The Destination Disagreement

We have a slight disagreement about where our next destination should be, I fancy a stopover in Phrae before going on to Chiang Mai but Adrian feels we should head to Mae Sot to do some Burma homework. We both acquiesce and it transpires Phrae is the first bus leaving from the bus station, so that's where we are headed.

The bus journey is beautiful as we head to a slightly more remote area, we see more jungle than before. There does seem to be quite a deforestation problem here which apparently is now being recognised in decreasing wildlife.

There isn't much accommodation listed in the book so we decide to try the nearest to the bus station. It's 330 baht ( less than £7) and has a private balcony - perfect.

In the grounds of the hotel is the Free Thai Museum - not a museum that's free but a museum about the Thai resistance against total Japanese occupation during WWII. It is very interesting giving another different insight into the war and there is plenty of info in English. We have several pictures taken by the curator for his Facebook page.

From the museum we head to town in search of food. It is unbelievable anywhere else you can't move for food stalls here you can't find one! We eventually find a very clean little place doing both noodle and rice dishes so we are both happy. As we are walking a beautiful Wat catches our eye and we nip in. To our surprise we are hijacked by a Buddhist monk, very keen to talk and show us round. He tells us about the 'little monks' aged 13-17 who are studying to become monks and complete their high school education. There is even a radio station broadcasting from the site. In the little cafe he buys us both a smoothie (blueberry for Adrian and green tea for me) and water for when we are walking around. It's a lovely way to spend a hour.

Our next stop is the home of the last king of the kingdom who went into to exile in 1902 following a revolution in the area. It's a beautiful teak wood house with cool,verandahs. Underneath are cells with various tools of torture a complete contrast to the comfort above.

Just as we are heading back our eye is caught by a large reclining gold Buddha, I haven't seen a reclining one that isn't a ruin so we head in. The Wat is having a new little Wat built and we watch two men putting the decoration onto the stucco. Adrian has a go at adding decoration and then carving detail. He's quite overwhelmed by the fact his handiwork will be admired by 1000s in years to come. It is to hitherto be known as Wat Now Adrian?

An early morning song thaew sees us headed to Den Chai and the train to Chiang Mai.