It was very hot and humid today as we were exploring Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown” district, so we were on the look-out for ice cream. We happened upon a really charming little spot, called Thamel Coffee & Restaurant.
Continue reading Afternoon Snack in Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown”
Category Archives: All of Our Travels
Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown” and Warorot Market
Warorot Market, locally referred to as Kad Luang (big market), is located in Chiang Mai’s Chinatown district. It’s comprised of a sprawling 3-story covered market as well as a series of street markets that spread out on both sides of Chang Moi Road and cover an area roughly between Ratchawong, Tha Pae Road and the River. It’s just north of Chiang Mai’s famous Night Bazaar. Continue reading Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown” and Warorot Market
For Geologists, Life is a Field Trip
Way back in 1990, Lisa Rossbacher, then-editor for GeoTimes magazine (now Earth) published a list of the top places every geologist should visit in their lifetime. It has been revised and modified several times over the years. A copy of it can be found here, or presented a little differently here. And a nice variation on the list is here. There are many more around. Continue reading For Geologists, Life is a Field Trip
I’m Obsessed with Rome2rio
Rome2rio is a dream come true for travelers, whether you’re a research geek or someone that loathes planning. It offers the best, most comprehensive, aggregator for travel itineraries that I have ever used. They provide an all-in-one destination to search for air, train, coach, ferry, mass transit and driving options to and from any location.
You can search for travel destinations around the world: Europe, North America, South America and Asia Pacific. Thousands of transport operators are represented in their database, making it the largest online repository of surface transport routes anywhere online. Flight schedules are pulled for over 670 airlines licensed from OAG Aviation. Data from OpenStreetMap is used to provide driving and walking directions for most countries worldwide.
I truly love this site.
Rome2rio
http://www.rome2rio.com/
A Geologist and a Pirate Go For a Walk on the Beach
As part of our homeschool lessons over the past few weeks, Ethan and I have been studying and discussing Tropical Coasts and Ecosystems. Our recent trip to Koh Samui in Southern Thailand made for a perfect, and relevant field trip.
Our vacation rental was located across from Bang Makhon Beach near the northwest corner of the island and it was an optimal spot for beachcombing. We set off on a long walk at the peak of low tide so that we could wade as far out toward the reef as possible and observe as much as we were able.
Heading north along the beach toward the headland, I pose some initial questions for Ethan to ponder. “Why do you think there is a wide, sandy beach here but a mountain up there where we’re going? What do you think we will find when we get there? And why do you think the beach here is so wide and flat?” Continue reading A Geologist and a Pirate Go For a Walk on the Beach
No Gravity in Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you are looking for a climbing gym in Chiang Mai, then be sure to check out No Gravity. It’s a large space that was designed and built from the ground up in 2013. There are more than 370sqm of climbing walls with routes for total beginners and experienced climbers.
Royal Park Rajapruek (Flora Gardens) in Chiang Mai, Thailand
We visited a beautiful and extensive garden at the edge of Chiang Mai, just down the road from the Night Safari, called the Royal Park Rajapruek. It boasts almost 200 acres of gorgeous scenery and 2800 different plant species. Because of the large scale, bike rentals are available and, for less active travelers, an electric bus is available to take you around.
The Royal Park was opened in 2006 in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday and 60th anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne. Since then, has twice hosted the International Horticulture Exposition.
Continue reading Royal Park Rajapruek (Flora Gardens) in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai Art in Paradise
Last month we visited a fun art museum in Chiang Mai, called Art in Paradise. We decided to go because our son, Ethan, loves to draw, so we thought he’d enjoy it. It turns out we all had a great time.
Riding Elephants in Thailand
Most people visiting Thailand have “ride elephant” on their to-do lists. We were no exception. There’s been much debate about whether it’s cruel or right to visit elephant camps in Thailand and we certainly weren’t oblivious or indifferent to the concerns. In fact, we did a fair amount of independent research before deciding to move forward with our plans and selecting a destination that focused on providing a sanctuary for rescued elephants. You can read more about some of our thoughts on the broader topic here. Continue reading Riding Elephants in Thailand
Zipline Adventure in Chiang Mai, Thailand
When in Chiang Mai, one can’t help but notice numerous advertisements for zipline jungle adventures. At last count, we noticed posters for at least 4 different zipline companies – all vying for the tourist dollar. Wanting a little adventure and a good activity to entertain our 8 year old and a visiting friend, we decided to go with Flying Squirrels Zipline Adventure.
For convenience and the discounted price, we opted for the online booking option. Our fee was 1,999TB (~$61) per person. Not cheap, by any means, but competitive with the current going rate and worth it for a full day’s activity with transportation included. We tend to be early risers, and we wanted to take advantage of the cooler morning weather and lighter crowds, so we booked the 7:30am pickup time. Continue reading Zipline Adventure in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Meandering Family: Beyond the Nest 