There is so much to do and see in the northern city of Thailand. For us, visiting Chiang Mai is a must while we’re in Thailand. It is full of history and surrounded by stunning countryside. Chiang Mai is much more laid back and less crowded than Bangkok, and being in the north, it is slightly cooler. Chiang Mai is an ancient city with a modern twist and constantly evolving. With endless activities and over 300 temples, it’s an exciting place to explore.
We started our four-week visit in the center of Chiang Mai at a very nice boutique hotel that we got for a steal on Booking.com. Nick wanted a pool, which we used only once. The first few days, we decided to explore the area around our hotel on foot. We went to a Muay Thai boxing match, the Sunday Night Market, the 6XCRET Show, Jing Jong Farmers Market, Walking Market, and walked the old city wall. We also found a little bar on Loi Kroh Road where we could people-watch, which was interesting, to say the least.
Then we moved onto our Workaway. We stayed with Phil and Tune for three weeks in the province of San Kamphaeng, a 30-minute scooter ride from the center of Chiang Mai. A Workaway is where we work for up to five hours a day for our host, and they provide us with accommodation and food for the duration of our stay. We did a bit of gardening, and Nick fixed some shower trays, wooden flooring, and general bits and pieces. Once our working day was finished, we could go out cruising on the scooter.
