October 2025 – February 2026

2025-10-29

Victoria ✈️ Vancouver ✈️ Singapore ✈️ Bangkok ✈️ Chiang Mai

Travelling back to Chiang Mai

During our non-travelling time in Victoria, we spend countless hours traveling vicariously on YouTube taking notes. There is wealth of real time recommendations and new found gems to checkout when we get back to Asia.

So now we’ve been here 2 weeks. Every year the question is always, can we see our way clear to pull off another winter in SEAsia. The spirit is ready and willing — it just comes down to — are we up for enduring the epic trek. This year was a long 4 flights ✈️ and 48 hours from our door to our hotel in Chiang Mai.

We’re now back in the same accommodation we had last year in Chiang Mai, Nivas Chiang Mai Hotel. It’s exactly as we left it. Same smiling faces from the super staff, same delightful room. Nice to be “home” again. We’ll be here til Dec 27th. A friend will be one floor down in an identical room. (arrives Nov 3rd). We’re also overlaping for a week at Christmas with other friends from Victoria. Sounds like a party is brewing — maybe even some Tequila, “etc”. 😜

On Dec 29th we will leave wonderful Chiang Mai and travel south, back to Siboya Bungalows for 3 weeks. Family from Kelowna are also coming now that their kids are old enough to do the long haul to SEAsia.

Jan 21st we will be in Kuching, Borneo 🇲🇾
Jan 24th we are at Agung Mulu National Park for 3 nights 🇲🇾
Jan 27th back to Kuching 🇲🇾
Jan 29th we’re in Danang, Vietnam for a week 🇻🇳
Feb 5th we’re in Hanoi, Vietnam for 5 nights 🇻🇳
Feb 10th we fly home via Taiwan 🇹🇼

Don’t really know why, but jet-lag wasn’t too bad this year, sleep wise. Although, after 5 days, we’re still exhausted by mid day. The temperature is cooperating favourably, 22ºC at night and highs around 29ºC day time. And it seems we got out of Victoria just in time to dodge the big wind/rain storm back home. 😎🌴

It’s super relaxing to be here, no plans day to day other than where’s dinner. And, Chiang Mai is a cornucopia of delightful choices.

This morning we indulged a bit. The Cafe de Oasis is a semi-urban area, a bit out of the Old Town, but only 10 minutes by Grab (Asia’s Uber) from our place. It’s grown quite a bit since were there last, but still a true oasis. Fabulous designer breakfast. Yum. 😋

2025-10-31

Halloween in Chiang Mai 🎃

Thais love to celebrate. Without any religious overtones, they have full on embraced Christmas celebrations years ago with ever-increasing fanfare, zest and marketing. Fast forward to today—Halloween has joined the mix. In recent years, we’ve noticed more and more spooky decorations popping up across major cities. But this year in Chiang Mai, it was full-on. We spent the evening at One Nimman on the 31st, an upscale open-air mall in the trendy Nimman district.

Opened in 2018, One Nimman blends modern design with classic Lanna architecture, giving it a distinctive northern Thai charm. The complex is a favourite gathering spot for both locals and tourists, featuring boutique shops, craft stalls, cafés, and restaurants tucked around cobbled courtyards. Its iconic clock tower and fairy-lit walkways make it especially photogenic at night. The space often hosts cultural events, art installations, and weekend markets—so it’s no surprise that Halloween found a perfect stage there.

All the vendors joined in, handing out trick-or-treats while costume contests and judging events kept the energy high. We grabbed a beer and found a seat in the open courtyard, where live music added to the festive mood. The entire scene made for fantastic people-watching and endless photo-ops.

2025-11-06

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong/Yi Peng Festivals 🏮

Celebrating Loy Krathong/Yi Peng Festivals is mandatory if you are in Chiang Mai during the 12th full moon of the Thai lunar calendar. It’s kinda become our routine to have dinner at Samsen Villa Restaurant on the banks of the Ping River for this event. Getting a reservation is always a necessity and therefore an in-person advance visit is required or it will be lost in translation. Glenn joined us this year and sunset was fabulous. Joann launched her Krathong right in front along with many others.

