Thailand: Part 3.3 - Chiang Dao

Robin and Daniel arranged for a special over night trip for all of us in Chiang Dao, a lush mountainous region an hour north of Chiang Mai. We stayed at Nest, which is a hidden gem that Robin and Daniel learned of from some fellow teachers. Nest has roughly 20 bungalows surrounded by tropical grounds and hosts a well known "European" style restaurant. Nest 2, it's sister resort is just walk down the road and boasts a fabulous Thai style restaurant. We ate at both and they were spectacular. (yummy tip: one splendidly unique breakfast add-on option: Drinking yogurt - yogurt, lime juice and honey)

Above: Patrick and Alston outside our bungalow and then Patrick, Alston, Robin and Daniel enjoying a late afternoon tea/coffee.

The next morning we walked to Wat Tham Paplong, which is just down the road from Nest.

Robin and I ham it up by photo posing as many of the young Thai people do.
It's a looooong walk up to the temple and monastery. 510 steps to be exact but there are periodic motivational signs to keep you going. Also, Alston made lots of friends along the way, as he did everywhere in Thailand. Traveling with a baby in Thailand is a great icebreaker.

The temple and the view at the top were worth all the stairs. Though my legs did burn a bit the next day - I like to think it's because I carried an extra 20 lbs of Alston up and back!


Upon returning from our walk to the temple in the heat and humidity, we were all quite please to find the chilly pool at Nest. Nest really does have everything!! They even gave us a bottle of water and a bag of taste cookie treats to sustain us for our journeys. I think this pool area looks like its straight out of a design magazine.
We spent the rest of the afternoon lazying by the pool before we drove back to Chaing Mai (yes, that is Alston napped out on cushion in the lawn)