Life This Week in Chiang Mai, Thailand: Jan 26-Feb 1, 2026
Monday, Jan 26

Kept things pretty simple today…and just toodled over to a coffee shop that I realized is very close to me. It’s called Double Eleven and it’s on the first floor of the other condo in this 2-condo condo complex.
It was small but neat. Empty, except for The Guy, who I think might be the owner, sitting behind the counter, phone scrolling. I got a chocolate croissant and an iced Dalgona vanilla latte (whoa). I brought my laptop to do some work but it was a very unfortunate chair to table height ratio and very quickly I was very uncomfortable, so…I switched from work work to blog writing.

The coffee was excellent. I’ll definitely be back, maybe I’ll bring my kindle instead of laptop. Maybe reading won’t be as difficult as typing.
Tuesday, Jan 27

I saw online about a “western-esque” supermarket in the nearby large mall. Plus, it had two food courts. So off I went.

I had breakfast at The Duke’s, which had a very large western menu. I had chicken fried chicken (like chicken fried steak, but chicken) with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli with hollandaise sauce, a salad and an excellent iced tea. Iced tea is easy. Excellent iced tea is not.

I haven’t seen a Swenson’s in abouit a hundred years. Thailand also still has Toysr’R’Us!
After eating (I was stuffed), I made a stop at an ATM for some cash. A lot of things are strictly cash here. Then to the supermarket.

Which was quite nice. Not huge, but it had a lot of options other stores have not. Among other things I got a closer-to-normal sized box of cereal, protein bars, and…SALAMI. Be still my heart. The package is just barely enough for one sandwich and was probably ridiculously expensive (cuz imported), but…SALAMI. I’m very excited for a salami and tomato sandwich.
Saturday, Jan 31

Met a new friend from TikTok – a fellow traveler from the US – at a charming artisan village called Baan Kang Wat.

It’s a series of winding pathways leading you through a cluster of small shops and studios made for people who love handmade things. Every space has its own personality: some cute, some just really cool. Each house feels different, but it all works together, and the whole place feels alive.

You can wander around and shop for clothes, bags, hats, jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, all sorts of creative finds.

Some of the houses have been turned into cozy cafés, perfect for taking a rest and just sitting with a coffee for a while. There’s a restaurant serving classic northern Thai dishes like khao soi – we shared a bowl and it was delicious!.

It’s the kind of place where you can just wander, look around, and enjoy the vibe.

We split a bowl of kao soy.
Sunday, Feb 1

And then…it was February. I’ve been watching the snow and ice across much of the US…and am sad to be missing it. I like winter. I like the cold and the snow and the excuse to stay indoors.

Shrines and offerings outside the condo
It’s starting to warm up here. The first couple weeks in Thailand, the days had temps in the high 70s-low 80s. Now we’ve all of a sudden jumped to mid-high 80s…and even looks like it might start hitting the 90s by the end of the week. Fortunately I don’t feel any humidity yet…and it’s not like I have to be anywhere mid-day. So.

Hope everyone is well out there. See ya later luv ya bye.
More pictures from Baan Kang Wat…and just around…


No matter how beautiful you are you will be criticized

So many lovely flowering vines growing everywhere













Do not throw trash into the sink

You are amazing just the way you are


The End 🙂





Leslie Susan Clingan
Was the chicken fried chicken tasty? Looked pretty good. The photo of the western grocery store showed well-stocked shelves. Glad you were able to find some treats. I prepare orders on Walmart for delivery to my MIL out of state. She always asks for braunschweiger and rarely, rarely can I find it in her local Walmart. She has started subbing salami and is always excited to have it. Sounds like spring has sprung in Thailand. We are warming up, too. Looking forward to at least 7 days in a row of highs in the 60s.
bettyewp
The chicken fried chicken was WONDERFULLY tasty. I’ll def pay a visit back there again before I leave. Yeah, the market was well-stocked. Mainly Thia foods and brands, but def a good offering of western brands. It’s nice to see familiar things. Oh, how I love salami. Salami, mayo, tomato on a roll – that was one of my repeat deli sandwiches. I miss delis. I can’t even get “good deli” in CA or FL or TX…that is a NY thing. Bagels, bacon egg and cheese sandwiches, deli counters…other places can TRY to emulate, but no. Sigh.
Spring sprung and exploded into (my) summer. We’re already at consistent high 80s-low 90s. All sun all the time. I don’t go out between 10-5 if I can avoid it.
Highs in the 60s sounds delightful. I’ll get a little bit of spring back when I get to LA, looks like March is highs around 70…and even April in FL will be cooler than it is here now.
Lisa Elliott
I somehow missed this post and today I started “worrying” about you. I know that is crazy since we’ve never met! As I type that, it sounds creepy. I promise it is not! Anyway, I love all of the bright colors in your photos. The shopping area looks so cool!
bettyewp
Thanks for the concern 🙂 I’m fine. Last week, rather than doing a “week in review,” I’m working on a couple posts about individual outings/activities. But they take longer and just aren’t done yet. Posting may be a little lean for the next two weeks as I’m down to my last two weeks and am trying to cram a bunch of stuff in! But trust me, I don’t think you’re being creepy 🙂
And yes, Thailand is Very Colorful!
Sally in St Paul
The rabbit gave me a big smile today, and I’ve enjoyed seeing all the elephants in Thailand and thinking of how Iris would love them.
bettyewp
I also thought of Iris with the elephants 🙂 and there were a LOT of elephant things! It seems to sorta be their national symbol. I got my nephew an elephant shirt and Katie an elephant dress. And my great niece, a journal made with paper made from elephant poop. Ha Poop-paper. And I always think of you now when I see rabbits 🙂