Chiang Mai Part I

We arrived in Chiang Mai after about a 5 hours bus ride. We dropped our stuff off at the Little Bird Hostel and went to go check out the "Sunday Walking Street" a gigantic night market in the heart of the "old city". We got there a little early and were able to see all of the vendors setting up for the night. The market was huge and went on for blocks and blocks. They had so many neat souvenirs and things to buy and was it was really fun to wander and check out all the new and different knick-knacks. Luckily traveling with only a backpack really deters you from buying too much stuff  :) We also ate some great street food snacks along the way. I love Chiang Mai already.

On Monday we got up and decided to do our own walking tour of the temples in the "Old City" (Chiang Mai is also divided). We went and saw four of the famous temples (as suggested by lonely planet) and it was really interesting to see how the temples differed in architecture from everywhere else I have been in Thailand. It was a fun morning spent temple spotting (there are A LOT of temples!). After lunch we headed to the women's prison for a massage. I know its sounds weird but its actually part of a rehabilitation program. It was the best massage I have had so far in Thailand, and really cheap too! After a relaxing massage we jumped on a song-tau up to Doi Suthep, the highest mountain in Thailand to check out the temple ( I had been on my previous trip to Chiang Mai with the school).   

Chiang Mai is such a great city and I am falling in love with it already. We had planned to stay about 4-5 days but we may end up staying longer. There is so much to do and see here and the city has such a great atmosphere. Chiang Mai part II coming soon!