We wandered to the breakfast buffet to find the most stunning display of freshly squeezed juice. Their colors were a reflection of the stunning scene awaiting us on the deck. The bright yellow sunlight glistened on the turquoise water in the bay. Soft green palm trees swayed in the breeze above the white sand beach. The orange shades promises of the sunset to come.

Orange. Pineapple. Guava. Mango. Which juice would accompany breakfast this morning?

When I began our search for a spot to call home during our week on the island, I was immediately drawn to the website of Lipa Lodge.

Images of expansive green lawns, ringed by palm trees and tropical plants. A small lobby that held the check-in office, book exchange, and location for the daily breakfast buffet, with a small deck overlooking the sea. The small, but stunning infinity pool overlooking the serene beach.

The Location

What we knew~ we did NOT want to be on the busy east side of Koh Samui. Having previously spent time at Chewang Beach, we were certain that this trip needed to be about sand and sunsets. Not throngs of tourists on scooters.

Lipa Noi is on the central west coast of Koh Samui. The general vibe is rural, with an abundance of coconut trees, and waterfalls.

With no coral, rocks, or steep drop-offs, Lipa Noi Beach is a haven for those looking for serenity, not sur.

Far from the tourist crowds, with no large resorts or noisy clubs. Target acquired!

My favorite feature? The remarkably calm waters, perfect for swimming or simply floating in the sea, experiencing yet another stunning sunset.

The Lodge

The refreshing infinity pool was set adjacent to the stunningly soft white sand beach, with the mellow surf gently wafting with the tides.

Our rooms were equally delightful. Two adjoining cottages with large front porches, perfect for gazing at the ocean over morning coffee, lounging, and playing cards into the night. The rooms are generously sized with a safe, coffee maker, mini-fridge, and well-appointed bathroom.

What followed was no less than paradise found.

The Services

The seaside palapa proved perfect for couples massages.

The staff were ever attentive, and typically Thai friendly without being invasive.

The included buffet breakfast special changed daily, but we were always guaranteed choose-your-own omelets, fresh baked pastries, and a delicious mix of tangy yogurt, local granola, and some of the most delicious fruit on the planet.

If you don’t feel like wandering down the beach in search of dinner, Lipa Lodge even offers dinner service. The food is great, and you sure can’t beat that view!

The Neighborhood

Just a short stroll away brought us to a variety of resorts and restaurants offering up delicious food, all with a stunning view of the sunset over the bay.

We wandered daily along the stunning beach, stopping here and there for a drink, or to watch a local walking their water buffalo.

Inland two blocks, we found a convenience store, a fresh fruit stand, and a few more local restaurants offering up inexpensive deliciousness in a bowl.

We had planned our beach sojourn at the end of our trip very purposefully, well knowing from experience that the Asian culture can easily overwhelm our Western brains. Lipa Noi Beach was the perfectly, wonderfully, serenely, exactly what we needed.

If you’re looking for your own little slice of paradise, check out Lipa Lodge for yourself.

Address: 75 Lipa​ Lodge​ resort, 4, Lipa Noi, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

Phone: +66 81 978 5529

The post Lipa Lodge~ The Perfect Spot to Stay on the Quiet Side of Koh Samui appeared first on The Next Big Adventure.

Our last trip to the island found us staying on the very busy and chaotic Chewang Beach, absolutely the party side of the island.

With our return to Thailand, we were researching islands, and we originally looked in another direction. Koh Chang. Koh Lanta. Koh Lipe. So.Many.Options.

I admit, I was quickly daunted. On previous trips around SE Asia, we had a more flexible time frame. With only six nights in our itinerary for a beach stop, having to make multiple connections and, in many cases, additional ferry rides, my search turned back to the familiar. The fact that Thai Airways had a nonstop flight from Chiang Mai to the island sealed the deal.

