Chiang Mai

OUr hotel last night was very old and desperately needed updating. they had built 2 more hotels next to it and had interlocking walkways on 4th floor. On ground of one of the buildings had a shopping centre. Getting out of our area was like trying to find your way out of a rabbit warren - would never recommend that hotel to anyone - service poor too.

Lotus was worried because dark room (old wood style).

chiang Mai is not the tranquil quiet hangout place it used to be - actually the tourists have probably wrecked it.. if you want to relax I think it may need to be a good distance out of town, which with the children does not suit.

The food is a real issue - we may give in and do starbucks for breakfast just because we all feel ill after eating the spicy food and or with palm oil in it. Invariably the girls like french fried (OK thai way of spelling it) and they are always cooked in palm oil which really sits badly in your tummy.

I would kill for a plain apple and plain veggies right now but just have to get by with what we can. The only thing Lotus could eat at hotel breakfast this morning was watermelon which of course she got allover her clean clothes and needed changing.

Got to tell you mjore about monkeys while I can. On way out of Lopburi a monkey was sitting on top of public telephone box trying to get into an orange drink. they jump down and casually walk down the footpath- shop owners need to be careful to keep guard so they don't steal food and run.

People at gate of temple had a sling shot and big bamboo stick no doubt if monkeys get something they ar enot meant to. everyone kept warning us about the monkeys stealing things including glasses.

Today we went to chiang Mai zoo and also a private Insect Museum at a guys house (tilda would have LOVED IT). Man at museum very annoyed that the Lonely Planet did not include his museum int he 2010 guidebook.

Zoo on side of mountain and we walked it all and think we were almost the only ones who did. Most thais just pay for the shuttle bus service and take the monorail or don't go far. It was ery crowded to see the pandas so we passed on that... charlotte is very focused on saving money as I told her I might consider a DSi in bangkok if we don't spend too much.

charlotte has been wonderful at walking huge distances.. actually both girls are coping really well with the backwaters we have done. OUr new hotel is much brighter right alongside railway line and much more set up for foreigners.

Lotus has improved language a lot including 'charlotte' in an upset way like mummy says at times. Her motor skills have come a long way getting in and out of tuk tuks and mini buses too.

The transport guys here are much more accustomed to westerners paying whatever price they ask.. many a time we have walked away from a driver saying 60 baht was their minimum when I would only go 40 or 50 baht.. I know that is still a great price as others will drive you much greater distance for 40 baht.

the night market area is no longer in just one building but sprawled.. it really is overbearing and gets to be too much.

Lotus is smiling again normal today and when she is happy she gets a LOT of attention from the Thais including men.

Not sure what we iwll do tomorrow. charlotte wants to swim, we might need to visit Pharmacy for some Lomotil or similar. It would be nice to visit the people with big necks - the gold rings that stretch their necks longer, but am not keen for a 12 hour trip couped up in some bus fo rthe girls.