Last Days: Chiang Mai

Please note: If you want to follow my journey in Thailand from start to finish, please go to the bottom of this page and click "older posts," and go back to the beginning.
We end this part of our journey where we began: Chiang Mai. Back in the old city for 4 days, we enjoyed wandering the alleyways, exploring markets and temples, eating at street stalls and relaxing with 2 hour Thai massages (costing $7Aus). We went to the largest temple in Chiang Mai to meditate alongside about 40 chanting monks.....quite a powerful experience! I also did a 1/2 day Thai massage course, learning some techniques for the back of the body. 

We stayed in a quaint guesthouse right in the centre of the old city and our room looked out at the temple across the street. The Thai woman who owns the place, Pat, created a beautiful serene environment with crystals and water features. We felt the warm, loving energy the moment we walked into the place. I had many interesting chats with Pat while we were there and bought a special crystal from her.

  

On our second day there, as I was just about to leave the lobby to return to our room, I heard a familiar voice asking the receptionist if she could use the internet.....I turned to look and met eyes with Fleur, a South African girl I had met last year at the permaculture course in Australia! She stayed with Tony and I during her Australian travels. Such a small world! We ended up having a few meals together, swapping books and catching up on all our travel experiences. She was on the last leg of her year away and will head back to Cape Town in a week to pursue permaculture.

 

So, today we flew to Kuala Lumpa and are staying the night in a hotel at the airport. Tomorrow we fly to Borneo to visit the orangutans! Can't wait! Check out the new blog for this part of the trip. Click on my profile at the right and scroll down to the blogs.....see you there!