Fri 3 Feb
Up early to pack up and get organised before having breakfast and loading into Sarah’s car . We were leaving from Chang Pheuak Bus Terminal in the northern part of the old city, to go to Chiang Mai in the mountains. As we had changed our dates, due to needing more time in the northern regions, we were going to miss the famous Chiang Mai Flower Festival parade on Saturday morning! Sarah kindly took as to a park where the streets were already strewn with stalls of stunning flower displays, dropped us at the gates and gave us 30 mins to have a quick peek into what was already on display. Well there were many amazing displays and archways of flowers, hand painted elephants that were painted by celebrities and sold for an elephant charity. Was an amazing show of beautiful colours and was so happy to get a glimpse of what was happening the next day! Sadly had to say our goodbyes to Sarah – she’s heading back to UK on the 8th for Piers’ ½ term and Glyn leaves for more travelling for his Premium Tobacco Co! Hopefully it won't be long will we have our next Archer House Girls Reunion as we are overdue now! We chugged our way on our little orange bus having departed at 11 – seats packed BHT 40 each and took 2 hours -many drop offs and pick ups along the way. Many trees and started to climb into the hills- a little windy in some parts but luckily going pretty slow so didn’t feel too ill! Dropped off in the centre of Chiang Dao – a small town in the middle of a jungle setting. We grabbed a bite to eat in a pleasant café nearby and found a sorng-taa-ou to take us to the Nest 1 in nearby Ban Tham – 150 BHT and about 10 min ride . Ban Tham sits under the large limestone mountain of Chiang Dao and many people from Chiang Mai come here for weekend getaways (apparently to escape the heat but as we are in their “cool” season this is not an issue at the mo). Sarah & the Bottings had both recommended staying here – I think more for the food than the accommodation! We were shown to Cabin 1 – set back in the trees and not seeing much sun so pretty cool! Lovely open restaurant, fire pit, various areas to lounge in which worked out being great as didn’t get the wifi signal in our cabin. BHT1045 ($39) per night, no meals included. We dropped our bags and then walked up the road for about 10 mins to the base of the steps leading up to the Wat Pham Pha Plong. About 800 steps later (climbing through the jungle) and many buddhist sayings posted on trees we arrived at the rocky crevice where the much loved monk – Luang Pu Sim once practiced and lived out his life. Whilst we were staying at the Nest 1 you would hear bells being rung for the monks (including at 3am or some unearthly hour)! Some great views over the forest and to the back of the impressive mountain . Went back down the road to Nest 2 (part of same hotel but about 1 km away) and made a dinner reservation for the following night. Returned to our bamboo weave bungalow and did some internet research in the hotel. We got chatting to a lovely couple from Quebec who are doing a similar travel itinerary to us except they are also going to Bali, Indonesia and China and spending 5 months away! Yves & Annie looked in their mid 50’s and had decided to quit work and travel – we laughed as had many of the same experiences and destinations – even down to the Osprey Flashpacks (theirs were larger!). We had made a reservation for dinner at Nest 1 which is the more Western style food of the 2 locations. We both had the pork tenderloin, cooked with bacon and an interesting potato concoction underneath and a few veg – we indulged and had the yummiest apple cake and ice-cream for dessert! Early night – everyone certainly comes here to chill out and veg as there were many board games and books to keep you entertained. A few weird noises on the roof during the night but finally got to sleep!!

Sat 4 Feb
My write up has mysteriously disappeared from the blog but as far as I can remember we spent the day walking around Wat Tham Chiang Dao and the surrounding area . The forest Wat was founded at the entrance to the Chiang Dao Cave which has a warren of tunnels and passageways that extend for more than 10km into the mountainside! There was much negotiating to enter the cave as you pay an entrance fee and you have to hire a guide when you are inside but after negotiating the guides rate you find out you have to negotiate a rate for the lantern as is pitch black! Such a rip off! Interesting cave system and shrines though! Had a smoothie when we finally got out into the fresh air again. Then walked up a hill to an abandoned temple and moseyed around there. Had lunch at a lovely spot called The Chiang Dao Hut Kitchen where we were entertained by a little Thai boy playing around our table and then riding on his Dads motorbike. We walked about 2km back to the hotel where we just relaxed and chatted to Annie who insisted we join them at the Nest 2 as they were meeting some other travellers and had a booking over there. We met them down there as they had rented a scooter and we all caused chaos by joining tables together and someone dropped a glass - the staff were not very impressed. Interesting evening with 2 other couples - one American couple doing a lot of work with rehabilitating sex trade workers. A little too much of the preaching for my liking though and wanting us to analyse our lives and got very deep and uncomfortable! Luckily we didn't linger after dinner for too long before we walked back to Nest 1. Had a pack of dogs follow us in the dark which was a little unsettling but used my cell phone to shine the light at them to keep them at bay! Happy to get back to our room!