Chiang Mai

      So we caught a night bus up to the northern part of Thailand into the mountains.  Our bus was suppose to be really comfortable with food and pillows and etc.. and it was not and we did not sleep well, but we had a great view in the front row the whole time.  We arrived tired to our guesthouse where we took a nap and tried to re-cooperate before trekking.  Fortunately for us the trekking was postponed for a day.  The next day we went on a guided tour to the most unique temple in all of Thailand. It was all white with mirrors reflecting the sun, and was constructed by one man.  Then we carried on to a tourist trap hot spring place where we soaked our feet in hot mineral water.  After we traveled farther north to the Golden Triangle where China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet on the Mekong River.  Here they use to trade opium for gold. We learned the history of it all in the House of Opium with free samples at the end!!!(just kidding).
      The next day we started our three day trek in the mountains near the Doi Inthanon National Park.  It began with an hour long elephant ride which was fun until our forty year old elephant decided to spray Eugene in the face with elephant shit.(It stains by the way)  I'm glad I was sitting on the other side.  Then we trekked into the forest with our guide where we saw mushrooms abound and swam in a beautiful waterfall before arriving to our camp four hours later.  The next day we hiked to more waterfalls and there were only four of us.  We ended the trek with a bamboo raft float down a river where the most interesting part was at the end where we saw an elephant completely submerge itself in the river and then buck off its trainer.  Little fat Chinese boys were screaming with fear as they floated pass.
        After trekking we returned to Chiang Mai where we rented a motorbike and braved the crazy streets of Thailand.  Eugene drove us up the mountain overlooking the city where the weather was cool and misty and the vibe was mellow.  We hiked to the top of the Doi Suthep mountain and then went to the most sacred temple near the top with great views of northern Thailand.  Today we head out of Chiang Mai on another night bus to the border of Laos and Thailand called Nong Kai.  After further research we decided to skip Laos and stay in Thailand.