Stop hitting your head!

I can't count how many times Gregg has smacked his head on the door frame to the bathroom in our room at the Libra Guesthouse in Chiang Mai. The goose egg is growing on his forehead. In spite of it, the semi-gay Thai guy at the guesthouse still seems interested in him. Gregg is quite uncomfortable about that.

Well, on Monday we did a whirlwind tour of some temples in Bangkok. A nice little tuk-tuk driving escorted us to several sights, including a few tailors in hopes that we could buy suits so the tailors would give him free gas coupons. (A tuk-tuk is a three wheeled cab whose engine sounds like its name.) We were in awe of the splendor of the Grand Palace where Emerald Buddhas are worshipped and everything is made of shiny tiny tiles. We also took in Wat Pho where the gigantic reclining Buddha with mother of pearl sleeps all day long. Last week, I had introduced Gregg to Chinese temples and it was cool to see the colorful difference between Thai and Chinese Buddhism. To get back to the Baan Sabai, we took the ferry up the river while I ate rambutons - which Gregg describes as crazy fruit that looks like hedgehogs.

Monday night, we opted to go the cheap way to Chiang Mai on an air-con "VIP" bus. I certainly didn't feel like a VIP and the air con vacillated between non-existent and mind numbing. We heard horror stories of people being drugged and theived while on these buses, but we were okay. After shifting uncomfortably for hours, we fell asleep and woke up near Chiang Mai - a mere thirteen hours later.

Upon arrival, we were ushered to a guesthouse where a pushy lady pushed us to drink "smile coffee" and tried to take advantage of our sleepy and sleep-deprived states so we would stay at her establishment, get all visas through her, and go on her treks. Rather than succumb to the pressure, we took off with our packs on our backs and walked until we found the Libra Guesthouse, highly recommended by my roommate Erin.

Today, we booked a trek for tomorrow, sent our passports away for Vietnam visas, and explored a little of the Chiang Mai area. We rented a scary little motorcycle with narrow wheels that take us precariously down the road. We rented from the "Mr. Beer" shop so the backs of our helmets are emblazoned with the word "BEER". It took Gregg a bit to adjust to driving on the left side of the road, but he did really well. We drove up a mountain, saw an old temple and looked out over the city.

But the greatest accomplishment of the day was the realization of one of my childhood dreams: I SAW A REAL LIVE PANDA. As a child, I missed seeing them in Calgary because Gregg and I were whiny little children and my parents didn't want to wait in line for hours to see the pandas. So today, we went to the zoo where a big panda lounged around in a huge misty air conditioned room. All he did was lie there, breathing heavily because of the heat, but it was so cool. We also enjoyed the giraffes, a panther, and an orangutang.

Early to bed tonight so we'll enjoy the elephants and tribal people tomorrow. First, we'll go to the night market and then buy a lot of water.