Another Round of Chiang with a little bit Bang

My heart just couldn't take it, I had to return to Chiang Mai. Within a week of being back in Phuket, I was having Khao Soi dreams. Additional to my wandering fantasy of life in Northern Thailand, this trip had extra motivation because the Ultimate Frisbee team was hosting their first Chiang Mai Beach Hat Tournament! Therefore, my fate was sealed.

However, this time I added a short stop in Bangkok before heading over to Chiang Mai. I spent about 3 days in Bangkok and I must say I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the city except for the good company I was blessed with. A friend of a friend of an ex-manager of mine (quite the connection, eh?) is living in the city and was generous enough to let me stay at his apartment. John was a wonderful host who took me to the Museum Siam, a wine and cheese party and then out to the famous Sirocco bar. Sirocco has been featured in the Hangover II movie and is also the highest open air bar in the world! We had a fancy night of cocktails and dress up.

Nonetheless, as I said before, Bangkok didn't have much of a BANG to me. Maybe it's because I'm not a huge ping-pong show and nightclub kind of girl, but 3 days was plenty of time. I paid merely $28 to take an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai that took about 12hrs. I know what you're thinking, "12hrs on a train?!". Let me tell you; it was fantastic. I highly recommend asking for the bottom bed because you get to lay down with your curtains pulled shut and watch all the passing scenery. Plus the beds are more comfortable than most of the one's I've had at guesthouses! Conclusion: Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is the way to do it right!

I arrived to Chiang Mai a few days earlier than planned and so my hostel reservations hadn't started. Just to try and explore a new business, I went to a different hostel than the one I'd be staying in over the weekend. The location was perfect because, again, it was next to the climbing gym :) However, the overall atmosphere was loud and full of younger crowds. (God, listen to me... younger crowds? I'm 22. But trust me, there are young travelers and mature travelers... it doesn't necessarily have to do with age).

A business I forgot to mention in my last Chiang Mai blog but that really deserves some traveler love is Kalapela Tea (https://www.facebook.com/kalapela.tea?fref=ts). As a visitor, they were one of the most hospitable businesses I've had the pleasure of experiencing here in Thailand. And for being in the Land of Smiles, that's really saying something! The owner spoke with me about Thai culture, language and tea for quite some time. He even wrote down some cuisine I should try. The best part was the fruit and tea samples! I tried the Jasmine tea (Jasmine is my Thai nickname so he deemed it fitting) and it was simply divine. The owner said they do a blend of black tea with the jasmine and that gives it the favorable flavor. If you're ever in Chiang Mai and craving a classy atmosphere for some quality coffee, tea and service... go to Kalapela Tea. End of that story.

Ok, continuing on! Over my first few days I did my typical Chiang Mai routine of rock climbing, eating and playing pick-up frisbee. The new experience came when I decided to take my moped to Chiang Rai to see the White Temple. Unlike my last moped drive to Pai, I decided to do the trip to Chiang Rai in one day... that was 7hrs of moped driving time in total! However, the scenery was gorgeous with plenty of fun coffee shops along the way and even a few ruins.

Once to the White Temple, I was simply in awe. The white statues with glass fragments were truly something to marvel. Additionally, the temple was not home to the typical figures seen. This temple showcased demons, a pit of twisted hands clawing at the sky and various other dubious characters. Inside the actual temple, the mural is a work in progress as I witnessed painters adding details and perfections. Again, a rather untraditional mural: The painting displayed a Buddha on top of a somewhat demon looking dragon head with flying long tail boats (with literal wings) that was carrying happy, smiling Thai people. Below the flying boats was various pop culture references from history, politics, movies, books and more. One specific image I recall was the Twin Towers of America and they were on fire as a double-headed serpent was twisted around one of them. The serpents tail was coming from a gas pump.... very unique idea. Finally, below the characters seemed to melt into what could be assumed as "Hell". Quite an untraditional temple! Later, out of curiosity, I researched the artist and specifically his motivation behind the temple.

