JE 214

Tuesday, March 3 – Chiang Mai

The complex where I’m staying has two separate buildings – A & B. Access is limited to each via a keycard, depending on where your apartment is located. In fact, this is a pretty secure complex; floor access is also controlled by the keycard, based on the apartment location.

Anyway, what I’m getting to is this: I’m staying in building B, and our pool is closed for maintenance. We therefore have access to the building A pool over the next few days. Let’s check it out…

This is definitely nicer than the B pool – larger pool, more deck area, and a nice overhang for shade.

I arrived up here around 8:30am; the reason why there’s no one else around!

I ended up going for a swim, followed by some reading and relaxing.

I was back to the mall for dinner, but the dumpling place was closed. What?!?

So instead I tried this stir fry stand.

I selected Rice with Thai Style Red Curry Egg and Minced Pork, 79 THB (2.50 USD). And, of course, a orange/pineapple smoothie! The stir fry was very good. (and you already know how I feel about the smoothie!)

Wednesday, March 4 – Chiang Mai

I was back at the pool this morning, and then decided to switch things up a bit and try a local restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner.

I chose this place based on its positive Google reviews.

It is just a short walk from my apartment.

Cool ceiling decoration!

When I arrived, I was the only customer, but a short time later a local couple came in.

I asked my server for a recommendation, and she suggested Sweet Red Pork Stew from the Burmese menu.

(The restaurant offers Burmese, Indian, and Thai dishes)

In the little dish on the plate with the cucumbers and carrots is marinated mango. This was all very good! The cost of the meal was 90 THB + 35 THB for the can of lemon tea. (125 THB = 4 USD)

I liked the local atmosphere of this restaurant, but it’s located on a busy street, so rather noisy. However, although it lacks this rustic local feel, the mall food is just as good, and is in a quiet(er) setting , has A/C, and takes credit cards! For 15 THB (50 cents) more, I could get dumplings and a smoothie at the mall. An easy choice (for me).

Following this meal, I made a grocery run and then was in for the night. Boring, I know!

Sidenote: The Burmese represent Thailand’s largest migrant nationality, and constitute about 70% of Burma’s overseas population.

Thursday, March 5 – Chiang Mai

I’m back at the pool this morning…

A rare sighting in this journal!

This is a reflection in the ceiling of the pool overhang. The girls have aligned their chairs to capture the slim amount of sunlight that has made its way onto the deck!

Today I actually did a little research into next winter’s trip. This is much earlier than typical, but my plan is Antarctica, and I’ve already discovered that I may be behind the curve, as some ships are already filling up for January through March of 2027. Better get after it!

Last year I did an Evening Street Food Tour in Marrakech, which I really enjoyed. When I discovered that something similar was offered here in Chiang Mai, I booked it for tonight.

The starting point of the tour was the Wat Lok Moli temple, about a 45 minute walk from my apartment. Here are a few sights from along the way…

Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center

Lanna Folklife Center

Wat Rajamontean

I arrived at our meeting spot a little early for the 5pm start, so had some time to roam around Wat Lok Moli…

It is not known when the temple was built, but it was first mentioned in a charter in 1367.

Viharn (Assembly Hall)

The Chedi

The food tour consisted of 6 different stops and 18 tastings (I think!). I wasn’t able to keep track of everything, so to follow are some scenes from the tour, and descriptions when possible!

Our first stop was a short walk from the temple. In this area are several food stands. The tour will conclude back here later tonight.

Khao Ka Moo (Braised Pork in Five Spices) – this was probably my favorite of the tour…

…Especially with the peppers added.

Our next stop featured pork belly and chicken, roasting in these earthenware jars.

There were 8 of us on the tour (max capacity) – surprisingly all from the U.S; California, Arizona, and Florida.

And my UW hat was recognized by some of the group!

Our mode of transportation between stops was this songtheaw truck.

We’ve now moved on to our next stop.

This is our guide, Moui, showing us Minced Water Buffalo meat (prior to cooking).

At the top is Gaeng Hang Le (Northern Thai Pork) Curry. The Minced Water Buffalo is on the bottom right.

To the upper right is Fermented Pork. It looks like it would be rather bland, but was actually very good.

We’ve now arrived at the Tha-nin Market at Sri-Watthana.

Here we’re tasting Sai Ua (Grilled Lemongrass) Sausage.

Being prepared is an eggs/greens stir fry.

Yes, those are insects!

We are still in the market, but have moved to a table that is off to the side where we can taste a multitude of things that were acquired here.

This is juice made with brown sugar and…

…Dried Roselle.

The Crispy Rice Cookies were good. I passed on the insects. I’m a wimp, I know!

This is the eggs/greens stir fry.

Here we have some sliced mango. And inside the bamboo shoots is sticky rice. The result? A simplified version of Mango Sticky Rice.

At top and bottom right is Jackfruit.

(notice the size of the insect pile has remained relatively constant – not many takers!)

These are Mango Plums. Tasty!

At top and to the right is Pomelo fruit. Looks like grapefruit, doesn’t taste as good.

In the middle is Tamarind. It tastes like a date.

Our next stop is this Burmese vegetarian restaurant.

This is Lahpet Thoke (Tea Leaf Salad), and Burmese Shan Pizza.

We are now back in the area where we started. This is our last stop, for dessert. We had some Bualoy Kai Whan (Tapioca Balls in Creamy Coconut Milk with Sweet Egg).

Before dessert we stopped back at the Khao Ka Moo stand to meet its owner. Apparently she’s a local celebrity, known for her cowboy hat. The stand was also featured in a segment of the late Anthony Bourdain’s TV show.

(In the picture is our group’s Robert, from San Diego. Taking the picture is our guide, Moui)

This was a fun tour. And I’m stuffed! We started at 5pm and finished at 8:30pm. I booked this through Airbnb Experiences. The cost was 63 USD, but I had a 25 USD Airbnb coupon (which I didn’t know about!) that dropped it down to 38 USD.

Following the tour I spent a little time checking out the other food stalls congregated in the area…