Meena Rice Based Cuisine - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Anyone who is a vegan or vegetarian will have no problem finding food Thailand especially Chiang Mai as it's know for it's wide variety of restaurants serving vegan, vegetarian and organic food, with a lot of the fruits and vegetables being home grown. Meena is a restaurant which has become popular not just because of the colourful, home-cooked, traditional Thai dishes but because of their variety of organic rice which they actually cultivate themselves.

After seeing all the colourful photos on Instagram I just had to go visit there and check out their vegan options. The menu does offer meat dishes in addition to their vegan menu but you can also ask if it's possible to get a vegan version of some meat dishes. The menu also changes depending on what's available each season so even if you visit multiple times they'll still be new things to try. Each dish comes adorned with fresh, organic veggies which are not just for decoration they're really delicious, crisp, fresh and sweet, we literally cleared every plate that we ordered!

The rice is the main attraction though and I know not a lot of people find rice exciting but it's such a staple dish and so good for you to. Meena allows you to customise what rice you want served, they offer several different types and the presentation of them is so beautiful it almost looked too pretty to eat, but not only did we clear our plates, we ordered extra and then bought some rice from their on site shop to take home with us.

Meena also offers some desserts and although I was very full at this point I just had to try their ice cream which was so light and soft and came so cutely presented, I kinda wished I ordered another one of their fruity ice creams but I was about to burst from all the delicious food. The restaurant is in such a beautiful setting to with some small shops outside offering handmade goods, unfortunately they are only open for lunch and it fills up with people quite quickly that some dishes can get sold out, so if you visit come early, I promise you will love it!

What's your favourite food?

Love & Rice

Cate

xoxo

San Kamphaeng Hot Springs - Chiang Mai - Thailand

On a recent weekend trip to Chiang Mai I decided to make a quick stop to see the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs as it wasn't too far away from where we were staying and it was one of the places I had always wanted to see, but didn't have the chance to when I was living in Chiang Mai. Unfortunately it was the beginning of rainy season so we weren't there too long before the heavens opened up and it started pouring with rain but we were there long enough to cook ourselves some hot spring eggs which is the highlight of any visit there.

Admittedly I'm not the biggest fan of eggs but this was something I had to try out as I'd seen so many people do it on vacations in Japan, I'm still kinda in shock that Thailand has onsen to because I've always wanted to visit one and although I didn't get the chance to dip my toes into the water, there's a very high chance that'll I'll be back there again one day...

Have you ever visited a hot spring?

Love & Eggs

Cate

xoxo

Ryokan Cafe - Chiang Rai - Thailand

Hidden between the rice fields not to far from the mysterious, Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand lives a little piece of Japan the Ryokan Cafe. The Totoro that waits at the bus stop across the road almost makes you feel like your living in your favourite anime, in fact the whole atmosphere of the place from the decor, to the food, to the green fields that surround it makes it feel like you're not in Thailand at all and have been magically transported to Japan's countryside.

Ryokan Cafe offers much more than food and drinks, you can actually stay there to in their traditional Japanese rooms and there's also a gallery where you can see local artists work and buy traditional Japanese items and organic foods which they grow there.

The food they serve is all homemade and home grown but unfortunately there were no vegetarian options so I settled for a very delicious coffee, hazelnut frappe which came with a scoop of Hokkaido milk ice cream, that alone filled me up so I ended up not getting one of the delicious cakes they also had on offer and my family really enjoyed the food there saying how fresh and yummy it was.

It really is such a beautiful relaxing place and I would love to spend the night there one day at as it's so serene and peaceful there, I really did feel like I was in Japan and not in Thailand at all and I love that all the food that they serve there is organic and homemade, it's definitely worth the trip to see especially if you're a Ghibli fan as you'll feel like you've stepped into the real life version of My Neighbour Totoro.

What is your favourite Ghibli movie?

Love & Sunflowers

Cate

xoxo

Psssst if you want to see more awesome cafes from around the world you can click the button below, buy me a coffee, get treats & a shoutout on my next post

The White Temple - Wat Rong Khun - Chiang Rai - Thailand

Wat Rong Khun also known as The White Temple is probably the most popular attraction in Chiang Rai, I've seen so many beautiful photos of this temple over the years and have always wanted to visit there and this year I finally got the chance to see it with my own eyes, and it was just so stunning.

