"When it's 'cold', I think of the 'north'."

Some places we never tire of visiting, no matter how many times we go. Some places, no matter how far we travel, we never complain. And some places, once visited... are never enough. Perhaps it is because these places are imbued with a unique charm that, even after visiting them many times, still makes us think of them...

And so, **longing** led to a **northern trip**, a 5-day journey across 4 provinces covering 1,500 kilometers, to help us forget about **him**.

: : Trip 4-8 Dec 2015 | Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao and Nan : :

The Thai winter doesn't stay long, so we have to quickly grab our sweaters that are usually lonely at the bottom of the closet, pack our bags and head out to feel the cool breeze that rarely blows through. We stand there, gazing at the high mountains that touch the sky, the faint white mist above the blades of grass, and take a deep breath of fresh air to fill our lungs once again. :)

'Short-term plan, (very) long distance' Traveling across provinces, changing beds every night like this, so we roughly planned the travel plan and studied the route from this province to that province. We didn't plan much, except for the accommodation that we thought was more convenient to book. No matter how late we arrive, we don't have to worry.

And there you have it! The mission to find 'accommodation' in all four provinces during the long weekend just a few days before the trip began. I just realized that this was a tough job. At that time, everything was full. Then I looked for a van to rent, which was already booked. Uh... let me wipe my sweat for a moment _ _!

This is a family trip for 5 people. The style is... eat well, sleep comfortably some nights [to please the adults], beautiful views, stop and take pictures on the side of the road often [without worrying about the driver getting upset] [this is what I want], and mix and match to make everyone happy. :)

Our journey begins here, in Chiang Mai, a place that feels familiar because we see it every year. In fact, some years we see it multiple times. That's because there are always new things to [try] and [experience] here, things that keep us coming back for more.

Actually...no matter how often you come, it's not surprising. Chiang Mai Province is the second largest province in the country, with 25 districts, some of which we haven't even been to yet.

: : The first seven hundred kilometers from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, we 'chilled' with sitting and lying down, having snacks as our companions, one after another, with our Facebook feeds for almost ten hours, we arrived in Chiang Mai city. Plus another hour or so to our accommodation in Mae Taeng district. That...the aches and fatigue seemed to disappear in a flash the next morning when we saw the atmosphere around the resort in the middle of the mountains...like this :)

It was almost 9 pm when I finally arrived at my accommodation last night. I contacted the lobby, which was at the very front of the resort, and took a golf cart for another two hundred meters to reach my house. All I knew at that time was that the back of the room was next to the pool. When I opened the sliding glass door, I could only see the dark shadows of the trees and the dark water reflecting faintly in the dim moonlight.

...It was a peaceful and quiet night, perfect for a good night's sleep. At that time, we had no idea what the surroundings of the resort were like. Until now, we were stunned for several seconds by the...mountain view that surrounded the orange-brick house where we slept last night.

: : Sibsan Resort & Spa is located in Mae Tawan Village, Kuet Chang Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, 57 kilometers from Chiang Mai city. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car to reach the resort.

The resort is uniquely decorated in Lanna style, with an elephant as its symbol (or is it?). This can be seen from the Ganesha statue at the roundabout at the entrance to the resort, the pictures and sculptures, and other decorative details in the building. This boutique hotel is surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation, bordering the Mae Taeng Elephant Camp, where you can visit and do activities such as bamboo rafting, elephant riding, and enjoying the scenic views of the surrounding area.

We stayed in the **Delux Pool Villa**, a detached house with a garden in front and a door at the back that opens directly into the water. The spacious room is divided into zones: a bathroom [separate wet and dry areas], a built-in wardrobe with a dressing table, a king-size bed that shares a wall with the dressing table, and a compact living area with a long sofa [if an extra person is added, the resort will use this area to set up an extra bed].

A new morning arrives with the mist fading away and the comfortable air, erasing the fatigue of yesterday and making us eager to wake up. It's not even eight o'clock yet, and we're already up changing clothes, grabbing a scarf to match the weather, and grabbing our camera to go out and enjoy the atmosphere outside the room. Now we can see that our room is truly surrounded by breathtaking scenery. :)

We headed to the restaurant, which is located at the front of the resort (next to the lobby), but you can also walk through the garden to get to the restaurant.

...The layout of the resort, including the houses, swimming pool, pavilion, and even the lush garden with various species of trees, seems to be connected in a way that allows you to walk to each other. We think it's a perfect balance between nature and relaxation, which makes us enjoy walking around the resort without getting bored.

For almost three hundred days a year, we are often preoccupied with 'urgency' that makes us rush everything, from waking up, eating, driving, studying or going to work, activities that compete with time almost all the time. With the other dozens of days that are weekends, or 'vacation days' that rarely get the boss to approve, even if they have some Vacation Time.

