Snippets of those days I spent walking around the Old City Wall of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

"...Chiang Mai represents the prime diamond on the crown of Thailand, the crown cannot be sparkle and beauteous without the diamond..."

— King Rama V, 12 August 1883

Walking in one of my dream places. 💖💖💖 This trip was indeed nothing but pure solitude (state of being alone without being lonely).

I fell in love with the way I was quiet and how was I all alone because during that time my intuition voice became louder and I was able to call myself home.

I contemplated whether or not I'd hire a guide to tour me around the Old City Wall so I can maximize the time and have someone explain to me the places of interest. I decided not to though because my anti-social side didn't want to have someone to talk with so I just walked around on my own.

These photos below are from the afternoons and nights that I spent there. Kasi arte arte ko pa. Wala tuloy akong alam na history. HAHAHA! Nag search lang ako para naman may silbi 'to.

There are over 300 temples in Chiang Mai alone.

Tourists would usually choose the temples that pique their curiosity. I, however, chose temples that were near my hostel. Well, just for this walk though 'cause I joined group tours some of which I have blogged about before already.

Thailand Posts Link: here.

Wat Chedi Luang

Used to be Chiang Mai's tallest structure during the Kingdom of Lanna. It was likely damaged by an earthquake and a cannon fire by the Burmese when they were retaking the city.

This is actually my favorite temple in Chiang Mai Old City not only because of its history but because this place has programs called "Monk Chats Club" and "Meditation Retreat" for if you want to continue after the Monk Chat.

I was told that the purpose is allow monks to improve their English-speaking skills while conversing with foreigners and in return, the foreigners/visitors are able to learn more about Thai Culture, Monk's Life and/or life philosophies related to Buddhism. Having a monk to talk about these things was kind of healing and eye-opening. Kinikilig-kilig pa nga ko nun kasi kailan pa ba ko makikipag-usap sa monk ulit? Feeling at literal na once in a lifetime experience... though syempre, umaasa rin na sana hindi.

My greatest takeaway from that conversation is learning about Anicca/Anitya/Impermanence - nothing lasts, everything is in constant state of change. It's still a struggle for me (tao lang po! HAHA) but having a conversation with a monk to look back on gives me peace and adds more appreciation to life.

Why? 'Cause sad and happy moments in life both don't last. Nakakatakot man isipin na hindi tatagal 'yung saya na nararamdaman mo pero kung dumating 'yung pagkakataon na yakapin ka ng lungkot... diba, nakakatuwa isipin na hindi rin 'yon magtatagal?

I'm definitely in a higher vibration now compared to how I felt a few months ago when my world came crashing down. HAHAHA! Low vibes talaga ako nung March, besh. Buong pagkatao at naging mga desisyon ko, kinu-kwestiyon ko isa-isa. Ikaw na sabay mawalan ng trabaho at true love (lakwatsa). HAHAHAHAHAHA! Muntanga. Ngayon, OA na ko pakinggan pero parang kailan lang, feeling lost talaga ako. HAHAHAHA! Laking tulong ng mga friends kong nakausap din tungkol dito. Feeling namin, sabay kami nag level-up sa buhay. HAHAHA! Well, technically lost pa rin naman ako ngayon pero natanggap ko na. Acceptance is the first step, diba? HAHAHAHAHA!

Walang naging mali sa'kin. Inayos ko dati - I did the things and decisions that I thought were best for me.

Hindi ko kasalanan na nawala lahat ng hawak ko. Hindi ko kasalanan na may COVID.

Pinakamahalaga ngayon? Nagsisimula at aayusin ulit.

HAHAHAHA! Dami ko namang HAHAHA!

"... If I were to go back and relive it differently, I wouldn't be me. And I like me."

May I's 2020 - My acceptance and moving on.

Wat Inthakin - Black Temple at the side of the road

This caught my attention so I had to go nearer to check if this was indeed a temple or not. Definitely unique 'cause unlike other temples which have outer walls, this is just there at the side of the road.

This was the second day that I walked around in Chiang Mai.

There was a night market so I decided to look around for souvenirs and dinner. This was the only time I went out of the Old City Wall towards a place I don't even know. HAHAHA! Sinundan ko lang talaga 'yung mga tao at mga tindahan tapos kung saan-saan na ko napadpad.

I don't know what was happening but I went in 'cause there was a program. Naki-chismis lang pero wala rin naman akong napala kasi hindi ko naintindihan kung ano nangyayari.

The (night) market experiences are one of the things I miss. I am not the type of traveler who would go to crowded places but I love night markets so I put up with the crowd. Ngayon, ang sarap sabihin na gagawin ko po lahat makapaglakad lang ulit sa crowd ng hindi kakabahan kung may COVID. HAHAHA! Haaaaaay, the things we took for granted talaga.

MY FAVORITE NIGHT MARKET IN THE WORLD: BAGUIO NIGHT MARKET (ukay-ukay!, chicken skin, balut, isaw!!!! HAHAHA! Pakshet. Baguio days na supposedly eh.)

Ximending Night Market, Taipei, Taiwan

BIFF and Nampo Area Night Market, Busan, South Korea

Myeongdong Night Market, Seoul, South Korea

Chinatown Night Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

My favorite food to grab before going back to the hotel: Kanom Krok/Thai Coconut Pancakes

More kwento about my solo trip in Thailand: here.

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The only places that I was thinking of visiting in Chiang Rai are the Buddhist temples (White, Blue, Black) and the Golden Triangle (border of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos)

Afternoon at Chiang Rai's Golden Triangle + Myanmar Border Crossing

When I was looking for group tours that I can join there, I saw a package that included this green tea farm aside from the temples and the border. I didn't even know that they have a green tea farm so this was such a sweet surprise. I have always wanted to go to one.

Started with samples of their teas.

I loved their green tea and oolong tea the most. Theirs is definitely on the more expensive side so I only bought a pack of green tea. They also have cakes and refreshments should you decide on staying to eat there.

While it's not a tour per se 'cause no one's gonna be with you, you are free to roam around the fields or stay here in the quaint cafe overlooking the fields and the mountains. I believe that this is a bit far from the city center of Chiang Rai so not accessible unless you have your own transportation.

❤️❤️❤️

Tea tree fields that stretch as far as you can see.

This place may not be "everyone's cup of tea" but for us tea lovers, this a great place to be in. It was definitely a memorable experience to walk around a tea plantation. I also picked a leaf and ate it 'cause I was curious if it tastes like matcha. HAHAHA!

Matcha, matcha - 'yung damo powder kong mahal na mahal. Literally and figuratively mahal. Matchaya, matcharap mga ganyan.

My friend and I were actually planning of doing a tea picking activity for our Tokyo trip this year but because of COVID, that trip has been cancelled. Well, anyway, still glad that I was able to visit this before. No use sulking over something out of our control.

Aside from Japan, I know there are green tea fields in Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and my other green tea field dream: Boseong or Jeju, South Korea.

Grateful for travelers who offer to take photos of others.

Pakapalan na lang ng mukha 'yan... kesa wala. Di na rin naman kami magkita kahit kailan. NYAHAHA!

The scenery is spectacular especially since this place is located among the mountains and rolling hills. There weren't a lot of people that time, didn't even see workers handpicking tea leaves but that's fine. Glad to have visited on a cool foggy day. <3

PS. Kinda missing authentic Thai Milk teas. There's a very distinct taste to it. They probably blend in some spices (and food coloring) on that orange colored milk tea. K. Fine. Galing talaga mag-explain nung isa dyan. Itigil ko na lang, noh? HAHAHA!