There are many temples in Thailand but what makes this one unique is it's bright white colour which symbolises the purity of Buddha. The temple is designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and is full of interesting details from the creepy sea of hands by the temple entrance, to the depictions of popular characters like Batman, Sailor Moon and even Pikachu inside the temple, it really is something you need to take in with your own eyes.

There were several bus loads of tourists on the day we visited but there were still lots of quiet areas you could just sit and enjoy the surroundings. The White Temple is the main attraction but there's also a golden temple and patches of greenery where you can sit and meditate, the artist himself also lives on the site and is constantly working on bringing his vision to life because as of now the temple still remains unfinished.

There are so many different temples in Thailand but they never cease to amaze me with their beauty, Wat Rong Khun is really amazing and understandable one of the most popular attractions in Thailand, I really can't wait to see Chalermchai Kositpipat full vision for this temple come to life.

What's the most unique place you've ever visited?

Love & Blessings

Cate

xoxo

Summer Shopping @ Zaful

I recently decided to clear out my wardrobe so decided to check out Zaful to pick up some new items to wear on my trip up to Northern Thailand. Zaful have a great selection of fashionable women dresses but as my summer style has been drifting away from the usual top fashionable dresses I decided to pick up some cute tees instead.

One of the things I love most about Zaful is just how diverse their selection is and as my style is gearing more towards the chic and sporty vibe there are some affordable sport items you can select for really great prices, which are so comfy not just for sports but for travelling to.

Zaful is one of my favoerite online stores and their service is always quick and excellent and they're always quick to respond to any problems you may have. Zaful unconditional refund with quality, non-received, size Issue within 24 hours which is great service should you need to get your problem resolved quickly, so I totally recommend them and if you're looking to place an order soon check out the discount codes at the bottom of this post.

Love & Adventure

Cate

xoxo

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The Elephant Retirement Park - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Elephants are one of my favourite creatures and I've been lucky enough to have some amazing experiences with them over the years. Elephants are very beloved in Thailand and there has been a big movement to help conserve them and end zoos which force them to beg and perform. I have definitely noticed over the recent year how there are a lot less elephants on the city streets and how the attitude towards animals has changed, a lot more people are aware of animal cruelty and less people are supporting this exploitative practice and just want elephants to live our their natural lives in the jungle, which is how it should be. That being said sadly there still are a lot of places where it is common practice to ride and see elephants perform and while I understand tourist come to Thailand to see elephants I ask that you please consider of the lives of these elephants, do a little research and only visit the places that support and conserve these beautiful creatures.

The Elephant Retirement Park is one of these places which does not offer any rides or force the elephants to do tricks or beg for treats, instead gives them a place where they can be free from chains and hard labour and enjoy their lives in harmony with the humans who take care of them by simply treating them with the kindness and compassion they deserve.

One of the major driving forces for my to return to Thailand and learn my native language was so I could help rescue, rehabilitate and educate people on animal welfare and how these animals should be respected. I try to highlight the smaller charities as much as I can as I know how much they need the recognition and support. The Elephant Retirement Park is funded entirely on donations, they don't ask much from you either and a day spent learning about and being next to these beautiful creatures is less than $80 which is such a small cost especially when you think of how much food alone is needed for these animals to live on. The price of a day with the elephants also includes transport to the park from Chiang Mai and a delicious so they really aren't making a lot of money and need as much support as we can give them so they can build a better environment and rescue more elephants from the tourist and agriculture trade.

Being this close to these beautiful creatures really is just a life changing experience, they're just so loving and gentle. It's not my first time being this close to them, I've been to zoos, I've seen them perform and sadly I've rode on them to but this is the first time being this close to them since I made a real conscious effort to never again support any cruelty against any creature and the atmosphere was completely different. I really felt the love and respect, seeing the elephants free to run about and play in the mud and just be themselves, there were no picks axes, no shouting, no stress, there was just an aura of awe and genuine happiness.

There are so many charities in Thailand dedicating their lives to preserving the world's creatures and giving them a better life and they need all our support, I had an absolutely magical day and it really warmed my heart. So if you do visit Thailand please be conscious of the places you visit and how they treat their animals and make more of an effort to support the charities that want to give these creatures a better life.

What is your favourite animal?

