On the way to the station we walked through the bustling market, still in darkness. We spotted a stall selling something we had not seen since our visit to China - delicious hot soya milk. Darryl couldn't resist drinking it immediately but managed to spill most of it down his shirt!
We bought our tickets that morning as the ordinary train tickets cost a fraction of what the last train cost but are only available on the day plus you don't get a guaranteed seat.
The train arrived deadbinbtime and we got a seat easily. The ordinary train is slower and it took us an extra 2 hours as it stops at every station. It was a beautiful journey where the rice paddies turned to rivers and jungle as we headed north. The train arrived in Lamping dead on time.
We walked the 2km to the river and on the way stopped at temples, for a fresh pineapple slushie and also for Darryl to get a quick hair cut. We don't think the Thai Barber had ever cut a farang's (foreigner from the west's) hair before, so his assistants took photos whilst he worked. He did a good job and there is a definite reduction in the grey hairs.
Onwards we continued about 2km before the first hotel ... which was derelict! The next hotels were closer to the river. Some were already full but we were lucky to get a great deal on an air conditioned room for a few nights. We though the hotels must be full because of the weekend Walking Street markets.
We checked in and had a leisurely coffee before setting off for the Walking Street at the end of our road. It started well with a number of stalls selling clothes and street food. As we progressed further we saw a sign that said,
"Lampang Street Festival 2019."
Next to it was a full programme of events for the next 2 days. There was music, street art, street food, art workshops...
Wow, turned the corner and we were now amongst the festival crowds and loving it. We got to taste lots of different foods, painted small canvas bags and even made 'Thai' dye bandas, which turned out really well. We listened to a great band by the river and the atmosphere was fantastic, everyone was sooo friendly. There was amazing Street art on all the walls and huge canvases for everyone to draw on and there was even chalk provided to decorate the pavement!
We were having so much fun we forgot to eat and managed to grab 2 great dishes from trendy noodlen restaurant before everywhere closed. We even grabbed desert before the sticky rice and coconut lady packed it into her car.
Back at our hotel we discovered a live band playing English music just over the road, so we sat and listened before bed!
