Chiang Mai is home to some of the month beautiful temples in Thailand. Out only a little further than the Zoo is the Doi Saket temple, overlooking the city. Pity that you missed them.
The other things you spoke about are very nice but can be found anywhere and could be great add-ons the the main attractions.
Paul
Claire, personally, I liked staying in China Town, but for cheaper accommodations I believe Pratunam and Khaosan to be a better options.
And I do think that 3 night is just fine. It'll give you a chance to explore a bit and throw in a tour or two. Think the old capital - I can never get name of that place in my head - and maybe a day trip to the Bridge over the river Kwai.
Thanks for the tip Paul. :) Gives me yet another reason to return to Chiang Mai one day.
One thing I learned is that there never is enough time to see everything and you just have to accept that.
I do have to disagree with you on the "can be found anywhere", though. Where I'm from there is no bathing with elephants or kayaking through awesome scenery like I found north of Chiang Mai.
I'm in Koh Tao now and tomorrow will start free diving SSI lvl1. Here is to hoping I won't drown. :D
I'll give a more detailed report later on. Right now, study, shower, sleep, rise early in the morning. :)
Question: any tips on Koh Tao? What to see? Which tour to go on? Where to eat?
A happy ending has nothing to do with the quality of the massage and how do you know by walking past whether they do that.
Easy: the name of the establishment (e.g. Young Girls), the way they call out just for the guys, not the girls, and the area of the establishment. Those are dead giveaways.
As for the quality of the massage, it is what I've heard from Thai masseuses who don't do happy endings. Seems to make sense to me. After all, we are talking about a sex service versus a health service. Two entirely different focal points.
Question: where to go after Koh Tao? Any tips anyone? Did Free Diving. Going on a tour tomorrow. Thinking it is time to move on. :D
Lots of bad massueses in Thailand that don't do happy endings. A lot of them have had limited training.
I think he has a lot to learn about Thailand yet, things are not so black and white as in the west. Worst massages I've had have been in the more expensive spa type places, some of the cheaper local places have been some of the best but it does vary a lot. Never had a happy ending massage or ever been asked if I want one.
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