You would think we could time flights with the amount we have been on over the past two months but sadly not. Early once again. Koh Samui airport was very small and actually quite nice as most of the shops were outside it was a welcome change to the usual air con terminal. However since being outside came the mosquitos! Becky was unimpressed with this as she was wearing all black so they targeted her, I move along a seat so I wouldn’t get hassled as much. She ended up sitting next to a tub of open tiger balm as apparently it keeps them away. The gate was even outside and had a courtesy station of hot and cold drinks and snacks.
The flight to Chiang Mai was 1h and 30mins we were asked to sit in emergency exits seats….suppose you could call this an upgrade (first one of the holiday!) We were surprised during the flight with a meal! Sadly it was chicken and veg so neither of us could have it. We both had seven eleven cheese toasties (standard) in the taxi to the airport so wasn’t too big of a deal.
Once we arrived in Chiang Mai a taxi was the only option really but it was cheap so we didn’t mind. I asked the driver for some sights to see while we were here but I could hardly understand him (now I know how people feel when I talk) all I could get was elephants.
We are staying at a hostel called Family Home and were greeted by the host Joe. Couldn’t meet a nicer person very friendly and informative about the area. Becky picked the right place for once!!!š
Bags dumped it was time to see the area and what it had to offer. A walk round the main streets we came across a local market so had a walk round before stopping for some lunch in a little restaurant next door. Id gone for the veg pad Thai, Becky the mushroom yum tom soup which was pretty spicy judging by the sweat that was pouring off her while she was eating it.
As we continued to walk around doing some shopping Becky picking up and dress and I got another pair of elephant pants to wear travelling back home in. We headed back to the hostel to chill out before heading out later.
Our plan was to visit a restaurant based on TripAdvisor it was called Love Cooking. I think both of us are fed up with the food now of either rice/noodles and veg. One more night wouldn’t harm. Becky had the mango curry and I ended up with a coconut potato curry not the massaman curry that I ordered (this is becoming a theme) but I ate some of it.
Next up we were attending the Muay Thai boxing again (Becky is getting right into her fighting now!) Few others joined us from the hostel and we all sat at the one table.
Unfortunately I was sat next to a German who “knew it all” and had done 8 years of MMA…..more like 8 years of McDonald’s and burger king. Anyway back to the action there was 6 fights scheduled. 3 woman fights, 1 kid fight and 2 men’s fight.
The woman fights were like being back in school so it was pretty poor to watch. Interest only came when a few Thai people were walking around looking for bets even though it was illegal(like that matters in Thailand) the kid fight was even more difficult to watch. Two boys aged probably 7 or 8. The gloves were bigger than their body. One of the boys didn’t even throw a punch or kick he took a beating which lasted even into the second round. We both found it difficult to watch as the kid burst into tears after the fight and was limping back to the changing room, meanwhile Thais betting on who was gonna win,š¤.
Now for the main event. A Swiss “international” fighter Vs a Thai. Everyone was betting on the Swiss guy even the Thai’s were betting on him. I remember being told that it’s frowned upon to get beat off a westerner especially in your home city! I chose the Thai guy to win based on that and the fact he had legs like tree trunks. Everyone else was supporting the Swiss. First round and the Swiss was on the canvas twice in a matter of minutes as he was swept while trying to kick. The beating then began. The Thai doing some real damage with kicks to the side of the body and the back of the thigh. The Swiss was turning purple! Becky thought that only adrenaline would get you through a beating of that degree and to keep getting back in the ring, but she was soon corrected by the german lad who informed us that adrenaline played no part in fighting. Becky called bullshit on his statement! Further into the rounds the Swiss was starting to gain momentum and the Thai was getting tired. He changed his game plan and started getting close to the Swiss who was much better at punching than kicking. I lost it by this point so I kept saying “chop the f*#@ing tree down! Go back to the leg” somehow I don’t think he understood. The Thai won by decision much to everyone’s disappointment even more so the Thai’s who were betting all ran away as they put money on the Swiss so they didn’t have to pay out!!!
The final fight were 2 young women, lasted about 5minutes before one took a kick in the ribs and didn’t get back up. The German expert next to us was sure it was her knee because ‘thats what had happened to him’.
We headed back to the hostel to prepare for tomorrow’s elephant adventure! š
South East Asia 2019 