January 17, 2018 Evening
January 17, 2018 Evening
After our elephant adventure we returned to the hotel, showered, and rested up for an hour. We then loaded back on the bus for a trip cross town in rush hour traffic for a home-hosted dinner. But this is no peasant dinner. We dine at a large home on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. The homeowner is an entrepreneur and tour operator. The size of the dining area, tells us they often cater large groups.
Our meal starts with beer and an interesting appetizer called Miang Kham. We each take a “paan” leaf, fold it into a pocket and then add one of many different small items. The ones we could identify were lime, ginger, nut, shallot, coconut, fried tofu, chili and, a jelly. This bite size treat was an instant rush of flavors. Delicious.
The host introduced himself and then gave us a short Thai cooking lesson, something Aimee was hoping for on this trip. The hard part of Thai cuisine is making the various curry pastes. This involved grinding up several items in a large mortar and pestle. This paste is then stir fried with coconut milk, meat and vegetables. We are each given a gift packet of curry paste to take home and try. I can’t wait.
Our buffet meal of six different entrees, plus noodle soup and papaya salad was our best meal of the trip. It ended with mango and a chunk of tapioca.
After dinner the host gave us a tour of the house. The most interesting room was the “Buddha” room. It is common for East Asian homes to have a small shrine. The host showed us small Stupa-shaped urns containing the ashes of relatives, Buddha images, and other mementos and photos meaningful to the family. An interesting story was how Thais got their last names. Yul Brynner’s King Rama IV essentially issued one for everybody typically based on their occupation.
On the bus ride home, Aimee got the shopping bug, and we had the bus drop us off at the Night Bazaar. It is huge and very popular. Aimee shopped for a couple hours. Finally, I dragged Aimee away and four of us took a pickup truck taxi back to the hotel. While Aimee browsed, I did sneak away and get a very inexpensive Thai foot massage. It was a little rough. The masseuse didn’t know I have a sensitive soul, I mean sole.
After our elephant adventure we returned to the hotel, showered, and rested up for an hour. We then loaded back on the bus for a trip cross town in rush hour traffic for a home-hosted dinner. But this is no peasant dinner. We dine at a large home on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. The homeowner is an entrepreneur and tour operator. The size of the dining area, tells us they often cater large groups.
Our buffet meal of six different entrees, plus noodle soup and papaya salad was our best meal of the trip. It ended with mango and a chunk of tapioca.
After dinner the host gave us a tour of the house. The most interesting room was the “Buddha” room. It is common for East Asian homes to have a small shrine. The host showed us small Stupa-shaped urns containing the ashes of relatives, Buddha images, and other mementos and photos meaningful to the family. An interesting story was how Thais got their last names. Yul Brynner’s King Rama IV essentially issued one for everybody typically based on their occupation.
posted by Mike and Aimee at 9:16 AM
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