At the end of the day, the sheer desire for the simplest travel plans sent us back to Koh Samui. However, determined for less nightlife and more quiet beach time, research turned to the quieter, Western side of the island.

Thai Islands

Just how many Thai islands are there, you ask? It turns out there are more than 1400!

The choices range dramatically, and there is absolutely an island for everyone. However, so many choices can boggle the mind. With so many options offering a breathtaking variety in terms of price, luxury, and location.

Even the region the islands exist in is cause for research, with the weather variances, degree of tourism, and price all considerations.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is the country’s second largest island, and is set in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. It has an international airport and is full on touristy. Not exactly what we were looking for.

As we arrived, the island seemed even busier than the norm. That is when Anne pointed out that the latest season of White Lotus had been filmed here and was getting ready to air. So much for trying to avoid crowds!

However, we were delighted to find that, as often happens, the crowds all congregate to the familiar. Driving from the airport past Chewang Beach was a mass chaos of scooters, scantily clad tourists, slightly disheveled backpackers, and quite a few slightly dazed first-timers. As always, a dizzying array of tourists sported bandages on one appendage or another from scooter accidents.

The ever-present sound of hawkers promoting “Muay Thai, Muay Thai, Chaweng Stadium followed us as we inched through the crowded streets.

Weren’t we the happy campers to continue past the fray!

We continued south to Lamai Beach and beyond, and the crowds dispersed, and we relished the tropical breeze. As we turned west, the fast food chains and swarms of people disappeared, and we passed small villages, water buffalo grazing, and endless fresh fruit stands.

Finally, we emerged at our destination: Lipa Noi, and the wonderful Lipa Lodge Beach Resort. We had reached our little bit of heaven.

Paradise on Earth

A full review of Lipa Lodge is coming, but let’s just say we knew we landed in the spot we were meant to be. At the typically friendly check-in, we were delighted to learn that daily breakfast was included in our stay, contrary to what the online booking engine had advertised.

Next, we were shown to our side-by-side bungalows facing the aquamarine sea from our large patios.

Lush gardens, abundant with flowering shrubs among the palm trees, framed our view of the golden sand beach and serene waters.

An infinity pool sat next to the office/ restaurant overlooking the beach, complete with loungers and poolside bar service. We were home.

What is at Lipa Noi Beach?

Well, not much, and yet everything you might need is close by. Each day, we wandered off the property for at least part of the day, checking out the numerous restaurants and bars attached to the hotels and resorts lining the stunning bay.

Heading inland only 1/4 mile, we found the main road with convenience stores, fruit stands, and still more restaurants, and the small, bustling town of Nathon was only a short tuk-tuk or songthaew ride away.

If you’re considering Koh Samui but are intimidated or put off by the scene at Chewang Beach, know that the quiet side of the island just might be your own personal little bit of paradise.

The post The Quiet Side of Koh Samui appeared first on The Next Big Adventure.

Don’t get me wrong, orchids are everywhere in the country. It seems that every corner you turn has incredible displays of flora and fauna, with stunning orchids in a kaleidoscope of colors, especially plentiful.

On previous trips to the country, we had toured Orchid Farms outside of Bangkok, and along the Myanmar border. Along the way, we regularly admired not just the stunning and varied orchids throughout the country, but also the rich tapestry of gorgeous floral displays.

While in Bangkok, we had attempted to find the same farm we had been to with Jim’s parents years ago….and to no avail. During our trip to the Damnoen Saduak floating market, we were brought to an incredibly sad “orchid farm” with few orchids, but lots of art and crafts for sale.

How Many Orchid Varieties are there?

Orchids are so prevalent in Thailand, I incorrectly assumed that they had a massive number of species. How wrong I was.

Apparently, there are more than 28,000 types of orchids in the world, existing on every continent except Antarctica!

Although the land of smiles is well known for its orchids, in reality, the country has just over 1000 individual varieties. to call their own.

Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm

Having found nothing exceptional during our time in Bangkok, we jumped all over the chance to head to the Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm just outside Chiang Mai. The reviews were excellent, so we called a GRAB and made our way through the endless traffic clogging our route.

The farm itself was lovely. Although small, the display of orchids was a delight.

Jim’s mom had been a master gardener, and was in awe of the varieties of the country when we took them for a trip to Thailand back in 2002. Now living in assisted living, she no longer has her fantastic yard to putz about, so we called her on FaceTime so she could share in the stunning beauty that surrounded us.

Row after row of orchids. Seemingly dozens and dozens of colors and, perhaps more extraordinary, different designs of each variety. While they were all somewhat similar, it is endlessly delightful to examine the minute differences from one plant to the next.

Butterflies!

In addition to the stunning floral display, Bai Farms had a small butterfly garden with a good number of lovely butterflies, displaying their unique natural decoration on their wings.

Next time you’re in Chiang Mai, make sure to check out this lovely stop, highlighting some of the best of Thailands natural wonders.

Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm: Mae Raem, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Phone: +66 81 992 7440

The post The Magic of Thai Orchids appeared first on The Next Big Adventure.

Here are some of our favorite scenes discovered on our latest trip to whet your appetite for a Thai adventure of your own.

We will always return to this stunning city.

The post The Magic & Color of Chiang Mai Street Life in Photos appeared first on The Next Big Adventure.

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.

After we arrived in Chiang Mai, we dropped our bags at Awana House, and immediately hit the streets in search of a late lunch.

As it was a Sunday, our options were limited, but we spotted a small restaurant offering some of the typical eats; spring rolls and such, but also an amazing bite of spiced chicken steamed in a banana leaf. A perfect introduction to the town.

Throughout our week in town, we tried it all, with eats ranging from street stalls at the Sunday Night Walking Street to Italian and Mexican. Who knew?!

First Up

On night one we walked to the Sunday Night Walking Street, a mere two blocks from Awana House. We’re not sure exactly what we ate that night, although there were numerous street bites, all delicious, and many new to us.

The Thai Phae Sunday market is enormous, stretching on for multiple blocks, and featuring artisans, food stalls, and lined with foot massage stations.

In a town with so many options, we made a pact to never eat at the same place twice, forcing us to wander further afield, even though so many temptations were just steps from our door in our own little corner of the city.

Breakfast & Brunch

Truth: We did end up at the absolutely delightful coffee shop on the corner twice. But, honestly, who can blame us? Coffee by Zeam & Gain & Gail hangs right across from the Tha Phra Gate and offers up fantastic coffee, delicious breakfast options, a cute vibe, and some of the best people watching in the city.

Perch yourself on their patio and take it all in.

Perhaps our favorite breakfast in Chiang Mai was the delightful The Little Sunday Cafe. SO cute! Funny enough, we must have walked past this location on multiple locations as we crisscrossed the old city, but never paid attention until our final morning in town.

This lovely little restaurant hit all the marks: lovely setting, friendly staff, and delicious food.

Afternoon Delights

For a simple and tasty lunch, head over to…. Simple Thai Cafe.

Located not too far from Awana House, Simple Cafe was just that. Simply delightful. Iced coffees and basic dishes like pad thai, along with some of the best fruit juice drinks we found.

Lunch with the elephants. How often do you get to say that phrase?

Our afternoon at Elephant Nature Park included one of the best vegan buffets we encountered. What magic, to be enjoying tasty noodle dishes, along with some of the best fruit on the planet, all while surrounded by elephants and rescue dogs. Such fun!

Truth be told, some of the best food we ate in Chiang Mai was what we cooked at Akha Thai Cooking School. The day spent cooking and eating was pretty damn good, if I do say so myself!

Ethnic Vibes

We love Thai food. And by that, I mean we LOVE Thai food!

Having said that, we have always found that during longer trips, we relish seeking out alternate options as well.

As always, each member of our group take turns choosing where to eat dinner.

