That being said, Chiang Mai is very user friendly, and it looks to be somewhat of an "Arizona" of the east with many retirees (mostly regular couples and then a few of the "wife for hire situations) just lingering around enjoying themselves. So it does give it a very friendly laid back vibe as long as you can dodge your way around the unusually large amount of American fast food chains in such a small area.
However with tourism there is usually a reason for it and as soon as you could say Burger King and McDonalds we had rented a motorbike and hit the highway to see what all the fuss was about. Getting out of the city centre proved to be just the right move.
Now just to rewind a bit, we did give poor downtown Chiang Mai a fair chance. Arriving on a Sunday we were able to take in the infamous Sunday walk market, which is night market right in the centre of the old city. Now, we are a little marketed out but still it was a pretty good time. It seems just when we think we are done with markets we end up in one again! And of course the market food is always a highlight(I think the women making smoothies may be a millionaire!)
It was fun, and Niki and I have a problem of always thinking of something we need, which we really don't because we never think of it until we are at a market!
But we bought a few little things and just hung out with the hoards happily.
Now, just a note for future Chiang Mai travelers, do not despair if you are not here on a Sunday, I have discovered that the exact same people set up for the Sunday Walk market are set up every night for the "night market". Yes there is a Sunday Night market which they ever so cleverly call the Sunday Walk. And the there is a "Night Market" every night in the newer part of downtown except for one night?? Yes, you guessed it, Sunday:) So they just change locations and names but you have to appreciate the innovation! Both markets made it on Lonely Planets top list of things to do!
The real fun came the next day when we hopped on our motorbike and headed out of the city to Tiger Kingdom, an animal park set up for the preservation of tigers in the region. We are always leery before taking in animal activities that the organization is legitimate as we have heard some bad stories. We did our homework and for future travelers do not visit Tiger Temple between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, we have read numerous articles the drugging of their tigers. However all it takes is one step into this park and you can see the tigers of all ages are healthy, happy and full of energy!!! This has been a highlight of Thailand so far and even in the top ten of our trip! A beautiful relaxed tiger park where you can pay to spend time with tigers of different ages in their enclosures! Particularly with the adult tigers it was exhilarating (so was signing the insurance waiver!). Touching and sitting by such massive beasts that you know would happily eat you for lunch was quite the rush. They are such majestic animals just sitting with them had my heart pounding! The trainers were pretty funny, they really lightened the
mood by making jokes like they ran
out of tiger food and are waiting for the next shipment:)
And the baby tigers,they are adorable, I could have just played with them all day. They have hilariously big paws for their little bodies and are just into everything! Trying to bite my shorts and sandals to just wrestling around.
We also had the privilege and sheer luck of coming the day they had just brought out a 1 month old!! Totally cute! It was truly a good time, I would recommend it to anybody. Also, go later in the day as its less busy, we were often alone in the enclosures without other tourists! Definitely moves Chiang Mai up in the ranks!
Time for breakfast, will update soon!
Enjoy the photos:) and will upload the videos shortly!
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