Dao Nest and the Princess

Our first night here was pure luxury! Award winning Western food and the most comfy bed so far on our trip! Knowing we would be staying here to relax for a few days we reflected on where we had been (2 months in) and how amazing it has been - lucky people! We slept comfortably.
There is something magical about waking up to the cool warmth of the morning sun and mountains all around. Chiang Dao Nest is a very tranquil and peaceful place and we actually feel like we are on holiday rather than travelling.
After a lazy breakfast we decided to hire bikes again (the non powered versions) and explored the local area. The area is covered in dense jungle with the impressive Dao mountain standing 2,265m as the backdrop. You get a real feel for a place when you are out on your own following your noses with no real route planned. On the way back we explored the caves in Chiang Dao; legend has it a hermit lived there for a thousand years and left treasures inside. Compared to the caves on Cat Ba island this was a more geniune exploration. We had to hire a guide with a lamp burner and squeeze through several small holes to go deeper into the cave. The limited light created a ghostly effect and the damp air left us dripping.
After a hearty lunch we spent the rest of the day chilling around the pool and hut. That evening we decided to wander down to Chiang Dao Nest II to taste the Thai food served there. Before we left we were told that the King of Thailands grand daughter would being visiting Nest I for dinner that evening. A special area had been arranged for her and sectioned off from the rifraf like us. Who would have thought that on our travels we would be staying in a place fit for royalty!
With our new found knowledge of Thai food we opted for "farang" (foreigner) spicy and Wow - a bit hot but none the less fantastic! Walking back with our headtorches on we decided to stay and do some royalty watching which meant having a night cap - pity!
Today is our last full day here before heading back to Chiang Mai to get the train back to Bangkok so we just relaxed by the pool and tried to top up on the tans. We have discovered that you do not get the same tan as if you were on holiday so we have areas of deep brown , light brown and obviously the pasty white bits! Rach as ever looks like she has been here 3 months longer than Mark!
We have loved being here and will be returning no doubt!
Love to all at home.
Mark & Rach. xxx