Chiang Mai is like Bangkok's humble little sister. She sits 650+ km north of Thailand's capital city with a vibe and style all her own. 

Almost anything would feel quaint coming from Bangkok, but Chiang Mai is actually the third largest city in Thailand (based on population). 

We stayed in a lovely guesthouse in the old city and explored on foot, by bicycle and on a motorbike. Using different modes of transportation resulted in a well-rounded perspective of all the different neighborhoods that make up the city of Chiang Mai. We discovered some great little restaurants, window shopped, and listened to local musicians play at the Night Bazaar. 

Chaing Mai's cool evenings and mornings were a welcome relief after sweating through many outfits in Cambodia and Bangkok. 

We finally got to take a Thai cooking class in Thailand - something we've talked about doing for years! The class was very informative and so much fun. Before cooking, the small group went to the local market together to shop for ingredients and learn more about the Thai staples (Thai basil, fish sauce, etc.) Beyond learning to make (and then eat) yummy food, cooking classes are a great way to meet fellow travelers. We love taking cooking classes!

But by far the best part of our time in northern Thailand was the day we spent with the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park sanctuary and rescue center. Walking alongside the gentle giants, feeding them by hand and splashing in the river with them was unforgettable.
Stay tuned for more about that as well as video!