After scouring the weather reports and trying to decide what we wanted to do post-Bangkok, Brice and I decided to head to northern Thailand for some lowkey pool time, trekking in the jungle and playing with elephants! We were also on the mission for cooler weather after the insane humidity of Bangkok – even at 11pm it would still be hot. (I know I shouldn’t complain after the “snowpocalypse” freakout in Portland!)

Delicious Panaeng Curry made during my cooking class at Sompong Thai Cooking School

We spent 5 nights in Chiang Rai, which is in the “Golden Triangle” named for being where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) meet. One of the hotels we were at you could literally see all three countries from the room! This area is best known for … opium. Apparently until the last 10 or so years, it was the world’s largest source for opium and heroin. Yippee! (Now Afghanistan has that lucky claim.) The area is trying to improve its image and become a haven for elephant rescue foundations and jungle trekking instead. Continue Reading...