Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai - Super touristy, but feels a bit like Northern California. It was a very comfortable place to stay for a few days though and a bit cooler because it's in the northern mountains. Initially we booked 3 nights, but added two more because the place we were staying was really comfortable and it  was so relaxed there, which we needed after the street racing chaos of Ayutthaya.

yeah, this is one of about a hundred chic coffee places in Chiang Mai-- they roast their own beans

There are so many beautiful Wats (temples) in Chiang Mai that it's difficult to keep track. Everyone is welcome inside and you can make an offering or just stand with your mouth wide open gawking at the incredible details and woodwork

details

jade

wall surrounding a Wat

Proof that it's possible to get sick of Thai food after eating it for 2 weeks. This was a Soul Food place run buy a guy browsing the internet in back with 2 large snow white braids and a giant Santa beard. It wasn't the best burger I've ever had, but the homemade pickled shallots were incredible. I'll definitely be making some when we get back

Crazy paint job 

Chiang Mai has a moat and old city wall around the old town. It makes for really nice public areas. We noticed that in the largest one of these public areas there was a pop-up military "box" where soldiers sat all day and night watching TV-- discouraging any "gatherings".

Weird dog on stool. It was standing there panting as we walked by. There was no owner in sight. It was just hanging out there.

Keeping with the animal theme, people here really like dressing up their cats, even outdoor semi-feral seeming cats had dirty clothes on. This cat is named Poupon. Its name was on the hat.  

Great mussels fried in rice batter with cukes

What??? There is a photo darkroom and gallery space here? You can rent space and print photos? Yep, we bought a polaroid that was for sale inside. They also sold soft drinks. What a find!

Tom Yum soup made by the restaurant at the Women's Correctional Rehabilitation Center. They also have a massage training center where you can get a budget massage after a long day of walking.

Nice paper cut outs

Old wooden Wat

Lert Ros - we ended up eating here a few times. 

Sticky rice, papaya salad, grilled pork and grilled tilapia stuffed with lemongrass. 

They grill the fish right out front

Baan Jaja - great little budget hotel where we stayed for 5 nights. This was the patio/entry where they had a breakfast each morning

It was a great stay. Although, after 5 nights we were definitely ready to hit the road to some more remote, less touristy locations. Next stops-- Lampang and Phrae