11-13.02 Day 27-29 Chiang Mai
Day 27-29 - Sunday 11th - Tuesday 13th Feb - Chiang Mai
Kate and I have been underwater with heavy colds, mine starting as we got back to Chiang Mai on Friday and Kate on Sunday. (post script - we actually think these became chest infections, and really should have done something sooner rather than hoping it would get better. Instead we struggled for 7-10 before finally getting antibiotics from a chemist). So we’ve been trying to balance rest for each of us, with entertainment and schoolwork for the kids.
Thrown into the mix we were booked to fly to Vietnam on Monday and thought we’d left enough time - a week - for the tourist visas to be processed. However, we hadn’t accommodated for Luna New Year for which the immigration office shuts down for 5 working days. It doesn’t feel like there is anyone official to speak to about our predicament - with our 30 day Thai visa due to expire on Wednesday, which is the last day of the immigration shut down - we resort to google and facebook.
To change our flights, we decide it's best done face to face at the airport which is close to the Old Town. However, the Vietjet office insist they can only help with domestic flights and direct us to the international check in desks which should be open for another flight. However, as friendly as he is, the check in man is simply an airport contractor and hands us a slip of paper saying we should call their number. Of course no one picks up.
As the kids run around playing tag shrieking around the check in barriers, Kate and I feeling unwell, we eventually get our flights changed online to the next Saturday. That only gives 2 extra working days because of the shutdown, but will already have us overstaying our Thai visa by 3 days, for which we believe there will be a $100 fine per day for us as a family of four. It’s the least worst option we can think of right now.
After that unnecessary excursion we get dropped at our favourite lunch venue Phithi for some soothing warm noodles. The afternoon passes in a haze flipping from being too hot to too cold. But we drag ourselves out for the Sunday night markets nearby for dinner.
Monday Seb has a reading class and as I’m not the most sick out of Kate and I, I take the kids to the Kalm Village, a space set up by some artists to support local crafts but have done so in a very well laid out and kitted out, courtyard building with galleries, cafe, restaurant, shop and library - the latter of which is where the kids and I get through more schoolwork so Kate can rest.
In the evening Sienna and I walked to the market to collect food, returning with a varied selection from rice with omelette, sushi, fried chicken and pork balls along with smoothies - a very successful haul.
With 5 extra nights needing somewhere to sleep, we had extended our stay at Kitti Rose for one night, much to Seb’s excitement as it gave him an extra afternoon playing football with the son of the owner. Language barrier is no issue when all you’re trying to do is pummell the ball at each other player from 8 yards away. They both seemed happy though.
We’d found accommodation for the (hopefully) last 4 nights just outside the Old Town, the search filter set to Swimming pool = Yes. Gives instant entertainment for the kids whilst Kate and I recover. On Tuesday morning then I take just Sienna back to the Kalm Village, this time being able to relax in the cool shaded courtyard.
Noodles are on the cards again, but when we all check-out, leaving our bags behind and walking to Phithi we find it closed, a sign informing us that it is due to a funeral of grandmother. A back-up further along the same street is passable, when suddenly we hear music approaching. We’re sitting by this cafe's entrance and see an open backed ute covered in flowers go past with a white coffin inside. Immediately afterwards a red van with a young man's face on it and I assume initially is the deceased but then realise he’s the funeral director, blasting music out of over-sized speakers in the back. In a sign of being able to go somewhere multiple times on our travels I then spot the chef and waitress from the cafe. It’s their grandmother in the casket. They recognise us and I, in a moment of indecision, smile and wave, perhaps not the best greeting at a funeral procession, although they do wave back.
Dessert is a pair of mango smoothies from the Kind Lady Cafe. Its popularity / seating for only 10 means I’m perched with some Americans. I tried SuperBowl chat which had taken place the day before, but they had no interest in yesterday’s game. They’ve just retired to Chiang Mai two weeks ago and then I hear a conversation about every medical condition under the sun they’ve been afflicted by, ironically finishing with “to cut a long story short”. Thankfully the kids are finished so we make our escape before getting the long story.
A Grab taxi takes us to our new home - Fullrich Lanna Suite. A U-shaped set of apartments, three storey all overlooking a cold swimming pool. The kids' excitement is raised another notch when we discover another adjoining room affair. Possibly our nicest rooms yet and after a swim, it’s not that cold, and it is still 33 degrees everyday. I scout some dinner options, bringing the team to a very new dumpling joint for steamed and fried goodness.
All we have to do now is wait and hope the visas come through by Saturday.