DOI INTHANON, THAILAND

This isn't the first time I've been to this chilly place. Doi Inthanon is the home of the highest point in Thailand, and the first time we came here, it was wet and cold and we were on motorbikes... This time was much more sabaai, Emily and I headed out of the crazy heat of April, opting out of the 108 degree days in town for the 65 degrees of this national park.

In days past, the entry fee for this park has been upwards of 300 baht. That goes a long way here, so Em and I heard of a route that would take us the back way, and rumors were floating around that you didn't have to pass any ticket booths going that way. We found out why. The roads must have been–no joke, 45 degree grades, with curves that merited U-turn signs all the way up. Definitely a dangerous road, but we survived. And all the Thai families we passed on the way didn't seem to mind the treachery at all...

Emily is a pretty stellar photographer, and she had me model for her (after days of saying no I finally gave in when it included escaping the heat of Chiang Mai). We stopped at several clearings and places we found along the way... I may add a few of these photos in an update.

We visited the King and Queen chedi's at the top of the mountain, explored the botanical gardens and disturbed sleeping hill tribe women. Part of the Thai new year celebrations include visiting various wats to make merit, wash the buddha statues and appease spirits, so there were plenty of people milling about these beautiful grounds.

The brightness of the gardens is a pretty big contrast to the shadiness of the summit. There's no view or anything, just a big ol' sign that says "Highest Point in Thailand," which is almost typical of Asia. "Hey! This is cool, so we'll stick a sign here, view or not." This area of the park is quite nice, the shade covers a bamboo bridge that winds through the trees behind a beautiful white shrine, and the light underneath the canopy is beautiful. When you emerge from the trees, there's a coffee shop overlooking the road up the mountain.

This day trip should have really been made into a weekender, but it was worth it none-the-less. If you're looking for a way to escape those crazy hot season temperatures in favor of a mild snap of cool season, this is how.

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • ARTISAN CAFÉ

Artisan is one of those gems I just walked right into, not really expecting to fall in love at first... sip? I'd heard good things about this one via the internet, but nothing to prepare me for the hippest of all hip coffee shops in Chiang Mai.

Artisan is connected to Oxotel, a hostel known for it's minimal and trendy atmostphere as well as the amount of light it can get to flow into one space. The café is equally as well lit, the shadows just adding to the coolness of the place. The coffee and tea lattés are delicious, all made in an organized chaos little kitchenette at the front of the shop.

Every detail, down to the floors, adds to the interest of Artisan. The staff is friendly and attentive, every seat is comfortable, and every place is suited to quick respites or long days of work. The bright and giant ferns out front are echoed inside with the garden-like display of entomology and photog paraphernalia. The old suitcases and the dried flowers inside tie the antique with the modern and the place just feels fresh.

These folks take their interiors and coffee seriously, from the playlist to the latté art, the variety of wood stains and textures around, and the extensive coffee menu. This is a place I kinda want to keep a secret so I can retreat here on a busy, hot day, but it's too good to horde it all to myself.

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • JAIBOON

Okay, I know I've been severely lacking on the "blogging my favorite coffee shops" front. So here's the first in a long string of posts about what Chiang Mai is highly known for in Thailand and SEA: cute cafés. I visited Jaiboon one morning on a work errand out toward San Kamphaeng, having seen a poster advertising it at one of our favorite restaurants, Rustic & Blue. 

It was pretty obvious that the two places have a similar vibe: so much green, it was like stepping into a secret garden upon entering the courtyard where the "cabin" was hidden. Twinkle lights spread out across the yard, ready for the sun to set, though it's a little dang hot for that at the moment.

Inside consists of little details like paper flowers and cute embellishments. Stamps and postcards, hand drawn posters, etc. The menu is a doodler's dream, and the cake display boasts a great selection of amazing desserts. I've had the red velvet cake, and Lyna and I ordered the lemon coconut cake this time: both wins.

It's easy to lose track of time here. The light is dreamy, and you feel like you're on a retreat instead of in the middle of a highway filled with auto repair shops and the like. The coffee is delicious and smooth, the atmosphere takes you out of Chiang Mai, but the Thai feelings stay with all the cute little Asian details. It's worth the drive, and worth a second (or third) trip out of the city center.