Organic

An early start today because we needed to get to the market. On the weekend the farmers market is the place to be. It is an organic market selling clothes and food in a very fancy area. It was very busy and we arrived before 9am.

We looked around the stalls and grabbed a Thai fish dish for breakfast. After the market we went back to where we were staying which is in a very old part of Chiang Mai. From here we walked the surrounding area and viewed many ancient sites. We went to an excellent museum which explained the history of the area. In the museum we had to hold different cards to the camera. On a screen in front of us each of the old temples were created in 3D from these cards. Hard to explain but very cool!

Dogs, dogs and more dogs. They really don't like us walking into their temple territory and they soon see us off with their barks and growls.

As we arrived back we ate again. The family we are staying with had tried to call to say they were making papaya salad would we like to help. Unfortunately, we missed out on the making but helped with the eating. They had made a milder version just for us. How sweet.

One of the modern temples invited us to share their celebration. They explained that the monks had just completed 3 months of praying/meditation. They very kindly asked us to join them for their meal. In return we helped move chairs inside the temple for the main festival tomorrow. 

Later in the afternoon we explored the silver temple in the centre of Chiang Mai which was spectacular. We followed this up with a stop at a huge old temple. We managed to get let off the 50 Baht tourist fee as our friend persuaded the guard we could speak Thai. It was really funny because we had to demonstrate our Thai language skills to the guard. He was very friendly with a great sense of humour.

The market was calling again. We needed to stop and buy the ingredients for our 'English meal'. Tonight we are cooking for the Thai family hosting us.

Our meal became a twisted version of cottage pie and trusty trifle. In Thailand they sell every ingredient you need to make incredible Thai food but none to make dead boring English grub! We all shared the cutting, chopping and stirring and even managed to create a vegetarian version with mushrooms and cauliflower.

It tasted pretty good. Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal. Especially the trifle and ice cream for dessert.