Jim’s evening found us at an enduring favorite cuisine~ Mexican! Now, honestly, we never expected to find a Mexican restaurant in Chiang Mai. And, we certainly never expected to find one that was actually decent.

Confident of a good time, we headed to La Casita, laughingly hoping for the best. We were pleasantly surprised. The chicken tacos were tasty, and Jim’s enchilada platter was just the ticket to satisfy his craving.

My ethnic choice du jour was, wait for it, Middle Eastern! Lucky for us, just around the corner from Awana House sat Hummus Chiang Mai, a delightful little restaurant at the end of the alley.

Tucked inside, we discovered all of my favorites: creamy hummus, crunchy falafel, fluffy pita, tabouli salad, and roasted cauliflower. Fantastic!

Within the restaurant, they even offered a small market with fresh veggies, along with some of their delicious hummus and olive oils for purchase.

Off to Italy! Dave was craving some Italian. Time to wander.

Fortunately, a short stroll outside of the city gates brought the world to our feet.

The color and vibrancy of the city greeted us full force with stunning gold highlights and colored lanterns. Soon, we arrived at Pulcinella da Stefano, feeding the people of Chiang Mai since 1996.

Our tour of Italy was done very well. We made sure to order four different options and tested and shared all around. From the wood-fired pizza to the stuffed ravioli to the freshest insalata caprese, each dish was expertly crafted.

Back to Blue Noodle

Blue Noodle was on our list from day 1 in town when we wandered by, but put off by the long line snaking down the sidewalk, we continued along our way. This extremely popular and casual restaurant opens at 9:00 am, but the lines of those in-the-know start to take shape around 8:30 am. Those lines don’t let up until they run out of food, something that normally occurs by 1:30 pm.

You will stand in line. Just accept it. Embrace it, even. You can thank me later.

In my opinion, the magic of Thai food is in the broth. Noodle bowls. Soups. Each seems more aromatic than the last.

I love to first breathe in the aroma of the base, packed full of garlic, ginger, and lemongrass. Each bowl was piled high with our choice of noodles, along with your choice of pork, beef, or both, in a variety of forms.

Moments later, it arrived, packed with flavor and accompanied with scallions. Hot sauce on the side optional.

This is my type of place. Totally unpretentious. Totally delicious. And totally filling for about 90TBT for a big bowl of magic.

Once again, the food of Chiang Mai did not disappoint.

The post What We Ate in Chiang Mai appeared first on The Next Big Adventure.

Seeing these majestic creatures living in harmony with their handlers and volunteers is so much better than contributing to possible abuse.

Elephant Nature Park is the first elephant sanctuary of it’s kind in Asia focusing on rescuing and caring for elephants who were abused previously in their lives as street performers, circus animals, and elephant riding for tourists.

The Founder

It was founded by Saengduean Chailert, better known as Lek. Lek’s interest in elephants began as a youngster, working alongside her grandpa, who was known as a healer. After years of seeing how many were abused and mistreated in the tourist industry, she began providing medical aid to those living in remote villages.

How it began.

By the 1990’s she had begun rescuing injured, neglected, and elderly elephants, establishing Elephant Nature Park in 2003.

Over the years, her tireless commitment to saving these gentle giants has earned her numerous accolades, including being one of Time Magazine’s Heroes of Asia in 2005, and receiving honors from both Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, as well as President Macron of France, among others.

How to Visit

Today, the Elephant Nature Park is a leading conservation example, and people flock to visit from around the world. It is possible to volunteer at the park, something we’re interested in on a later trip, or take a morning or afternoon tour of the facilities.

For more involved visits, you can book an overnight stay, or choose one of the options that is more interactive in the care and feeding of the parks residents.

The DOGS!

