Chang Mai is a fairly well known city in Thailand. It's about a 12 hour bus ride from Bangkok towards the north. However, Stef and I decided to ride in style and comfort on the train, even though the train we were on took 15 hours! The tickets were quite expensive, so we got tickets for a sleeper cabin with fan, which were a little cheaper. The beds were pretty cool, but it was still hot despite the fan. The train was so much fun! It reminded Stef and I of Harry Potter! We left at 10pm Monday night with Dave and arrived at nearly 1pm Tuesday! Sandra Stewart came to meet Stef and I, as we stayed with them during our time up there. My mum worked with Hugh at UniSA for the past few years, but Hugh and Sandra moved to Thailand this year so that their two adopted Thai children could experience their native culture. The kids, Sinchai (7) and Siri (4) are absolutly gorgeous and loved having Stef and I around. That afternoon Stef and I took a short trip into town, but didn't do all that much. However, it was pretty much right from the start that we didn't like the town. I think we were both expecting a more traditional area, whereas Chang Mai was just like Bangkok.
The next day was so much fun! We went with Sandra into town to pick up Dave, then drove about 20 minutes out of the city to Jungle Bungy Jump!!! I was so nervous, but when we got there, the tower didn't look all that high (from the bottom!). We signed up for 1,400 baht (about $60 AUS) for the jump, a tshirt, certificate and 24 photos. Stef jumped first, and jumped first go! She said she only jumped at the first countdown because I was expecting her to!! Then it was my turn and I was so shit scared! In the end, because I wouldn't jump by myself, the man up in the tower gently pushed me off. He pushed me so that I was bending over the because I was right on the edge of the platform, gravity did its job and I fell!!! It was damn scary! I can't remember what it felt like to be falling, but I remember screaming and crying! But I am so glad that I did it. Stef and dad both would have drilled me and never let me live it down! Although I was terrified, I'm planning to jump again, this time with my eyes open! And possibly again this year!
We spent about three more days in Chang Mai. We visited the night market, but only bought two silk scarved each. The rest of the time we just wandered around. We had planned to go further north to Suppong, where there is an area that is good for outdoor ed activities. But, we had a very distinct lack of money, plus it was a long way for only one or two days, plus Stef wasn't all that well. So instead we pakced up and went back to Bangkok for a night, deciding that Koh Samet would be better than the north! Even though we didn't like the area too much, it was still an interesting trip. Who would have thought that I would ever go bungy jumping!! Much thanks goes to Hugh, Sandra, Sinchai and Siri for having us in their home while we were up north.