THAILAND - CHIANGMAI: AUGUST 2019

Moving on from Bangkok, we took a direct flight to Chiangmai, about an hour north of the capital. Upon arriving in our next city, we rushed straight from our new hotel to catch the end of the weekly night market to purchase some souvenirs before heading back for a sleep!

Day two in Chiangmai consisted of a visit to as many temples as we could find in the local area! We hopped on bicycles, braved the pouring rain and cycled to about 10 different temples, including the Watphrasing Woramahawihan Temple. They are nothing like temples I have ever seen before, even the smallest ones are filled with the most elaborate and intricate decorations and detailing; they are a spectacle to behold. We worked up quite an appetite cycling around, so we stopped for lunch where I had Khao Soi, a local dish from the area and honestly one of the most delicious lunches I have ever had! Our second day ended on a high with a trip to the “Chiangmai Grand Canyon”, which was basically a big body of water with canoes, an inflatable obstacle course and diving boards. Us three were the only ones here so we made the most of our time and had great fun!

The next day was in my opinion the best day of the whole trip; a visit to one of the elephant sanctuaries! We were lucky enough to help feed them, have a mud bath with them (which turned out to be one of the most unsanitary things I have ever done, but also one of the most fun things as well!) and then swim in the ravine with them! The most wonderful day which left me exhausted and having about 150 photos of the same 5 elephants on my camera roll!

Our last full day in Chiangmai was also a busy one; with a ride on a vespa up a mountain to one of the highest temples in Thailand called the Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple. On the way back down from this temple, we came across a waterfall named the Huaykeaw Waterfall and thought it too good of a photo opportunity to miss! We ended our last day in Chiangmai with a few drinks with a couple Belgian boys we met called Simon and Gilles. Being in China for so long away from the western world has been strange and a bit tough, so it was great to meet such wonderful people half way across the globe who aren't that far from home! It was the perfect end to another brilliant part of our trip; great company, good drinks and fab music (from what I can remember of that night)!

Watphrasing Woramahawihan Temple entrance fee = 20 Baht (54p)

Bike hire for the whole day = 50 Baht (£1.35)

Grand Canyon Waterpark entrance fee = 100 Baht (£2.71)

Elephant Sanctuary half day fee = 1,700 Baht (£46)

Vespa ride = 150 Baht (£4)

Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple entrance fee = 30 Baht (81p)