Solo in Chiang Mai

Following my burger and chips, I decided to make a quick late visit to the weekend night market before heading off to bed. Shortly before I returned to my hostel, however, I stumbled across a side road which appeared to boast lots of lively bars. I decided to take a stroll down it, increasingly enticed by what sounded like a cover of a Kings of Leon track. The area was bustling with tourists, and the cover band playing at Heaven Beach were fantastic. I decided to stay for a quick drink whilst enjoying some great renditions of Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead tracks.

Shortly before the band were due to finish, the Thai guy next to me at the bar handed a list of requests to the band. As they kicked into some more Kings Of Leon, I got talking to the man. "They make me want to go up there and play!" he said. "Me too!" I replied. The man's name was 'Arm'. When I repeated his name back to him to ensure I heard him correctly he duly pointed to his forearm! What struck me very quickly about Arm was how incredible his English was. He actually sounded British at times! As it turns out, he spent five years living in Cardiff. We began talking about music and playing guitar, and it turns out that he has a band back in Bangkok. They often play at the Silk bar on Khao San Road. He then asked me if I would like to play guitar with him on stage once the current band were finished! Unsure of whether sporadically jumping on stage with a stranger and playing an unrehearsed song was a good idea, I was pensive. As we continued to chat, therefore, Arm proposed a different idea - would I like to play guitar with him back on Khao San Road! Going all the way back to Bangkok was not currently in my plan - although having said that, my plan has always been extremely vague and open anyway! I await to see if he contacts me - and then he will have to wait to see if I think it's a good idea!

The following morning I said farewell to Richard as he departed for his trek. The rest of the day, unfortunately, was not so successful. After only just leaving my room in time for the 11 0 Clock check-out, I was forced to move to a different guest house as mine was full. It then took a few attempts before I found one with a vacant single room, although this did lead to an interesting conversation with an English guy with his own t-shirt company. Later in the afternoon I had a walk round Chiang Mai's markets before taking the advice of my guide book and waiting until 6pm to head to the zoo. This is when the Twilight Zone is open and the animals are fed - or so the guide book thinks! Upon arrival at the zoo it appeared that things were closing down, and indeed they were. There was no such thing as a Twilight Zone. My lesson was learnt; don't blindly trust the guide book!

On the bus back to Chiang Mai a young boy, tired from a day at the zoo, offered me one of his M&Ms. I think he felt my sorrow - and to be honest it felt more welcoming than a toilet roll! Upon accepting the gift I began talking to his parents as the boy began to fall asleep. They were an Israeli couple who had moved to China and were now taking a holiday in Thailand. Although I had expected to be spending the evening watching a panda munch on it's dinner, it was nevertheless an enjoyable journey home. Slightly deflated by the unsuccessful day, however, I turned in early for the night.

This morning I decided it was time to book a trek. Tomorrow morning, therefore, I have an early start before three days of elephant riding, white water rafting, jungle trekking, hill tribes and more! In preparation for what would surely be an exhausting experience, I decided to take things easy, although I still probably achieved more than the previous day. In the morning I took a trip to Doi Suphet; a temple way up high to the West of Chiang Mai. This provided some great views of the city. In the afternoon I took a visit to the opposite side of Chiang Mai city, before returning back to the hostel to relax. I await tommorrow where things may begin to regain speed!