Welcome to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I am a little late posting our “settling in” blog because of how quick and easy it’s been adjusting to Thailand — honestly, we’ve been so busy. Chiang Mai has been our fastest to settle into. I’m not sure if it’s because we are becoming pros at unpacking and making ourselves at home or if Chiang Mai is really just that easy to settle into — likely a bit of both.
Chiang Mai has a huge expat community, so we’ve quickly found a great network of locals to help us find our way around. I’ve joined three Facebook groups, and Jim already has several connects as well, so we are already feeling very much at home here.
The house is yet another lovely find on AirBnB. We are in a three story, 3-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom house on a quiet little street just outside of the Old Town in Chiang Mai. Every level of the house has a cute little balcony to enjoy, so I can sit and enjoy my coffee in the mornings. We are less than a mile from an area known as Nimman Road. Nimman Road and the surrounding side streets are at the heart of the trendiest part of Chiang Mai. Occasionally known by its full name of Nimmanhaemin Road, the place is alive with fashionable restaurants, cafés, bars, shops, and boutique hotels. It definitely gives Chiang Mai a new angle, far removed from the traditional Thai sensibilities found in other areas of Thailand’s so-called ‘Rose of the North.’
The house is gated, and immediately upon entering the gate, you’ll find the first of the three patios in the house. In Thailand, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering the house, so our shoes found their home right outside the door of the house under a sweet little bench. Directly inside the front door, Nolan found a table for our sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, key area and there’s a coat rake for our bags and coats.
The main floor of the house has a small living area with a tiny couch & TV, the dining table, and the most modest kitchen we’ve had yet. The kitchen is well equipped, but not with items I find overly helpful — LOL. There is a 2-burner stove top, microwave, toaster, tea kettle, and a small refrigerator.
Thankfully, I got smart and decided to we bring our French Press with us from Tanzania. During our first stock-up trip, I found a TESCO, so I purchased an actual toaster over for $30 and a coffee maker for about $30. Both will be well used during our 6-weeks in Thailand.
We also have a washer, but no dryer. I’ve done some research, and I do think we will end up using a laundry service in Thailand, but we shall see. I honestly really do not enjoy doing laundry in the small capacity washers … and by now, everyone knows I really hate crunchy clothes.
Up a very narrow flight of stairs, the second floor has 2-bedrooms and a bathroom. Priya took the bedroom with the patio that faces the street and Nolan took the other.
Up another very narrow flight of stairs is the third floor, which has the 3rd bedroom and a bathroom. Jim and I took the third floor. Our bedroom has a lovely deck facing the street with a large window, so I quickly set up my desk in our bedroom. As for Jim, he decided before we even arrived in Thailand that he was going to rent an office space again.
Also, including in our stay, this month is a weekly cleaning service, which I am looking forward to! We keep the houses picked-up and relatively clean, but it’s nice to have an excellent clean during our stay. Especially with the tile floors!
It is not at hot and humid as it was in Tanzania, so we are enjoying the outdoors even more here in Thailand.
Now, let me who’s you around the house bit more.
Main Gate & Patio:
^So quick note on the plants …. when Jim booked the house the owner asked if we would mind watering the plants. Of course, I said yes, but I had no idea what I was signing up for. There are literally about 70-plants around the house!!!
^More plants …
^We have access to two bikes, which I have really enjoyed.
1st Floor – Entry:
1st Floor – Living Room:
1st Floor – Kitchen:
Staircases:
^While perfect Slinky stairs, there is a strong change I will break my ankle on these steps.
2nd Floor – Nolan’s Room:
3rd Floor – Jim & Kathy’s Balcony, Bathroom, Bedroom & Workspace:
^By far the MOST uncomfortable bed we have stayed in the entire trip.
^So, this is our reality. We are getting used to it … and yes, I have toss polite paper in the toilet from habit and yes, I’ve fished it out … YUCK!!
^I’m also not sure the water pressure constitutes calling this a shower. The water trickles out … at best … I am sure I will have shampoo in my hair the entire time we are in Thailand.
^I love it! I love my window and I love my very spacious desk.
^More plants to water …
