Chiang Mai, N Thailand, 8 Nov. Internet contact...ever easier the further you get from civilisation. Here, internet cafes proliferate in inverse proportion to local income, 15p/hour being the cost thisof.
Chiang Mai is a lovely emerald haven that contrasts totally with the thronging mulestrom of Bangagainsttheklok. Juxtapositions: temples and buddhas, street markets, bazaars and bars, noise and congestion. I tell ya, them happy Thais buzz around all day and night, and they love it. Things are getting done everywhere all the time without anybody seeming to worry or complain about much at all. There are massive Buddhist temples, serenity amidst the severity, and funky Chinamen in funky Chinatown. Rainstorms almost every afternoon, and a big street flood one day in particular. It took nearly half an hour to get to the local 7-11 without getting wet feet (wading would have spoilt the fun).

As there's a big festival approaching, I couldn'ae get out soon enough on the train, so opted to fly here with HappyGo LuckyJetaiii4u - 27 quid, curt staff, home from home. Am now in a nice guest house in Chiang Mai with a pool, and a view featuring extensive chlorophyll for 4 quid a night! Woohoo! Tomorrow I venture on a 3 day organised trek with some eco-tourist outfit, accompanied by a power-trio of Brits, a cube of Dutch, a wad of Swiss, a Kiwi and some quiet ones at the back (Swedes, I think) who will set a good example. We're hiking up Thailand's highest peak, mutually exploiting tribespeople, riding elephants and rafting rivers. Not sure what's planned for the afternoon.
Laters....JH