Chiang Mai

Sunset over Chiang Mai, Thailand.

2019. Hard to believe we’re there already, isn’t it?! Well I kicked off this year with a break from the humdrum of hangar life and took a trip to the tourist city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Honestly, I'd never heard of the place before, but what a fun experience it turned out to be! From waterfalls and temples to night markets and vegan restaurants, there were lots of things to see and try out. I didn’t even do the main tourist activities that Chiang Mai is known for, like the giant zip line and the elephant sanctuary (mainly because I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money). Actually, I think the most fun I had was trying out all the different vegan restaurants in town!

When I first started researching the trip and where I was going to stay and eat, I was surprised to see all the different places that popped up on Google Maps when I typed in “vegan restaurants”. Then I read the various travel blogs and I got very excited by the pictures and descriptions I was finding. Apparently there was a lot more than just rice and vegetable stir-fry on the menu at these places. There was stuff that I would only imagine finding on the West Coast of the U.S., like vegan burgers, pancakes, croissants, hot chocolate made with soy milk, and…vegan brownies. Ok, apologies in advance, but I can’t resist from sharing photos of some of the meals that I enjoyed.

Yep, all vegan. Vegan Heaven restaurant, to be precise. 

Seriously, I'd go back to Chiang Mai, just for the vegan brownie!

...or the chocolate mousse.

Or pretty much everything else I tried! This was a "cheese" platter.

You can't visit Thailand and not try the mango and sticky rice.

Needless to say, I didn’t deprive myself. Did I eat any Thai food? Of course - but not much, haha! I enjoy Asian food, but when it’s something that I eat almost every day in some form, I jump at the chance to have things that I could normally only get back home in the States. It was definitely a treat.

Modesty is required for tourists wishing to visit the temple.

Apart from eating my way across town - I practically tried a new restaurant each meal! - I was able to do some hiking and visit local landmarks. One hike took me partway up the mountain that overlooks the city. At a prominent point on the mountainside I arrived at a large Buddhist temple with an impressive view of the surrounding countryside. It was fascinating to walk around the place, smelling the incense, hearing the echoing gongs, and seeing all the glitter and relics that you'd normally just experience in a National Geographic. It was also intriguing to see the mix of ancient and modern, as monks in their orange robes happily snapped pictures of each other using their smartphones.

Beside the Monk's Trail leading up Doi Suthep

On the way back down, I passed a small structure that had a lovely view and was designated as a meditation spot. I noticed a plaque next to it and stopped to read what it said. Written on it were instructions for the curious seeker on how to pray. It was interesting to see a different religion’s concept of prayer, which involved a series of steps to gain merit, become one with nature, and reach a higher spiritual level. But it seemed empty of the meaning that I’ve found in Christianity’s teaching on prayer. To me, prayer is a way to talk to God, to share my deepest feelings, struggles, and hopes with One who knows me better than anyone else. As one author beautifully described it, “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.” Ellen White, Steps to Christ, p. 93.

Looking at those instructions, I was suddenly reminded of another set of instructions that I’ve read many times before. They are the words of Jesus: “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven…” It makes all the difference to me to know that I'm talking to Someone, that He's really listening, and that the One I’m praying to actually wants me to call Him my Father.

After seeing the views from the temple at Doi Suthep, another highlight was getting to visit the so-called Sticky Falls. I didn’t quite know what to expect at a place with a name like that, but I was rather surprised when I got there to see tourists blithely clambering up and down a set of waterfalls. Any other waterfall and you’d be getting the waterslide experience. Sticky Falls, on the other hand, was exactly that because the rocks had no slippery algae on them and had the same kind of traction you’d feel on the top of a skateboard. Some type of mineral in the water keeps the rocks clear of growth and it’s pretty cool! So I joined in and waded my way uphill feeling rather amused at how easy it was.

Don't try this at home. Unless Sticky Falls happens to be your home.

My sister says it looks fake and photo-shopped. Thanks.

Those were some of the main highlights of my week and a half in Chiang Mai. I also managed a quick blitz to the iconic Petronas Towers in KL during my stopover in the way back. It was a lovely trip overall, and some good time for a personal retreat. And by the looks of it, the timing of my little get-away worked out very nicely. As I write this post, Gary is making the final adjustments with the engine rigging on the plane, customers have been lined up, local ATC has been notified that Adventist Aviation is resuming operations. Somehow it’s hard to believe, but it looks like we really might be getting airborne. Soon.