We flew into Chiang Mai from HCMC, via Bangkok, in another thankfully uneventful trip (aside from losing a necklace that had an imitation bullet on it at security…)! We were expecting to arrive to a slightly cooler climate in the mountainous north of Thailand, but no! The temperatures were still in the low 30s (centigrade) with occasional rain. We ended up staying here for almost three weeks, and could easily have spent longer.
Our first few nights were spent in a hostel in the north-east of the old town, close to where most of the backpacker action is. We ended up in a room with no air-conditioning, and sleep was elusive… So we decided to switch accommodation after our trip to the elephant park, and moved to a slightly quieter part of Chiang Mai, but still within the moat of the old town.
Now that we were less than one month from going home, it felt a little like Christmas – the kids were getting really excited about seeing their friends again, and had a day-by-day countdown: X days till we’re back in Scotland at granny and grandad’s house, X-8 days till Spain, X+3 days till we’re home and see grandma again, X+4 days till sleepover at friend’s house. And so on… I was also getting excited about seeing family and friends again, and sad that we won’t be travelling anymore. (At least not for the foreseeable future!)
As well as “going home” excitement, we also had a birthday to celebrate while here, as Sam turned 15. Connor and Alex had a fruitful hunt for a birthday cake (Western traditions are slowly being adopted here too), and we had some candles that had been carried here from Siem Reap!
Chiang Mai is extremely laid back, but there’s still plenty to do here if you want it – yoga classes, finding yourself, various arts and crafts. I decided to use my time learning how to weave with a backstrap loom, while Alex and the boys took in a Thai cookery class. Expect to see weaving and Thai cooking in action back in Scotland!
Our second hotel had free bikes, so I was in my element scooting about around Chiang Mai, cycling to the weaving classes on the outskirts of town as well as to various other places that were just a little too far for me to enjoy walking to, especially in the heat. The bikes were “fixies”, so there was no way I was attempting any of the hills outside of the city! Gears definitely required for that kind of adventure.
On my various travels, it was impossible not to take in take in a few temples – there are hunners of them here! We didn’t venture into any of them – there was more than enough to see from the outside, and we’ve seen enough on the rest of our travels to keep us going for the foreseeable future!
We did have a brief but intense love affair while here, with a very friendly, young golden labrador who lived at a fine drinking establishment around the corner. The allure of dog-plus-beer was too much… It’s just as well that we’re soon to see our own labrador – cuddles are long overdue!
During our time in Chiang Mai, the King of Thailand died and the entire country went into mourning. Black and white sashes appeared outside of government buildings, people started wearing black and white, and the whole place quietened down – no loud music from bars or cafes, and many closed down for a few days. ATMs and shop tills displayed black-and-white messages of condolence, and billboards appeared lamenting the loss of the King. A sad time for this country, which ushers in a period of political uncertainty. We’re hoping that the transition is smooth.
Next stop: Bangkok, by train.
Many Mennie Adventures 