………Chiang Mai was another new experience which we welcomed as we were ready to leave Bangok as our senses were challenged by the noise, the smells, the poverty, the crowds….but not so much by the wonderful food which we loved and the smiling faces of the people-well most of them.  The train ride was almost 14 hours and we arrived in the early morning which gave us lots of time to find accommodation at the Pagoda which is a family run business and is working out quite nicely.  Not quite so hot here but in the pictures that have been taken I look like I have either just stepped out of the shower or just finished a marathon.   However that is not the reason why I am not sending attachments……..and no more smart comments from you,Pierre or I will delete you from visiting our blog(as if I could ever figure that one out!) which is exactly the reason there are no pictures……..I can’tfigure out how to attach them and they say the iPad is idiot-proof(no comments please!) .   However I will keep working on it so you can be assured that you are not following the ‘other Madonna’s’ blog………..no doubt you will be able to tell the difference between her and I in the photos as I don’t think shesweats as much as me…………at least she didn’t during all that jumping around she did during the half-time show in the Super Bowl…I’ve digressed again, my apologies.    Today we visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep(try saying that so they can understand where you want to go)………took Jim quite a while as they gave up on Marilyn and I so Jim pulled out the map(men always have one in their pockets)….and it worked and after a little bartering we were in the back of a pick up truck……..another new experience with no seatbelts, helmet………just happy smiling Thai faces…..and off we went on our twenty km trek and arrived safely, thank the lord!  Jim took a few pictures for proof but as I.’ve already mentioned I don’t know how to send them……..And he’s currently having a nap while I am, quite literally working my fingers to the bone so you will have to google that for more info as well…….it will be worth it as it,s a fabulous temple and apparently one of the most sacred Thailand……………and we hiked many, many steps to reach the top.     And on the way down I saw this face I recognized and quickly thought to myself you don’t know anybody here but when our eyes met there wasimmediate recognition so I smiled and said hello and she said “where I’d I know you from” in her broken English and after a few moments we both said Bangkok and we realized we had a very brief conversationit here as I think we were both lost or something ………. Then she told me she was doing a five day silent meditation retreat at the temple…..it sounded wonderful………..probably wouldn’t be long enough for me!!       In any case after our wonderful journey to the temple and back we walked in the unbelievable heat for about two hours so needless to say we stopped for a cool beer and a great Thai lunch….once again fresh and fabulous and all three of us raved about how good the food is, and it is even better than that.    Just to let you know, before I go for my nap, our faith has been restored in tuk tuk drivers as well and we took oneagain today with a young couple who were operating the tuk tuk, sweet looking they were, but as you know I can’t attach the photo but maybe it will come to me in my sleep……which is what you folks are doing right about now given the time difference.   Stay tuned and maybe I’ll try and get Jim or Marilyn to send a note within the next couples of days.