Chiang Mai Old City in a Peaberry

In this day and time, the world’s Economy isn’t going great, currencies are falling, inflation is going up and the unemployment in Europe hasn’t got any better. Like a tide, we can feel the slowdown back home too, so travelling is getting to be more of a privilege these days, and all but 4 of us wanted to do was to head out to Chiang Mai for a much needed relaxing break.

After saying a silent prayer for the tragically drowned flight QZ 8501, we got on board at 6++ am . As the airplane hit the Chiang Mai airspace, the view  was breath taking.Rolling hills and greenery, clear skies and small streams running down the hills.

The small airport reminded me of the airport on Wroclaw but a little less busier. And the people were definitely much nicer.We got ourselves a taxi for only 160 Bhat and rode a short way to our hotel in the corner part of Chiang Mai’s Old City. 

The peaberry Hotel is designed in the old Lanna Thailand style and just stepping into the quaint hotel made us relaxed immediately.

Though we were early, the owner informed us that our room could be ready within the hour.

His question of what we had planned out was met with glazed looks as we hadn’t thought much into it. So we were grateful that Mr Kishore gave us ideas on what to dos in Chiang Mai for the length that we were going to be there.

We started out on the first day by checking out the old city area. There are a lot of old temples and monuments just around the Old City.We decided to just walk about, taking in the sights and sounds of the small street ways and enjoying the food at the corner restaurant. We were very happy to see the number of coffee joints that Chiang Mai has. And 40 Bhat for a cup of latte that can give the large coffee chains a run for its money is definitely worth it.

From the Old City we took a Taxi to the Central Bazaar for some delicate French style and local pastries. The shopping mall offers free rides to the The Night Bazaar (Le Meridien stop is the nearest to the bazaar entrance). 

It was just a 10 minute ride away and we thought to complete our souvenir shopping(better to get it out of the way first I say!) The traders at the bazaar were friendly and haggling was relatively easy. The only issue would be that Chiang Mai has many travelers from China and a lot of the food is adjusted to for the less spicy palette of the said travelers. I would have loved chili padi in my ginger pork rice, but alas! It was not to be.