Love & Sugar Cane

Cate

xoxo

Cherry Blossom Season in Chiang Mai, Thailand

When you think of sakura flowers or cherry blossom season you immediately think of Japan and Hanami but did you know that we have our own cherry blossom season in Thailand? Sakura season falls in the cooler months in Thailand during December and January and can only be seen in the high hills of the north but it's definitely worth a trip up to see them as they're beautiful and it's a whole different experience from seeing them in Japan or anywhere else.

The northern hills of Thailand are really beautiful all year round and you can see all kinds of beautiful plants there. As the climate is cooler in the north and the soils more fertile you can find all kinds of different flowers, fruits and coffee grown there which you can't find anywhere else in Thailand, strawberry season also coincides with cherry blossom season so from December to February you can also go strawberry picking.

Coffee is also grown on Doi Pui in Chiang Mai, which is the place I visited to see the cherry blossoms, so while you're taking in the beautiful view of the sea of pink you can enjoy a fresh cup of organic coffee cultivated by the native tribes of northern Thailand, the perfect Hanami experience and of course if coffee is not your thing they also grow tea to but the coffee is worth a taste as it's my some of the best I've ever tasted!

Most people tend to visit Thailand during the summer months but my favourite time to be in Thailand is during the winter, the weather is much milder and the trees are in full bloom, it's just a beautiful time to be there, it was so amazing seeing the usually green hills of Thailand a sea of pink and I can't wait until the end of the year so I can go back and visit them again.

Have you ever celebrated cherry blossom season? Don't forget to check out my giveaway!

Love & Sakura

Cate

xoxo

Into The Woods - Chiang Mai - Thailand

For the past couple years Chiang Mai has been my home and one of the things I loved most about being there is the cafe culture, there are so many amazing little cafes and hideaways all over the city and as coffee is grown in the northern hills of Thailand you can always be sure you're getting something special. One of my favourite cafes in Chiang Mai is this fairy tale hideaway tucked just inside the walls of the old city, Into The Woods.

Walking into this cafe is like walking into a dream, from floor to ceiling the cafe is decorated in various fairy tale murals, cute funko figures and props, there's even a bookcase full of books and games for you to check out while you enjoy your food and drinks, it's a place that you could easily spend the whole day relaxing in.

I found out about this cafe because I was blown away by their latte art, seriously just check out the owner's Instagram because some of the things she's done are amazing from Disney characters to Game of Thrones to realism to movie posters. My coffee came with this cute bear latte art on it but if coffee isn't your thing you can order many other drinks as well as Thai and Western food which is prepared fresh to order and they also have adorable cakes which seem to be super popular as they almost always seem to be almost sold out when I visit there!

Halloween is the prefect time to visit this cafe because they have special horror themed food and drinks but still all year round you can enjoy the story book ambience and take a break from reality so if you're in Chiang Mai and need a break from all that temple hopping I definitely recommend a visit Into The Woods.

Where are your favourite places to visit to take a break away from reality?

Love & Pumpkin Lattes

Cate

xoxo

Psssst if you want to see more awesome cafes from around the world you can click the button below, buy me a coffee, get treats & a shoutout on my next post

Christmas Food in Thailand: Starbucks & Mister Donut

Christmas may not be a big celebration here in Thailand but you can still find a lot of festive cheer and one of my favourite things about the season is all the cute, yummy food available. On a recent trip to the mall I spotted some Christmas Hello Kitty themed donuts and could not resist so I thought I would treat myself to a box and no donut binge is complete without a coffee to go with it so I also popped into Starbucks to get myself one of their Christmas lattes.

The donuts were so good! I'm a sucker for the Mister Donut collabs, they always have the cutest food and Starbucks always has some interesting seasonal drinks and while it was kinda pricey it was extremely cute and sometimes you just gotta treat yourself, I mean Christmas only comes once a year so make the most of it!

What's your favourite Starbucks Christmas drink?

Love & Matcha

Cate

xoxo

Coffee & Cake Date #8: Baan Kang Wat - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Baan Kang Wat is one of my favourite hidden gems in Chiang Mai, the name translates to the house next to the temple (the temple being Wat Ram Poeng) and it's also know as the artists village. Every Sunday morning there is a market there where you can get food, drinks, organic vegetables and handmade goods and that's always the day I choose to visit. I love this place so much it's got such a relaxing, artsy vibe, it's really healing to just sit and watch the artists at work, you can also attend art classes there which I would love to do one day, and there's all sorts of unique goods you can buy to help support the local art community which is what I'm all about being a creative myself.

