CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • OLD TOWN, PART 2

Our second moat-hoppin' Saturday came with a bit of wizening due to what did and didn't work the week before. This time we were completely new to the block In the morning we prepared for the day by planning our route almost completely, which sois to take which way, what turns to make.

One of our favorite spots for the day was near a restaurant called Wrap & Roll. The cute place could only seat six guests and was closed when we walked by, but the little tribal shops around it were the main draw for us. It seemed that this area of town was a big hit with the hippie-type foreigners, little half-naked white kids with rat tails running around in tribal garb was proof.

We walked past Graph Table, a new bougie restaurant (that we tried later and fell in love with: amazing breakfast, delicious coffee and fabulous service), to get to a market near the main road. I wish this were more easily accessible to us considering the incredible selection of produce!

For a late lunch we ate at Da's Home Bakery, a small shop with a ton to offer. Katie ordered an avacado sandwich, myself the bruschetta. This place is obviously more than a bakery. It's sister restaurant, Blue Diamond Breakfast Club, sells organic beauty goods and other similar natural products.

We finished the day up by spending a couple of hours reading and chatting at The House at Ginger, a boutique café and set of shops that would put Anthropologie to shame. The café's seating was several different posh couches, and the menu boasted some really nice dishes like stirfried crab over organic rice. We ordered chai tea and botched up the making of it ourselves considering we'd never had it this way. They served my latte in a bowl (yes, a bowl) and we browsed the shops wistfully knowing our wallets couldn't take the hit.

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • OLD TOWN, PART 1

About three months ago, Katie and I decided to get better acquainted with our city, mainly it's central district, the Old Town. Each free Saturday we have we are going to pick a block to explore on foot, in and out, little sois and large streets. Restaurants and shops, wats and gardens. Here's to week one.

_MG_4535.JPG

Our first "moat hop" took place at the beginning of hot season, when the air is still thick with haze from the burning of fields outside the city. In an attempt to cool off the streets, tourists and fill the air with moisture, we've got a giant hose. Every good Asian city needs one, right?

One old building in this block os dedicated to presenting the environmental heritage of Chiang Mai. Models of the city, maps everywhere, and a beautifully built Thai home graces a corner of the street next to several bars and busy tourist spots.

We visited Wat Umong Mahathera Chan, the green mirrored eaves catching our eyes from the street and the lack of tourists calling to our tired selves. Although there are several wats in the Old Town, there are few that are as calm and quaint as this one.

At Peppermint, a pizza joint and coffee shop, we met Jack, a migrant worker who loved to talk. We shared a good bit with him while we sipped our smoothies, thankful for a break from the heat. This place is cute and in a great spot, though they are closed on Sundays because of the weekly market close by.

Farm Story is a home-turned-restaurant that we had heard about before but never visited, and unfortunately we still have yet to visit. The place is one of a few local farm-to-table eateries. Karin and Northern Thai foodies would love this place according to some Thai insiders.

Each little alleyway and small soi had a plethora of restaurants and gardens, and each was in no short supply of little patio gardens. Little Thai-combo restaurants popped out of the greenery between each little street, and I wouldn't be able to eat and sit at them all if I had twice as much time in Chiang Mai.

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • GRAND CANYON

Let's not talk about how far behind I am on blogging all of our adventures. This one is a little bit more ongoing, though. There is a rock-quarry-turned-swimming-hole about thirty minutes outside the city. And yes, the locals call it the Grand Canyon of Thailand. These photos are from a visit back in February, and since then this site has gained a coffee shop, a little clean up and a bit of much needed shade, not to mention a 50B entrance fee. Not too bad considering you're paying for the upkeep of this beautiful place. Plus the jump-offs are enough. Can't wait to go back again soon.

We've been back a few times since this visit, and I would highly recommend coming as the sun is setting. The place has a very romantic air, and there is truly nothing more peaceful than a sunset on the water in a place like this.