Chiang Mai

• Shelleypp's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Chiang Mai

Trip Start Oct 27, 2007 Previous
Entry Trip End Apr 01, 2008 Next
Entry

  Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wednesday, December 5, 2007

So we decided to go to see some Thai boxing, which turned out to be a great night.  We saw real bouts rather than just the show fights that tend to be on most nights.  The tickets had 'stadium' printed on them so we assumed that it was going to be held in a large-ish arena, and on the advice of the girl who had sold us the tickets we intended to get there about 8.30 for the first fight that started at 9pm.  After somehow missing the sign for the fight we got there about 8.45, worried we were going to be stuck at the back somewhere, with a poor view of the ring.  We needn't have worried, we had a table second row from the ring side.  The fight was held in a kind of sectioned off area in a square of bars.  It was an intimate setting and made the fights seem even more intense.  The boxing itself was very impressive, with the boxers movements almost like dancing, very graceful at times.  The fighters warmed up in the ring before boxing, praying and chanting before the fight itself.  The final fight was between an English and a Thai guy. 

Lonely Beach

The English guy looked quite a bit heavier, taller and generally bigger set than the Thai boxer, who faught well, but I think the English guys reach gave him the advantage.  The Thai guy was knocked out in the last round, which was a bit worrying as he was out for about 20 seconds, but he got up and was given the ok - we think!  Between fights we had some bizzare entertainment in the form of our 'waitresses' performing various mimes and dances to classics such as YMCA and the Bee Gee's.  Half way through the seven fights, the 'Blue Diamond' caberet took to the ring, for some poorly mimed Britney dressed in a thong and a diamonte 'bra' that didn't quite cover anything.  I thought it was a girl until half way through the song, when it clicked, doh!! 

Our waitress.. Coco, was really nice and we ended up drinking with her for a while after the fight etc.  Her friend betted me two drinks that I could not beat her at connect four, and thinking that I probably could, took her up on the challenge.  Turns out she has been playing it every day for the last 8 years, and she didn't even have to look at the game to still whoop me.  I never realised you could get so good at a game like connect four!  We had a few more games, I had to try and win one, then headed to another bar for a game of pool.  Quite a boozy night but really good fun, and would recommend it.

Phuket

Yesterday we had to move out of our lovely guesthouse, CM Bluehouse, for a night as they are full, so we checked into a super cheap hotel, the Sumit.  Its ok and we did take the cheapest room, but I think the bed is from a prison, and the room does have a cell like feel to it.  The mattress is so hard I think its made out of concrete.  So we deceided to head to the zoo to help soothe our hangovers.  The zoo is massive, most of the enclosures are big and it seemed quite clean etc.  We fed some giraffes which were lovely as well as a jaguar.  Last night we headed to the night market, which is great.  So many gorgeous things to spend your money on, and cheaper then else where we have been.  However the sellers are very pushy and a little aggressive in their sales technique.  We will probably head back another night, as we were tired after wandering around the zoo.

This morning we moved back to our guesthouse, thank god, and we are going to stay there for two nights.  We have hired a car for Friday to go out of the city for the weekend.  Mr Beer, who we hired it off, literally followed us twice on his moped (once with his friend on another moped, scanning the streets for us), to give us his 'last' offer of a 'discount' if we buy today!! We did check out some other places, but we liked his enthusiasm and effort, and he seemed the most reliable so we went with him.  Worked out about 15 pound a day for four days, for a new Toyota Vios, which seemed like a good deal.  So his pestering paid off.

Having a chilled one tonight.  Hope all is well back home.

Lots of love
Shelley and Peeps
xxxx

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Railay

Railay Beach

Railay Sunset

Slideshow Print this entry Share

Previous Entry Next Entry