The hustle and bustle of life makes the hours of the day pass by quickly, so much so that sometimes...we forget what we've done. What did we eat for lunch yesterday, or what was breakfast the day before? Sometimes we can't even answer that, leading us to wonder if 'haste' has robbed us of the small 'memories', the short moments of our lives.

**Travel** allows us to escape from the hustle and bustle, even if it's just for a short while. It places us in a new setting, whether it's the sea, a river, a forest, or a towering mountain, allowing us to relax, sit still, and observe our surroundings for longer. Long enough to notice the details, the colors, the temperature, long enough to see the movement of the wind, the sky, the air, and long enough to immerse ourselves in a feeling that can only be described as... true happiness.

At this moment, there is no better moment than...sitting and sipping a cup of hot, strong coffee, letting time pass slowly...slowly. Let your heart feel the cool breeze and warm sun on your cheeks, soaking up the moisture of the dew on the grass, the lush green of the tall trees and the warmth that envelops you with the embrace of...the mountains.

Our group departed from Mae Ta Man at eleven o'clock. We arrived in Chiang Mai city a little after noon and headed straight to Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan to pay respects to the Buddha image for the year of birth 'Year of the Horse'.

: : Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (Wat Phra Singh)

Located on Sam Lan Road, Phra Singh Subdistrict, Mueang District, this is a first-class royal temple that houses Phra Phuttha Sihing, or Phra Singh, a Chiang Saen-style Buddha image. It has been aคู่บ้านคู่เมือง (guardian Buddha) of Chiang Mai for over six hundred years, since the Mangrai Dynasty. It is also the temple where the relic of the year of the Rooster is enshrined.

Every December, people write their names, surnames, birth dates, and Chinese zodiac year on tung flags and hang them on the net of sacred threads woven inside the ordination hall. This is an annual activity when visiting Chiang Mai, along with bathing the Buddha image of the birth year. Previously, a water-filled cylinder was hoisted up to bathe the top of the stupa. Currently, the stupa is undergoing renovation, so the temple has set up a small pavilion replicating the stupa for people to bathe instead.

: : Next, continue to Wat Inthakhin Sadue Mueang (City Pillar Temple), an ancient temple in Chiang Mai Province. It is located at the city's center, where the city pillar is enshrined. It is situated on Inthawarorot Road, Sri Bhum Subdistrict, Mueang District, near the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center or the Old City Hall and the Three Kings Monument.

Wat Inthakhil is located slightly off the main road. A small road was later cut through, making the original wooden viharn directly adjacent to the road. This viharn houses the **Phra Chao Uen Mueang** or **Luang Pho Khao**, which is over 700 years old. There is also a **Phra Tan Jai** for visitors to pay respects and make wishes.

It's past three in the afternoon. We just finished our prayer session (for the mothers). We decided to grab something to eat before our long journey to the next destination. We stopped at this place, a braised beef noodle shop. They also have pork, by the way… :)

: : Kruatoon Stop by and try the beef noodle soup with betel leaves, pork hot pot, and beef. I like the way it is served. When you order the beef noodle soup with betel leaves, the chef will come to the table to show you how to do it. You will see it all, starting from serving... a large bowl of noodles that have already been boiled, with fresh vegetables and thin slices of meat beautifully arranged on top. Then, hot soup is poured over it until you see the pieces of meat gradually bounce and change color. Sprinkle with chopped shallots and black pepper. Then it's ready to serve, fresh and delicious... mmm.

This place has everything you need. Since we don't eat beef, we ordered the pork hot pot (good for 2 people). The broth was a bit bland, but the ingredients, including fresh vegetables, pork, and meatballs, were reasonably priced. The crispy pork floss in tiny wraps was a great accompaniment. Don't forget to save some room for the coconut milk pudding with fresh, tender coconut. It was so delicious that we had to buy some to take home.

Note: Krua Toon Restaurant is located on the roadside near Tung Hotel. There is parking available and it is not difficult to find. Try stopping by to try it out.

From Chiang Mai, we headed towards Chiang Rai Province. It was around 4:30 PM then, and we had a [short] distance of about 182 kilometers ahead of us. By 8:00 PM, we had reached Chiang Rai city and stopped for a bite to eat before checking into our accommodation.

Tonight's dinner at J. Charoenchai Restaurant, a porridge shop I've visited three times now. It's as crowded as ever, and the menu I ordered is no different from previous visits. I had to order the Stir-fried Eggplant Supreme, which is so good I had to order it again. Stir-fried bitter melon with egg, pork leg with braised Chinese sausage, minced chicken, and various hot dishes. The taste is good and the price is reasonable.

Note: J. Charoenchai Restaurant is a two-shopfront rice porridge restaurant. The menu is basic but delicious. If you visit Chiang Rai, I recommend trying it at least once.

