Chiang mai

            The hot black tarmac shimmered in the heat haze.

            The sweat dripping slowly down the faces of the competitors.

            The sun beating down on man and machine while then engine drone as they tick over. The riders fix their eyes on the lights, waiting for them to flip to green. All lined up perfectly on the white line, eager to get of the line first.

            The sound in the air is full of RPM.

A sudden bang of a back firing engine rings through the air. The bright sun glaring in the eyes of all of the riders, making it difficult to see the lights overhead. The lights flip from red to green. Hands move of breaks, feet tuck into bikes and engines roar into life as accelerators are twisted. The sound to such a crescendo, dulled slightly by the helmet, giving the illusion of starting a race.

Pulling gently away from a junction I though about having had three weeks in the jungle a week or so in town is a welcome relief.

National parks in Thailand are different than in the UK, they seem to be much more appreciated. The several near to my dwelling, for the week or so, are all connected but yet branched out like a strange kind of spider. I had only been on 2 rides on the back of a scooter so I was fairly confident that I could hang on. The roads are fine, easy riding. When they are slightly out of condition when they become nice and bumpy.  The ride was actually very fun even with my brain telling me that I would die. It was an adventure I wont be forgetting. Lizards and other insects seem to be thriving. Watching them scamper up and down trees and catching ants was as enjoyable as it sounds. Every now and then they would push them selves off the tree slightly and extent what I can only describe as a dewlap. This would be a beautiful yellow, which would flash exquisitely in the boring brown. The trees having no leaves meant that there were very few birds so it was more of an exploration of the park. The small river that flowed down the ravine and over the bounders creating this fantastic rapids and shallow watercourse. Usually I don’t enjoy mucking about in streams and over rocks like I did as a child. But for some reason I have had a change of heart, spending a good three quarters of an hour splashing and bouldering around. It was strange maybe I have become more open to doing activities, which I usually find aggravating and trivial. It might be the fact that I have been spending time with my cousin and his son has made me think about not being boring. I think more reflection on my time in Thailand will help me with that.

Temples become very similar after a couple of trips, however the local temple was very traditional and very still. Being so far out of a large city it made for a nice change, although the dogs which get left to their own devices seem to congregate at the temple. This can be intimidating as they can be aggressive. But after the monks shoo them away and tell you about their lives it makes you very aware about how they are treated. I mention this because the next mountain that we hurtled up to reach the top has several huge temples. Phuphing Palace is one of the famous temples in Chiang Mai, not making a stop into the palace as the views over the mountain ranges was the main reason for the trip up. Although on the trip up I spent most of it chuckling to my self as it is a particularly hilarious name.

Now a slightly touchy subject I suppose but it is strife across Thailand. The clubs. This is nothing new, nevertheless they are surrounded on the outside by beauties of the most exquisite magnificence. Although just like clubs there are good one and bad one. This is generally reflected in the women outside the clubs. I mean there also is the area that you are in which can give you a clue to what kind of “classy joint” you are going to. There is of course the obvious beer girls at most bars along with the hostess, All with the attraction of them selves serving you your beer. I have to say it is fantastic to have a beer in these pubs as you sit down to enjoy nice conversation and beautiful live music. It is so very easy to get through 4 or five large beers, simply as these women see that your glass is nearly empty and come and refill it, so you loose track of how much you actually drink. Which is fantastic. Just because the hours’ drift by in a haze of music and drink.

Back to the clubs, the clubs have seating areas out side for these stunning women to sit in their miniscule dresses, all in aid of attracting rich westerners or even the odd Japanese business group. Spending many a night sitting opposite these establishments eating fantastically cooked local food, having a good laugh trying to spot their next victim. Is a brilliant way to while away an evening. Although this activity is vey harsh, it can easily become fun if the beer girls continuity supply you with your beverages. Then of course there are the lady-boys, I am not scoffing at people life styles here I want to make that very clear. They often fool a lot of people, yes this includes women and they are sometimes even more beautiful than the real women of the town. These women I suppose would be like the men in drag here except this is another level. Hair, make up, bra, shaved legs, skinny, high voice and tiny dress showing off some times more than you want to see. Yes I did see a tiny bit of male private parts once, on what I thought was a woman.

It is easy to get confused in Thailand, but it is such a nice place I don’t think anywhere could really beat it. I was welcomed like part of the family in most occasions. I have to say I will be defiantly traveling back there at some stage. I cant wait it’s an adventure each time you go out side your front door.