This is our umpteenth visit to Chiang Mai, the Northern Thai city that always pleases. The weather has been spectacular. Cooler than normal with high temperatures around 85 and lows around 75.

Staying at our favorite hotel on earth, situated within the old walled and moated city! We really have been slugs, eating, sleeping, lounging around the pool and taking short walks about town.

Last night, Sunday, the main street through the old quarter is turned into “Walking Street”. Vendors line both sides of the street and through the middle for 1.5 miles. Half cater to tourists with unique gift items and apparel and half cater to locals with food options. Everone is eating and shopping as they walk.

Freshly grilled skewers about 3.5 USD each.

Tonight’s mystery food.

Stir fry for the masses.

Today, Monday, we have a lunch date with our friend Kuhn (Mr.) Pongsak Siriphan. Pongsak goes back 20+ years to the Rayavadee Resort in Krabi, Thailand. A welcoming staff member at that time, we have stayed in touch. When the Rayavadee bought the Tamarind Village in Chiang Mai, roughly 15 years ago, Pongsak was transferred north to be the asst. manager. Now he is the manager of Tamarind Village. His business card refers to him as “Chief of the Village”. We had a wonderful lunch, discussing old and new times. Looking forward to our next visit.

3 appetizers + 3 mains for lunch, three hours after a hugh breakfast.

A few more color shots of Chiang Mai.

Even the Thais want to know.

Tomorrow morning we fly from Chiang Mai to Krabi in the south. Rayavadee staff will greet us at the airport and transport us to their speed boat for the 20 minute trip on the Andaman Sea to the Rayavadee resort.