Day 6 & 7

25.06.23 – 26.06.23

I must still be quite tired because even though I was in bed and asleep by 10.30 I’m still not waking up till around 8am, which is quite late for me. It’s all good though.

I head down to the restaurant for my usual breakfast, I’m obviously a creature of habit! Fresh fruit, today they had some Papaya, which I added to my plate along with pineapple, mango & watermelon. 

Mmm, not sure 🤔 Papaya is odd, it’s kind of sweet but a little savoury, it confuses me and I’m not sure that I like it! 

The egg situation is a bit hit and miss, todays egg was undercooked, I don’t like the white on top of the yolk to be raw, so I politely asked for it to be flipped, then hey Ho! Yummy egg. 

I’m amazed at how different nationalities approach breakfast buffets. One very small, slim Asian lady had at least 3 large plates full of food, she eat nearly all of it as well to be fair, but some people pile up their plates then leave loads. 

Georgia, do you remember this happening in Bali!! It makes me sad, just take what you need and then bloody eat it!! 

After breakfast I was trying to finish writing my blog and upload the photos, but no joy. The WiFi at the hotel is a bit patchy, there are several ones I can join, I’m told A1 is the fastest but not today. This means that my photos just don’t upload. No problem, I finish writing then head out to the new, very fancy coffeehouse down the road, which I know has fast wifi. 

I order my iced Caramel Macchiato and get to work, presto! We are on. Blog and photos uploaded, hurrah 😁 

It’s quite a pleasant coffee shop, very modern and full of trendy young things posting their pics on Instagram! But the coffee is good, they have beans from 3 local coffee growers which I like. 

I decide to chill here for a bit checking emails, paying bills, reading the news (so depressing!) after an hour or 2 I start to walk back to the hotel but stop and have a pedicure instead!  So lovely and relaxing, I’m the only customer and the ladies are just chilling and chatting shit. An hour or so later I have lovely pink nails and pampered feet! 

Back to the hotel for a swim.

Just before I get in the pool there’s lots of loud shouting coming from the reception area, then out comes the lovely receptionist, Sing, 

followed by some other woman who is screaming, pointing and following her! She in turn is followed by an older couple who are trying to calm her down, Sing is crying and trying to make a call on her mobile, the other woman continues to scream! WTF! I have no idea what’s going on, or why but I know that lovely Sing is being attacked by this demonic Bitch! Sing tries to leave the hotel and the woman continues to scream at her. The next thing the police arrive and talk to the screaming woman, who is still shouting, she is then bundled into a car/taxi with the older couple and driven away. Sing comes back and is still crying and looking shaken. What a drama! 😬 Poor Sing.

Anyway! Whilst all this is going on I’m in the pool doing my lengths, I did 20 today. (Well, 40 of the hotel pool which is equivalent to 20 normal lengths) 

It’s the ‘Walking Street’ tonight which starts at 5ish. The ‘Walking Street’ is a market set out along a very long street just by the hotel. I’m to have a look as I need to get a couple of things. 

Firstly, a new silver chain. Mine broke before I came away and on it I have a few things that are very precious to me: a Green Stone (Jade, Pounamu) pendant I bought in New Zealand, a silver globe that I bought after my first big trip and most precious, a saints pendant that my lovely friend Colin gave me last year, the pendant belonged to his Mother and he said it was to keep me safe. I’ve carried these items with me since the chain broke but want to wear them again. I found a perfect replacement and popped all the items back on and am now wearing my talisman, balance is restored. 😊

The ‘Walking Street’ is good fun, with lots to see and different people, smells etc. I love it. 

After a good mooch around and a brief stop for a beer and a chat to possibly the most beautiful couple I’ve ever seen, Him: tall, big, perfect teeth, big nose. Her: small, slim, perfect teeth and smile. They were not only beautiful outside but warm, friendly, lovely and Australian and on their Honeymoon! 

One of the things I most enjoy about traveling is all the fabulous people you meet, even if it’s just for a few minutes. 😍

After that, I was beginning to get peckish, so headed to Kats. I was able to figure out the quickest way there using smaller lanes and cut throughs, go me! 

