Hello and welcome to Northern Thailand part two!

At the end of the last post, you left us driving through the picturesque mountain passes on our way to Chiang Mai. We arrived, very hot and sweaty into Chiang Mai and collapsed at our hotel. Only after wobbling around and talking nonsense for a while did we realise we had heatstroke…silly us! 2.5 litres of water each later and we were starting to feel a little more human.

The following morning we had a delicious breakfast at a cutesy bakery called Angel’s Secret (never found out what she was keeping secret, but the food was a good).

We had been considering massage courses and wanted to check out the different types (what strenuous research I hear you say- yes, we know, but someone has to do it!). We went for a one-hour foot massage that Chloe loved but I found too painful due to a rare condition I suffer from called Totalwussitus. (which is very serious ailment and totally not made up to make me feel better about being a wimp about a massage).

In the evening we set out to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, hoping it would have the charm of Chiang Rai’s Night Bazaar. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Aside from a few nice little stalls, it was a complete tourist trap and not worth the 45 minute round trip to get there. However, on the way home the heavens opened and we were treated to our first tropical thunderstorm! It was an utter deluge, so we sought shelter under a shop’s awning, then ran for it.

The evening was salvaged by a very tasty meal at Cooking Love. James had a pineapple green curry and Chloe had Huang Lui pork curry, her favourite northern Thai dish (in fact, she bought 12 packets of special Thai masala curry powder just so she can make it at home!)

The following day we had our first of two massage courses at Namo Massage and Yoga– head and neck. Our teacher, who also doubles as this small studio’s receptionist was sweet, patient and good humoured. We really enjoyed learning something we can do to help one another relax when we rotate back to the ‘real world’.

In the afternoon we hung out of our lovely roof terrace and as the sun went down the gin came out. We went off for a lovely Indian meal close-by and crawled into bed for late night giggling and drawing silly cartoons (anyone who knows me, knows that I may be blessed with many gifts, but artist ability is not one one them…)

The next day we returned to Namo for our second course, foot massage and reflexology. This was much more challenging for James, as the movements required were more precise and the target areas smaller. We used some lovely smelling oil and had a lovely time relaxing one another.

After lunch (brilliant noodle soup at our favourite little place), we drove out on our one remaining scooter to the Chiang Mai Zoo. This has to be the most challenging zoo to navigate on foot. At first, we pooh-poohed those visitors who hopped on and off a mini-van, taking in only the ‘headliners’. After walking up and down hills in humid 36 degree heat for several hours, we could see their thinking…

On our way home we stopped off at a small night market outside a shopping centre and had the best gyoza we’ve ever had and far too much chocolate milk.

On Friday it was ‘Cooking Class and Temple Day’! We were picked up by a songthaw (like a van turned into a minibus, with seats facing each other) at 8.15am and went out to a market on the outskirts of town. Our teacher, the lovely Mae, was very knowledgeable about the local produce and how to pick the best ingredients. Then we hopped back into the songthaw and drove out to her rural home for our cooking lesson.

The food was amazing and she was astonishing! She span around the room like a diminutive Thai whirlwind guiding us in creating the best dishes we could- a little more water there, a quick stir there. The results were delicious and we were presented with recipe books that had been personalised with photos of our group on the cover.

 

 

On our return to the city we toured the local temples, including one made from ‘silver’ (it was mostly aluminium and only finished in 2016!) The last one we visited was a beautiful old ruin of what must have been the centre of the city, back in the day. At the site we found the old City Pillar of Chiang Mai, which it is said was first erected by King Mangrai at the founding of the city in 1296 AD. All we knew was that Chloe wasn’t allowed to go into it as her ovaries could destabilise the city and cause untold destruction to the social, and economic stability of the region. (I’ve always had my suspicions).

Saturday we hung out at a cafe until it was time for us to get our first night train to the airport for Cambodia!

Until next time!

Love the Backpack Duo x