The Golden Triangle
Another first for me, the north of Thailand. Flying into Chiang Mai from Bangkok is easy, and the trip into the city very quick. With beautiful temples and bargain shopping, in the form of homewares, silks, and souvenirs this is a place that needs time to explore. It is really worth doing the 4 hour drive between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, if only to make sure you stop at the White Temple. (Plan at least 2 hours to properly look around, this is a modern day buddhist take on the world, and absolutely fascinating). The temple was slightly damaged by an earthquake recently, but is now open again, it is estimated that it will take 2 years to completely repair it. The drive is on a good highway, and no-one is in a hurry. Still the omnipresent motorbikes, but at a much slower pace than Bangkok. I stayed at the Anantara Golden Triangle, and was swept away by the top 10 in the world swimming pool with views to the elephants grazing, a world class spa and lovely rooms. This hotel is about to become all-suite. They offer wonderful elephant interaction packages as well. I chose to do the Mahoot experience where you learn basic commands and ride your elephant around the jungle paths in the resort and also into the river, real once in a lifetime stuff! They currently have a 5 month old baby elephant called Suki in residence with her Mum.