Loy Krathong is a Thai festival celebrated nationwide. “Loy” means to float, and “Krathong” refers to a small decorated basket traditionally made from banana leaves. People release their krathongs on water to honour the Goddess of Water (Mae Khongkha) and wash away misfortune or past misdeeds. Yi Peng is unique to northern Thailand (Lanna culture). It coincides with Loy Krathong and involves releasing paper lanterns (khom loi) into the sky — symbolizing letting go of negativity and making wishes for the future.

2025-11-11

Temple Tour – Wat Sri Don Moon 🙏🏽

20251111 – Tour of Wat Sri Don Moon

While exploring Chiang Mai environs on Youtube over the last several months, we saw a video at a Wat on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Wow! What an amazing temple, seems not be on anyone’s to-do list.

So today we set off before breakfast in the morning coolness. It was approximately a 40 minute taxi (Maxim) ride to the south-east on the road to Lamphun. Wat Sri Don Moon is nestled in the middle of nowhere special. The temple’s serene beauty, from its pristine white structures adorned with golden roofs to the intricate Lanna-style architecture, it whispers tales of devotion and artistry.

We marvelled at the sacred spaces within the temple grounds, including the majestic newly completed main structure, housing a magnificent 12.59-meter-tall Buddha statue that radiates peace and enlightenment. The temple’s serene gardens and ornate structures offer a haven for meditation, reflection, and spiritual rejuvenation. Whether you’re a seeker of spiritual solace or an admirer of cultural heritage, Wat Sri Don Moon invites you to experience a harmonious blend of history, art, and devotion.

2025-11-13

Evening stroll along the Khlong Mae Kha

A lovely evening here in Chiang Mai, clear skies and 25ºC. Let’s go over to Khlong Mae Kha. (Mae Kha Canal)

The Canal used to be an outer moat of the city centre that helped drain floods and was a key source of water for residents. However, as Chiang Mai’s population and economy grew, the Canal was neglected. Unregulated, rapid urbanization without a proper wastewater management system caused the Canal to be clogged and filled with untreated wastewater.

Throughout 2022, the city collaborated with various experts and organizations to continue the improvements and develop housing for low-income communities. The local government encouraged homeowners to have their houses facing the Canal, allowing them to set up walkway shops directly from their homes. Water released into the Canal was monitored. The sides of the Canal were covered in hollow bricks that could hold plants, allowing nearby residents to grow herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Lights and manhole covers with art were installed.

Fast forward to 2024, the Mae Kha Canal, specifically the portion where the Rakaeng Bridge is located has now become a charming public space, likened to Japan’s Otaru Canal, where people can stroll along its walkways or stop by small community shops that sell food, drinks, and souvenirs.

Maybe comparing it to Japan was a wee stretch, but we did enjoy the photogenic ambiance. We chilled at a stall to have a local craft beer. Lot’s of kids (cute locals) and cats. (love cats) It’s a great start to beautifying some tired locations, hopefully it will continue to mature.

2025-11-15

Weekend Flea Market

The Nong Ho Flea Market is lively, bustling and very local. It is in a bushy area just outside of town every weekend.

Not dissimilar to any flea market you’ve ever been to, but feels unique here in Chiang Mai. There are lots vintage clothes, second-hand items, and handmade crafts. Things you’d never see at home in Canada.

Small local artisans show their artworks and souvenirs. Household items and antiques abound, depending on the sellers that week. And of course there are the ubiquitous array of Thai street food (grilled skewers, noodle dishes, desserts).

