Chiang Mai is one of those places that you never want to leave. Every time I come here I always end up staying longer than I planned and that's not a bad thing. The people here are warm and friendly, the weather is magnificent, and the food is absolutely incredible. I haven't eaten a burger since I got here - in fact I've taken to eating only at restaurants where everything is in Thai - the signs, the people inside (most of them), the menus - although they will bring you out a menu in English. These places have the BEST food and the best prices. Had dinner last night  - stir fried chicken with basil and chiles w/ steamed rice for about a buck and a half. Very spicy and absolutely delicious! What flavor! I just can't get enough of this stuff......

Yesterday, I rented a motorbike and took a ride to Doi Inthanon National Park about 90 Kilometers (about 40 miles) south of here. Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, although I didn't didn't have time to go to the top. However, I did get to see a couple of really beautful waterfalls. I got off to a late start and it was a long ride there (about 1 1/2 hours) and I wanted to make sure I got back to Chiang Mai before it got dark. It would have been nice to see the sunset from the top of Doi Inthanon, but driving my motorbike back to Chiang Mai in the dark was definitely out of the question. What I did get to see of the park was just fine, I see the rest another time. I always come back to Chiang Mai. It's just one of those kind of places.....


Pictures from yesterday -

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