Kats was extremely busy, there was a queue for tables, I’m not in a rush so am happy to wait, after only 5 minutes my little table becomes available. I’ve been fancying Noodles for some reason, so that’s what I order. Ma Ma Chicken Noodles, which are not spicy apparently (although they said this about the Drunken Noodles last year and they blew my head off!🌶️🌶️🌶️) I also ordered a Thai Rum and Coke. They apologised and said there would be a long wait, I literally waited just over 15 mins, which is not long at all. 

The Noodles were bloody delicious 🤤 so good, they may well become one of my favourites! 

Kats also seems to have employed a singer with a guitar, they must have seen my blog yesterday! 😂 

To be honest, he wasn’t great he managed to massacre a rendition of My Way just before I left! 😬 but who cares, the vibe is excellent, the food, delicious and the price, £3.50 Winning. 😍

I woke up feeling great, did some stretches, showered and then off for breakfast!

It really is handy having breakfast included, not only does it keep me fed for the morning/afternoon it also provides a great people watching spot and somewhere to write my blog!

The staff are really kind, and very attentive, especially to me as I’ve been before and am staying a long time 😍 most guests are here for a few days, a week at most. 

I’m going to have a little walk towards the river today as there is a Big C supermarket down that way and I’m determined to find some Butter Biscuits or Palmiers!  😂

It’s a nice stroll down quite a busy road, with lots of bars which are full and buzzing at night but pretty quiet in the day, although there are a few sad western men out already trying their luck, drinking their beer! 

One of the busiest places is a Bar called ‘The Red Lion’ serving English breakfast’s etc. 😬 I think I’ll give it a miss. 

Once I spotted the supermarket I decided to continue my walk and call in on the way back. 

I walk down to the river by the big Iron Bridge, then have a wander around a less touristy area, which is pretty quiet. 

The river Mae Ping was traditionally the source of trade for Chiang Mai it flows from the Daen Lao Range on the Myanmar/Thai border and heads south to the Chao Praha River that flows through Bangkok.

There are some lovely areas around here, which I will definitely be back to explore and apparently it’s great at Sunset, so that will be added to my list of things to do. 

I stop at a nice cafe for a Coke and just enjoy watching the locals fishing , the boats going past and the breeze! 

There seem to be a few high end Condos down by the river which might account for the fancy French Bakery I spotted! It had some amazing looking cakes, but had sold out of Palmiers! NO!! Thwarted again. 

I call in at the Big C and it’s not as big as I expected, more Small to Medium C tbh! But it is reasonably priced compared to the fancy supermarket at Maya Lifestyle, sadly no Butter Biscuits, but they did have Palmiers! 😍 while I’m here I also grab a 4 pack of Singha Beer and then off I toddle back to the hotel. By the time I get back I’m pretty hot so pop the beer in the fridge and attempt to put my swimming costume on!! 

For the love of God! It’s like doing some kind of complicated contortionist manoeuvre! I’m surprised I haven’t dislocated something 😂😂😂 this is the result of removing clothes, bra tops particularly and them putting on a body shaping costume whilst a little hot & sweaty!! 

Finally, it’s on, with only minor discomfort and into the bloody refreshing, cold pool I go. 🥵😍💙

I swam 24 lengths today 😊 I’m so pleased with my swimming this year, such an improvement on this time last year. 

I spend the rest of the afternoon reading and relaxing, listening to the rain. Late afternoon seems to be the time for the rain, which is perfect. 

I head out to the ‘Spice Bar’ around 7 for a Mojito or 2. The lovely barman remembers me, apologises again and promises not to bring both drinks at once! Such a sweet guy. 

I spend the time chatting to Grantley on WhatsApp and comparing our Wordle attempts! I’m currently on a bit of a roll. 👍 (it won’t last) 

Then it’s off to Kats. Tonight I’m trying the Yellow Curry, which is quite mild, but absolutely delicious 🤤 I’m also joined by a cute little ginger kitten! 

Kats, Kittens & Curries you can’t get better than that! 😍

A very lovely day.

Books read 3 

Down to the Woods by M.J. Arlidge. A Detective Grace series, Book 9. Good.