Northern Thailand-Chaing Mai

Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, was a really special place. We spent about a week there and in the surrounding areas. We visited many temples and walked around the world renown night market-go on a Sunday if you plan to go. It’s amazing!

If you do go, prepare to be swarmed by hundreds of your closest friends.

The beautiful temples all over Chiang Mai. — The beautiful temples all over Chiang Mai make up for the crowds.

One of the first activities we participated in was “Monk Chat.” This is run by the local temple as a way for their monks to practice their English skills. We met with two monks and were able to ask they a variety of questions about their lives. Many of these young men are expected by their families to become monks. Especially if they are the oldest boy or the only boy in their family. We talked a lot about the Buddhist religion and their belief of re-birth and reaching enlightenment. These men will typically only eat food offered by the towns people and tourist during a morning ceremony known as “giving alms” and will usually stop eating around mid-day. They told us about how they love to watch soccer and other sports but won’t play these games. They are ‘soldiers of Buddha’ and are to be respected as such. Therefor they won’t participate in games and activities like ‘common people.’

We had to be very careful not to touch the monks. They told us they are not to allowed to touch any women other than relatives.

Another day we went to a Thai cooking class outside the city at an organic farm. Yes, that’s right family and friends. . .I can cook you an authentic thai meal when I am back stateside! It was a super fun day and also quite eye-opening to realize just how much work is put into the layering of flavors for these delicious delicacies.

I'm prepped and ready to go. — Prepped and ready to go.

I found a ladybug out in the garden while we where picking ingredients. Two on one leaf. . that must be good luck!

We also went to traditional Thai massages. Essentially you were scrub-like outfits and get stretched, massaged and downright man-handled by a little Thai woman for 60 minutes.

Before getting a massage we had to fill out these little forms. Put a circle around the areas to concentrate on and a X on the area to avoid. This was how Julia filled out her form. Classic! No touching the bathing suit area please!

Another day we biked around the city, taking in the sights.

Julia smiling and biking even though it was ridiculously hot.

On our last day we wanted to visit Doi Inthanon National Park. We were tired of the bus, van, train options so instead we found a tour group literally called “Something Different.” Our group was led up into the mountains with a guide and a motorbike. The result: an adventure packed day zipping through the national park, stopping to swim at waterfalls and pick strawberries on the hillside. Sometimes it pays to do something different!