The idea behind the temple is basically the purity and emptiness of one's mind when attempting to reach enlightenment through Buddhism. Hence, the lack of color is similar to the lack of thought inside the mind. It should be pure and vacant. The reaching hands that are below the bridge in order to cross into the temple symbolize desire and temptation reaching towards the guest. One must resist reaching for desire in order to enter the "mind of Buddhism". Finally, the mural inside the temple is therefore an interpretation of modern forms of temptation (money, lust, etc.) seen through culture. After reading the purpose and intent behind the temple, I gained a better insight and appreciation. At first it was just a little, well, shocking.

Once back in Chiang Mai, I switched to my friend Ton's new hostel called Hug Hostel (https://www.facebook.com/HugHostelandadventure). Ton is a fantastic friend of mine whom I met playing pick-up frisbee during my first trip to Chiang Mai. He is a generous and knowledgable host and his guesthouse is beautiful! They have only been open for a few weeks and the design is very clean and modern. The room rates are reasonable and the atmosphere is incredibly welcoming. I was so relieved to switch here after having been at the party hostel for two nights.

Finally, the day arrived - FRISBEE TIME!

Now for those of you who are new to the idea of Ultimate Frisbee, let me start by saying that yes: It's a sport. For this particular tournament, players register individually and then teams are drawn by pulling names from a hat (Hence the term "Hat Tournament"). There were 7 players per team and during play that meant there would be 6 on the field with 1 sub. Games were played to 7 points and you score a point by catching a disc inside the in-zone. That is your basic introduction to the sport, youtube more if interested ;)

I was fortunate enough to be drawn on an awesome team! We named ourselves the Ho-Riders and were a conjunction of players, both new and experienced, from around the world. Justin from China, Ekk from Thailand, Ika from Spain, me and Brandon from America - it was great! To make things better, we were all competitive but also good spirited players. We had so much fun and even made it to the finals! Several games went to Universe point and it was a great day full of competition and laughter. In total, us Ho-Riders played 7 games of beach Ultimate and made it to the championship game. Although we lost, I am so proud of our team for claiming 2nd place. We played hard and were supportive and helped each other learn many skills from just one day of play. Ho-Riders riding dirty!

Exhausted from a full day of playing (and of course the after party, there is no Ultimate tournament without an equally awesome after party but the happenings of that night are better left to memory than public readings :) ) my Sunday was very lazy. I spent most of it sleeping and eating and walking the weekend market. My favorite moment from Sunday came from getting my massage. I returned to a small parlor that I had been my previous trip. The lady was so adorable and sweet, plus the massage was cheap and very good! When I returned, she remembered me and continued to impress me with her skills for being so small! After my massage, we sat and had tea together. She and I talked about where in Thailand I've been and how her business was doing (things had been slow but were getting better) and other various topics. She even said she could tell I'd been eating lots of good Thai food because I was "more" -> aka I'd gained weight! She laughed and slapped my belly and said "It's good, so sexy body". Hard to be upset when someone is so adorable. Once I went to leave, she hugged my waist. Literally, my waist, her had barely came above my belly button, and she said that she doesn't own a camera but that she "wants to make picture with me". Sadly, I did not have my camera! I promised to return to her parlor again if I'm back in Chiang Mai. For those curious souls, the parlor is called Dok Koon Massage. There is not website but treat yourself by stopping there if you're ever in the town!

Well, that about wraps up my Chiang Mai and Bangkok trip. Except one important event; I had the pleasure of sitting down with a Buddhist monk who is studying at Wat Chedi Lang and he and I discussed life and Buddhism for nearly 2hrs. I took many notes and gained a wonderful insight into the lives of monks and the Buddhist religion. However, since this is a topic I feel was important and special, I will be posting a separate blog specifically for our chat.

Lots to say, so little time!