way, along a long and winding cycle path, so extra safe and very impressive for Thailand, I must add.

Wat Chedi Lueng 

Then time for lunch in the Old Town. Chiang Mai is made up of the Old City, contained within the old city walls and moat, and the outlying town beyond its gates, with a population of 200,000. It's annual visitor numbers are just over 1.6 million! 

We chose one temple to visit, Wat Chedi Lueng, dating from the 14th century.

Time to return the bikes and get organised for tomorrow when I fly to Mumbai to meet up with my niece Shanna and spend two weeks with her. 

Day 240, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Mama Thai Food, yum

A quiet day in Chiang Mai. Inger wanted to get her hair done and we had seen a hairdresser yesterday on a particular street, so we went back there, but although we walked up and down this stretch numerous times as well as at different times of the day, the hairdresser had disappeared!

We did find another one, so she got her appointment after all. 

We also went and got a massage (for Inger) and a manicure (for me). She loved her massage, but I think I had the very worst manicure this side of the equator. I reckon all the good manicurists are working in New Zealand as this was so bad I had to tell her how to do her job. Eventually I ended up taking the polish off later in the afternoon. Just pleased I didn't get shellac! 

We did plenty of walking around the local area, bought a few souvenirs, enjoyed a nice lunch and then dinner in a very local restaurant, Mama Thai Food, excellent meal and great value too. (2 dinners with 3 beers, total $12). 

Got our laundry done, just so cheap, $2 for a kilo. Living cheap here as you can see, which means I can spend some more on souvenirs.

Like I said, a quiet day, one of my last in Thailand. 

Day 239, Chiang Mai region, Thailand

Harvest time 

Actually not a bad night sleep; we stayed in a big hut, mattresses side by side and just a few blankets for home comforts, but after the hike and a rum we had no problem getting to sleep. No one snored so that was a bonus! 

The hilltribe we stayed with are Lahou, meaning hunter, and they originated from China. They certainly know how to look after you, last night a beautiful dinner of yellow curry, fresh vegetables and rice and this morning fresh scrambled eggs and toast.

Breakfast at the hut

We set off, another two and a half hour walk, again pretty scenery and arrived at the waterfall feeling extremely hot, so although the water was freezing we all got in for a swim. Not many other people there at all, our guide certainly knew how to pick the right spot.

Waterfall 

Reluctantly we carried on, only twenty minutes and then we got picked up and taken for lunch.

In the afternoon we went rafting, which sounds more exciting than it was; this rafting was a gentle ride on a bamboo raft. 

Finally time to get back in the song taew, we were all very tired by now and we got dropped back at the hotel by 5.30.

The bamboo huts

A quick shower and dinner at a huge food 'court' but sitting on hay bales and listening to some nice live music while having a gin & tonic. An excellent finish to a great couple of days!

Day 238, Chiang Mai region, Thailand

Through the cabbage patch

And just when you start to think you have seen it all and 'been there, done that', you decide to go on a two day tour and have such a superb experience.

Inger and I had decided to go on this tour, which included a hike, a visit to an elephant park and other local attractions.

We met the others, all very quiet in the song taew to start with until the last two joined us; a young Dutch couple and he was a real chatterbox and broke the ice immediately.

An hour and a half drive in the by now crowded song tael, and first lunch. 

Then a visit to an elephant park where we got to bathe the elephants, actually get in the water with them and scrub them, which was great fun. Next the hike, three hours through both jungle and farm land. I know I did the three day hike on my intrepid tour, but I hate to admit I enjoyed this a bit better. The track was steep and it was bloody hot ( mid 30's), but the scenery and views were so spectacular on this hike. At one stage we walked in single file through cabbage fields!

A stunning sunset

Finally we arrived up the top of the track, at a tiny village and our home for the night. The view from the 'deck' was beautiful, over the valley and across to the next village on the hillside. 

We enjoyed a cold beer while watching a breathtaking sunset.

It's times like that you think, I am so lucky to be doing what I am; meeting interesting people, seeing so much of the world, I don't want this to end!

The Israeli and the Czech,
sharing their rum

Our group consists of two people from the Czech Republic, two from Austria, two from France, Holland, Israel, one from Spain and me! And everyone interesting and wanting to know about each other's travel, plans and goals. We all watched the stars out tonight, there is no light pollution here, and the sky is so so beautiful.

Day 237, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Waiting at the Songtaew 

How lovely again to see a familiar face! 

A super sleep on the train as I expected, being lulled to sleep by the rocking of the train.

Into the old song taew at the train station and just a short ride to the hotel where Inger was already checked in.

Carved soaps at the market 

She had also done a tour through Vietnam and then travelled up through Laos, up the Mekong and back down to Chiang Mai, so we had plenty of travel experiences to talk about.

Breakfast and a leisurely time by the pool, then a walk into town and deciding what we will do for the next few days.

Night market 

There are lots of options from Chiang Mai, and we decided on a two day/ one night excursion with a smallish hike, an overnight stay in a hilltribe village plus visit to an elephant sanctuary, so definitely a good choice (we hope). The scenery up north is so much prettier, but people everywhere are very friendly in Thailand.