Chiang Mai, Thailand (+ babies)

Last weekend we took a family trip to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. This was my second trip (Frank’s fourth), but needless to say, this was a little different from our first Chiang Mai vacation.  That trip, we had been married for barely a year, were still new to Thailand and spent our time ziplining, enjoying long late dinners and lounging by the pool.

Fast-forward a few yeas and we are a family of four. This trip was different, but no less fun!

Chiang Mai is home to dome really beautiful temples, so we spent a good amount of time bouncing around between them.

Frank and I both wanted one (just one!) nice picture of Molly and Clara in a temple, but those two are way too active to sit still for a picture.

 

Even if we didn’t get “the” shot, I suspect some other member of the Molly and Clara paparazzi might have.

In addition to sightseeing, we were on a mission to find a carved wood pieces to take home with us, so we hired a taxi to take us around to some of the shops. And we shopped, and shopped, and shopped…and the girls did great, all things considered.

Since every 10-month-old’s favorite thing is to hang out in the Ergo while her parents examine every wooden spirit house and sculpture in Northern Thailand.

Letting them touch things ended up being a pretty good distraction technique.  Bells and gongs were particularly intriguing.

Back in Chiang Mai, we went out for dinner a couple of times to enjoy the weather (cooler than Bangkok, but still not “cool”). And even though we’re sort of early-bird-special people these days with the girls’ early bedtime, we found some really good food. All of which I forgot to photograph. Except for these chicken green curry roti which were AMAZING.

As Clara and Molly get older, I get increasingly excited about having them sit with us and try all the different foods we’re eating. Even now, they’re pretty flexible and happy to try all different flavors and dishes.

And usually they’re pretty patient with meals.  It helps that we keep a stash of Cheerios around and that every waiter in all of Thailand is happy to entertain them.

One night we had early appetizers and drinks at the Anantara along the river which was beautiful.

Clara and Molly liked playing in the grass.  And eating the grass.

We bee-lined it back to the hotel that night, but not until we stopped at the Tuk Tuk popsicle truck.

Clara, being too young for popsicles, was unimpressed.

It was a great trip, and one I’d definitely recommend to people with kids. Chiang Mai is fairly easy to do on foot and with a stroller, and the markets and temples, and variety of restaurants made it a lot of fun for all of us. It’s so much more relaxed than Bangkok, which makes it a really nice change from this city we live in.

It was sad to pack up and see the trip end.  Clara and Molly did great on both flights, and fell fast asleep in the car on the way home from the airport.

I think we’re starting to get the hang of this traveling-with-babies thing. I’m already thinking about where we should take them next!