2025-11-16

Weekend JJ Market

JJ Market (Jing Jai Market) is one of Chiang Mai’s most popular weekend outdoor markets, known for its clean, relaxed vibe, artisan products, and excellent food. It’s more curated and less chaotic than typical night markets. It’s quite a bit more upscale than the normal street markets in Chiang Mai. Seems to cater mostly to Japanese and Korean shoppers looking for handmade clothing. It is very nice but the prices are more western level.

Never the less it’s a fun outing for weekend mornings and we always try to include a newly discovered place for breakfast first. While there are lots of finger food at JJ, we’d rather find a new spot en-route. Adventures.

Even though the middle of November is early for tourist here, there were a substantial number of tourists shopping. And, as predicted, we didn’t buy anything other than a very good cappuccino. Fun morning out.

2025-11-22

Chiang Mai Saturday Night walking Street

As the sun dips behind the mountains, Chiang Mai shifts gears. The heat softens, lanterns flicker to life, and night markets bloom across the city like clockwork. Among them, Wua Lai Walking Street stands out—vibrant yet somehow laid-back, a blend of local charm and creative energy. Set in Chiang Mai’s historic silver-making district, it’s where artisans, food vendors, and performers gather to share a slice of Northern Thai culture.

Every Saturday evening, Wua Lai Road transforms into a lively pedestrian street filled with colour: handcrafted goods, soft acoustic music, traditional dance, and the warm sizzle of street food stalls. Whether you’re here to shop, graze your way through Thai snacks, or simply soak in the atmosphere, Wua Lai delivers a rich, sensory snapshot of Chiang Mai life.

That’s the glossy version. In reality, we go maybe once a year—and when we do, we prefer to arrive early, around 4:30 pm, when vendors are just finishing their setup and the crowds haven’t yet packed the street. The market runs for roughly half a kilometre along Wua Lai Road, spilling naturally into small side streets and alleys as it grows busier.

And afterward? Dinner was a simple but perfect bowl of chicken noodle soup from a street-side vendor. Nothing fancy. Just fresh, hot, delicious—exactly the kind of thing Chiang Mai gets right.

2025-11-25

Wat Phra Singh

This morning’s plan was more culture — we headed out right after breakfast (to beat the heat) for Wat Phra Singh (1345 CE), Chiang Mai’s most revered temple. It was an easy taxi ride into the center of Old Town.

Why it’s important: Wat Phra Singh is one of Chiang Mai’s most sacred temples and the spiritual heart of the city’s Songkran celebrations.

Inside a small but exquisite teak chapel sits the famed Phra Buddha Sihing image — one of Northern Thailand’s most venerated Buddha figures. Its exact origins remain debated (Sri Lanka? Sukhothai? Lanna?), adding to its mystique. During Songkran, a replica of the statue is carried through the streets for public blessings.

Wihan Lai Kham is the architectural star of the complex — a true Lanna masterpiece with intricate gilded woodwork, red lacquer interiors, and historic frescoes showing scenes of traditional Northern Thai village life. These 1800s murals are among the finest surviving examples of Lanna artistry.

The temple’s main Chedi (Phra That Luang) dates back to the 14th century. Its square Lanna-style base and shimmering golden exterior make it one of the most striking chedis in the city.

Wat Phra Singh also hosts one of Chiang Mai’s largest monastic communities. Visitors can experience morning chanting, evening prayers, and occasional monk-led meditation sessions.

2025-12-03

Chiang Mai Charming Flower Festival

Another adventure tonight: the Chiang Mai Charming Flower Festival. This year’s theme, “The World Heritage of Lanna,” brings together lush floral displays, vast arrays of lighting, immersive light-art installations, and traditional cultural elements — all set within day-to-night attractions. The festival takes place along the edge of the Nong Khieo Reservoir at the expansive 48-hectare Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization Park.

With free admission, the event draws both locals and tourists who can wander the gardens without worrying about cost. Exotic and local blooms — including tulips, orchids, lilies, and assorted ornamental plants — are arranged in meticulously designed landscapes that create a true floral wonderland.

