11-13 (Friday) Still on the train to Chiang Mai . . .

Still on the train. Last night we tried to put up the bunk bed and it was too heavy for the two of us to do so I went and got one of the attendants to help us. He was a skinny guy who came in and almost with one arm threw that thing into position! Then he put on the mattress pads and put sheets on the bed and pillowcases. He gave us a blanket. WOW! I had the upper bunk, Joyce the lower. This morning (wouldn't you know) we discovered there is a western toilet right around the corner from the squat. It was also stainless steel and had a shower in it. Someone must have taken a shower just before I went in because the entire room was wet. I don't know how anyone could shower and keep their clothes dry - the place wasn't big enough to turn around in.
It turned out to be a longer journey than we thought. We anticipated getting in around 6:30 a.m. but it was actually 11:00 (17 hours.) We didn't mind because it gave us time to sleep, relax, walk around and read. I mostly slept. After the pot holes in Myanmar my body need recovery time.
When we got into Chiang Mai we took a taxi to the hotel for 80 bhat ($2.18) Our room was really nice - we're thrilled. We have been using Wired Destinations to book most of our hotels on the internet before we arrive.

After throwing our stuff in the room we set off on foot to find a place to eat and have a look around. We ended up at some Italian place eating pizza (Joyce) and brushetta (Nancy.) We walked around town poking in shops. One guy from Jacksonville had a great shop with all kinds of things from China, Tibet, Burma and the various hilltribes.
We went into several places to ask them about a tour for the next day. Then we found out that there is a big local market in the morning that is suppose took be better than the night market. We decided to delay the tour another day and go to the local market in the morning. Now we're beginning to think of heading to Lao.

After having dinner of cheese and crackers in the room we departed for the Night Bazaar. It was as good if not better than I remembered it. I bought several things - my suitcase is beginning to fill up.