For Field Trip Friday yesterday we went on a day tour in the mountains about one hour north of Chiang Mai. We got to explore a huge cave, climb what they call the “sticky waterfalls”, gaze at a natural spring, and enjoyed spending a full day in the mountains of Thailand. The waterfalls are something…
Author: Jill
A Birthday Far From Home: Alexis Turns 14 in Chiang Mai
Happy Birthday, or as they say in Thailand – sùk-sǎn wan-gèrt, to our sweet girl! Alexis turned 14 today and we had a great time celebrating. It’s hard to turn 14 without your friends around, but in her true spirit she embraced the positive and had a wonderful day! Turning Fourteen Halfway Around the World…
Gap Year Packing Audit: What We Use, What We Don’t, What We Wish We Had
Before our year of adventure began, I had planned to write a post about what we packed. With only one backpack each, we had to be very intentional about what we brought. However, the week before we left was such a marathon I truly didn’t have time. Then, I guess I just got busy exploring…
Our Evening at Chiang Mai’s Famous Sunday Night Market
Last night we visited Chiang Mai’s famous Sunday Night Market. This is considered the best night market in Chiang Mai and we were all excited to check it out. We LOVED night markets on Guam and went every chance we got. This market starts at Tha Phae Gate and runs about 1 kilometer through the…
Chiang Mai Adventures in Learning: Conversations with Monks and The Planetarium
During a conversation with the family we met from China, we were discussing education. They expressed that school in China is very rigorous. The school day often starts around 7am and does not end until 9pm. When they inquired about what our kids are currently doing for school, I don’t think they truly understood. I’m…
Chiang Mai: Beyond the Tourist Trail
I am currently feeling a level of comfort that I haven’t felt since our time on Guam. While Braxton and I were on a walk this afternoon he said “I really like it here, it feels calm”. When an eleven year old boy is picking up on that you know a place has a relaxed…
A Bike Tour Through Chiang Mai’s Historic Old City
For our first Field Trip Friday in Thailand we went on a bike tour through Chiang Mia’s historic Old City. The Old City is a quick 15 minute Grab ride from our Airbnb and a popular spot for tourists. The tour took us on a guided bike ride through the city, stopping at historic monuments,…
Life in Chiang Mai: Daily Walks and Delicious Food
It’s hard to believe we have been in Chiang Mai for almost a week. Today, I was having the slightly panicky feeling I get when we are in a new place and I feel like we haven’t explored enough yet. I was expressing this to Alexis while we were walking and she said “Mom, we’re…
Welcome to Chiang Mai, Thailand
Sawasdee kha (hello) and welcome to Chiang Mai, Thailand! We arrived in Thailand yesterday afternoon after a full day of travel. Chiang Mai is Thailands second largest city, with a population of about 200,000. The city is located in the northern mountainous area and said to have a very laid back vibe. Although we are…
Vietnam Recap
Vietnam has been one of my favorite places during our travels so far. I often think about how the order and timing of things affect our perspective. Would we have loved Vietnam the same if we came directly here from Japan (another favorite), rather than having just weathered the perfect storm in the Philippines? Regardless,…