Our second day in Chiang Mai kicked off with a cozy breakfast at a local restaurant, where they served up the most delicious, heartwarming dishes. I wish I could remember every flavor, but all I know is I kept going back for more — it was that good! It filled us up perfectly, just in time for our biggest challenge of the day: conquering Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain.
Smoked Salmon with Avocado Toast
The Wall Decorations Of The Restaurant Where We Had Breakfast
We had hoped to hike up, but the weather wasn’t exactly on our side. With the rain coming down, we decided to take the car most of the way up. As we climbed higher, the air got chillier, and by the time we reached the top, it was actually freezing. I mean, my hands were like ice! Even though we couldn’t hike all the way, we still wandered around the summit and soaked in the misty views. We even learned a bit about the mosses and the trees that somehow manage to survive in the cool, damp conditions — it’s amazing how nature adapts up there.
The Museum of Doi Inthanon
Highest Point of Thailand and TiTi
The Morning Sun Ray Which Warmed Up Our Fingers
By lunchtime, I was starving! We made our way to a restaurant serving traditional Thai tom yum soup, which hit the spot perfectly with its spicy and tangy kick. Unfortunately, I was so hungry that I dove straight into my bowl without even thinking of taking any pictures. So, no photos of that delicious meal, but it was absolutely worth it!
On our way to the restaurant, we decided to check out the Royal Thai Air Force Memorial Garden. The flower beds and gardens were full of bright, lively colors, creating the perfect contrast against the misty mountain backdrop. There are two pagodas at the garden, each perched high enough to offer stunning bird’s-eye views of the lush landscape. Standing there, looking out over everything, it felt like we were on top of the world — definitely a spot I’d recommend if you ever find yourself up on Doi Inthanon.
The Flower Beds in Royal Thai Air Force Memorial Garden
The View from the Royal Thai Air Force Memorial Garden
The Graden of Royal Thai Air Force Memorial Garden
With full bellies, we made our way to our last stop for the day: Mae Ya Waterfall. The drive was long, and honestly, I dozed off in the car! We got there just around 6 p.m., right before closing time. There weren’t many people left, so it was quiet and peaceful. The recent rain had made the water a bit muddy, so it wasn’t as clear as usual, but even then, the falls had this raw beauty that made the trip worth it.
As dusk settled, we headed back to our little home for the trip. Day 2 was packed with unforgettable sights and moments that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.