magdalena-on-her-way

Monday, 11th February

I have slept a bit longer, had a nice relaxed breakfast and went to see the Dusit Palace. With a lot of ambition, by foot (thanks, Steve, now I say by foot and not per feet like before even if it sound like ju,ping on one leg :) ) but in this heat over 35 degrees finally I took a tuk-tuk. The driver was very friendly, took me there (the Palace was closed by the way) so after some chat with him and a short visit in a small tourist office ( I did not need it, but he got free gasoline for bringing me there, and it was nearby my guest house, so why should not I give him a favour) and back to Guest House. I went for my first whole body Thai massage, at the same level relaxing and painful, but in total really nice. After that, by tuk-tuk I went to China Town to meet my new Canadian friends, Kevin and Steve. We went for a dinner (I love Thai food...) and got on the overnight train to Chiang Mai. We saw the train and passed the very last car (it looked a bit like for transport of cows) and went further along better looking cars. We were so grateful we dont have reservation for this animal transport... and of course it came out: yes, we do. OK.

Our car looked less promising than the other...

Here we go!

Wew means us, travelling friends and some sweet cockroaches walking down the train and searching for some food...

Tuesday, 12th February

We have survived and arrived. As some work out we went by foot to a hotel, had finally a very long and cold shower and went again for this awesome Thai food...

After 17 hours (3 hours delay inclusive) we arrived in Chiang Mai

My hotel room here

Cosy accessories one can buy on a street

Steve and Kevin, the Travellers

Who knows?...


One nice girl on the left, one nice "girl" on the right

After some rest and a tasty dinner, we went for a Muay Thai, for Thai box. I have considered if I should do this, I hate biox, but this one is a part of Thai tradition, is not so brutal and have some elements one could call "art": smooth movements, special posture. One thing which was astonishing was the boys fighting were e.g. 11 years old. The last fight,a bit bloody, was performed by mature men... Interesting experience, however I felt sorry for boys. But afterwards they looked fine and you could see that they are friends - beyond the ring.

The first fight. I was a bit scared that I have to leave in the middle... But it was not so brutal: however I couldn't somewhat cheer the fighters or clap my hands...

Stretching in between

Prior each fight boys were performing a kind of a traditional "dance"

Tha last fight got the most serious

McThai???


Very talented singer made our last drink on the way home even more pleasant

Wednesday, 13th February

The Tiger Kongdom, here we come! Here one has an opportunity to touch the real tigers. Most importantly, they are treated very well and NOT treated with drugs to keep them calm, as some people mistreating animals do. So we have visited Tiger Kongdom Park nearby Chiang Mai and were allowed to visit boxes with tigers of different ages: the youngest were 2-3 months old, the oldest I think ca 18 months old. They are so awesome, play and behave like cats - maybe a bit bigger... Incredible experience!