Chiang Mai, Thailand

We spent over a month in Chiang Mai, the historic center of Thai culture. Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, it has ample access to beautiful natural recreational areas. Yet, it is a rather large city with more bars, cafes and restaurants than we could possibly visit in a month. Being a major tourist and ex-pat mecca, we were lucky to have found a hotel that was located in a bustling part of town with few tourists and lots of Thai people. We strongly recommend the Banilah Boutique Hotel (below) to anybody planning a visit to Chiang Mai. For less than $2 you can take a Tuk Tuk to the old city, yet your home away from home is a comfortable and very authentic Thai experience. Plus, the coffee shop downstairs makes a tasty cup of espresso for less than $1.
By far, the greatest discovery during our time in Chiang Mai was the Wild Rose Sauna. During the day, we took yoga classes and at night used the herbal sauna.
Here is Jo (my yoga instructor) and Rose (a.k.a. Wild Rose).