Day 30 – 32

19.07.23 – 21.07.23

I didn’t get to sleep till quite late last night which meant I woke up late this morning. Although I guess technically there is no ‘late’ I don’t have to be anywhere! 😂 But I was a little late for breakfast. I wasn’t especially hungry so I just grabbed a cup of tea. 

I then had a wander to my new favourite coffee hang out, a lovely Hotel with a great Cafe. I ordered a delicious breakfast bowel, with coconut yogurt, fruit, muesli and honeycomb! It was so delicious. They also do the best caramel macchiato!! 

It’s great to sit here writing, checking my emails etc. 

I managed 28 Lengths today in the pool! Go me. 😄

I’ve had a little look online for any rooftop bars to watch the sunset. The sun sets behind the mountains but it should still be a great view. I decide to go to the Sala Lanna Hotel. 

The Hotel is down by the river and offers great views to the mountains from their nice looking rooftop bar! 

It’s a bit of a walk so I order a Grab. My Grab drops me at the hotel. 

I go in, ask if it’s ok to go to the rooftop bar, the receptionist says of course, points to lift, explains that it only goes to the 3rd floor then I have to walk up to the 4th floor. 

I follow her instructions, up to the 3rd floor, walk up the stairs and through a large wooden door onto a completely deserted rooftop, all the furniture is covered, it’s like the bloody Marie Celeste except there are no bottles of drink left lying around! 

Not quite the atmosphere I was hoping for! 

After a couple of minutes the receptionist appears with a young guy. She explains that the bar is closed because it’s supposed to rain (to be fair it is spitting with rain and there are black clouds everywhere!) She is so apologetic I feel bad! The young guy is the barman, I’m not sure if he is there to open the bar or as moral support! 

She says that next time I plan on visiting to call first to check it’s open, yes, possibly a good idea 🙄

She then takes me back downstairs and through to a bar/restaurant by the river. It seems nice, so as I’ve come all this way for sunset views and cocktails I might as well have the cocktail at least. 

I sit at table, they bring tablecloths, candles and a menu, guess what? No pissing Cocktails!! Only wine & Beer!  😳 I’m disappointed and a little irritated. But I’m here now so I order a glass of very expensive wine. Whilst waiting for it to arrive I get bitten twice by mosquitoes!! This night is so not going as planned 😬😂

I drink my wine, order a Grab, which goes to the wrong location, I order another Grab, this also goes to the wrong location! (Apparently the app is showing me in the middle of the Ping River!) 

On my third attempt after messaging the driver twice I eventually get picked up!! 

Seriously! What a bloody palaver! 😂😳

By now I’m hungry and hot, so I just walk to the Indian by the hotel and grab a yummy Chicken Curry an Iced Tea then bed! 

I’ve woken up this morning with a little bit of a stiff achy neck, not sure if it’s from weird sleeping position or swimming? 

I may well treat myself to a massage later 🥰 see how we go.

I’ve wandered down the road from the hotel and think I’m going to try a different place for coffee. It’s a lovely little place, I think it sells cannabis as well but as it’s only 12pm I feel it’s a little early for a spliff! 

I order an iced caramel latte. It arrives and it’s very disappointing, literally just cold milk with a watery looking coffee slopped on top, no discernible caramel! I have a sip, then look at it for a while and decide, you know what, I’m too fucking old to be drinking shit coffee! 

I pay and leave. (😂This is so unlike me! I would usually drink it and be miserable, but not today bitches! ) 

I stride off feeling great, albeit still hot and caffeine deprived, but never fear my lovely hotel; Burirattana, is not far away. I hear a Caramel Macchiato calling!  

Oh yes! Delicious! I’m ignoring the sugar content and just enjoying it! ❤️

It’s amazing but Lila Thai massage is quite close, funny that! So in I pop for a neck, back & shoulder massage. I am greeted like an old friend, which is wonderful. 

The massage is amazing, again not always pain free but certainly loosens up my neck and gets rid of my headache. 🙏

I head back to the hotel and have a swim but only 16 lengths, so as not to aggravate my neck. 

I meet a nice Australian lady, Diane who has just arrived with her husband, Walter. They have come up from Krabi, Ao Nang Beach, where I’m heading next. She had all good things to report, which is encouraging.

Having lost my favourite BOGOF Mojito spot, I’ve found another pleasant place just along by Thapae Gate. Called ‘Churn’ it’s a small cafe/bar but they do really nice Rum & Cokes with extra fresh lime/lemon and some nice music. 

I have a couple before some fried rice at Kats.

I slept pretty well last night and have woken without and aches or stiffness. I followed the better sleeping position as best I could. 

I need to get some cash out today, I always like to do it at an ATM at an actual Bank, just to be in the safe side. 

I know there’s a bank down past Thapae Gate, so that’s the way I head. I get a little sidetracked down an alley which has a some great food stalls. It’s also an area I haven’t explored much, so I have a mooch down some alleys and discover a large temple I haven’t seen before. 

‘Wat Chiang Mun’ Temple is lovely, quite big with some nice greenery. 

There are a group of young Thai girls in traditional or just fancy costumes having a photo shoot. They look beautiful. 

From the temple I walk down to the Su Phum Corner of the old wall. Which has gorgeous water lily’s, I also see lots of fish in the water for the first time. 

I find the bank, get some cash with no drama. I have a fear that my card is going to be swallowed by the machine! 😬

On the way back to the hotel I pass a little food stand, selling these waffle things. I’m a bit peckish but nothing much so I’m not sure what made me stop, but I did. 

It turns out this is their first day open!! 2 young girls making Thai Tea and Pandan waffles, drinks etc. They were so pleased that I stopped and asked to take a picture. I said I’d follow them on Instagram, and turns out Coffee in the Corner was their first every follower & Claire Marginson their second! Fabulous. They are called Moonmuang.th if anyone wants to follow them, as a bit of support. 

So, some rather big news now. 

After my swim today, the pool was empty, nobody was around and I thought I would try to swim with my head underwater! 😬😳 

It took me several attempts and lots of deep breaths but eventually I did it!! I swam at least 3 strokes underwater on my first attempt. OMFG! So happy. 😍

I tried again a few times and managed a few more strokes. Then as I was on a roll I put my head underwater and opened my eyes 👀, well to be honest I think it was only 1 eye 👁️ But, this is huge for me. I tried several times last year and just couldn’t do it. So I feel very chuffed with myself! 

I’ll keep on practicing and also invest in a pair of goggles, as advised by the Fabulous Curly Steve. 

I think I might end on this positive note. 

Having listened to your feedback, Tomorrow I’m off to the mountains and a little town called Pai. 

Pai is apparently is a must do, which I didn’t do last year. 

I’m catching the bus which takes 4hrs through the Mountains and I will be there till Monday. 

Have a great weekend everyone.

Books read. 

I’m actually still reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt!  Report to follow.