The advantage of doing a PhD project that originates from Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit is that you’re likely to have a Thai classmate. And I had a very nice one, who when I told her where I was, invited me to visit her team at the Chiangrai branch! So off I went on my roadtrip (or “jailbreak”, as my classmate/colleagues jokingly called it).
There was some discussion beforehand with Baba and 蕃薯爺爺 as to the best mode of transport. The males said that coach was scary and advised me to fly to Bangkok, then Chiangrai. I thought it was time and money wasting, when I could get there in around 3 hours by coach… So coach it was.
蕃薯爺爺 took me to the coach station. In search of food before getting on the coach, I wandered the side streets nearby and found aloe sitting out to dry!
Then, I found an avocado cafe.. So cute! I got an avo smoothie and waffle for lunch on the coach (felt very green and healthy, although I guess there’s sugar in the waffle & smoothie loll)
It was a regular coach ride, not scary at all and I’m glad I didn’t fly. My colleagues kindly picked me up at the coach station. I went to their office whilst they worked (I didn’t understand and we went for an open-air Thai hotpot (a 1st for me, especially in the boiling hot weather!) at the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar. There was a singer at the square. All in all, very nice. We gossiped about our boss (as one does haha) amongst other things.
The next morning, my lovely classmate recommended a breakfast place while they were hard at work. V authentic indeed.. Pig’s blood for breakfast was a 1st for me! At the back they were making their own paste!
Full and satisfied, I headed out to sightsee….
