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Chiang Mai: Sticky Rice, Stray Cats, and a Whole Lotta Humidity

@Tobias King3/9/2026blog

okay, so i’m back. back from…well, Chiang Mai. Thailand. It’s been a trip, to say the least. My brain feels like a tangled ball of yarn and my camera roll is overflowing with pictures of mango sticky rice. Seriously, I think I ate my weight in it.


I’m a freelance photographer, you see, and I was scouting locations for a potential client - some wellness brand looking for “authentic Thai vibes.” Authentic, huh? Let’s just say it’s a lot more chaotic than their mood boards suggest. The air hangs heavy, like a damp towel, and the streets are a constant ballet of scooters, tuk-tuks, and people selling everything from fried insects to silk scarves. I just checked and it’s…a sort of grey drizzle right now, clinging to everything. Hope you like that kind of thing.

I spent most of my time wandering around the *Old City, getting delightfully lost in the maze of narrow lanes. Found some incredible street art - seriously, some of the best I’ve seen. It’s not just murals, either; it’s like the whole city is a canvas. I’m thinking of doing a whole series on it. Check out some local art collectives here: https://www.chiangmaicityart.com/.


I stayed in a little guesthouse near Tha Phae Gate. It was basic, but the owner, a lovely woman named Noi, made the best iced coffee I’ve ever had. Seriously, I’m going to try and recreate it when I get back. I overheard her telling another guest that the best place for a massage is down Rachadamnoen Road, but to avoid the place with the neon signs - “too touristy,” she said with a knowing wink.

Speaking of touristy, I did venture out to Doi Suthep temple. It’s beautiful, obviously, but packed. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder packed. Someone told me that going early in the morning is the only way to avoid the crowds, but I slept in. My bad. Still, the views from the top are worth it, even if you have to elbow your way through a hundred selfie sticks. You can find some helpful tips on TripAdvisor here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298318-d328372-Reviews-Doi_Suthep_Doi_Phet_Temple-Chiang_Mai.html.


The food, though. Oh, the food. I’m already dreaming of it. Besides the aforementioned mango sticky rice (seriously, I need to stop), I had some incredible khao soi (curry noodle soup) and pad see ew (stir-fried noodles). Yelp has a pretty solid list of recommended restaurants: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Thai+Restaurants&find_loc=Chiang+Mai. I even took a cooking class - learned how to make green curry from scratch. It was…an experience. Let’s just say my kitchen is going to smell like Thailand for the next few weeks.

I also spent a lot of time just…people-watching. Sitting in cafes, sipping coffee, and observing the daily rhythm of the city. It’s a fascinating mix of ancient traditions and modern life. If you get bored, Lampang and Lamphun are just a short drive away - both have their own charm, though Chiang Mai definitely has the edge in terms of energy.


One thing I will say - the humidity is real*. Like, you walk outside and instantly feel like you’re swimming in a warm, wet blanket. And the stray cats! They’re everywhere. Cute, but also…a lot. I heard that there’s a local organization that helps care for them, so if you’re feeling generous, you could donate. Check them out here: https://www.soidog.org/.

Honestly, it’s a place that gets under your skin. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, it’s humid, and it’s utterly captivating. I’m already planning my return trip. Maybe next time I’ll actually learn some Thai.

Temp: 13.94°C, Feels Like: 13.14°C. Pressure: 1021 hPa. Humidity: 67%. Ground Level: 819 hPa. Not exactly beach weather, but hey, it’s Thailand.

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About the author: Tobias King

Student of life, taking notes for everyone else.

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