Day 6: Exploring Chiang Mai’s History and Flavours

Day 6: Exploring Chiang Mai’s History and Flavours

We embraced a slow start to our Sunday. A lazy morning with a couple of hours of homeschool (yes, even on a Sunday!) set a relaxed tone for the day. Once the lessons were done, we treated ourselves to some fun at the rooftop infinity pool. Floating under the sun, surrounded by 360-degree views of Chiang Mai and the distant mountains, was the perfect way to cool off and recharge.

After lunch, we hopped into a tuk-tuk and headed into Chiang Mai’s old town for a self-guided walking tour. Our first stop was to book tomorrow’s cooking class—a plan the girls are incredibly excited about. From there, we wandered to Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, built in 1296.

The temple was serene in the fading afternoon light. Its well-maintained grounds were dotted with ancient Buddha images and the striking elephant-lined chedi, a symbol of strength and wisdom. The intricate red walls, adorned with golden Buddhist designs, glimmered in the late afternoon sun. The kids even managed some stealth maths as we calculated multipliers and dividers based on the elephants’ legs, tails, and tusks. Who says a temple visit can’t be educational?

The late afternoon temperature was pleasantly cool, making it a joy to stroll through the peaceful temple grounds. As we left, we headed toward the Three Kings Monument, located in the heart of the old town. The wide, white marble square was striking, and the towering statue of the three kings who founded Chiang Mai stood proud against the deepening pink twilight sky.

As dusk fell and the city lights flickered on, we made our way to the nearby night bazaar—a lively, colourful street market bustling with activity. The timing was perfect as our tummies were starting to rumble. Tonight’s dinner was a family highlight: sushi from a street food stall. We couldn't get enough of it.

The sushi stall was a work of art—tiers of freshly prepared sushi in every variety you could imagine. It was unbelievably cheap, a luxury compared to home, so the kids got to pick and mix to their hearts’ content. They were thrilled, and so were we. The sushi was fresh, decorative, and absolutely delicious. We even circled back for two more trays to save for tomorrow’s lunch.

Adding to the festive vibe were two young girls busking with their guitars, singing English and US pop covers. Their voices were beautiful, and they brought a warm, party-like atmosphere to the market. With full bellies and a few souvenirs in hand, we were ready to call it a night.

Our tired feet had done the miles, so we hailed a tuk-tuk back to our condo. The kids went to bed early, and we rewarded ourselves with a late-night dip in the rooftop infinity pool. Floating under the stars, with the city lights sparkling below, was the perfect way to end another lovely day in Chiang Mai.