Venue :Mothership(mountain resort) Event Page :Birth Medicine Tribe Location :Mothership, Mae Win, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai 50360, Thailand Pictures: lifted from the pages of Marina, Barbara, Marbella, Laura, Inbar Jeffery of inbarjeffery.com
Gabriella's Annual Bash I guess I'm still on Gabriella's shortlist when I got the invite to grace her birthday bash at Mothership. Last year's bash was along the Ping River where I met the coolest people in Chiang Mai. I was in eager anticipation of what this year's bash will bring - an awesome crowd is a given, but I had a feeling she'll pull rabbits out of a hat - and she did!!!
2 days of fun, music, love and harmony All pictures lifted from: Marina, Barbara, Marbella, Laura, Inbar Jeffery of inbarjeffery.com
Esso Songthaew Pick-up Gab meticulously combed the details including songthaew transport, lodging and food. Whoa! Those with no transport came to the event by songthaew from the Esso pick-up joint. It was there we all met each other, and subsequently bonded. I stayed at the front where I was a captive audience to Santiago's incredible life adventures. It was a 2-hour ride, but by the time we reached Mothership, we were all acquainted and it was a promise of only good things to come.
Mothership Mothership is a newly-opened mountain resort run by the awesome couple, Marko and Kikiebee. The place rests on the foothills of Mae Win and adorned with white domed cottages overlooking the lush greenery of the plains. Art mosaics were all over the place - even some stones were artistically painted. They offer yoga, massage therapy, food and drinks, and pick up from Chiang Mai airport. There is an open chill zone that's great for dancing, yoga and star-gazing on a clear night. There are also dorm beds for those on a budget or traveling solo. On the upper section is a bonfire area with seats forming a circle. For a group outing out in nature, it's the perfect setup.
Cacao Ceremony I call them the rituals as they set the intention and the ambiance, gluing the community together like neurons reaching out to connect and reconnect. We linked the tribal chain by circling around the ceremonial cacao casserole as the high priestess (that's Gab) chanted her incantation of love, harmony and gratitude. We each had a cup and took our time with little sips as our mouths were lined by its thick texture. If you haven't yet, you have to attend Gab's Cacao Rituals at Heart Space.
Kirtan After the cacao ceremony, Swan conducted the kirtan, singing, as we followed with chanting devotional songs and mantra. Santiago was partly hidden as he played a guitar harp in the background. We played whatever musical instrument was on the circle, adding harmonic symphony to the undulating rhythm mantling the circle. Swan can sing and we've lined up our sched to catch him on his next gig at Thapae East.
Ecstatic Dance The festivity went on with Santiago setting up the stage for his sound system. It should be noted that he took on major effort and expense renting the professional sound equipment, transporting them for the 2-hour journey and setting them up.
Me:Dude, I thought you'd be playing Spotify music from your phone through a Mickey Mouse speaker system. Santiago:No, we do this the right way.
When he played, he took us all along a magical ride of sound, music, texture and good vibe. Santiago has been doing this for decades and it certainly showed that he knew what he was doing.
The force is with you, Santiago. Be well and stay well.
Bonfire On the upper level, a bonfire was lit, calling upon all to circle around. Domingo and Swan took turns playing rhythm and lead guitar as the songs played on. Others were lost in deep introspection, others connected, others sang in unison and some just gazed at the stars.
Dome Roof Hang-Out It wasn't planned, but we all defaulted on top of the domed rooms continuing the flow. We talked and ate donuts as we squeezed ourselves precariously on the ill-fitting spaces between dome circles and tip-toed our way from a dog that took up the passage space. For those alone, it was a surreal scene. One by one, we disappeared as we went back to our beds to lay our fun-weary bodies to sleep.
Ending Thoughts What can I say? Everything that happened was divine with sprinkled perfection defying analysis. You just let go and the collective energy takes over. By the time we left Mothership, we took something else with us. I can't put a word to it, but it's something beautiful we give back when we reach the default world of beautiful Chiang Mai.
Gabriella, you are such a wonderful soul. May the heavens open up to continue giving you grace, bliss, health and happiness. Much love ❤❤❤
Marina, Barbara, Marbella, Laura, Inbar Jeffery of inbarjeffery.com
Reader Comments:
Mark Endemic Pursuit Tours (birdwatching) (Aug 17, 2020) Loved all the pictures - looks amazing! 🙂
Santiago Damaru Sound Journeys (Aug 16, 2020) A huge smile while reading...thank you eveyone 🙂
Barbara (Aug 16, 2020) Lovely
❤🙏❤🙏
(Aug 9, 2020) When the last of their friends alighted from the songthaew, the 27-year old farang girl wrapped her arms around her late 50s Asian boyfriend. Overhearing their conversation, apparently they were not on the same page.....more »»
Chiang Mai INFORMATION
Chiang Mai Map
Chiang Mai, Thailand
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Book Online - direct booking with State Railway of Thailand. Best to register first. If going to BKK from CNX, click "Northern Line".
note -- big difference between booking direct with the State Railway and booking with an online 3rd party agent. 12GO was charging B1330 for the same trip that only cost me B941 with the State Railway.
note -- Oct 2022, I took the #10 Train from CNX to BKK, upper berth, 2nd class, a/c, sleeper, B941. The train was clean, fast, comfortable and modern. If you have heavy luggage that will cost more money in flight checkin, I would suggest this train. Otherwise, the flight now is so much cheaper it doesn't even make sense to take the bus or train.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!