There are actually a few little cafes here but I always go to the one in the back near the vegetable garden because the cakes there are some of the best I've ever tasted! When it comes to lemon meringue pie I'm spoilt because my Nan makes an awesome one and I haven't tried a single one any where in the world that matches it in flavour but the one they serve here is excellent and I always order it whenever I see it. The cafe is covered in plants and you'd be forgiven if you miss it because it's so hidden by green but I love it because it's so relaxing and you can easily spend a couple hours here relaxing and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. This is always the place I come to when I need to clear my head and sort out my life and when I leave I always feel in a much better place than when I arrived.

บ้านข้างวัดเป็นบ้านศิลปินอยู่ใกล้วัดรำ่เปิง ฉันชอบไปบ้านข้างวัดทุกวันอาทิตย์เพราะมีตลาดพิเศษขายของแฮนด์เมดและอาหารออแกนิค ฉันมีอารมณ์ดีไปเที่ยวที่นี่เพราะชอบเดินในสวนและเห็นศิลปินวาดรูป ในบ้านข้างวัดมีคาเฟ่ฉันชอบที่สุด เค็กที่นี่อร่อยมากกว่าคาเฟ่อื่น ฉันรู้สึกดีกินเค็กที่คาเฟ่นี่เพราะรสชาติเหมือนย่าทำ ฉันแนะนำเมื่อคุณเครียดคุณมาเทียวบ้านข้างวัดเพราะมีสวนเงียบคุณนั่งสบาย

What's your favourite places to visit when you're stressed?

Love & Lemons

Cate

xoxo

Psssst if you want to see more awesome cafes from around the world you can click the button below, buy me a coffee & get treats & a shoutout on my next post

Coffee & Cake Date #3: Yellow Crafts Cafe - Chiang Mai - Thailand

One of the reasons I mostly drink my coffee black is because I don't do too well with dairy and most cafes don't offer a milk alternative but Yellow Crafts Cafe uses organic soy beans to make their own fresh soy milk daily. This is a great spot to come to for a morning pick-me-up as the decor is fresh, vibrant and clean, they make each cup of coffee fresh (even grinding the the beans) and there's a small selection of baked goods to or you can enjoy a hearty bowl of grains served with fresh soy milk.

I'm not usually a breakfast person, I tend to just grab something quick on my way out or skip the meal entirely but Yellow Crafts Cafe is the prefect breakfast spot and one I would definitely make the effort to visit, there's just something about the mood there that puts you in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day.

ฉันไม่ชอบกินนมสดเพราะว่าเวลากินท้องเสียแต่ฉันดีใจเพราะว่าร้านYellow Crafts Cafeใกล้ที่บ้านทำนมซอยสดทุกวัน ฉันชอบมาร้านนี่ตอนช้าวเพราะว่าร้านเเต่งสดใสและน้่งอยู่สบาย ถ้าไม่มีเวลาน้่งเขาขายขวดมนขวดกาแฟให้กลับบ้าน

Love & Lattes

Cate

xoxo

Psssst if you want to see more awesome cafes from around the world you can click the button below, buy me a coffee & get a shoutout on my next post

Coffee & Cake Date #2: No. 39 Cafe - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Just a short distance away from Wat Umong is this beautiful hidden gem of a cafe called No. 39 Cafe, I enjoy many a weekend here just enjoying the surrounding nature and the calm atmosphere. The cafe is popular amongst students here as it's near to university and it can get quite busy at the weekends with everyone determined to take those perfect Instagram shots and they occasionally have live bands playing but on a weekday you can often find yourself being the only person there.

The cakes here are really good, believe me I've tried them all, but if you're not a fan of cakes they have a burger bar you can order from to. I like coming here for coffee because they have more than one type depending on if you like it strong, bitter or sour, they also have a wide selection of teas and sodas to if you don't fancy coffee.

ร้านนีชื่อ No.39 Cafe อย่ใกลวัดอุโมงค์ ฉันชอบไปร้านนี่ทุกเสาร์อาทิตย์เพราะว่าธรรมาชาติสวยและอารมณ์สงบ นักเรียนชอบมาเพราะว่าอยู่ใกลมหาวิทยาลัย เสาร์อาทิตย์มีนักเรียนเยอะชอบถ่ายรูปให้IG บางครั้งมีคนมาร้องเพลงด้วย แต่วันธรรมดาเงียบดี เค้กที่ร้านมี้อร่อยที่สุด ฉันชิมทั้งหมด แต่ไม่เอาเค้กร้านมีเบอร์เกอร์สั่งด้วย ฉันชอบไปร้านนี่เพราะว่านักชงกาแฟถามว่าเอากาแฟแบบขมหรือเปรี้ยว ถ้าไม่ชอบกาแฟมีหลายเครื่องดื่มสั่งด้วย

What are your favourite coffee shops to relax in?

