Chiang Mai Thailand from Nov 17th to Dec 5th

November 17, 2023

Being part tourist, part local, part get my butt in shape

This is my third cycling trip to Thailand. I biked from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in 2015, but ended my trip by doing a fitness boot camp for a week before flying home. Therefore, I had seen a number of touristy things here previously. If this nomadic way of life keeps working out, I wanted to kind of get a feel for Chiang Mai as I know a lot of expats live here. It might be a great place for me to spend a winter. I wanted to just enjoy the city and get in some day rides before heading out fully loaded. I also found out the Lantern Festival was also happening so that cemented the deal to stay.

I spent the first seven nights at hotels just outside the Old City. I wanted a quieter area and swimming pools. I switched to the Comfort Zone hostel by Thae Pae Gate as most hotels were sold out for the festival. I ended up staying there 10 nights as it was comfortable, clean and new, but really, it's because the owners, George and Kim, were just incredibly kind and fun to socialize with.

I did just a few day rides to get accustomed to riding on the left side of the road, the chaotic traffic, and the heat. One ride I went south along the Ping River and another ride, I headed out to the convention center and then joined a bike path out to a lake (which I actually never got to, but that's another story.)

I am so grateful I got to see a bit of the Lantern Festival, but it was not at all what I was anticipating. Let's just say there were huge crowds, no crowd control, and in general, complete disorganization. Sky lanterns were supposed to have been banned in the city, but clearly, this was not enforced. It was pretty magical seeing the sky lit up. I sent one down the Ping River. It is said your worries and negative emotions go with it. That's music to my ears!

I didn't do as many "touristy" things as I thought I would, but I did make my way to a number of temples and the grand finale, was a half day trip to an elephant rescue camp. I also had some dental work done, ie. a cavity drilled out and a crown placed. That was not fun!

It's going into "high season" here so all the good long-term stays had already been snatched up. Otherwise, I might have stayed longer. On the other hand, I was itching to hit the road and looking forward to the adventures ahead!