No matter how late it is, don't worry. We have booked accommodation for you, which means we have to drive further to Ban Tham in Mae Sai district. Because we wanted accommodation near Phra That Doi Tung, we found a newly opened accommodation and decided to try it out. That night, it was past ten o'clock when we arrived at the accommodation. As soon as we got out of the car, we felt the cold. The temperature was much lower than in Chiang Rai city, so we grabbed our jackets and put them on. What are we waiting for? :)

: : The One Resort is a villa-style accommodation built around a lawn and a large garden. There are both single and twin houses (accommodating up to 6 people).

The house we stayed in was a semi-detached house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The interior was decorated in a minimalist style. Each house had a long balcony that extended out as a sitting area. It was clean and new.

Note: The Wan is a newly opened resort (Islamic) at an affordable price. The owner is very friendly and helpful.

This morning in Chiang Rai Province, the second destination of our northern trip, the atmosphere in Mae Sai District is cool and comfortable, probably around ten degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than last night. We woke up early enough to see the white mist, like a faint smoke, that spread over the resort area, making it almost impossible to see the other houses. The white color contrasted with the bright green of the lawn, the garden with trees lined up, the smell of the earth and the grass, the bright yellow rice fields that we rarely see, brought a sense of freshness with the fresh air that we breathed in until our lungs were full. :)

The small restaurant is located at the front of the resort. It is an outdoor area with a 'rice field view' to enjoy while dining. Simple breakfast items such as toast with milk and steaming hot minced chicken porridge are brought out from the adjacent kitchen. Hot drinks seem to be a hit, with coffee and warm Ovaltine being brewed by everyone to ward off the cold (self-service).

The last time I visited Wat Phra That Doi Tung was in the middle of last year. At that time, the road surface along the mountainside was being repaired, so I couldn't drive up to the temple. I had to take a motorcycle taxi up and wait for it to take me down. This time, the road has been repaired, so we were able to drive up and park at the top. Today, the parking lot is full, probably because it's a long weekend. The temple is bustling with people, and our group is one of many who have come to pay respects to the Phra That Doi Tung for good luck in the new year.

: : Doi Tung Temple (Wat Phra That Doi Tung) is located on top of Doi Nang Non, Huai Khrai Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, about 46 kilometers from Chiang Rai city.

Doi Tung Stupa is the first Lanna-style pagoda, enshrining the relics of the left clavicle, or collarbone, brought from India. It is the designated pagoda for those born in the 'Year of the Pig'.

"Hello Chiang Rai" I should have said this sentence since last night, but the reason I mentioned it again is because the place we are going to is… here.

: : Hello Chiang Rai Cat Cafe'

This cat cafe is a haven for cat lovers, offering delicious food, strong coffee, and a beautiful green field backdrop perfect for photos. This is our third visit to this cafe, which is conveniently located near the entrance to Wat Phra That Doi Tung, in the Mae Khao Tom area. Although it's tucked away in a side street, there are signs along the way to guide you.

The exterior of the shop is a brick-orange building. The interior is mustard yellow, which goes well with the steak dishes. Oh, and they also have a la carte dishes like stir-fried basil with rice. Don't miss the young coconut cake and the sweet and fizzy soda drinks with strong iced coffee. Stop by once and you'll be hooked :)

During your walk, you might encounter a cat strutting around, flaunting its cuteness as the owner of the house. Or, it might be rolling around on the lush green grass. And don't forget to go up to the rooftop, which is a 360-degree viewpoint. The top is an open space where you can see the pale blue sky and the lush green fields as far as the eye can see.

Above 'Sibsan' to the Land of… 'Phu Langka' Part 1

Taking us on a journey to many places, from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, from the city to the forests and mountains. But there is still a destination in Phayao Province waving at us. A journey of more than a hundred kilometers ahead, with 'mountain views' that will become our travel companions from now on. We've come this far, so let's not leave each other behind. Let's travel together!

Just a little longer, the curve ahead is almost here :)

: : Thank you for joining us on this journey. We are halfway through. Please stay tuned for the Northern Trip [Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao and Nan]

Coming soon: From 'Sibsan' to the Land of... 'Phu Langka' Episode 2 :)

: : Read our 'Travelogue' here (click) : :

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Sapa, the city that made us fall in love with 'him' Part 1 | Vietnam Trip: Ha Noi - Sapa EP#1

Sapa, the city that made us fall in love with 'him' Part 2 | Vietnam Trip: Ha Noi - Sapa EP#2

Sapa, the city that made us fall in love with 'him' Part 3 | Vietnam Trip: Ha Noi - Sapa EP#3

: : If you are a travel enthusiast like us, come and join us to talk, share and exchange travel stories on our page MINDJourney. : :

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