Up early this morning to catch the bus back to Chiang Mai. The bus left on time at 7am but we were staying really close to the station so not far too walk...
The bus journey was comfortable, even though it was a local bus. The benefit of the local bus is ... it is a big old 'machine' that can't go too fast, especially up hill. In fact it only just makes it up any hill! Plus, you get lots more time to admire the beautiful view, it costs less and is always far more fun! The entertainment today was provided by the young 'bus boy - deck hand'. It must have been his first time on a bus, as he didn't really know what to do. Usually when the bus stops for a passenger, he would have opened the door for them to get on. Nope. When the bus left the stop, he was the first to his seat, leaving the door wide open! It was really funny but the best bit was when the door had to be pushed really hard to shut and it only stayed shut for 30 seconds before opening again. Once he spent 5 minutes persuading the door to stay closed, only for the driver to stop and pick up another passenger as soon as he sat down. The whole bus erupted with laughter!
We arrived safely in Chiang Mai, had lunch and waited at the bus station for a bus to Chiang Rai. It appears that there are many buses to Chiang Rai of varying standards and prices. There are VIP, first class, 2nd class and the local bus. We ended up on the 2nd class.
The driver sure wasn't hanging around. We arrived early, after a rather rapid journey. Our first impressions of Chiang Rai, dirty! We looked for a hotel. Full... full... full ...
After a while we found a nice bungalow down a quiet back street. We unloaded and headed out. We passed a beautifully lit clock tower right in the centre, then a really long walking street, night market. It was packed! We found the usual items for sale and a few 'new' foods to try. There were some delightful gardens, all lit up with exquisite lilies everywhere! In a big square music accompanied a singer and so did hundreds of local people, dancing. It was a little like line dancing. Very funny to watch and one elderly fellow even wore his cowboy clobber for the occasion!
The bus journey was comfortable, even though it was a local bus. The benefit of the local bus is ... it is a big old 'machine' that can't go too fast, especially up hill. In fact it only just makes it up any hill! Plus, you get lots more time to admire the beautiful view, it costs less and is always far more fun! The entertainment today was provided by the young 'bus boy - deck hand'. It must have been his first time on a bus, as he didn't really know what to do. Usually when the bus stops for a passenger, he would have opened the door for them to get on. Nope. When the bus left the stop, he was the first to his seat, leaving the door wide open! It was really funny but the best bit was when the door had to be pushed really hard to shut and it only stayed shut for 30 seconds before opening again. Once he spent 5 minutes persuading the door to stay closed, only for the driver to stop and pick up another passenger as soon as he sat down. The whole bus erupted with laughter!
We arrived safely in Chiang Mai, had lunch and waited at the bus station for a bus to Chiang Rai. It appears that there are many buses to Chiang Rai of varying standards and prices. There are VIP, first class, 2nd class and the local bus. We ended up on the 2nd class.
The driver sure wasn't hanging around. We arrived early, after a rather rapid journey. Our first impressions of Chiang Rai, dirty! We looked for a hotel. Full... full... full ...
After a while we found a nice bungalow down a quiet back street. We unloaded and headed out. We passed a beautifully lit clock tower right in the centre, then a really long walking street, night market. It was packed! We found the usual items for sale and a few 'new' foods to try. There were some delightful gardens, all lit up with exquisite lilies everywhere! In a big square music accompanied a singer and so did hundreds of local people, dancing. It was a little like line dancing. Very funny to watch and one elderly fellow even wore his cowboy clobber for the occasion!
