Chiang Mai: Highlights and Reviews

The good:

• Walking around the old town visiting different wats.
• Cooking class at A Lot Of Thai.
• Monk chat @ Wat U Mong
• Baan Orapin’s garden.
• Pepsi @ Baan Orapin. This guy brought a smile on our face – through his smile
• The town itself. It reminded me of smaller towns in India. Quite laid back, compared to Bangkok.
• Lovely Loy Krathong kites at night. I really missed not having bought a tripod for my camera.

The bad:

• Mosquitoes: Damn bloodsuckers. I have a personal vendetta against them that goes back at least a few lives.
• Sore throat
• People bursting crackers VERY DANGEROUSLY near the river banks.

Chiang Mai recommendations

• Hotel: Baan Orapin: An old family residence of 2-3 buildings which the owner has converted into a beautiful guest house. The garden is lush green and simply beautiful. Price is slightly on the higher side. The owner, lived in the US and is extremely nice and helpful. The person who serves breakfast in the morning: Pepsi (yes, that’s his name) has a charming smile. Recommended.
• A Lot Of Thai: Cooking Class: We had a really fun day with Yui, and cooked up a lot of Thai dishes, while also chatting about life in Thailand and Chiang Mai. Highly recommended
• Doi Ithanon National Park: We took a day trip to this national park, that is the highest peak of Thailand. It was less cold than Twin Peaks :) It’s worth it, but only if it’s your second or third visit to Chiang Mai.
• Old City Chiang Mai: Definitely walk around here and try to make it to the sunday market.
• Night Market: It’s for tourists. Cheap stuff to be found, nonetheless. Boring, if you ask me.
• Old Market: Recommended. We got some lovely silk. Make sure you bargain.