Or Mexico or France or Bali or Greece, to name the last few places we've visited. Yes indeed, Thailand is different from the other countries on this list so, on this criteria alone, I can declare our trip a success.
But let me back up a bit. Paul and I choose a travel destination to satisfy a curiosity, like what's Greece like, or to do something we enjoy, like hike in the Alps. At the same time we know going in to manage, if not minimize, expectations, especially if it's the former, a new place, and that has served us well.
So this is a long intro to saying that I've mixed feelings about Thailand. In this post I'll share some positives.
Our hotel, the Phra Singh Village, is one of the nicest I've stayed at. Beautiful buildings, gardens and pool, large comfortable rooms, conveniently located, and lots of amenities, like a gym and a couple of spas. Their delicious and ever-changing breakfast would rate as the best if only they could figure out desserts, but then I don't think this is a dessert country. France and Italy needn't worry when it comes to desserts.
Speaking of food, eating in Thailand is wonderful. Flavorful, fresh, vegetable-rich. Plus you can eat well for very little change (as long as you don't want wine). Nice.
The people are friendly. But I wouldn't place them at the top of my list of friendly people, up there with Mexico and Greece. There's something artificial in their friendliness, or maybe it's the way they express it, a smiling subservience that makes me feel uncomfortable.
The temples are curious and certainly photo-worthy. I'm also enjoying observing Buddhists in action, especially having just read Tim Ward's book What the Buddha Never Taught, on becoming a monk.
What else is positive? It feels safe here. There's not much cigarette smoke and not much dog poo. If you like a massage or strolling an open-air market there are more of these than you can shake a stick at.
Since we've more time in Thailand I hope I'll add some more to the positive column. In a future post, some annoyances.
Warorot market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 12:41
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/5.6 1/40s ISO 1250
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Chiang Mai photos
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The Warorot market is three stories of markets, open every day. It's a locals' market, full of food, clothing, and accessories, not tourist souvenirs. Which begs the question, why are we here...
Warorot market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 12:41
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/5.6 1/40s ISO 1250
1610 x 1073 px
1.1 Mb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4479
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
✓Hide Show
The Warorot market is three stories of markets, open every day. It's a locals' market, full of food, clothing, and accessories, not tourist souvenirs. Which begs the question, why are we here...
Warorot market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 12:41
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/5.6 1/40s ISO 1250
1610 x 1073 px
1.1 Mb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4479
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
✓Hide Show
The Warorot market is three stories of markets, open every day. It's a locals' market, full of food, clothing, and accessories, not tourist souvenirs. Which begs the question, why are we here...
Eastern wall gate
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 13:09
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/6.4 1/450s ISO 200
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Chiang Mai photos
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This stretch of wall isn't very long, maybe 100 meters each side of the gate. There is a huge poster nearby that states don't feed the pigeons in front of which people are feeding the pigeons.
Eastern wall gate
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 13:09
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/6.4 1/450s ISO 200
1776 x 1184 px
1.2 Mb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4478
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
This stretch of wall isn't very long, maybe 100 meters each side of the gate. There is a huge poster nearby that states don't feed the pigeons in front of which people are feeding the pigeons.
Eastern wall gate
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 13:09
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/6.4 1/450s ISO 200
1776 x 1184 px
1.2 Mb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4478
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
This stretch of wall isn't very long, maybe 100 meters each side of the gate. There is a huge poster nearby that states don't feed the pigeons in front of which people are feeding the pigeons.
Catching a red truck in Chiang Mai
Catching a red truck in Chiang Mai
Catching a red truck in Chiang Mai
Getting a reading
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:07
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/40s ISO 250
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254 kb
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Chiang Mai photos
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Getting your fortune read is just one of the services available at the Sunday walking market.
Getting a reading
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:07
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/40s ISO 250
922 x 615 px
254 kb
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Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Getting your fortune read is just one of the services available at the Sunday walking market.
Getting a reading
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:07
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/40s ISO 250
922 x 615 px
254 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4476
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Getting your fortune read is just one of the services available at the Sunday walking market.
Dancing show
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:15
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/120s ISO 200
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Chiang Mai photos
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The square in front of the museum was taken over for a dance presentation followed by live music, complete with laser lights and smoke. The crowd really enjoyed the show. I was pretty far away so the photo's not so great.
Dancing show
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:15
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/120s ISO 200
1109 x 740 px
305 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4475
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
The square in front of the museum was taken over for a dance presentation followed by live music, complete with laser lights and smoke. The crowd really enjoyed the show. I was pretty far away so the photo's not so great.
Dancing show
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:15
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/120s ISO 200
1109 x 740 px
305 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4475
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
The square in front of the museum was taken over for a dance presentation followed by live music, complete with laser lights and smoke. The crowd really enjoyed the show. I was pretty far away so the photo's not so great.
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:37
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/100s ISO 500
1776 x 1184 px
1 Mb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4472
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:37
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/100s ISO 500
1776 x 1184 px
1 Mb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4472
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:37
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/100s ISO 500
1776 x 1184 px
1 Mb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4472
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:38
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/100s ISO 320
1776 x 1184 px
800 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4471
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:38
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/100s ISO 320
1776 x 1184 px
800 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4471
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:38
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/1.4 1/100s ISO 320
1776 x 1184 px
800 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4471
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:42
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/2.0 1/100s ISO 800
1776 x 1184 px
692 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4470
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
City photos
We saw some nice stuff for sale at the Sunday market, like art to put on the wall, but it's a bit awkward to get home. We did pick up a bamboo vase for 100 baht ($5).
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:42
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/2.0 1/100s ISO 800
1776 x 1184 px
692 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4470
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
City photos
We saw some nice stuff for sale at the Sunday market, like art to put on the wall, but it's a bit awkward to get home. We did pick up a bamboo vase for 100 baht ($5).
Sunday walking market
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:42
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/2.0 1/100s ISO 800
1776 x 1184 px
692 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4470
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
City photos
We saw some nice stuff for sale at the Sunday market, like art to put on the wall, but it's a bit awkward to get home. We did pick up a bamboo vase for 100 baht ($5).
Foot massage
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:48
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/2.0 1/100s ISO 640
1184 x 1078 px
510 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4469
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Want a massage? Come to Chiang Mai. Massage is everywhere. There's foot massage, Thai massage, even something where you put your feet in water filled with fish that nibble on you. Yuck.
Foot massage
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:48
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/2.0 1/100s ISO 640
1184 x 1078 px
510 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4469
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Want a massage? Come to Chiang Mai. Massage is everywhere. There's foot massage, Thai massage, even something where you put your feet in water filled with fish that nibble on you. Yuck.
Foot massage
Sun, 17 Feb 2019 at 21:48
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
X-Pro2 35/1.4 f/2.0 1/100s ISO 640
1184 x 1078 px
510 kb
www.jamesgaston.ca/photo/4469
Chiang Mai photos
Photos
Want a massage? Come to Chiang Mai. Massage is everywhere. There's foot massage, Thai massage, even something where you put your feet in water filled with fish that nibble on you. Yuck.