After sunset, the park transforms into a glowing spectacle of millions of lights, interactive light-art pieces, illuminated “trees of life,” and Lanna-inspired sculptures. One of the major highlights is the “vast rainbow sea of tulips,” featuring more than 20,000 tulips arranged in tiered rows.

And then, of course, there was the food. The sprawling food court easily featured over 150 vendors serving everything from skewered street snacks to deep-fried Thai creations and plenty of unfamiliar but intriguing dishes.

True to Chiang Mai tradition, the crowds were just beginning to surge as we headed out around 7:30 p.m..

Just down the block from our apartment is the Thanon Chang Khian Monday Night Market. It is one of Chiang Mai’s most underrated weekday markets — a lively, hyper-local stretch of food stalls, student vendors, and everyday goods that appears like clockwork each Monday evening along the road that climbs toward Chiang Phuek and the foothills of Doi Suthep. Set just north of Nimman and edging the Chang Khian and CMU student neighbourhoods, the market has a distinctly local rhythm: unhurried, friendly, and wonderfully unpolished in the best possible way.

Unlike the city’s major (tourist) walking streets, Thanon Chang Khian feels rooted in daily life. Students pour in right after class, families from the surrounding hillside communities stop by for dinner, and food vendors — many of whom have regular followings — set up in their usual spots week after week. It’s the kind of place where the smells of grilled pork skewers, crackling fried chicken, and fresh roti drift between stalls selling quick stir-fries, spicy som tam, northern sausage, khao soi, and pan-fried gyoza sold by the dozen. Smoothie stands blend fruit nonstop, and dessert carts offer everything from pandan custard treats to warm coconut pancakes.

Prices here stay refreshingly down-to-earth. A full dinner can cost less than a single dish in Nimman, and the quality is consistently high — this is a market that cooks for locals, not tourists. Alongside the food, you’ll find clothing stalls with Thai-style streetwear, casual dresses, student fashion trends, socks, accessories, and surprisingly good deals on everyday home goods. A few vendors also sell handmade items, second-hand clothing, and small electronics, giving the market a practical, community-driven feel.

Despite its popularity with residents, the atmosphere never feels chaotic. It’s our go-to every Monday around 16:00, on our way to dinner. We stock up on tomatoes, cucumbers and other various unique snacks that catch our eye. Our suite has a full kitchen and we are making use of it. When you live here for several months, it’s nice to throw the odd tuna on sourdough with a side-salad in from time to time. 😎

Chiang Mai photos of random encounters with food, strange sites, a quick over-night trip to Kuala Lumpur, coffee shops, Christmasy things and Cats.

We love Chiang Mai at Christmas. 🎄 This year, we were graciously hosted by Ross and Joyce at the magical Gala Christmas Eve Dinner at Tamarind Village. 🎉

Tamarind Village marks the festive season each year with a special celebration for patrons, families, and friends. This year’s evening began with a cocktail reception in the courtyard beneath the iconic tamarind tree artistically surrounded by hundreds of oil lamps, followed by a barbecue and international buffet dinner. Guests were seated around the pool deck and entertained by contemporary live music throughout the night.

The festive décor was truly spectacular. The ever-gracious and attentive staff were dressed in traditional Lanna attire, a style that blended beautifully with the rich Christmas colour palette.

As always, the weather was perfect — after all, it’s one of the many reasons we choose to be in Chiang Mai. Our table was front and centre by the pool, adorned with an array of unique Thai decorations that made the setting feel especially festive.

The buffet offered an impressive selection of exotic dishes, beautifully presented along the entrance hallway. Each station was hosted by friendly staff who enthusiastically explained the nuances of every dish.

And then came the dessert tables — overflowing with tropical fruit creations. So many temptations, and far too little room left to indulge.

An evening to remember, enjoyed with very special friends. A wonderful success — with perhaps just a little too much indulgence.