The last year has been one of the best in our lives. It was all about change, risk, adventure, and discovery. We took, what some would consider, a crazy leap of faith, and although we can’t say what the future holds, we wouldn’t change a thing. The experiences that we’ve had in the last year are more than most could hope for in a lifetime. We are amazed and so grateful when we look back on it all. Continue reading 2014 In Review – Part 1
Tag Archives: Chiang Mai
Friends Abroad
When you decide to travel long-term, many wonderful experiences lay before you, but you must also be willing to leave behind the comforts of home and loved ones. Of course, in today’s world it is easy to stay in touch with tools like Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, and email. They all go a long way toward combating homesickness. With technology, you can often feel just as “in touch” when you are thousands of miles from home as you did when you were actually there.
We enjoy seeing what everyone is up to on Facebook and scheduling calls with friends and family, but the absolute best treat is when people come to visit. Not only do we get to see them in-person, but we get to play host and share some of our adventures with them. Continue reading Friends Abroad
We Need To Talk About The Elephants!
The British Berliner visited the Baan Chang Elephant Park, a place we very much enjoyed, and were kind enough to mention our experience in their post. Be sure to read about their adventures in Chiang Mai.
A beautiful old elephant. Photo@ WWFT
Last week, I told how you about the delightful time that we had at our cookery school and that in fact, Chiang Mai was everything that we had dreamed of, and more.
Another reason why we wanted to go to “The Rose of the North” was also because of the fertile Ping River Valley. The Valley is a patchwork of paddy fields surrounded by rolling hills, forested mountains, jungles and rivers. The ideal terrain for adventure travel, trekking, river rafting, four-wheel drive safaris, visiting Thailand’s hill tribe people, and of course, riding the elephants.
Traditional Elephant Tatoo Design from Urban VicArt
Yes, the elephants.
I know what you’re thinking. Riding elephants has become a controversial issue. Indeed, human contact with wild animals is anything but simple. A highly respected blogger: Turner Barr from Around the World in 80 Jobs spent some time as…
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Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center
Located on the original “navel of the city” and near the Three Kings Monument, you’ll find the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center. The center was created to promote the understanding of Chiang Mai’s roots, foster a sense of pride in local identity, and help preserve the beauty of local culture.
Lanna Folklife Museum in Chiang Mai
The powerful and prosperous ancient Kingdom of Lanna covered most of northern Thailand as well as parts of eastern Burma, western Laos, and across neighboring parts of southern China from the 13th to 18th centuries. Chiang Mai was the capital of the kingdom and at the heart of its culture.
Lanna is distinct from other provinces of Thailand in language, cuisine, art, architecture, and music. Although, Chiang Mai was eventually incorporated by the Thai Government and became a province in 1933, the distinctive Lanna culture still endures today.
The Lanna Folklife Museum is focused on educating both Thais and tourists about Northern Thailand’s distinctive culture and history. Continue reading Lanna Folklife Museum in Chiang Mai
Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai
Wat Phra Singh is a beautiful example of classic Lanna architecture. Here you’ll find steeply pitched roofs with lavishly carved eaves, mural paintings, red lacquered columns decorated with gold leaf stenciled patterns, stucco decoration, white chedi with an octagonal base, you name it. Continue reading Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai
Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai
It was a bit overcast when we visited Wat Chedi Luang yesterday, but even with the cloudy skies, it was simply stunning. This was our second visit to this temple complex. The moment I saw it for the first time, I told myself that we’d need to return. Not only because the batteries on my camera had just died, but because it was the kind of place that overwhelms you with its grandeur and beauty. Continue reading Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai
Saturday Walking Street in Chiang Mai
For those looking for a market experience in Chiang Mai that is less geared toward tourists and more geared toward locals, then give the Wualai Market (Saturday Walking Street) a try. It’s less crowded than the Night Bazaar and even the Sunday Walking Street, but you’ll find plenty of handicrafts and tasty street food to make it worth your while.
The market gets started around 5:00pm and starts folding up around 10:00pm. Start at the Chiang Mai Gate on the south side of the Moat and then follow the stalls along Wualai Road to the south. Continue reading Saturday Walking Street in Chiang Mai
“I” is for Ice Cream in Chiang Mai
Thailand is HOT! What better way to beat the heat than to treat yourself to some gourmet ice cream in a fun and creative setting? Iberry was established in 1999 by two brothers out of Bangkok. Their commitment to quality natural ingredients, development of more than 100 tasty recipes, and quirky design has resulted in great success. There are now 11 branches of iberry shops around Thailand. Continue reading “I” is for Ice Cream in Chiang Mai
The Other Silver Temple, Wat Muen San in Chiang Mai
Wualai Road (or Wua Lai Village) is known for its skilled silversmiths. Here you can find many delicate handmade items ranging from jewelry to bowls to various pieces of lustrous silver artwork. You can also find Wat Sri Suphan, also known as the “Silver Temple”. But, here you will find that there is more than just one silver temple off Wualai Road. Continue reading The Other Silver Temple, Wat Muen San in Chiang Mai
Meandering Family: Beyond the Nest 