Introduction

I'm currently travelling across a few countries in South East Asia - Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. With only time, limited money and zero plans made, let's see where this adventure takes me! In my [previous post](https://steemit.com/travel/@chuazm/sea-adventures-or-day-0-taking-off-with-clear-expectations), I talk about my general plans and expectations for this trip. I plan to write about the majority of my activities, experiences and thoughts throughout this trip not just for my future self but for anyone else interested as well. Today, I just arrived in Chiangmai, Thailand - the mountainous region of Northern Thailand. ![33765887_10215638506411925_2283626835608600576_n.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSeQBYmEBTEtY6dqnpYXoLJq9WuDnjDgUn6d2EaodfmdQ/33765887_10215638506411925_2283626835608600576_n.jpg) *Mountains, greens and old buildings*

Meeting with Friends

As soon as I arrived and getting pass immigration, something caught my eye that I knew I needed on this trip. This isn't just a fun travel trip you see, I'll still have to get work done. I needed some companionship while I work throughout the holidays to keep me warm and loved. Nothing says love better than a bottle of single malt whiskey at the duty-free zone. ![33714261_10215638507091942_2615296407912841216_n.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmag8C3izHYMqb1M3NEb7hVYrbrCKU8WJ5K5cPoXLkg6Hd/33714261_10215638507091942_2615296407912841216_n.jpg) *Liquid love, warmth and comfort* Ohya, my travel companion for the month - Chungsoon Haw - came and pick me up at the airport back to the hostel and we met an ex-colleague - Kristen Wiggins - as well but that's whatever. ![33830496_10215638506531928_1224763869243637760_n.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcWYpVftjsEgkk5n6yqGYpanh5eBe8L6ars51bfDtL9ip/33830496_10215638506531928_1224763869243637760_n.jpg) *Chungsoon Haw (left) and Kristen Wiggins (right)* We were staying at the [Bunk Boutique Hostel](https://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Bunk-Boutique-Hostel-Chiang-Mai/Chiang-Mai/95395) in Chiangmai. It's less than RM40 / night but it's nothing to write home about. I was disappointed at the lack of communal areas that most hostels have, but it makes up for it with nice, clean rooms and toilets. Do check it out if you're looking for solid affordable accommodation in Chiangmai.

Interesting Talents

Right after dinner, we headed to the main Night Bazaar Market next to the old city. Being a Malaysian, I realised that Chiangmai doesn't feel very different from home. It's sort of a mix of Penang, Ipoh and Petaling Street. The Night Market really isn't that different from our own Chinatown. However, what the Night Market lacked in food and peculiarities, it made up for in talent. Raw, unrefined talent found only in the Chiangmai Cabaret Show. This definitely was a great way to start my trip. I'll let the photos and videos below do the explanation. ![33809783_10215638500451776_2698103325840113664_n.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZz7eWXPuAGxCV5QEsLz1EYu5fBRWwHUy9e8JoyL2C6iX/33809783_10215638500451776_2698103325840113664_n.jpg) ![33758488_10215638505931913_1004585712298754048_n.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmScFXxV4njGPNd9e5R4rzMM738oEPBTPcX4Wg1r2ojrm2/33758488_10215638505931913_1004585712298754048_n.jpg) ![33712174_10215638505691907_9187183819239718912_n.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTy5SpBUE7ULKS3ogb5shwNSZoaLthgzVt8nCixvMH4ph/33712174_10215638505691907_9187183819239718912_n.jpg) https://media.giphy.com/media/5T061w2cqS07Q6QnLL/giphy-downsized-large.gif *I'm a Barbie Girl, In a Barbie World....* https://media.giphy.com/media/3OylbkNeI5breeSpno/giphy-downsized-large.gif *Someone is going to have a lot of memories of Thailand* With hits such as I'm a Barbie Girl, Vous Le Vou Coucher Avec Moi, and many hits from ABBA, it was a very entertaining night. Say what you will about these men? ladies? boys? I'm just glad I wasn't drunk. It's hard enough trying to tell them apart sober.

Ending the Night

The night ended with Chungsoon and I walking back 4km across the Old City of Chiangmai back to our hostel. We passed by a bunch of bars and clubs where, I guess, we had our expectations of the trip cleared out. I'm often categorised under the crazy, wild, party person, which I was in a different life. But in the spirit of being true to myself this trip, we pondered about some thoughts and expectations for the trip over a big bottle of Chang beer while watching all these young people party infront of us before continuing on home being the boring people I'm glad we are. [![follow_chuazm.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNfywQH3kBnqnBZC1wz79M5Ef95wH8oHFd3d7E9e52UK4/follow_chuazm.gif)](https://steemit.com/@chuazm)