09/25/2026
Thailand post 2/3: Chiang Mai 🇹🇭🌿
After Bangkok, we traveled north to Chiang Mai, where we were immediately struck by how lush and green everything was. Plumeria and banyan trees filled the old city, and palms, ferns, and mosses seemed to cover every surface as we made our way into the mountains.
When we arrived at our guesthouse, our hosts greeted us in the big open-air kitchen with tea and a bowl of mangosteens. The Lanna architecture blurred the boundaries between inside and outside, with open walls flowing into gardens and courtyards.
Every morning, they cooked an incredible breakfast of regional specialties like khao soi, alongside fresh fruit and coconut custards wrapped in banana leaves.
One major highlight was a trip into the hills for a workshop in Khian Thian, a traditional wax-resist drawing technique. The Hmong women who hosted us were incredibly warm and generous, welcoming us into their village and sharing their craft with us. All around us were breathtaking views of the mountains, with emerald rice terraces disappearing into the clouds.
We saw so much art throughout our time in Chiang Mai, from local markets and artisan villages to galleries and a night of traditional Thai dance. There was an incredible sense of craft everywhere we went, and such a vibrant, thriving community of artists and artisans.
