Wednesday 25th - travelling to Chang Rai

Wednesday 25th - travelling to Chang Rai

I woke up early this morning to Max's alarm (damn it!) - don't think it was intentional though! I ended up staying in his hut as my bag was there already and it worked out cheaper for us and less hassle after a long and tiring day. It did occur to me to get up and try to get the 8 o clock bus to the border but I had no idea where it was going from or whether there were seats and also had to return the motorbike. I couldn't get back to sleep but just lay in to try and get some energy back. Ended up hanging out in Pai until 2pm when we got on the ordinary bus to Chang Mai. It was quite squashed and Max in his blunt way said couldn't I sit somewhere else?! Did eventually move as it seemed he was chatting up a Brazilian girl in front of us and I felt I was an unwelcome intruder! Very tired and for a while was feeling quite low wondering if I had done the right thing coming to Chang Mai as if I had been more organised I could have been in Laos sooner and I dont know where my friends are. I wondered if I had altered my plans because of Max or whether I would have gone anyway. The truth is, I have places I like to go but do genuinely like company too so it does have a bearing on the choices I make but there is a fine line between that and let it affect your own plans too much when you have other things on the radar like time! So yes maybe I was feeling a little homesick or friendsick shall I say.

I decided I was going to pull myself together so upon arriving in Chang Rai me and Max split as we had different ideas about where we wanted to stay and I thought it was about time I went off by myself again, I get a bit crotchety if I don't get my own space I love company but I also love being by myself. After all I wanted to check out the night bazaar which is never easy with a guy and also look into things for tomorrow as I am planning on only having one day so will be up early making the most of it.

I knew I would like Chang Rai when I got here. I eventually found a place for 170 baht for the room (Easy Room)- more than I had hoped but I didn't want to waste too much time looking when I could be window or stall shopping! The stalls are amazing and I think there must be some women from the hill tribes that come to sell their wares - eiither that or some locals playing dressing up! If I was here for longer would go on a proper treck but dont think thats gonna be feasible.

I forgot to put my memory card back in my camera after downloading to my netbook on the bus, but basically I'll always remember it here its nicer than Chang Mai - more character but I like smaller cozier places anyway thats just me. There were a couple of stages dotted around near food halls (loads of little stands of different very cheap Thai food) with shows or music and lots and lots of Thais - again didnt see many westerners. And hurray! - the temperature is really nice - not sticky like Bankok but not cold like Pae. At last I won't be cold again! Good job too as Lai lai gave my coat away thinking I had left - which I had, but only temporarily on my motorbike road trip.

I chatted to a couple of londoners in one of the bars down one of the main streets, other than that I just wandered around taking it in. I found a lovely food market where I bought Thai noodles with cashew nuts for 35 baht, I was surrounded by Thais. There was live music on a couple of stages (one really badly lip synching!) and such like but generally the night market has a lovely vibe about it. If I was here for more than 1 night I would go out but I'm so tired and want to have a good full day tomorrow so gonna get my head down. Finally bought a watch with alarm which should help matters. And a little ring. I can't help myself! Sod the budget! Glad I came to Chang Rai. Hope tomorrow works out OK and crossing the border.

Money spent: Accomodation 75 baht, Breakfast 80 baht, coke 15 baht, bus to Chang Mai 70 baht, sandwich train station 15 baht, air con bus to Chang Rai 130 baht. Accomodation (easy house) 170 baht, watch 150 baht, food 35 baht, strawberries 30 baht, drink 15 baht, water 13 baht, body wash and shampoo 89 baht, ring 40 baht. TOTAL: 827 / 18.54 pounds.

Best thing: Night market
Worst thing: Not getting my butt in order. Should have been more organised.