CHIANG DAO + SAMOENG, THAILAND

With only a month left living in this paradise country, we got away for a relaxing weekend at our favorite place, Sibsan Resort & Spa in Mae Taeng. We headed again to Chiang Dao to take in our favorite views, and on the way home we went through the Samoeng Loop to visit a few places I hadn't been yet in Chaing Mai.

The first time we had visited these mountains, it had been overcast and beautiful in October. This time in July, the sun shone brightly over stormy clouds and the green was stunning. Katie's American flag scarf made an appearance a few times during this trip, perfect for some fun photos and a tribute to our home: where I'd be soon.

Translation: "Jesus only can forgive sin." These mountains remind me of what heaven looks like in my mind, especially with the sun blazing behind the clouds above them.

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped for coffee and cake at Chiang Dao Resto, a new spot right outside the city. The owner was a cheery girl with purple hair, and we shared a great conversation with her on the back porch as we sipped our coffee. The place was quiet, an undiscovered place to eat, drink and sit a while. The view was spectacular.

Right across the highway from our hotel is this beautiful little forest preserve. We stopped to take a few photos to take advantage of the fading sun, and figured out what it preserved: very hungry mosquitos. I think we got out with no less than 30 bites. Each. No pain, no gain, I guess. The pictures were worth it.

The next morning we checked out late, lazed around the resort and finally made our way back to Chiang Mai. We took the scenic route, otherwise known as the Samoeng Loop. The valley road is lovely, taking you through mountains around the city, villages dotting the hillsides and not a gas station in sight. We started for lunch at Tita Gallery and Café, an adorable and Tuscan-inspired café at the beginning of the loop.

We ventured on from Tita, headed toward the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens. The entrance fee for the gardens is 100 baht, a price I would totally pay for vews like we saw. We walked the Canopy Walks and visited the greenhouses full of cacti and other odd plants before heading back down the mountains toward home.

For a last little excursion before things got crazy, this trip was perfect. Slow, full of new and old things, and just plain relaxing. It had a whole lotta Thailand in it, and that's what I need before I go, really.

HUA HIN, THAILAND

This is probably the most last minute trip I've taken since living in Thailand. Some friends called me up a couple weeks prior: "Hey, we're vacationing in Hua Hin. You should join!" Thanks to some really cheap tickets from Kan Air and Nok Air, I went. This would be my last trip to the coast before leaving the country indefinitely, so I was very much looking forward to some sun and swim.

We stayed at a nice beach front condo, yet the pool called louder than the waves and most of our swim time was spent in the infinity waters above the sand. The view from the Baan Suan Rim Sai was beautiful no matter the time of day, and time spent inside the condo's well lit living room was cheery and comfortable. It was hard to leave the apartment, but eventually I took Zoë and Miá to town to get some caffeine and sugar: the stuff vacations are made of, right?

We songtaew'd to downtown Hua Hin, wandering some back alleys on our way toward the shore. On recommendation from a friend in Chiang Mai, we stopped for a drink at Gallery Café Drip. Small and unassuming, the single origin pour over I tried here was to die for: smooth and delicious.

After drinks, we headed to Eighteen Below, a beautiful little ice cream shop that was completely packed when we arrived. It emptied out while we tried our scoops: lemon cheesecake and salted caramel, and I couldn't get over how adorable the place was. Sweet and small, like most things seemed to be in Hua Hin.

One thing in particular I noticed about Hua Hin is how perfectly it married the busy central Thailand life with the laid back vibe of Chiang Mai. It felt like the perfect combination of Thai city and Thai country. Certain streets looked just like Old City Chiang Mai, yet other roads were as tall and crazy as Bangkok sois. We chased the last bit of sun on our way back to the condo, planning to take advantage of the rainy season sky and take some photos for fun when we returned. 

Zoë and Miá are two of the most easily photogenic ladies I know, and it was a blast whipping hair and trying (and failing on my part) to model with them. It's only a matter of time before an agency snaps them up, I swear. Thankful to them and their lovely family for inviting me along on their little beach trip. 

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND • BAY'S CAFE & FOOD 4 THOUGHT

It wasn't very long after moving to Thailand that I kept hearing "you haven't been to Bay's?!" from just about everyone I knew in town. Granted, I didn't know that many people then... However, when Katelyn had a birthday and we all came to Bay's and Food 4 Thought to celebrate, I asked myself with every bite why I'd waited so long to try the place.

Bay's Café and Food 4 Thought are two amazing establishments tucked away down a soi off Canal Road and Huay Kaew. Bay, a good friend and coffee connoisseur, is a master of espresso and an expert brewer. Food 4 Thought shares the property and kitchen, making incredible food to match the prowess of caffeinated drinks available from Bay.

It is rare to come to Bay's without seeing him brewing something new. An avid collector of roasts and beans from all over the world, he'll begin tastings at his leisure, those present getting to partake in the festivities. This particular time, we tasted beans from Japan, Rwanda, and some other place I can't remember but am sure was exotic. I've got a few bags of beans I've been meaning to take by to try with him, and he's been known to send lists of "beans to get" with friends who are traveling to other countries.

The café is known for its cold brew, more recently made with coconut milk. It's slow brewed, bottled and sold in house only, but is worth the drive to get it and every sip afterward sings of... well, you know. It sings.

Food 4 Thought's menu is one of the best in Chiang Mai. Wraps for days, fancy pastas and unique combinations of veggies and grains set it apart from your average "farang" food establishment. The Mexican Wrap is by far the best thing on the menu, and the chickpea salad (though deadly spicy) is another favorite. It's impossible to come here and not enjoy what you get. It is completely possible to come here and spend more time deciding what you want to eat than actually eating it. The decision is tough.