A week of luxury in Chaing Mai

We've had a great week with Julia and Kate with us, we've had a nice self contained two bed house for the week and strangely enough one of the things that I've enjoyed is the chance to cook! I think Julia and Kate have enjoyed being cooked for so it's all worked out quite well. We've also had a small jeep for the week so buzzing round in that rather than the joys of public transport have also made a very nice change. It's a very small jeep so it's been fun watching the ladies climb in and out... being the only driver I've not been affected but I think they've found it a bit of a strain. I threatened to shoot a video of the embarkation and disembarkation but got voted and shouted down, probably as well but watching my sister get the giggles every time she got in and out was fun on many different levels! 

 
We did a drive around into the hills stopping off at a butterfly and insect park/zoo.... here's some pictures.

 I like this one of Julia and back lit butterfly!

 One very large bug disguised as a very large leaf!

Two millipedes, curled up out of harms way.

 A Preying Mantis - very cute!

 We then moved on to the Thai equivalent of Kew.... So queue pictures of lillys!

 And Orchids

 Jungle Kate explores!!

 There were a few waterfalls

 And the scenery scored bonus points!

 We went for a wander in town and crossed this bridge in town... I was slightly concerned about the erosion.... It will not be long before the next flood takes this away!!

 Of all the Wats we went to we decided to visit this one based solely on it's name.... Please note - no pictures of the actual wat!

 An old house in Chiang Mai that caught my eye.

Carving detail on an old house.

We also went to the highest point in Thailand which provoked some amusement, firstly there were a number of wonderful waterfalls - here's some pictures

 When we got there - we did as all Thai's do and take a picture - here's the Mrs - well known for being the most susceptible to cold in the UK standing at 7500 ft in mid winter. The Thais were in coats, scarfs gloves etc!

 OK... we saw a wat... sorry!

 On top of the world at this height the colours just change!

 We found another waterfall on the way down - not another tourist in sight so we sat and ate the rather nice strawberries we had bought and enjoyed the view.... More pictures!

We saw Julia and Kate to the airport in Chiang Mai and decided to enjoy the luxury for a little longer and kept hold of the jeep for another three days and head out to North West Thailand to a mountain town called Pai, from where I write this. Hopefully Julia and Kate will have landed safely back in the UK by now.