Day 6 - River Cruising

Woke up with a thumping headache, probably from over indulging on whisky during the football. The only good thing was that we had both slept in until after 7am.

Breakfast was the same as usual, but it is worth noting that the coffee is excellent. Chiang Mai is a coffee growing region.

At 10.40am our transport arrived to take us across town to Mae Ping River Cruises. At 11am, we boarded our boat, a long boat with beautiful wooden tables & chairs. There were 3 other couples on board, one with a noisy Chinese kid. The boat pootled slowly up the Mae Ping river passing various sights pointed out by our captain, including the US Embassy & a Princess’ summer residence. 45 minutes later we arrived at a farm out in the country, where we disembarked for a guided tour of all the examples of crops grown in northern Thailand. It was more museum than farm with displays of farming equipment used during the ages. After we were each supplied with a plate of watermelon & green apple with ginger or lemongrass drinks. All very pleasant, then we embarked on the return journey, returning at 1pm.

After a quick photo of the Temple, Wat Chaimongkol beside Mae Ping River Cruises, we headed north following the river, until we arrived at our next destination, Talat Warorot. Talat Warorot is Chiang Mai’s oldest public market & sells most of the usual things, but in a busy confined indoor area. I didn’t think we would be hanging about for long, but we ended up buying a belt each. Jackie bought a leather belt for 50 Baht (£1.25) & I bought a canvas belt for not much more. I needed a new belt because my leather belt is now nearly wrapping around my waist twice. Just saying!

We continued browsing then headed out for lunch. This might sound weird, but we, mainly I, chose an Indian restaurant, called the Kanab House. It sold all the usual fare & did ‘Vigan’ food. We both ordered the set menu of Chicken Tikka Massala, saffron rice & garlic naan with a bottle of Chang. When in Rome.....oh no that doesn’t work. It was absolutely delicious. Jackie enquired about a toilet & was told to follow a young lad to a clothes shop down the road. As you do!

Feeling totally stuffed & hoping that our new belts still fitted, we returned to the hotel & relaxed by the pool. I caught up with my blog that I was to hungover to complete in the morning, whilst Jackie fretted about the train seats, what she should wear on the train etc etc.

That evening we headed back out to Anusarn Night Bazaar for food. We had a beer, then I ordered 12 pork Gyozas & Jackie the Chiang Mai Noodles, a bowl of spicy chicken & noodle soup. It was lovely, Jackie liked it so much that she had at least 6 splashes of it on her white top, presumably to save for later!

With an early start in the morning we walked back, stopping at a supermarket for some provisions for the train. A small bottle of Hong Thong each, Coke Zeros, crisps, nuts & wafer biscuits, then home for an early night.

Song of the Day - River Man by Nick Drake.Read more