(Chiang) My Way

I've spent the last few days chilling in Chiang Mai. It's a great place and although a city it feels much smaller as I'm staying in the old city which is only a square mile and rests inside a walled moat. Also, inside the walls there are height restrictions on all buildings so it has avoided becoming another highrise filled town centre. This allows for lots of great rooftop bars just outside this zone which offer great views over the town. Additionally, the most popular modes of transport are mopeds and bicycles, which add to the quaint feel.

The day after the trek I went for a much needed Thai massage, which was amazing. Two hours long for the equivalent of £6. It was painful at times as she walked on top of me and I limped out. But a couple of hours after once the muscles calmed down I felt great.

Also, climbed up to Doi Suthep, a temple the locals say if you have not visited you've not visited Chiang Mai. The story behind it dates back hundreds of years when some monks put a buddha relic on an elephants back and let it bound around. It did so for 3 days until it came upon a place circled, trumpeted and lay down dead. This was where they decided to build their temple. You have to climb the 309 steps to reach the pagodas and when you reach the top you are treated to grand vistas across Chiang Mai.

Had a great chillout day at a rooftop pool with a few peeps who were staying at my hostel, and provided the first time I've been fully able to cool down in a couple of weeks. Really nice to be able to jump in a cool pool when I so wished. As we left we walked right into a market selling all sorts of appetisers - so grabbed some sushi and fried chicken for dinner. The food over here is to die for, there are steetstalls on every corner selling various wares. Fresh fruit is a favourite so it's easy to pick up pineapple or watermelon for breakfast. There also big into their meats on sticks, or will make you a stirfry infront of your eyes.

With this in mind and after too many people insisted I must go I decided to yield and take a Thai cookery class, and I'm so glad I did. To start our instructor, Ai, took us on a tour of the local food market tour and explained many of the stalls and the interested foods on offer. For example, horse pee eggs and dragon fruit. In the kitchen she taught us to make spring rolls, green curry, pad thai, hot and spicy soup, and banana pancakes. Not to blow my own trumpet but it was some of the best Thai food I've tasted so far!!

On my final day, I was just messing around and preparing to leave and I looked in on the temple next door to my hostel that i've walked by everday. I went in and it was my easily favourite so far. This was due to Wat Phra Sing having a peaceful garden area at the back with lots of wise Buddhist sayings attached to every tree.

Really liked it Chiang Mai, there is so much to do there and I didn't do half of it... but must keep on truckin' so flying down to Phuket to see the islands.