ELEPHANTS!

What can I say,yesterday temples and women with pointed heads and numerous arms,today, Elephants,oh yes, elephants. Out at 0800 back at 1800,three hour round trip to an elephant sanctuary. An interesting day but I thought one of the high points was a stray dog that attacked the video display because it presumably recognised a rival on the screen,dogs really do watch T.V. ! All of the elephants were rescued from horrendous happenings in the past,there were a couple of baby elephants that were very appealing, The problem is they eat ten percent of their body weight per day, at Tescos prices it is quite an expense. The sanctuary has fantastic scenery and no fences.

 

 

We were very fortunate in meeting the founder of the sanctuary,who is a tiny lady but very lovely and she is doing a fantastic job. We have an early start in the morning as we are flying south to Malaysia,Kuala Lumpa,

Carols got hold of the blog at last

Hi guys,at last I have prised the computer from his hands and its my turn to update you.It is hot,hot,hot and hard to imagine the weather at home..Lots of walking today, more cultural stuff ending up at the pool for a wind down.

 

We have eaten every thing from vegetarian to really  hot curries and Alan is all riced out.Think steak food parcels would be welcome.I sense a weight loss coming on,but that cant be all bad.Looking healthy but having to keep out of the sun at the moment.

 

Tomorrow we are off to an elephant sanctuary for the day.Alan cant wait!!!!!If he is good and nice to the elephants he may go to Thai boxing in the evening and the following morning we are off to Kuala Lumpur via an internal flight.Think the suntan will start from there.

 

Our accomodation here is a typically Thai type hotel,teak wood with lots of greenery,orchids and bamboo trees.Two small pools ,ok for keeping cool but not serious swimming.

Thats all for now folks,gonna get Alan to add a photo or 2.

 

Chang Mai some pictures but all templed out!

Chang Mai.

 

 

 

Bangkok Station and Chang Mai walkabout.

Today its as hot as a sausage!

 

 

The cultural bit has started, there are many temples here and the odd million or two Thai eating establishments,the music is a bit weird and ranges from pseudo rock and roll,to the wailing of a million cats.There are many strange odours mixing together,and "tuc tucs" battling for rule of the road with pedestrians,it seems only the fast survive,there is no highway code that I can see and I have found the reasons why Thais keep their eyes down, the pavements are very uneven and covered in craters,and "ad hoc" electric cables,interesting,if not shocking.How the "Night Market" doesnt blow up I dont know,its an electrical maize shared with nearby fuel cannisters.The U.K. Health and safety would really earn their corn in this place,but it has atmosphere and a mystical allure.

Chang Mai

 

 

What a difference from Bankok!

 

 

Having survived the train journey which is long but very interesting,it made a pleasant change to go out in the evening and visit the "Night Market" and to visit a restaurent serving very good Thai food. The owner was a Londoner who was married to a Thai lady,we had a long chat and put the world  right,a couple of pints of beer and the problems just vanish,Angela Merkel eat your heart out!

 

So far, I have had a pickpocket try and relieve me of my wallet on the main station in Bankok,and I have seen my first "ladyboy" it was taller than me,and I imagine could be deceptive after a few pints of "Tiger" or whatever. I now know that the collective noun for a crowd of Thais is "a Cackle " In a large enclosed building the ensuing noise sounds a tiny bit like chickens at feeding time. They are very nice people and very polite,with the exception of the odd pickpockets,who specialise in the main stations,the same as almost every other large station in the world.

 

It is very warm and the future U.K. heating bills seem a distant prospect   ,Ive got to try and get some piccys on the blog so Ill start as soon as I am more "With It"

Just arrived in the north of Thailand,Chang Mai,exhausted!

18 hour delay on British Airways,eleven hour flt,14 hours on the train from Bangkok overnight,yup this is character building.

 

 

On the flight two kids howled all night and kept fifty of us awake in the first five rows of economy, on the train sat next to a Norwegian who rattled on all night chatting up a local girl,I think he bored for Norway.

 

 

I have taken a couple of pictures but at the moment sleep is the order of the day,my kingdom for a pillow! We are struggling to stay awake.Chang Mai is like heaven is supposed to be, zzzzzz and it is very hot and steamy.zzz

Holiday in Terminal Three!

Delayed 17 Hours and ongoing.

 

 

 

Flight to Bankok delayed with a technical snag,enjoyed a few hours trapped in terminal three airside.Communication from British airways not at all good.Eventually accomodation provided at The Hilton Hotel which is excellent.

 

Heading back to Heathrow to endure the process all over again!Border agency in need of a little compassion and common courtesy,arrogant, and should try the experience from the passenger viewpoint.

 

Ground communication in a large number delay needs looking at, and terminal 3 remains merely a people factory,a gene pool, and a shambles.

on a par with the london underground at peak periods!

 

What a start!