As we explored Chiang Mai, we finally found what we’d been searching for while looking for the magic of Thai Orchids.
The Magic of Thai Orchids
Tag Archives: SE Asia
The Magic & Color of Chiang Mai Street Life in Photos
Chiang Mai is undoubtedly one of our favorite spots in the country, in part because of the vibrancy and color of her markets and day-to-day life lived in the streets.
Here are some of our favorite scenes discovered on our latest trip to whet your appetite for a Thai adventure of your own.
Continue readingWhat We Ate in Chiang Mai
The line was long, but the tantalizing aroma of slow roasting beef broth wafted in our direction, giving us the endurance to forge ahead. Blue Noodle Beef & Pork Bowls were destined to be!
Eating almost anywhere in Thailand is a guaranteed success. As one of the world’s most popular cuisines, from high-end restaurants to street vendors and everything in between, a meal in Thailand is amazing.
Continue readingElephant Nature Park ~ Chiang Mai
I admit it, the first few times in Thailand, we did it wrong. With better knowledge over the years, highlighted by a visit to the Elephant Nature Park, we no longer ride elephants while visiting SE Asia, but instead spend our money contributing to organizations that advocate for them.
Seeing these majestic creatures living in harmony with their handlers and volunteers is so much better than contributing to possible abuse.
Continue readingThai Akha Cooking Class Chiang Mai
My mouth began to water as the spicy aroma of frying egg rolls filled the air at Thai Akha Cooking Class. Everyone gathered around, grouping closer, as our fearless leader showed us the correct direction to roll the wraps in the hot oil. With absolute certainty, I knew this would be an afternoon to remember.
After our amazing street food tours in Bangkok, we knew we wanted to do a cooking class in Chiang Mai, and the Thai Akha Cooking Class was our pick. What a fantastic choice!
Having taken over a dozen cooking classes in the past, I can wholeheartedly verify this was easily the best I’ve ever experienced.
Continue readingHiking the Monk’s Trail
Having been to Chiang Mai several times, we were eager to try some new activities and hiking the Monk’s Trail was high on our list.
Wat Phrae That Doi Suthep is always a must visit when we go to Chiang Mai, but this time we wanted to start our day with the hike to Wat Pha Lat to get some steps in nature before heading further up the hill.
Continue readingBack to Chiang Mai
After our somewhat interesting evening in Phitsanulok, we were eager to jump in our van and head back to Chiang Mai.
A Chef’s Tour food tour of Bangkok ~ A Must Do!
It’s well-known that we’re big-time foodies, and the chance to do A Chef’s Tour food tour of Bangkok was a must-do for our latest trip to Thailand.
After doing food tours in several areas of Mexico, we thoroughly looked forward to embarking on a similar adventure in Bangkok. With Asian newbies in tow, we also wanted to introduce them to Bangkok street food with the help of a local guide. After some research, A Chef’s Tour got the most positive reviews for what we were looking for.
Continue readingBack to Thailand~ What’s Changed?
We just headed back to Thailand for the first time in years ~ what’s changed you ask?
Well, the short answer is a lot….and almost nothing.
An Embarrassment of Choices ~ Travel Beyond the Crowds
Written in cooperation with Goodshop.
New travelers are often at a loss when choosing a vacation destination. For experienced travelers, the choice is not so much about where to go, but where not to go, for an embarrassment of choices for world travel exists. Searching for the best travel deals or coupons from Priceline is a given, but researching a location can be a more formidable task. While the normal, and proven, questions to ask yourself will point you in the right direction, below is a rundown of a few of the must-see regions around the world, but with a slightly different viewpoint.
Mexico~
Image via Flickr by Greencolander
High on many travelers’ lists, Mexico is a destination that arises again and again. Part of the appeal is simply the proximity and short flight times from the United States. However, many only look to this vibrant country as a beach destination.
While beaches on both coasts are stunning and offer different experiences from one another, part of the great appeal of this diverse country is in its hills. From the Copper Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, to the colonial hill towns such as Patzcuaro and San Miguel de Allende, much of the magnetism of this amazing country is found far from the sands of the coastline.
Southeast Asia~
Image via Flickr by poida.smith
Nearly every traveler is aware of the charms of Southeast Asia — the chaotic charm of the large cities, the fantastic food, the inexpensive massages, and the verdant and rich countryside. As the gateway to the region, Bangkok is nearly impossible to avoid, but move beyond this fabled city to discover an impressive diversity. Vietnam offers French colonial architecture, amazing food, and immense beauty.
Cambodia’s recently troubled past is merging into a young, progressive country full of hope, as well as the home of the extraordinary ruins of Angkor Wat. Laos, long considered the ugly stepchild of the area, has emerged as a front-runner on the lists among those in the know. Myanmar, recently reopened to tourism, offers the astonishing ruins of Bagan, as well as a feeling of stepping back in time.
Europe~
Image via Flickr by jarnold221
Granted, nearly everything has been “discovered” in Europe. If finding great flight deals so that you can jet to the continent sits high on your bucket list, never fear; you can still find ways to avoid the crowds. Most travelers simply do not have the time to get off the beaten path and explore. Thus, they follow the guidebook crowd from one photo op to the next.
Fully escaping the tourist crowds may be a challenge, but to get a more personal experience, you need only walk a few blocks away. When St. Mark’s Square is literally sinking in the crowds, meander a few blocks off the square and discover a Venice with no crowds. If you can no longer bear the crush of humanity in the Louvre, see what you must see and escape to the more civilized crowds of Sainte-Chapelle or the Musée Rodin.
Wherever your holiday may take you, using a few simple techniques can create a magical experience. Instead of having a holiday like everyone else has, venture a few steps off the beaten path to find the true local charms.