Chiang Mai

The night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, via Ayuttaya, is an excellent mean of transport: relatively fast, cheap and comfy. And the beds are pretty large too :-) 

Just make sure that you buy your train ticket on time... We went to the train station in Ayuttaya on the day before the planned departure just to find out that there were no tickets left for the sleeping couches. We were pretty surprised because it was just middle of the week with no major holidays around. Another visit at the station early in the morning next day was more successful - we got two tickets but not next to each other, which in the sleeping compartments makes things much easier. The station clerk must have seen our disappointment because he promised to change our seats to neighboring ones, if possible, later on during the day. And he did :) the trip was very comfy (train no 1, 2nd class sleeping seat) and we arrived to Chiang Mai only 15 minutes late.

We stayed at the Julie's Guesthouse, which was nice, clean and cheap (300BTH for a double room with a fan and ensuite bathroom). I guess we were lucky to get a room there without booking, they were full for the next days.
After renting bicycles we made a tour around the old town and subscribed for an evening cooking course at Asia Scenic.  Our teacher was India and she made the classes not only useful but pleasuring and funny.A very much recommended experience :) we cooked 4 dishes and visited a nearby market to get a short lecture about spices used in Thailand. 

Our first visit to the Night bazaar was very interesting, as it was our first experience with such a huge night market in Thailand (and maybe in general). We did not buy too much, but wandering between the colorful booths was entertaining. 

Next day we decided to see what is there to see outside of the old town. Bicycles came handy again. We took a very informative and relaxing boat tour. It was pretty expensive (400BTH for 1.5h) but sightseeing from a boat gives another insight into the city. 

Our challenge on that day was also to do our first laundry in Thailand. We looked for regular washing machines "for rent" that would be fast and straight forward to use but found nothing like that. In the end we used the regular laundry service (can be found on every corner) and decided to pay extra for an express laundry service (ready in 4-6hours) instead of the regular service (ready next day). While cycling around the town we found the Saturday's market that was much nicer than the Night Bazaar and full of local people as well. If you have a chance to go there - do it :-)

The attraction for the evening - Thai boxing at Thapae Boxing Stadium - was the weakest point of the day and not worth the money (800BTH) in my opinion. But I am not into these sort of sports anyway...

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