Enlightenment retreat!

Three years ago, a dear friend recommended Chiang Mai to me so I went all by myself for about 5 days. After that trip, it become my annual trip that I cannot miss. Chiang Mai is always so charming and friendly to me. I love Chiang Mai!!!

 

At last I get the chance to try one of the "National Dish" of Chiang Mai; Kao Soy. I always wanted to try this but strangely I just didn't get the chance for the past few trips. It actually taste like curry noodle  but a little sweeter. They added this crispy like noodle and it blend so well. A small dish of sour pickles make it taste even better. It can come with chicken drum stick, deep fried pork etc. One joke that I encounted when I asked about where to get this. I asked my massage teacher," Where can I find Kao San?" She replied," oh, you can go to any temple in the morning." I replied, "Oh, do they sell it in the temple." She said, "No, is for the monk." I scratched my head.... apparently Kao San means offering food receive by monks from the public? I should said, "Kao Soi." My god.. I think she must be thinking why I want to get the offering that suppose to be for monks. hahahah.....

These are some of the local breakfast that are very delicious too. The dry spicy Bee Hoon is another surprise to me. It is actually so simple that it taste really good and the portion is bigger than the usual thai people have, so that is a plus for me.

Their local Kuay Chup is totally different from what we have in Singapore, there are grilled pork, pork sausage, pork intestine, deep fried pork skin etc. It is a little oily but the first sip of the soup made me decided to have another round. Yummy!!! 

This trip I chose to stay around Nimmahaemin area is because there are lots of eateries (for tourists and locals) around. Obviously I prefer to try the local delicacy but sometimes when the weather is too hot (is 38 degree today), I will hide into places where there are air-conditional. I found this Roti Prata with banana and chocolate sauce really not too bad, wheat tea is served, Free!  

Look! there is a big tree trunk in the cafe. Wow... and this little cafe is just by the road side.

I realised that there are many new small hotels, restaurants and cafes "popping up" around this district. I see that as a good sign as Chiang Mai is getting popular and of course I pray that it will not get too popular. One of the beauty about this place is the small little stall of foods and of course the people. Always very gentle, calm and polite. No matter where you go in Chiang Mai.   

Chicken rice is so so but is less than S$2. In Chiang Mai, one of the best luxury is your dollar really stretttttttch here. Decent meal can be as low as S$1.60 and mostly taste really authentic. These days authenticity is precious.

The soup of this beef noodle is amazingly delicious. No way I'll be satisfied just to settle with one bowl.

This coffee  from the coffeeshop like our local KoPi Tiam is only 40cents, honestly it is really not too bad. and interestingly a small glass of pandan leaf tea serve together with it. I realised that some local eateries do provide free water (help yourself system) or the pandan leaf tea. Nice touch.  

Buddha temples in Chiang Mai are everywhere and some can be so spectacular. One afternoon after my massage lesson I roamed about the city and happened to walked into a huge Buddha temple. Instantly, I just feel very peaceful and bless.

After 3 days of Elbow massage course, I was congratulated by my Principal, teachers and classmates. It is really fun to be a student again.

My teacher! She speaks Thai (obviously), Japanese and English. So talented.

During this trip since I am alone most of the time, it is really good for me to do lots of reflection and at the same time feel so fortunate that I am able to do that without any worries. I can't ask anything more....I really can't wait for my next visit to Chiang Mai again. Apparently, is already booked. Hahahah...