Jess & Jude's Adventures in Thailand 2004

Thursday 10 June
Our first day chillin' in Chiangmai

Suriwongse Hotel is very comfortable. The rooms are a good size with all amenities and the beds are very comfortable. I awoke at 6.30am and went downstairs for a coffee. I left Jess to sleep for a little while longer. We both went down for breakfast at 8am, there was plenty of choice and very tasty.

Jess and I took a walk around town to get our bearings and picked up a local map. I have only booked the Suriwongse for three nights so we have to find another cheaper place for the other five nights. We checked out a few guest houses and got prices. Back at the motel I got out the trusty L.P. (thanks John) and read up on the various accommodation. Went out again and headed towards the river. We looked at the Galare and Riverside Guesthouses but both were too expensive. Prices have doubled and tripled since the L.P. was published. Walking back down the night market road we found the "Night Bazaar Place", a great hotel in a magic position. Hotel style rooms, Sat.TV, air con and hotwater for 600bt. I managed to bargain down to 550bt for 5 nights. Still very reasonable, works out at about $100AUD for the 5 nights. We will book in there on the 12th. The hotel doesn't have breakfast but supplies free tea, coffee and cookies all day long.

It was pouring down when we came outside so we made a mad dash for the Pizza Hut across the road. (Sorry Ferg - it was the nearest food place!) Grabbed some lunch then back to the hotel for a rest before hitting the night market for some retail therapy.

It's 4pm and the night market is just setting up, we are sitting at Starbucks watching the show. We spent the next few hours wandering the markets. Jess bought som CD's (100bt ea) and I picked up some pants and T-shirts. We stopped for dinner at the Red Lion Pub. By 10pm we were dead on our feet and made our way back to the hotel. Watched a little TV and fell into an exhausted sleep.

Friday 11 June
Chiangmai shopping

We awoke at 7.30am and went down to Starbucks for a Cafe Latte and Hot Chocolate to start the day. We went in search of a laundry as we are getting low on clean clothes. We found one around the corner for 40bt/kilo including ironing. Back to the hotel for breakfast then dropped off our laundry, will be ready at 6pm tonight.

We walked up to the Wororot Day Market, only a couple of blocks away. Everything is much cheaper here than at the night market. Jess bought some T-shirts (79bt) and an excellent pair of jeans (199bt). We spent a couple of hours here before hopping a songthaew back to the hotel (20bt).

Jess did a quick change into the new clothes then we headed for the I-net place for emails. Decided to ring Ferg (15bt/min), it was great to hear his voice.

An afternoon storm passed over the city so Jess and I decided to stay out of the rain. We headed for a foot massage place. We both had a foot massage (90bt/30min). What a glorious experience, it was bliss. Will definitely have another one before we leave Chiangmai.

The rain had stopped when we came out so we did some jewellery shopping. Bought a great necklace with a silver scuba diver pendant (125bt). Back at the hotel for a luxurious bath. Picked up the laundry at 6pm, fresh smelling and ironed, great service.

Jess wanted to go on the internet again, so I sat outside at the Den Duang Restaurant partaking of a Singha Beer. This is an excellent restaurant, good prices and a great selection of Thai food (opp. Royal Princess Hotel). Damn the beer was good. The night market has started with all the hustle and bustle. Tuk Tuks, songthaews and many motorcycles are whizzing past. Chiangmai is fantastic.

We spent the evening walking the markets again, bougth a few gifts for friends at home. By 9pm we headed back to the hotel for TV and sleep.