Squirreling about - Chiang Mai

 

 

 

Sunday afternoon tea, or rather, carrot cake and latte, at a cafe in Mae Kampong.  This is the second time I have visited this charming little village and it won't be the last.  For directions of how to get there from Chiang Mai, see my previous blog post about Mae Kampong here

Squirreling About - far far away

On the outskirts of Chiang Rai there lies a temple which I can only describe as unconventional and even a little bizarre.  With its white exterior and glass mosaics it looks as if it has been dipped in whipped cream and frosting and might belong to a scene from a wintry Narnia rather than the landscape of northern Thailand.

As a matter of fact, Wat Rong Khun is a rather new addition to Chiang Rai.  It was designed and built as recently as 1997 by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and is both a Buddhist and Hindu temple.  The grounds are still under construction, with more buildings planned.  There is also an art gallery opposite the temple exhibiting art by Kositpipat.

Located 5 km south of Chiang Rai it's a short detour if you're driving up from Chiang Mai.  If you do, pick a day when the sky is blue for maximum effect!

Squirreling About - Stockholm

If you ever visit Stockholm I recommend taking a trip to the archipelago! It doesn't matter which one of the island you visit, it is always lovely.  The photos above are from a trip to the island Sandhamn taking place this February celebrating a friends birthday.

Acorn

I have always lamented the lack of a good road-trip guidebook for Chiang Mai and its environs so I was excited to find this at Asia Books the other day!  It's completely new and full of up-to-date information on the best guest houses, restaurants and recommended itineraries.  Of course now I am inspired to buckle up and head off on a mini-break somewhere - perhaps Chiang Dao...or maybe Pai ?

Squirreling about - Chiang Mai

Finally a day off work!  My boyfriend and I lost no time in high-tailing it from Chiang Mai on a mini road-trip.  We'd received a tip to check out a village called Baan Mae Kampong in the mountains beyond San Kampaeng and after a wrong turn which led us meandering through paddy fields we finally found our way there.

Baan Mae Kampong is a quaint little village.  The forest around here is lush and green and there are coffee and tea plantations which seem to thrive in the cool mountain air.  It does feel a little as if time has stopped here - all the houses are made of wood.  After making our way up and up and up we stopped at a charming little guesthouse with a verandah cafe.  The view here was absolutely spectacular and the locally grown coffee delicious!

Getting there - Baan Mae Kampong lies about an hour and a half's drive from Chiang Mai.  Follow the highway beyond San Kamphaeng towards Mae Oon, then simply follow the signs for the tourist attraction 'Flight of the Gibbon'.  Perhaps next time I'll have to try that as well!

Squirreling about - Chiang Mai

Today I re-discovered Wat Phrathat Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain), a quaint little temple situated on the mountain slopes behind Royal Flora Ratchapruek.  This is the perfect temple to visit if you'd like a gorgeous view over Chiang Mai but don't have the time to go all the way up Doi Suthep. 

How to get there - Follow highway 121 (Canal Road) towards Hang Dong, turn right at the Ratchapruek intersection then follow the signs for Wat Phrathat Doi Kham.  It took me about 20 minutes from Chiang Mai on my motorbike.