Chiang Mai

Thailand is full of great and very different "weekend-get-a-way" destinations. Last weekend I checked one famous one, Thailand's second biggest city, Chiang Mai. I ended up having a thrilling weekend and a blast - and that's without going diving!

Chiang Mai is an old city in the northern part of the country, not far away from the borders of Myanmar and Laos. Surrounded by mountains and forests, built up along a river, the old city center bordered by a canal Chiang Mai seems much smaller than it actually is. Despite the historical views and warm atmosphere, it has the same things to offer than any city. Including girls on sale, unfortunately.

Best thing in the city was the quietness and relaxed atmosphere. In the old city center there seemed to be an eternal siesta going on. I instantly felt as at home in the many small and comfortable street cafes that offered delicious smoothies and plenty of vegetarian delicacies to eat. Lovely, lovely!

One of the biggest surprises were the temples. There being so many around it's easy to get bored and start feeling as if you had seen everything already. Not in Chiang Mai. The temples we visited were all very different, very unique in color and style and therefore very interesting. Especially when mixing Buddhism, Hindu and Chinese in the decorations.

To balance the quietness of the old town, the chilling in the swimming pool or in the cafes and the exploration of the temples, my holiday wouldn't be perfect without some activities. Often I go underwater, but this time we were to seek adventures up on the trees! A canopy adventure in the mountainous forests offered 2 hours of spectacular fun - my cheeks were hurting of all the laughing long afterwards. Amazing fun! The longest cable was about 130 meters, the deepest straight-down-drop from 40 meters. Thrill, blast, pure fun!

Long holidays are great but short breaks to the routines can freshen up life as well. Mini-holidays are on offer for just about any weekend. Whether a day tour or lasting for a couple of days, the weekend feels much longer and well used. I know I'll keep mini-holidaying as often as possible.

Live and Let Pamper

Haven't we all sometimes wondered how it would be to be ultra rich, live in a castle and have servants working to fulfill your every wish and dream? Wondered, how it would be to have everything served to you on a silver plate never having to worry about anything. To be pampered 24/7.

I dare say we all have. Wondered, that is, which should not be mixed with dreamed of. That kind of ultimate wealth comes with a bunch of security issues and lack of privacy and free will. But even if we don't want to go to the extremes with the luxuries, even if we do want to keep hold on our own lives, even if we do want to stay free and independent - a little pampering doesn't hurt, right?

I have had my share of that.

An apartment with a kitchen was something I had to have - and how many times have I cooked in the kitchen within the past 16 months? Twice. Pasta with tomato sauce. No masterpieces in the history of kitchen arts I admit, although in the second try I thru in some chunks of tofu. That was over a year ago. And no, I'm not on a very strange and strict diet. I eat out. Delicious food anywhere, cheap prices, cozy atmosphere...downsides? Can't think of any.

When I'm too lazy or busy to walk, I'll wave my hand a little and jump in the taxi or on the mopotaxi. If a button is loose on my shirt or the seam is coming apart, it will be fixed by a woman with a sewing machine in 5 minutes - just around the corner (doesn't matter where you are located at the given moment). Can you have someone clean your apartment and do the ironing for you - yes, obviously!

The rooftop bars up in 60th floors offer cocktails in a beautiful sunset year round. Diving is an option for each weekend - as would be a trip to Hanoi or Singapore or Chiang mai (done, done, doing next weekend). Tired feet can always be refreshed with a one-hour foot massage.

Living in Thailand can be pretty damn nice. Through my travels, I have learned to appreciate this land of smiles and it's affordable luxuries even more. As to the latest, in Kuala Lumpur I could only afford one foot massage since the price was four times as high as in Bangkok. In Singapore having one wasn't even an option. In Tioman, for the first time in my diving life I got cold during a dive - the water at the bottom was 27C. I did 4 dives, saw turtles on two, one shark and beautiful corals - and still felt somewhat disappointed. I also missed the roti and fresh fruit juice vendors on the streets, something all the Thai islands have in common. And, this part is embarrassing to admit, I skipped my daily fruit portion 'cause no fruits were sold readily peeled and cut to pieces...

Being pampered, I realize, can come scary close to being spoiled.

But by using the services and buying the products directly from the people I support their means of living and therefore the economy of the country. It's a win-win situation. Letting myself to be pampered a little doesn't harm anyone, more the opposite. Happy people spread happiness around. And I still know how to use a vacuum cleaner and I do my own laundry - but having a cleaning lady do a proper clean up in my apartment when I'm on holiday is something irresistible!