Took the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, First Class (which means a quieter cabin and a potential roomate). Matched up with a 30-something Dane (travelling with his wife, parents and one kid made him the "odd man". The train runs overnight, from about 7pm to 8am; it was "right on time" which is to say about an hour late. It isn't cheap by Thai standards, but being overnight, covers the cost of a hotel room. It's worth it I think, but particularly since I was heading for the south, I flew back to Bangkok en route to Phuket. And the food's pretty good in the train station...

Chiang Mai grows up

It'd been two years since Kathy or I had been to Chiang Mai, and I was frankly shocked by how much it had grown. But in no positive ways: more pollution, more traffic, restaurant chains (Starbucks, ugh). It was disillusioning to the point of discomfort. I thought, "what the hell am I doing here?"

The feeling passed, assuaged by the wonderful reception I got at the Galare Guest House where Kathy and I have stayed a number of times. They remembered me and some of our past visits (I fixed their wireless network once...) and the vast majority of staff from years past was still there. It's like meeting family, 10,000 miles away.