Flying from Krabi with Air Asia was a definite adventure. Krabi airport is crowded and disorganised but eventually we got in through the correct gate and onto the correct plane - loading 2 different flights through the same gate at the same time seemed slightly confusing for most people - but hopefully everyone got to their correct destination......we did.
We were returning to Chiang Mai because we felt we had not done the city justice last time we were here and it was a relatively last minute decision but we were so glad we did. Our accommodation Baan Khun Krup was inside the old city walls and just a short walk from Taipei Gate. At the end of our road was Walking Street which at 4pm on a Sunday morphs from a busy vehicular road to kilometres of street stalls - absolutely incredible - selling everything.
Although our taxi from the airport found our accommodation difficult to locate as it was situated down a little alleyway - it was perfectly positioned to explore Chiang Mai and all it has to offer. Local restaurants, noodle houses, cafes, temples, massages, night markets all within walking distance. I have to say we walked kilometres, saw such a lot but still did not do the place justice.
Chiang Mai will be the second place we must return to in Thailand.
Most of the time we walked and explored but we did take one tour which turned a little controversial re the Tigers. We hired a Songthow and driver for the day and headed into the mountains of Mae Rim. First stop - Tiger Kingdom. We did not go in but observed from a balcony these beautiful creatures. We are always so careful not to take advantage of exploited animals and these Tigers all looked happy, active and much loved by their keepers so, we were devastated to be told that they were more than likely drugged. They seemed to have ample space and a pool to cool in so we were both left with very conflicted emotions. Nothing is as it seems!!!!!
From there we went to a Hmong village where our driver wanted to take copious amounts of photos of us, Gary bought his T shirt and I bought Maya a colourful hair tie - the colours here are so vibrant and sunny.
Next stop the Queen Sirikit Botanical gardens where we walked the High Canopy walkway, had lunch - farang size - and strolled the gardens and glasshouses. On our way down to a waterfall we stopped at the zip-line activity centre and watched a few scared Chinese people doing their stuff. We walked up to the top of the waterfall, 10 levels, which to be honest wasn't very clean or spectacular and then came back down the mountain to the Pa Dara Pirom Wat which was excellent.
Art in Paradise Chiang Mai was awesome - 3D artwork, some of which are interactive. We spent a whole day here chewing through 2 cell phone batteries. A playground for adults is how we would describe it!!!!
On our way walking back home we called into the Lava Cafe where they were advertising 4 beers for the price of 3 - now who could walk past that on a very hot day? Certainly not us.
Striking up a conversation with a young Canadian girl beside us Gary and I sank 7 beers between us plus a plate of thirst inducing peanuts - Christina sank 8 of her own plus our 8th one and was still standing!!!!! A friend came and joined her and here we go again - a chance meeting, lots of interaction, interesting conversation, the feeling you have known each other for years, it is so easy and off we all toddle to the noodle restaurant to continue having fun. An hour later we go our separate ways - they to the airport and us to our accommodation kilometres away. we will however stay in touch.
Wandering around Chiang Mai one day - we only had 5 days here - we literally stumbled across Johns Gallery. This Gallery of his paintings on scraps of canvas is built around a tree and is like something from the Faraway Tree series......all nooks and crannies and passageways. We know of this artist and his gallery because Adrian and Eleni gifted me one of his books when I qualified as a Yoga teacher - needless to say we bought a very expensive second one. The amazing thing was though that he sent a free painting to Adrian and Eleni and one each to the two children suggesting they should come back to see him with the children. He also gave us another painting too - his generosity knew no bounds and he is such a humble man. It was weird knowing that Adrian and Eleni had been inside this pokey little gallery before us.
Back at Baan Khun Krup where everyone loves Larb as much as we do it took no persuasion at all to get Dom to show me how he cooked Larb in Chiang Mai. We have noticed that food differs greatly from region to region in Thailand and this Larb class was no different but just as delicious. Really looking forward to making this dish at home.
Another must to eat in Chiang Mai was Khao Soi Gai - a bit like Laksa in many ways and another absolutely delicious and filling meal. Wash it down with a Thai Mango smoothie and you have your whole days calories in one hit!!!!!
And a massage - no one comes to Chiang Mai and leaves without a massage or two or three. Just around the corner the perfect place within the gates of a temple. My massage got a little complicated and challenging but I think Gary's was OK and only half the price of mine - go figure.
Sadly though it is time to leave this great city as we fly to U-tapio in the Rayong region of Thailand for a few days at one of our favourite places, Baan Pictory.
So thankyou Gavin and Dom for our peaceful stay, amazing breakfasts, cooking lesson and your helpfulness.
We will be back!!!! xx
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