Chiang Mai - Part 1

Friday, December 28th we excitedly rush off to the airport after school to start our New Year's holiday in Chiang Mai. Chaing Mai is in northern Thailand, it takes a little over an hour flight or a 12 hour bus ride - we opted for the flight. It is a very popular city and one of the biggest cities in the north. All week we had been told that we may need a sweatshirt because the weather is cool right now in the north.

We arrived Friday evening, it was a bit cooler but not sweatshirt weather. After checking in we grabbed a bite to eat. We stayed near the old city. It was neat, the moat is still there and functioning. Section of walls and gates are also still standing.

Saturday
Sadly, Josh woke up with a tingle in his throat, but he toughed it out! We walked around the old city viewing several wats. It was during this time we realized we are close to "wat-ed out." Although they are beautiful, after so many they all start looking the same.

The White Elephant

 We met up with Jess and Alex (our friends from Canada who also teach in Thailand), flagged down a songthaew and headed up Doi Suthep mountain that overlooks the city to see the famous Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep built on the side of the mountain in the late 1300s. Stories say a small relic was placed on a white elephants' back and set free to wander, where the elephant died is where this temple was built. We walked up 300+ steps to the top! There we walked around, admired the great view, and recieved new years wishes of good luck and well being from a monk.

The 300+ Steps

Monk Blessing - we also got a string tied to our wrist.
Josh by the monk, Beth by different person.
Thailand Monks are not allowed to touch women.

Overlooking Chiang Mai

After taking in the views we made our way back down the twists and turns of the mountain road into town. We grabbed supper and got some rest for we had a big adventure the next day, and Josh needed to get better!

Sunday
Josh still feeling under the weather toughed it out again for a day of adventure! We arose before the sun to grab breakfast before headed into the jungle to zipline! We booked though the Flying Squirrels company. They picked us up and we drove for about an hour into the mountains.Once there we geared up and drove deeper into the jungle/forest. All the ziplines and stands were built in and around the trees. We ziplined many normal lines, but this company offered something special - ziplining on a bike, ziplining on a skateboard, walking across a swinging wood plank bridge, and crossing two rope bridges. Very fun!

The ziplining bike - would have been much better if I hadn't of made this mistake! 

Next time BRAKES and early - I've learned my lesson! 

I don't think Josh will let me drive a ziplining bike again, ever!

When we finished the adventure the company served a delicious meal. Then back to town we went. Josh went back to the room to take some meds and rest up. Alex, Jess and I went out on the town. We walked around in search of Wat Srisuphan where we can take an intro to meditation class - in our attempt to find it we got lost - this led to my first ride in a tuk tuk! (This means only one mode of transportation in Thailand left to take - motorbike). We arrived at the wat only to find out the class is on held on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. So we look around then start to make our way back.

In our slow walk back we stumbled upon the Sunday Walking Street. Just the day before Josh and I were on this same street and it was full of traffic! Now it was a bustling market only open Sundays from 4-midnight. It was pretty quiet and we could easily move about. We returned later that evening  in hopes of having some delicious street food - instead we were overwhelmed with the amount people packed in the streets! So packed that personal space did not exist! We grabbed a small snack and attempted to find more but the massive amount of people got the best of us and we returned to our quiet street to fill our bellies.

In between the two market visits - we enjoyed a massage. This time we opted for an oil massage instead of a traditional Thai massage. It was very relaxing and felt great!

This prepared us for our next adventure on Monday - details coming soon in Chaing Mai -Part 2!