Enjoyed a very pleasant flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, on Thai Smile Airlines. The colour scheme was blindly bright orange and purple, including the uniforms that the super cheerful flight attendants wore. Got fetched by my friend immediately after landing. He stays in a flat near the top of the tallest building in Chiang Mai.
A good friend of his manages a bar nearby, with a large outdoor area. We were two of just 6 patrons in the early evening. I’m told that many places hire PR girls through different agencies and that the girls have a lot of freedom to be picky when it comes to work. Being a young attractive girl goes a long way in Thailand. I felt very popular with all the attention we got.
I’m slowly learning about the rather strange rules. No alcohol is to be sold between 2pm and 5pm, but can be sold before 2pm. Places close at midnight (even on Saturdays) but many pay the police to turn a blind eye, so a big night out is a process of hopping from one place to the next until you end up with the highest bidder, usually operating behind a closed garage door.
Hurling at the UN-Irish Bar
One highlight was befriending a young Irish couple at a pub called the UN-Irish. A game was being broadcast that caught all our attention – called hurling, a sort of mix between hockey, rugby and lacrosse. They were going nuts and patriotically told us how uniquely Irish it is. A northern Irish couple was sitting nearby when the discussion turned to something political and we wondered if it might get heated, but it all ended with the six of us sitting on laps while riding a Tuk Tuk to another venue, and peace was made between the north and south of Ireland!
Nev had a cricket game the next day and I half-seriously offered to participate if needed. That happened and they even made me open the bowling! I gave it my all despite being out of practice for years. I’m told that Thailand has quite a good women’s team and we even had some under 16’s join, who play for the national team. They were the star of the show. This was followed by beers with a really great and interesting bunch of humans. They all seem to have found different ways to live in Thailand long-term.
We had to fetch the car the next morning – left outside the Not-So-Irish bar. It had been clamped with a big, pink note on the window. Apparently vehicles have to be parked facing the opposite direction during certain hours, perhaps to make sure people don’t park in the same spot for too long? On the walk to the police station, we entered a local market – an unexpected treat. The police were very nice about the whole affair and a small fine was paid.
Next we plan to go to a hippie joint up in the mountains called Pai.
Next: Thailand #6 – Date Night
Previously: Thailand #4 – Massage Time!
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