In addition to elephants, the Nature Park has rescued and is home to several hundred dogs. As huge dog lovers, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing them lounging on the numerous beds scattered throughout the facility. Many of the pups are friendly and happy to greet guests. Those that are a bit more nervous, or reactive, wear red bandanas to warn visitors not to attempt to pet them.

The Tour

We chose to do the half-day afternoon tour, wishing to see the elephants walking back to the park via the river at the end of the day. Around noon, we met at the park’s office just a few blocks down from Awana House. After picking up a few more participants, we drove a little over an hour to the park.

It was simply spectacular. Seeing how the mahouts had a special connection with their charges. Seeing how pack-like the herd was, each having a special friend or two.

We got a tour of the facility, meeting some volunteers who were prepping the massive amounts of veg and foliage required to feed the residents, and petting some of the rescue dogs.

Next, we headed out with our guide into the enclosures to get up close and personal. Just not too close!

We learned about many of their stories of years of toil and abuse, and were lucky enough to be there when some of the group headed down to the river to splash happily in the water.

A delicious vegan lunch buffet was included in the price, followed by a bit of time simply enjoying the views from one of several riverside lounges.

Around 5:00 pm, we were driven back to our hotel, our minds rich with memories of the amazing work that goes on at the Nature Pak.

Check it out for yourself.

To visit yourself, head to their website for information on all of the various opportunities available. Our half-day tour cost 2500TBT (around $76USD) and included round-trip transportation, the tour, and a tasty lunch. The memories of being near such amazing creatures = priceless.

The post Elephant Nature Park ~ Chiang Mai appeared first on The Next Big Adventure.

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.

Why Thai Akha Cooking School?

When looking up the cooking class options in Chiang Mai, and there are quite a few, we knew we wanted to find one that was a bit unique and supported some of the minority tribes. The Akha people are one of 12 different minority tribes in Northern Thailand. Their people originally migrated from China, Laos, and Myanmar in the early 1900s.

Back in the day, this country was known as Siam and was made up of several different kingdoms. Chiang Mai sits in the Lanna Kingdom, which ruled much of the north. In 1939, the country came together under one ruler, and the name was changed to Thailand. Thai means “free”, so Thailand is the “land of freedom”.

Because the country is relatively young, the Akha people did not grow up learning the Thai language. Jasmine, our guide on the culinary journey, grew up speaking Akha before learning Lanna, the language most common in the Chiang Mai region. She only learned Thai, and later English, when she began school.

The Market

We began the day with an iced coffee to go before walking across the old city to the local market, where we met our group at 9:00 am. Jasmine, our cookery guru, was easily the most organized and efficient woman I’d ever met.

Jasmine led us throughout the market for nearly an hour, showing us some of the local delicacies for us to sample, and introducing some of the group to the common Thai ingredients.

Local markets are the gateway to understanding the soul of a country. We have spent endless hours in markets around the world, soaking in the ambiance, trying unfamiliar produce, and gawking in awe at the vast array of items that are such a world away from those at we find at home in the US.

Although the four of us were comfortable with the normal Thai produce, one item on the market tour was totally new to us~ Quite frankly, it looked like elephant poop, but turned out to be Tom Khao Mud, which was quite a tasty snack filled with scented rice, herbs, coconut, and plantain.

Climbing aboard our transport, we headed to the actual cooking school, which was a stunning setting, expertly set up with 16 individual stations. The school is colorful and festive, and a perfect setting to feel creative with cuisine.

We were given aprons and a card with our cooking options for the class, and chose a station, ready to cook and eat really, really well.

On each station was a cookbook with a bit of history of the Akha people, and included all of the recipes that we’d be working on during our 4-hour class.

First up, Jasmine made two appetizers for the group. I think partially to get people comfortable in the setting, but also to explain some basic methods of preparation. The Green Papaya salad had been partially put together ahead of time, but the spring rolls were made during her presentation and were absolute perfection; crispy on the outside with a succulent filling. The Papaya salad was a great accompaniment to cool off the tongue.

