We took the 1 hour flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the City of Temples. Our first experience is the night market on Sunday Walking Street, it’s heaving! We proceed to snack our way round, the choices are endless…

With guidebook in hand the next day is spent exploring the many temples, some very simple, others elaborate to the extreme. I’ve never had my shoes on and off so many times in one day! We lose our way on occasion, all part of the fun.

Curious about the life of Monks we go for a ‘Monk Chat’ at one of the temples, interesting to hear about their daily lives, hours of prayer, living only on donations, but so many rules. Mobile phones and ipads seem to be the accessory of choice though so they obviously have some very generous benefactors!

After a long day on the hoof refreshment is required, the city definitely livens up at night. After a lovely Burmese meal, recommended by a man in the street, we find the local hot spot where drink by the bucket is the order of the day, we decline knowing we have an early start tomorrow.

The following morning it’s an early start for the journey to the highest point in Thailand, Doi Inthanon National Park. We were the oldest amongst our group of long term travellers, this was to became our inspiration for Oldest on the Bus. We soon came to the conclusion that if you are amongst like minded people then age is relative, we had a great time. First stop were the Wachirathan Falls, followed by a trek up into the hills where the moss covered temples are fascinating. Worth noting the temperature up here was 14 degrees…

Another early start for the journey to Chiang Rai, our guide for the day is Pia. First stop are the sulphur smelling natural springs, then onto the amazing White Temple. Stunning yet bizarre in equal measure, a mix of modern and traditional architecture along with grotesque figures. The walkway on the approach to the temple consists of sculpted hands with painted nails holding skulls! Someone’s imagination was in overdrive when designing this one.

On to the Golden Triangle area where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar join, a previously well known area in the trade of Opium. We take a short boat journey over to Laos where a tourist village entices you to try whisky infused with tiger penis or snake, and stallholders try to tempt you with fake goods.

A stop at the border with Myanmar, where onward travel would require you to drive on the other side of the road and adjust your watch by 30 minutes.

Our last stop was to the Long Neck Karen and Akha tribal villages, still living their very basic rural lives, waiting for the daily arrival of the tourist buses to sell their handmade wares.

Overall an enjoyable few days in Northern Thailand, definitely worth the visit!