Stage 2 - Chang Mai

We are now at Stage 2 of our Thailand adventure. We decided to fogro the 14 hr train ride from Bangkok to Chang Mai yesterday and decided instead to take the low-cost airline (like a Southwest) to get to Chang Mai. We were very glad that we did as we arrived in Chang Mai in 1 hours time and got in in time to enjoy the evening in Chang Mai.

While Bangkok is a very large, busy, dirty and crowded city, we were so pleased to find Chang Mai a much smaller town, more low-key, greener, no highrises, quite cleaner, and with a very educated, modern and stylist population. Our hotel is in the university area of Chang Mai, and it felt like we could have been in any US college town - Athens, Ithaca, Tempe... Our hotel is walking distance to the main college drag and last night we enjoyed the evening street festival that was taking place, with live music, lots of shops open, a huge array of restaurants to choose from, and a festival of artists selling their wares. It was absolutely delightful!

While we had a bit of trouble selecting from the many food choices, I was blown away to find a shop that specilalized in TOAST, yes, toasted bread! You could order a clice with any topping and then they served itcut up in many pieces to eat with a fork. I ordered two of the toast with butter and sugar! Who knew there could be a restaurant that surviced on serving bread and butter. I think I've found my entrepreneurial opportunity to bring back to the States! :-)

Bill enjoyed a break from Thai cuisine and got a burger and fries at at counter joint called Mike's, which seems to be a hot burger place in California. Back to Thai food for both of us today!

Today we plan to walk Chang Mai and visit the old city and the temples. We are booking a day-trip tour to head into the hill country tomorrow to go elephant riding, coast down the river on a bamboo raft, and visit some of the native hill tribes, most notably the very sophisticated Karen tribe that has survived in Northern Thailand for thousands of years. It should be an exciting adventure!

We're having a blast and can't wait to show you all of our photos (we're taking TONS!) and tel you about our fun adventures when we return.

Hope everyone is doing well back in the States!