Next up, we started on the dessert that would signal the finale of our meal. Mango Sticky Rice requires the rice to be soaked for four to five hours and then steamed for nearly an hour, a simple yet time-consuming dish. After the quick prep work, we headed to our stations to get to work.

Time to Cook!

In place, we then got to choose what dishes we each wanted to prepare, and this is where Jasmine’s real magic came into play. Each of the 16 participants was able to choose one of four curries, one of four stir fries, and one of three soups.

Obviously, with a group of four, we each choose one curry to start. The extraordinarily efficient staff brought the ingredients for the different types of curry: red, green, Panang, or Massaman to each one of our stations.

Jasmine walked us through how to make our curry paste before the actual preparation of each chicken curry. It was honestly a master class in organization to give directions for four different curries to 16 different participants with a wide range of experience.

Each curry was quite quick to prepare once the paste was prepared, and before long, we were sitting at several group tables learning about the others in the class, while enjoying the four different offerings. Our favorite? Perhaps the Panang Curry, for its unique flavor, which is less common in the US.

Bring out the Woks~ stir fry is on the menu.

Next up, we moved on to the stir-frys. Again, there were four options, so we chose between Thai Sweet & Sour, Cashew Nut, Holy Basil, and Pad Thai.

The process was the same as with the curry option, with Jasmine acting as our fearless leader, assisting with a tip here and there with those less familiar with Thai cuisine. The base spices were somewhat similar for all of the stir-fry, with each adding its own ingredient base to make the final dish.

Pad Thai is well-known in the US, but the highly unusual Holy Basil dish was a treat to be sure. Hot basil is a spicier version than we were familiar with, and also contained green beans among the ingredients, something we didn’t expect to find in Thai cooking.

Food completed, we retired to the tables, once again, to sample the dishes and chat with others in the class that included a couple and families from the UK. Belgium, South Africa, Montreal, and Korea.

Time for Soup.

Although we were stuffed full at that point, it was time for soup!

There were three options, including coconut chicken soup, hot & sour prawn soup, and a tofu-noodle soup. Each of the soups were delicious in their own right, and each quite unique.

As we finished our soups, groaning in the exquisite agony of so much great food, we continued learning about the rest of the group and, as only true foodies do, began the discussion of what to have for dinner!

Thai people love sweets, and the adventure would not have been complete without two dessert options: pumpkin in coconut milk and mango sticky rice. The pumpkin dish was new to us, and quite delicious without being overly sweet. Mango sticky rice is a bit ubiquitous in Thailand, with the options ranging from simply okay to momentous, and this offering was sublime.

In the end, we reluctantly slipped off our brightly colored aprons, collected our possessions, and said our goodbyes.

Jim was thrilled to have successfully navigated his first-ever cooking class, and the entire group felt a great deal of satisfaction at having created such delicious dishes.

Next time you’re in Chiang Mai, do yourself a favor and join in on a delightful and delicious day at Akha Cooking School.

We did the 6-hour morning cooking class (the 6 hours include travel time and the market visit) at a cost of 1400TBT ($43 USD) per person. Hotel pick-up and drop-off is included at hotels within the city walls and nearby.

The post Thai Akha Cooking Class Chiang Mai appeared first on The Next Big Adventure.

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.

The Monk’s Trail is a well-known and very popular hike leading to the serene Buddhist temple set along a trickling creek. Although we find most Buddhist temples peaceful, the jungle setting, complete with a natural infinity pool, makes this temple absolutely stunning.

The Trailhead

The hike begins by the rear entrance of the Chiang Mai Zoo, so we grabbed a Tuk-Tuk and headed off around 7:00 am. Not paying enough attention while chatting, we didn’t question our driver when he told us the trailhead was “just there” while pointing up the hill. Scammed!

