Chiang Mai

Sunday 1 April: Arriving in Chiang Mai I hope to take a traditional Thai massage course and a Buddhist meditation course but, foiled again, Songkrom (Thai New Year) is approaching so courses are disrupted. I'll just have to wait until it's all over - there are worse places in the world to chill and enjoy.
Tuesday 3: I book my place for a two-week residential course, levels I and II, in Thai massage at The Old Medicine Hospital south of town, begining on 16th April.
Thursday 12: Songkrom starts today. Originally it involved the sprinkling of water as a cleansing ceremony but now it's a full-blown four-day water festival with buckets, hose pipes and colourful pump-action water guns of all descriptions and sizes. Barrels of water, many containing large blocks of ice to add a chill to the drenchings, line every street and it's great fun - the kids love it, but every time you go outside for four days . . . a bit much.
Malak Guesthouse (200Bt) - a light and airy en-suite with free wifi.

Photos of Chiang Mai and Songkrom video compilation. Also, photos of Chiang Mai from August 2010.