Thailand was interesting. I went to Bangkok first. I liked certain elements (the awesome cheap stall food, the grape soda big gulps, the abundance of fresh fruit, the pretty temples glinting in the sunlight) but found other aspects rather depressing (the countless drunk travellers parading through the Kao San Road area booze in hand being lary and obnoxious, the stifling heat and busy traffic, the immense urban sprawl). I was much happier when I reached Chiang Mai in the north, on the edge of the Golden Triangle. Again there were beautiful temples, but the evenings were cooler and less oppressive, there was a laid back feel about the place, an obvious arty vein, and the food may not have been as cheap as in Bangkok, but boy was it tasty. From Chiang Mai we hired a motorbike and rode the Mae Hong Son Loop, a famous windy mountain road that took us through lots of lovely towns and villages, some just a stones throw from the border with Burma/Myanmar. The air was full on cold at night, the views from the bike glorious, the people I met fantastically welcoming and the whole experience an utter pleasure. Well, except the bit where we dropped the bike on a super steep bend and I ended up with a huge graze on my hand. But these things happen. I healed. We returned the bike to Chiang Mai, enjoyed an incredible night market on the King of Thailand’s birthday, and then commenced my journey south. I went on a mini adventure that took in the elephant sanctuary at Lampang, the incredible World Heritage site of the ancient temples complex of Sukothai, and the monkey city of Lopburi. Genuinely some of the most beautiful days of my life and without doubt the most spiritual. Sukothai pretty much blew me away, I don’t mind telling you. Riding through the ruins on a bicycle in the sunshine I had a clear mind and a happy heart.

After another short stop in Bangkok, I headed to the west coast for a bit of island time. Koh Lanta was my home for a month, and a happy home it was too. Christmas and New year were passed blissfully and 2011 got off to a fabulous start. Sadly, there was another bike incident. This time I was learning to ride a shonky old scooter myself and managed to wipe out on on some loose dirt. Daily trips to the clinic to have multiple dressings changed put an end to some of my exploring plans, but there are certainly worse places to recuperate after an accident. And again, I healed. Life goes on. My scars will forever remind me of this adventure and the need to wear more than just beach short and a vest top when out on a motorbike! My memories of Koh Lanta (and Thailand generally) are still overwhelmingly happy ones. Plus…I got another cheeky tattoo while I was there. Score!