Update on Thailand Trip

I talked about my upcoming trip to Chiang Mai in this post a while ago. After gathering more info and reading tidbits from fellow travelers and National Geographic, I have come up with a list of must-do for this trip:

• Thai cooking class -- a full day course that specializes in Northern Thai cuisine and curry and includes a trip to the grocery market

• Thai Language class -- two-week intensive program on conversational Thai

• Laos -- cross the border to the Laosian capital Vientiane, where one can find fields of rice and vegetables, agriculture hidden behind tree lined avenues. French Colonial architecture sits next to gilded temples.

• Hill tribe and trekking

• Golden Triangle -- where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet, visit the town of Mai Sai, where I can even cross into Burma for some shopping; the small village of Sop Ruak, where the Ruak and Mekhong rivers meet, forming the borders of three countries; and finally the ancient city of Chiang Saen

• Sukhothai -- the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in this UNESCO World Heritage Site

Then a train ride down to Bangkok where I'll probably stay for a few days paying tribute to the Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Grand Palace and the weekend Chatuchak Market. Last time I only have a couple hours scouring for souvenirs and I only had seen the tip of in iceberg - over 13,000 stalls there. From Bangkok I'll catch a train to Singapore and visit a friend there. Anyone wants to come along?