Journeywoman - Wonderful Ways to Enjoy Chiang Mai

Shop and dine by the river...

Some of the most popular restaurants and highest quality shops are located on a short stretch of Charoen Rat road, from Nawarat Bridge to Wat Gate. It's worth visiting this area around 7:00 PM, exploring the Vila Cini and Oriental Style shops, checking out the art exhibit at The Gallery restaurant before it fills up for the night, and then having dinner at The Good View or The Riverside just next to it. If you like live music, The Riverside generally has two bands playing, one on either side of the restaurant. Later, at around 10:00 PM, for those that love acoustic guitar, walk back up past The Gallery to Le Brasserie to hear 'Took', one of Thailand's top musicians.

Tour the Secret Silk Street...

Tourists visiting Chiang Mai all shop the Night Bazaar, but few realize that just a few blocks north, on Kuang Mane Road, are the dealers of silk and handicrafts who sell to vendors at the Night Market. Granted, many are now retailers as well, but if you price goods in the Night Market first, you are still likely to get better bargains here.

Take the time to learn something new...

Chiang Mai's biggest attraction these days isn't it's sightseeing, restaurants or trekking. It's the Thai cooking schools in old teak houses (Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School and Thai Kitchen School), massage schools (Lek Chaiya Massage School), Thai language schools, and meditation schools (Raya Yoga Meditation Centre) Recently, I've even seen an advertisement for private Thai dancing lessons! The biggest complaint I hear from visitors to this city is, in fact, that they didn't leave enough time to take a course. Have fun, everybody!

Chiang Mai Addresses to know...

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School
www.chiangmainews.com/cookery
Office at 1-3 Moon Muang Road. Tel: (66-53) 206-388

Thai Kitchen School
www.chiangmai-online.com/thai-kitchen
25 Moon Muang Soi 9. Tel: (66-53) 219-896

Raya Yoga Meditation Centre
218/6 Chotana Road

Lek Chaiya Massage
9/12 Hutsadhisawee Road. Tel: (66-53) 404-253.

Thailand Shopping tips...

--Thailand offers some of the world's best values on precious and semi-precious stones.
--Thailand offers excellent buys on gold and silver
--The best quality jewelry, with styles appropriate for Westerners will be found in shops around the major hotels.
--Bronzeware tarnishes, is not dishwasher approved, and is a constant headache to keep clean and spotless. If you buy bronzeware, ask for the "nickle bronze" version

(Source: The Treasures and Pleasures of Thailand, Impact Guides)

Girl Talk...

Bring your own tampons. Thai women generally use sanitary napkins and what tampons are available are 'small' by western standards so bring your supply from home. Other toiletries are widely available. If you require prescription drugs, pick them up at your pharmacy before leaving. You'll get exactly what the doctor ordered. This isn't always the case when you're travelling.

A woman's map of local secrets...

Nancy Chandler's Maps of Bangkok and Chiang Mai are unique guides to shopping, dining and sightseeing, including lots of local secrets. Tailor your visit with her detailed market maps, listings including shops supporting good causes, places to go jogging, dining for the sweet tooth, and much more. Available worldwide for US$ 9.95 each. For further information, contact sales@nancychandler.net.

For more travel goodies go to best bets this issue!