After a long and adventurous train ride from Bangkok, where we shared a single bed, we arrived in Chiang Mai. The town has so much to offer to its visitors that its almost too hard to choose how to spend your days. I put up a little list to help you out.
Take a cooking class and learn how to make this heavenly THAI food.
We found a sweet, sweet Thai woman that showed us how to make a mean Pad Thai.
More here.
Go to a Muay Thai game.
It was the first time I experience this and I found it quite shocking and interesting at the same time, with all the preparations and traditions before the game.
We went to the Kalare Night Bazaar, in a big tent where we were just feet away from the fighters. It seemed to be full with tourists, but the fights were genuine and very real. It takes a bit of time to find it, but its totally worth it.
Talk with a monk.
Wait what? Yes that's right. You can actually talk to them. Its called Monk Chat and it's a program that operates in many of the temples in Chiang Mai. We went to the one next to our hotel, which happens to be the most spectacular as well - Temple of the Great Stupa. You can chat with a monk any time between 9am and 6pm. We were paired with a very kind boy who told us his life story and answered many of our questions about Buddhism. A once in a lifetime experience!
Get massaged by an ex-inmate.
Even more shocking that the previous one? It might sound like it'd be best to avoid this place, but its actually amazing. This program helps ex-prisoner women to find work and get integrated into the society after life in prison. The service is outstanding, the place is heavenly and the women are some of the kindest. We even managed to get a massage a double massage. We were given the traditional massage clothes and were served a calming lemongrass tea. All this at a very reasonable price all the same while helping a great cause!
Try one of the many street food markets.
We tried the one at the Night Market just outside the Muay Thai tent.
We also went to Chang Phuaek, the Market near the North gate of the city. There is a very famous Cowgirl, who serves a tender Pork leg and other wicked stuff like pork intestines.
P.S. This was the one and only place where we got food poisoning in Thailand. Just thinking about it now makes me giggle, but back then I felt like I am giving birth.
Enjoy some jazz.
The hippest place in town - the Jazz Bar. It's the perfect to spend the night and listen to some fine live music. The street gets full of people enjoying themselves until the late hours of the night.
Feed an elephant.
But strictly no riding! You can read bout my experience here.
Visit the museum of the Mosquito.
Don't let the name put you off. This is probably the most peculiar museum I've seen and one of my favourite too - the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders.
A very curious private collection of a couple who have dedicated their lives of examining mosquitoes and finding a cure for malaria. The place is full of history and wonders, but the highlight was meeting the old lady who is responsible for the collection. She is one of the people who have a special energy about them. We had a chat and she told us stories about jungle trips and tigers and mosquitoes and love, and her husband who is a painter as well as a scientist and her love for Bulgarian music.
Have a breakfast in a little hipster cafe.
Best breakfast we ever had. It's a small Australian cafe, which has the farm to table policy and the most heavenly vibe. But there is nothing ordinary about these meals! The Eggs Benny were served with beetroot sauce, potatoes and croissant - tastiest thing I've tried.
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