Thailand - Week 2
Chiang Mai, continued…
Thanks for following along on this new wanderlust weekend series: Travel Tales from Thailand. This weekend’s story concludes my second week in Thailand and my last week in Chiang Mai.
There really is so much to do in the Chiang Mai area that I was glad to have had two whole weeks there. This week was spent continuing some very rewarding volunteer work, taking a Thai cooking class, touring street markets and coming as close as I ever will to a real tiger.
Tiger Kingdom- Mai Rim
Now I am no tiger king(queen) but I can say that I have had a very real and up-close encounter with these big cats. At Tiger Kingdom in Mae Rim, one can hold a cub and pet the largest tiger your courage will allow. I’ll admit I was skeptical at first about their captivation but after seeing the care and health of these tigers and learning about how T.K. was focusing on conservation through education, I was put at ease. I also learned that they collaborate with universities for veterinary research.
After checking the place out, I decided to take my one chance to encounter these beautiful animals. Nervous and excited, I approached the tigers from behind as instructed. The size of his paws and the depth of his purr alerted me to the sheer magnitude of his strength. From the unique striped pattern of their fur to their magnetic amber eyes, everything about tigers is beautiful to me.
To answer any questions that you might have about visiting Tiger Kingdom, I’ve included a link to their website and here are several reviews found on Trip Advisor.
Thai Cooking School
If you love Thai food like I do, you will definitely want to take a class at one of the many wonderful cooking schools available. Here is a list of highly recommended classes.
Our experience began with a tour through the street markets and a Thai herb garden. I was amazed at the beauty and variety of fruit and vegetables available. I tried many fruits that I had never seen or even heard of before. Have you ever tried rambutan, mangosteen or durian? I learned that there are five flavors that join to make the holy grail of Thai food: spicy, sour, bitter, sweet, and salty. Curry paste, rice vinegar, lime, coconut milk, fish sauce and fresh herbs(cilantro, mint, Thai basil, Vietnamese coriander and lemongrass to name a few)are key in making authentic Thai dishes. If you’ve never smelled fresh Thai basil, you are in for a treat! After an tour and education on the basic of thai cuisine, we were able to select two dishes we wanted to personally prepare. I chose the popular Pad Thai and Thai Red Curry. (After tasting all the curries, I like Massaman Curry the best) Now my dishes were not chef-worthy presentations but the taste was amazing. The fresh noodles and herbs straight from the garden definitely made the dish. The night ended by sharing our dishes around a family style table. The instructor and the group setting with fellow travelers made for a very fun experience that I highly recommend.
Street Markets
Any night that we had free time, we could always find an exotic street market to tour. We would sample the street food(I did refrain from trying the fried insects), enjoy the entertainment and always shop the latest hand-crafted treasures I could find. In fact, I bought so many that I needed a second suitcase to get them all home! Tha Pae(artsy), the Night Bazaar(huge with everything) and Warorot Market(great textiles) were some of the favorite street markets I visited. After a night of walking the markets, I suggest ending with a foot or back massage(which you can get almost anywhere you go for about $10)
Connie’s Home
The real highlight of my time in Chiang Mai was volunteering at a special place called Connie’s Home. This christian ministry was originally started and completely funded by a dear couple from the US. Not only do they provide a loving home and education for at-risk children from overcrowded orphanages, but they also minister to female juvenile offenders by providing a work-release nanny program. Playing with the children there and connecting with the teens through sewing projects will always hold a special place in my heart. If you would like more information on Connie’s Home or would like to volunteer or offer support, I encourage you to read more of their story here.
ACCOMMODATIONS in Chiang Mai
I was lucky to have stayed with a family member during my two weeks in Chiang Mai but if I were to go back today, the following hotels would be on my list of picks. For a highly recommended budget-friendly hotel in the heart of Old Town Chiang Mai, try Phra Singh Village. The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai is set on 60 acres lush tranquil grounds in the historical heartland of Northern Thailand and I would be my pick for an intermediate priced stay. Situated along the Mae Ping River, Anantara Chiang Mai Resort would be another idea. For a real splurge, check out 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai. It won the 2019 Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award and I can see why. I must mention though that a splurge on accommodations is not necessary in Thailand. Many of their nicest hotels range from $50-$125/night. For your drooling pleasure, I did include a few photos below(credits to Trip Advisor) of the accommodations I mentioned below.
I hope you have enjoyed these highlights from Chiang Mai. If you have any recommendations or tips from your travels in Thailand, please share in a comment below. Stay tuned for next weekends Travel Tales from Thailand (Hint- We head south.)
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