Life often presents periods of burnout, where individuals lose motivation and inspiration, feeling weary from encounters and transient relationships. Embarking on a journey to seek inspiration can be a rejuvenating experience. Similar to life's path, travel necessitates continuous learning, problem-solving, and progress towards one's aspirations. However, without inspiration, reaching one's goals can be an arduous task.

Traveling often leads to encountering novelties, exciting experiences, and stories that inspire new ideas, just like my journey this time.

Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai beckons travelers with its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty. As a renowned tourist destination, Chiang Mai offers an unforgettable winter escape, captivating visitors with its vibrant markets, ancient temples, and stunning mountain scenery.

This short trip of mine, lasting 3 days and 2 nights, may seem packed with activities to some. However, it was an incredibly demanding, tiring, yet exhilarating experience, filled with an abundance of sightseeing and fun.

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I embarked on this journey with my brother, Singto, on Thai Lion Air. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare (or so I thought). Our flight was scheduled to depart at 9:30 AM, but we arrived at 6:00 AM after checking in. I was a little nervous, but I managed to keep myself occupied until it was time to board.

Numerous airlines offer flights to Chiang Mai, with departures scheduled throughout the day. Booking in advance can result in significant cost savings.

The flight to Chiang Mai took about an hour. The weather at Don Mueang Airport was not very bright, so I prayed that the weather in Chiang Mai would be bright and cool. When I got off the plane, the weather was good, the sky was clear, but when I walked out, it was hot... It wasn't just hot, it was very, very hot. Oh my God, it's so hot... It's almost no different from Bangkok.

The trip involved finding transportation on the spot, without any prior arrangements.

The first place I visited after entering the city by car was Wat Lok Moli.

Wat Lok Moli, an ancient temple in Chiang Mai, is conveniently located near my accommodation. After leaving my luggage at the hotel, I decided to explore the temple before heading out. Dating back over five centuries to the Lanna Kingdom era, Wat Lok Moli stands as a testament to the rich history of the region. Situated north of Chiang Mai's city center, near the bustling Jae Ha Rin intersection, the temple offers a tranquil escape from the urban landscape.

After that, we traveled to the Nimmanhaemin area and took a red car. There are many restaurants to choose from in the Nimmanhaemin area. We took the red car for a while and didn't know where to get off. After a while, the uncle told us that we had arrived. We got off at Nimmanhaemin Soi 7. If you come to the north, you should not miss eating Khao Soi. Khao Soi Nimmanhaemin is another famous restaurant. We walked in and there were a lot of people in front of the restaurant, but they didn't seem to be eating. We walked to the counter and there was a queue of 10 people waiting.

After waiting for half an hour, the Khao Soi was finally served.

The food was delicious, living up to the wait. Or perhaps it was because we were so hungry that we devoured everything, not even leaving a drop of water.

After finishing our meal, we hailed a red taxi to take us to the Royal Park Rajapruek. We agreed on a price beforehand, but when we arrived, the driver asked for an additional 20 baht. We were surprised, but we paid it anyway.

The Royal Park Rajapruek, on the day we visited, was in the midst of planting a significant number of trees. The flowers were wilting and drooping due to the weather, but they were still beautiful.

After visiting the garden, we walked...walked...walked to Chiang Mai Night Safari. The evening air was starting to cool down. At the entrance to Chiang Mai Night Safari, there were deer that came out for us to take pictures of. The entrance fee to Chiang Mai Night Safari is 300 baht. There are animal shows and animal watching by car. There are 2 sections:

Savanna Safari and Predator Prowl

On the way back, there is a free shuttle bus from Chiang Mai Night Safari to Chiang Mai Night Plaza. Free!! Who would miss it? At 9 pm sharp, the Chiang Mai Night Safari bus took us there.

DAY 2: Chiang Mai Under a Cloudy Sky

The heavy sound of rain outside was the soundtrack to my morning awakening. The day dawned gloomy, with a slight chill in the air and relentless rain throughout the morning. I ventured out in search of breakfast near the Chang Phuak Market. This mid-sized market offers a diverse selection of fresh produce, ready-made meals, and both savory and sweet treats. The morning crowd was sparse compared to the bustling night scene, as this is a "talad tor rong" – a market that comes alive after dark.

We waited for the driver who had been contacted beforehand. At 7:30 AM, the driver arrived at the hotel to pick us up. We then set off for Mon Cham.

The air throughout the journey was murky and gloomy. Let's hope the rain stops once we arrive.

The rain was a blessing in disguise, as it brought a low-lying mist that enveloped us in a warm embrace. In the absence of someone to hold, this was a welcome comfort. Soon, my companion brought us to a coffee shop, offering a selection of teas and coffees to fuel our morning.

After recharging, we continued our journey by car. Along the way, we saw vegetable plots belonging to local villagers and plots belonging to the Royal Project. The Royal Project Nong Hoi was established in 1974 in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, a Class 1 watershed area and the source of many streams. The hill tribe people had been destroying the forest to open up new land for cultivation, planting opium and practicing shifting cultivation. The Nong Hoi Royal Project Development Center was therefore established to promote and develop the livelihoods of farmers by introducing new cash crops to replace opium and shifting cultivation, thereby improving the living standards of the hill tribe people.

The flowers on the mountaintop have begun to bloom.

Eden Garden, a vineyard with an entrance fee of only 20 baht, is a popular stopover for tourists on their way to Mon Cham. The garden offers a short walk with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Situated on a hillside, Eden Garden features cascading terraces of grapevines. The back of the garden boasts breathtaking views of the local farmers tending to their fields.

The rain started pouring again after a short walk, as if it was a signal to leave. There were other places to go. The red truck then took us to Mon Cham, where we walked up to the top. The air was fresh and there were quite a few people. The flower garden was as beautiful as expected.

Doi Mon Cham is located within the Nong Hoi Royal Project Development Center, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province. The journey is not too difficult. The area on Doi Mon Cham is not very large. The air up there is very good. There is both fog and rain hitting your face and body. Just breathing the fresh air is refreshing.

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