Chiang Mai is located in the North of Thailand, is a mountainous region and is quite peaceful and quiet. It is also a city with lots of history hidden and waiting to be discovered. I got up to the below in the limited time I had:
Visited Doi Suthep
This actually the name of the mountain that is the highest point in Chiang Mai. One of their revered temples, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple is built at the top of this mountain and you will easily see many Buddhist monks moving about the area. One also gets an amazing aerial view of Chiang Mai and it is well worth the climb.
However, there is a price to pay, 309 steps to get to the top. When we begun the climb, it looked cool and easy, but let me warn you, it is challenging, exhausting but totally worth it. Make sure you have carried some water and are wearing comfortable shoes.
The area is also home to the cutest monk sculptures you will ever see
Sighted the Native tribes:
This here little girl was such a beautiful sight. She had on this huge head dressing that seemed to engulf her and a beautiful well adorned dress. I learnt that she was from the Mai Hill tribe and that the outfit was a traditional one. I definitely have to return to both get myself such a gear as well as learn their culture more.
Visited the Night Market:
This market is very active, you will hardly note it is dark. The streets are well lit, there are many people, the food market is vibrant, the shopping variety vast and the prices super friendly. Trust me, you will be unable to make easy decisions on your shopping.
Rode a train
I rode a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and it was truly an adventure. First, the station was really nice with everything from wash bathrooms for people to freshen up, to challenges like late train arrivals, ours was four hours late.
The sleepers were basic but nice, clean and they even offered clean bedding. I made friends in the train who then became my tour troop in Chiang Mai.
You have to get a Thai massage, look at it as taking your body for realignment. If the thought of stripping down to a towel or nothing as happens in most massage parlours scares you, worry not. Once we arrived, we were each given a cup of green tea to enjoy as soft music piped through the speakers. By the time I was led to my compartment, I was already in relaxation mode. I was then provided with an outfit that looked like pajamas, loose fitting pants and a shirt to wear. I had thought I would find rose petals laid out, incense burning and candles lit, I found none. Soon after, my attendant started working on my body in a manner I think is best represented by a mechanic working on a car. She pulled at my limbs, compressed, tugged, stretched and contorted my body in angles I still do not comprehend how she achieved.She only eased up as she wound down and it felt like I had been dropped from a great high, a good high.
For more on my escapades in Thailand, check out:
Bangkok: http://wangechigitahi.co.ke/have-fun-in-bangkok/
Kanchanburi: http://wangechigitahi.co.ke/the-wild-side-of-kanchanburi/
Thailand 101: http://wangechigitahi.co.ke/thailand-101/