Love & Iced Coffee

Cate

xoxo

Psssst if you want to see more awesome cafes from around the world you can click the button below & buy me a coffee

Coffee & Cake Date #1: Cheevit Cheeva - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Whenever I'm feeling a bit restless or down I go out and treat myself to coffee and cake at one of the many amazing cafes here in Thailand. Chiang Mai is heaven for coffee lovers, not only are there many coffee shops and stalls, they even grow coffee here so you can be sure you're getting the freshest cup there is!

Today I visited a cafe called Cheevit Cheeva which is popular because of its calming atmosphere (it's right next to a spa) and its desserts. I heard the Bingsu is really good here but it was way too big for me to eat alone so I opted for a slice of the red velvet cake instead which came garnished with dried cranberries and gave a nice tartness to the sweetness of the cake. I got myself an iced Americano which had a subtle sweetness to it despite the fact it contained no sugar and they added a slice of orange to it to which is something I've never seen before but luckily I'm a fan of orange flavoured things so it added a tasty interesting touch.

วันนี้ไปร้านชื่อชีวิตชีวา คนชอบไปเที่ยวร้านมี้เพราะว่าติดกับสปาแล้วมีอารมณ์ดีและขนมอร่อยมากๆ ฉันได้ยินว่าบิงซูที่ร้านมี้อร่อยที่สุดแต่ฉันไม่เคยกินเพราะว่าบิงซูใหญ่เกินไปกินคนเดียว กินเค้กดีกว่า เค้กนี้หวานแต่ใส่ลูกแครนเบอร์รี่เปรี้ยวนิดๆ สั่งอเมริกาโน่มาไม่ใส่นำ้ตาลแต่หวานน้อย มีชิ้นส้มด้วย ฉันไม่เคยเห็นกาแฟแบบนี้แต่ฉันชอบรสส้ม รสนี้น่าสนใจและอร่อยด้วย

 What's your favourite coffee and cake combo?

Love & Cookies

Cate

xoxo

Psssst if you want to see more awesome cafes from around the world you can click the button below & buy me a coffee

Catmosphere Cat Café - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Cat Cafés have well and truly taken over Thailand! I visited my first Cat Café on my birthday a few years ago now in Bangkok but when I heard there was a space themed Cat Café here in Chiang Mai I knew I had to go check it out I mean what a perfect combination!

All the cats in Catmosphere have spaced themed names and upon entering the café I was greeted by a gorgeous Persian called Yoda in fact I go so swarmed by kitties when I first sat down I barely had a chance to check out the menu. There's a 100 baht entrance fee to the café unless you order food or a drink so I ordered a cappuccino and brownie which cost slightly more than your average café but in my opinion is worth it as they tasted pretty good and also you get to play with cute kitties for as long as you want, they also give you free water to which one of the cats decided to drink but they gave me another glass which kitty tried to steal from me again but I managed to drink myself until my back was turned and he stole again...

There is all sorts or cool Star Wars cat themed artwork on the walls which I really wanted for my house and I loved the music they played there so many 80's classics from Michael Jackson to Europe  I found it hard not to sing along, I could have easily spent all day just chilling there.

All the kitties seemed to have a fascination with my Captain America backpack and a few came over and just sat on it, a girl sitting next to me was also working on her laptop and one of the cats climbed into her laptop bag and fell asleep it was the cutest thing!

The kitties are super friendly here and they're not afraid to come up and play with you or sit in your lap, I went in the morning which is supposed to be one of the times where they're most active so a great time to visit. There's also a few toys there which you can use to tempt the kitties to play with you which is great fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this cat café and I can see I'm going to be a regular here, they even have really cute space themed t-shirts with the kitties on so I may have to get myself one of those next time, in fact I didn't realise it at the time but I was even wearing a space cat themed outfit that day (my galaxy skirt and a Hello Kitty top) so how could I not love this place?

What nerdy name would you give your cat?

Love & Cats

Cate

xoxo