The majority of today was spent in various mini vans traveling to Chiang Rai. It was such a shame as today was as sunny as it has been so far. Rainy season comes to an end in the beginning of October and it is starting to brighten up.

The journey was uneventful until the end when the taxi driver stops 20 mins from the city and says ‘if you want to go further get taxi’. Thankfully we had found people staying in a hostel a 3 minute walk from ours so we split a grab and got to the hostel. The hostel has a coffee bar and a rooftop seating area as well as free biscuits! We made ourselves at home and sorted a tour for tomorrow to make the most of our 1 day in Chiang Rai.

We went to the gym and passed a cat cafe on the way. A post gym kitty cuddle made our evening relaxing before the zen was disturbed by a thunderstorm. Sheet lighting illuminated the night as torrential rain drenched the city. Thunder was frequent scaring the birds and usual stray dogs away.

We also found a piece of home with a Boots! We restocked on some toiletry essentials.

The night market was still busy with overhangs offering shelter from the downpour and imminent lightning strikes. We tried a hot pot. Robin found it the worst thing we had eaten yet. I found it a little more manageable. You get given a clay pot above a coal fire with platters of meat and fish and veges and eggs to boil in a spicy or sweet broth. We chose spicy and quickly made light work of the noodles and egg being so hungry from the gym and cats. The meat and fish on the other hand took a while to cook as they were quite thick slices. With both of us paranoid of salmonella and other meat parasites we were never satisfied the meat was cooked enough. At 20 mins for a single slice of beef I presumed it safe to consume.

After dinner we bought a much appreciated ice cream and wandered back to the hostel.

The storm is still going. Fingers crossed it is okay for tomorrow and our trip around Chiang Rai.

-M