Going Home - Sunday 11th December

A magnificent trip and thoroughly recommended to anyone who enjoys a bit of adventure with the hard administrative bits taken care of. Each day on the road was a different experience of fascinating hill-tribes, scenery and food and the whole package was brilliantly organised by Peter, Celia, Vicky and Mr Gu. More information on the available trips can be found as www.ontheroadinchina.com

And for anyone who has waded through this journal:

A collection of our photos can also be found at:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/50989224@N04/collections/72157628509026045/

Chiang Mai - Saturday 10th December

Saturday presented the opportunity to cruise around Chiang Mai, which is a charming city with some outstanding temples.

This one particularly grabbed us, as not only did it possess an amazing library, but amongst the general animals and dieties that are to be found at many Budhist temples was a large statue of Donald Duck eating a bowl of noodles.


The mind boggles. What happened when the Dalai Lama got trapped in a field of wild sheep? - a rama lama ding-dong.

 In the evening we took the boat trip again, this time with Rod, followed by an excellent riverside dinner at the Chedi. The highlight of the evening was a lunar eclipse which we were able to clearly see.

 

The Chedi - Friday 9th December

Seeking brassware at economical prices we took a trip out to a local crafts outlet out in the sticks. Unfortunately the complex seemed to be focused on mass production for retailers and there was very little on offer for us. However, it gave us a chance to see intricate craft-work in progress and some magnificent and bizarre products.

In the evening we took a boat trip up the river, starting at a temple just down from the Chedi. 

The Chedi - Thursday 8th December

We finished the trip at the Chedi in Chiang Mai, a superb hotel built around the old British High Commission, which is now used for the bars and restaurants. The merits of making water a main feature of a dimly lit bar area are however debatable. although nobody got wet while we were there.













Unfortunately the same could not be said for Jenni's iPhone, which ended up at the bottom of the ornamental pond attached to the swimming pool.

However, the spa helped to soothe the furrowed brow.

 The highlight of the day was having dinner at a French restaurant (La Terrace) that Rod and Chas had found on a previous visit to Chiang Mai. Steak, chips, veggies and patisseries came as a welcome change from eleven days of Asian cuisine, much as we all love it.

Chiang Seng to Chiang Mai - Wednesday 7th December

Bidding a very reluctant farewell to the Anantara we set off on the final day of this extraordinary journey.  

The first stop was an outlandish and soulless folly – one man’s White Temple project in Chiang Rai.

Final road shots as we approached the end of the trail – the gorgeous Chedi Hotel at Chiang Mai.  We are staying a few extra nights before going back to face the real world and Christmas – help, where’s the night market??!!