Eating
Apparently when Thai people greet each other, instead of saying "hello" or "how are you", they ask, "what are you going to eat?". After a few days in Villa Mango, you will start to understand why - the food is just SO GOOD. Tropical fruits - mangoes, papaya, litchi, rambutan, jack fruit, durian, pomelo, banana...are literally hanging from every tree and taste more intense and fragrant than you will have ever tasted before. The local market has such a range of fruits and vegetables that for those who want to cook at home, you will have the opportunity to be immensely creative! Mae Rim, a short drive away, has some of the best restaurants I have ever eaten in - Krapood, the restaurants of the nearby Four Seasons Hotel and Steak of the Day in Mae Rim market, are world class. You will eat locally grown food, fresh, fragrant and healthy. The combination of flavours, textures and unexpected ingredient combinations will leave you nourished and the Thai aesthetics means the food will look beautiful too and you will be deeply satisfied.
We will provide you with a list of our favourite restaurants both 5 minutes from home, but also those that are worth driving for, to Chiang Mai or further afield to Chiang Dao where you can also visit hot springs and mountain caves, or Pai, the Glastonbury of northern Thailand.
Exploring
For adrenalin junkies the nearby X-Centre offers offroad quads and motorcycling, bungy jumping, paintballing and indoor carting. For the tamer, Mae Rim (Celadon) Ceramics, staggeringly beautiful orchid farms, the incredible Siam Insect Zoo, Tiger Kingdom, Maesa Elephant Camp, the Botanical Gardens and Maesa Nature Reserve and Waterfalls, are all within easy reach. Chiang Mai with its incredible selection of ancient temples, and its markets selling flowers, fabrics and all things handicraft and creative, is a 40 minute drive away. A day visiting Bosang and seeing how silk unravels from the cocoons of silk worms, how enormous umbrellas are made from paper and hand painted and visiting the outlets showcasing some of the most beautiful ceramics you can find, is essential! Some may be interested to see Pandas in Chiang Mai zoo, others the skilled woodcarvers making furnishings and furniture out of teak and acacia wood...its all a feast for the eyes and the creative soul.
Restoration
Take this time to resource yourself. We can organise yoga teachers to come to the house and connect you to Khun Araya, who will heal your body with Thai massage.
You will have no need to hurry or stress and your time will be a meditation.
