“Temples, architectural art and the best soup so far”

Wat Phra Singh, a must see temple in Chiang Mai Wat Phra Singh, a must see temple in Chiang Mai

We have been beyond excited to try northern Thai food and had some of our favourite (and very affordable) meals of the entire trip

The very popular “khao soi” — a delicious creamy, mild Burmese influenced egg noodle soup often served with slow cooked chicken leg and crunchy flat noodles The very popular “khao soi” — a delicious creamy, mild Burmese influenced egg noodle soup often served with slow cooked chicken leg and crunchy flat noodles

Also Burmese influenced, “sai ua” pork sausages are made with curry paste and an abundance of fresh herbs. Super delicate melt in your mouth filling and a casing that “pops” in a delightful way Also Burmese influenced, “sai ua” pork sausages are made with curry paste and an abundance of fresh herbs. Super delicate melt in your mouth filling and a casing that “pops” in a delightful way

Wat Chedi Luang was built in Chiang Mai during the 15th century and was almost destroyed by an earthquake in 1545 reducing it to the size you see now Wat Chedi Luang was built in Chiang Mai during the 15th century and was almost destroyed by an earthquake in 1545 reducing it to the size you see now

The complex for Wat Phra Singh has some magnificent gold monuments and statues. Each building has been designed in a traditional “lanna” style (somewhat typical of northern Thailand). The complex for Wat Phra Singh has some magnificent gold monuments and statues. Each building has been designed in a traditional “lanna” style (somewhat typical of northern Thailand).

The sunset sent beams of light streaming through the palm trees onto the beautiful roofs and facades of the temples The sunset sent beams of light streaming through the palm trees onto the beautiful roofs and facades of the temples

“Lanna” roughly translates to “the land of a million rice fields” and was the reigning kingdom of northern Thailand in the 15th century

Wat Rong Khun (also known as the White Temple) was created by a local artist in Chiang Rai who has dedicated their life to building this temple and the surrounding buildings Wat Rong Khun (also known as the White Temple) was created by a local artist in Chiang Rai who has dedicated their life to building this temple and the surrounding buildings

Throughout the grounds there’s repeated symbols of death and rebirth and although it may appear morbid the pieces are very intricate and intentional

100% of the buildings, art pieces and more are completely white to indicate a form of purity 100% of the buildings, art pieces and more are completely white to indicate a form of purity

Baan Dam (the “Black House”) is another artist driven creation in Chiang Rai with many art installations, buildings and tribal style collections on a sprawling property just a scooter ride outside of town Baan Dam (the “Black House”) is another artist driven creation in Chiang Rai with many art installations, buildings and tribal style collections on a sprawling property just a scooter ride outside of town

Tyce spent most of the walk around the museum grounds muttering “METAL!!” and channeling some Josh Mateo vibes

You will also find plenty of taxidermied animals (and skins), chairs made from water buffalo skulls and many phallic statues 🍆 You will also find plenty of taxidermied animals (and skins), chairs made from water buffalo skulls and many phallic statues 🍆

Capping off our day of temples and art in Chiang Rai, we visited the Wat Rong Suea Ten (the “Blue temple”) Capping off our day of temples and art in Chiang Rai, we visited the Wat Rong Suea Ten (the “Blue temple”)

The name originally translated to “house of the dancing tiger” due to tigers that once lived in this area of Thailand The name originally translated to “house of the dancing tiger” due to tigers that once lived in this area of Thailand

Tyce having a ska album cover moment Tyce having a ska album cover moment

Next stop: Laos 🇱🇦

Thailand was a lot of fun, full of new experiences, friendly people and we particularly enjoyed the far north. It was great to be back and we’ll certainly return many more times in future.

Next we will be taking the classic slow boat down the Mekong to Luang Prabang (the first time either of us have visited Laos) along with plenty of other backpackers and travelers. The trip will take two days with a pit stop overnight in a small town just beyond the Laos border.

After that we’ll head deeper into central northern Laos towards the mountains for some hiking and beautiful scenery before moving on to Vietnam.

The weather has been getting a little cooler up here and we think it won’t warm up for a few weeks until we get to central Vietnam. Hot coffee and ginger tea helps though!