VEE-TRAVEL: E-mail #2 from Chiang Mai

Deaf Thai girls with Clare

We are now in northern Thailand after a long stay in Bangkok, which didn't feel like enough time for us both to do everything! For those who don't know what Bangkok is like, it's fast, busy, and very, very big! There are so many temples, shops, and places to see. And the shops are great!

I had a very stressful two last days in Bangkok. Firstly, I left my bank card in a machine, and realised an hour later that either a passer-by or the machine had taken it. Then, the next day, my purse strangely disappeared, so I texted my Mum to cancel the card in that one too!!! Just an hour later, I found it in a hidden pocket in my bag, much to my embarrassment! One bit of advice: don't carry all your cards together in one wallet, keep them separate!

Bangkok is brilliant at night. Khao San Road is brilliant for partying and that's exactly what backpackers all over the world, and Isabel and I, have been doing – partying! It's cheap, with cocktails costing just over 140 baht (or around £1.40) and beer 70 baht (70p!).

I can't believe that our friends who have been to Bangkok didn't tell us about this area, as there's a really cool hostel which has a bar and a place to eat! It's called Sawasdee House for anyone who wants to stay there!! There's a lot of Australians and Americans here – and we've met a lot of deaf Thai too – much to our surprise!

The bus journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai took 11 hours overnight. The bus stopped at a service station – very different from the English ones. And the toilets, to explain, are either a Western toilet (those that we are familiar with and sit down on) or the standing-up ones! Most of the time, the standing-up loos have been very smelly so Isabel and I have actually walked away from them to find somewhere else! Also, a very handy tip – make sure you buy toilet paper and wet wipes! None of the loos provide toilet paper apart from at the shopping centres!

You can find Boots chemists here, which are cheap and very clean, so get your toiletries and medications there. Isabel and I have been buying things from the market and the shopping centres, which can be cheap, so long as you remember to HAGGLE! We've both bought fantastic skirts, with sequins and a flowered pattern. Very flattering, and perfect for travelling.

We went on a tour for the day to the River Kwai. The train took two hours to get up there. There's no locks on the door, so we sat, wind blowing in our hair, life passing us by, holding onto the rail! Brilliant! Isabel and I loved that and will remember it for a long time!! When we arrived, we walked on the bridge over the River Kwai. We took plenty of photos and saw a waterfall, too – with children squealing and jumping into the water to cool down!

Chiang Mai is much more relaxed than Bangkok, and at the hostel we're staying at we've got a twin en-suite room for around £1 a night each! Cheap or what?

Hope you're enjoying the e-mails as much as Isabel and I are enjoying life here! The food is different, but if you come here, try as much as you can! We do miss the English food, as Thai people eat the same food all day long, even eating noodles or rice for breakfast!! Eeek!!

Clare xXxXx

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