He got lazy and dropped us about 1/2 mile down the hill from the actual trailhead, so we kicked ourselves for the rookie mistake, but got in plenty of extra steps before we arrived at the actual start of our hike. Tip: Make sure you’re taken all the way to the top of the hill, where you’ll find plenty of tuk-tuks and songthaews waiting for the hikers on their return.

All of the drivers know the location, but make sure to check out the All Trails listing to make sure they’re bringing you to the correct spot.

The Trail

Although the trail continues past Wat Pha Lat all the way up to Doi Suthep, we chose to just hike as far as Wat Pha Lat. This beginning portion of the trip takes about 45 minutes, and although it has a few slippery or steep spots, it is a relatively easy climb.

We joined a couple of dozen other pilgrims and headed along the path clearly marked with colorful trail markers. Young and old alike all took in the stunning mountain scenery, and the people watching was almost as good as the glimpses of the city far below. Everyone, from 5-year-old children to a quite elderly but still spry Thai woman in traditional dress, followed the path upwards. The secret is out..

The 3km/160m (520 ft) went by quickly, and soon we arrived at the little slice of heaven that is Wat Pha Lat. I was instantly smitten.

If I were ever planning on doing a multi-day meditation retreat, this would be my location of choice.

Wat Pha Lat temple

The temple dates back to the 14th century, and was used as a resting spot for monks and pilgrims on their way to Doi Suthep.

We spent an hour or so wandering around the site, mostly in silence, as we took in the breathtaking scene of saffron-robed monks intermingling with travelers. The pieces were being put into place for some sort of ceremony later that day, so a flurry of activity in the main courtyard was slightly less contemplative than other areas of the temple, but also allowed for a bit of an insider’s look into the customs of the temple.

According to legend, King Kuena’s white elephant stopped at the site of Wat Pha Lat while transporting Buddhist relics to Doi Suthep, before dying at the top of the mountain. This caused the king to order temples built at both sites. Although partially hidden by the jungle, you can see the carving done in honor of the elephant.

Too soon, we decided to head back down the trail and catch a ride up to the big daddy, Doi Suthep.

Doi Suthep

After our fantastic morning hiking to Wat Pha Lat, we hailed a songthaew and continued up to the spectacular temple of Doi Suthep. It is possible, for those in much better shape or much more motivated, to continue on another couple of hours to the top of the hill, hiking above Wat Pha Latl. With the heat and humidity, we chose to hitch a ride and spend our time enjoying fresh coconut smoothies instead.

Wat Phrae That Doi Suthep has always been a highlight of our visits to Northern Thailand. Sitting at nearly 6000′, the temple complex is stunning, and the views over the city and entire valley are well worth the trip.

Built in the early 19th century, the entrance to the temple is dramatically marked by the seven-headed serpent statues lining the jeweled staircase. We always chose to climb the 306 steps to the temple, and why not, having already climbed to one temple that day. For the faint-hearted at the thought of more steps, there is also a tram option available.

If possible, try for a clear day for truly phenomenal views of the city.

What to Wear

For the love of all things travel, dress appropriately! The Thais value tradition and modesty, and the last thing you should do is wear short shorts, cropped tops, or tight leggings. Shoulders and midriffs should be covered, as well as knees.

Sturdy shoes are advised, although the monks and some travelers manage in sandals. Spots are uneven or slippery, so take care.

Bring water! Even though much of the trail is partially shaded, Thailand is hot and you will want to take water breaks.

Last Thoughts

Next time you’re in Chiang Mai, plan to spend a morning climbing to Wat Pha Lat to soak in the mystical and serene culture that is so much a part of Thailand.

Losing yourself in the hike while taking in the stunning jungle around you is the perfect way to start the morning in this iconic area of the world.

The post Hiking the Monk’s Trail appeared first on The Next Big Adventure.

We wanted something in a great location, with comfortable guest rooms and places to lounge, with a lot of local Thai charm. We found it in spades at Awana House.

The first thing that caught my eye on their website was the COLOR. A virtual riot of multi-colored tiles, local artwork, and nicely defined areas.

Our van driver dropped us off on Rachadamnoen Street, just inside the Tha Phae Gate. We eagerly headed down Rachadamnoen Rd Soi 1, towards Awana House. Our first impression hit all of the right notes. The extremely colorful tiled entry was stunning. The reception was easy and typically Thai-friendly. In Thai custom, there was a shoe rack to leave our sandals along with the other guests and staff’s shoes.

We were on the 2nd floor, and Dave & Anne were on the 3rd, both with queen bed balcony rooms. Although not overly large, they were nicely appointed with a teak armoire, mosquito netting over the bed, and a large bathroom.

Both the hallways and our rooms were attractively decorated, and on the top floor, there was a large lounging area, as well as an outdoor patio overlooking the neighborhood.

In the lobby was a small pool with a colorful fresco on the walls. While Anne & I embraced a swim several afternoons, Jim deemed it “like an ice bath”, and, to be fair, with no direct sunlight hitting the water it was refreshing to be sure.

However, the very best thing about the Awana House was its location. We arrived in Chiang Mai on a Sunday, and immediately headed out to the famous Sunday Walking Street located almost right outside our door.

Every Sunday evening, Rachadamnoen Road comes to life as a pedestrian shopping mecca, complete with vendors, food trucks, sidewalk massage, and a million people milling randomly down the two dozen or so blocks teaming with energy.

It was a perfect first evening in Chiang Mai, but the rest of the week also lived up to everything we wanted. We took an amazing cooking class, walked miles and miles every day, and ate our way through the inner-walled city and beyond.

Awana House was absolutely perfect for our week in Chiang Mai, offering up a colorful, comfortable guest house in the heart of the action.

While price is not our only consideration, we also cannot argue against the amazingly low rate of USD 15/night! (They were offering a deal…but the normal rate of USD 24/night is still a steal) Make sure to check out this gem of a guest house on your next trip to Chiang Mai.

Awana House: 7 Rachadamnoen Rd Soi 1, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

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Chiang Mai has always been our favorite spot in Thailand. The combination of a comfortable climate, mountain scenery, a vibrant walled city, and a central location to so many outdoor activities makes it nearly perfect.

In addition, it is only a couple of hours to fly to the islands or other countries in SE Asia, making it an ideal location to use as a base for the region. The large number of expats and remote workers, for better or worse, has brought some changes to the city in the form of more international restaurants and amenities than when we were last there.

We had been looking forward to using a variety of transportation options in the country, and our day from Phitlok to Chiang Mai was about enjoying the comfort of a private van. We had gone through 12Goasia once again. Their website is a joy to use, making it easy to look at all transportation options.

We arrived in town on a fabulous Sunday and checked into our adorable guest house. Awana House is just the type of spot we love to call home for a bit; colorful, friendly, and centrally located. We had rooms with mosquito netting, ensuite bathrooms, and small balconies. The top floor has a large lounge area and some outdoor lounge chairs, and in the lobby there is a somewhat frigid small swimming pool, as well as chairs to hang out and play cards or enjoy a beer.

Located just within the Thaphae Gate, it proved a spectacular location to explore the inner walls as well as arrange tours further afield.

Our first stop….lunch! We headed out to the main street and wandered a few blocks, sadly finding many spots closed on Sunday. No worries, there is always something open in town, and we enjoyed our first lunch in this delightful city featuring the normal noodle bowls and spring rolls, but also a delightful chicken wrapped in banana leaves and baked. Heaven.

Sunday night, the Awana House is also right next to the beginning of the Sunday Night Walking Market on Rachadamnoen Road, a perfect arrival experience.

We ate and shopped our way up and down the market street for hours, sampling new delicacies and finding some unique art and jewelry.

We got foot massages and people watched, and ended the night with a bottle of wine near the entrance to our street.

A wonderful beginning to a week in Chiang Mai.

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