About ann
A Nomad with home base Chiang Mai
Having been a nomad of sorts all my life, my husband and I have chosen Chiang Mai as our home.
We settled in Chiang Mai, and whenever we return from our travels somewhere in this world we are eager and excited about our upcoming time here. Chiang Mai is a lovely city: oozing charm with the richness of hundreds of temples, the beautiful tension of old and new - we love all this, coupled with the ease of being part of the Thai culture and the relaxed, kind and welcoming ways of Thai people.
Many years ago, I made a wish, a promise if you like, that life would be perfect if I could live during some summer months in Switzerland and the majority of the year in Thailand. My husband had heard me saying this ever since we met and since he always felt at home when visiting Thailand, and especially in Chiang Mai, we decided to just do it.
There is something magical about Chiang Mai. Whereas I always felt that other places in the world were fraught with overburdening, immense practicalities of running one’s life, things just seem to fall into place here in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai holds this magic: I don't know if it is a state of mind? Perhaps. I suppose I don't need to know as some things are better left to their own flow. It is like seeing everything through a mirror and it’s actually the opposite of what you think you see. Everything seems to happen with such ease.
I remember way back when I came to Thailand for the first time, a friend said to me that I should live here; that life was easy here. I laughed and told her that I had to work and live in Switzerland. She responded that while working it’s easy to forget what you’re working for; easy to forget what the point of it is; to forget why you’re working in the first place. I realised that I would rather own little and see the world than to own the world and see little. The only things that will stay with you are feelings, memories, experiences - and good times. No amount of money or material things will protect or shelter you, my friend said.
I always wondered and pondered and thought about what she said, and now, many years later, I go out in Chiang Mai and something amazing happens and it all falls into place as though nature had planned it that way.
We are also supporting the work of our close friends Dominique Leutwiler (http://skills4life-asia.org/) and Sallo Polak (www.philanthropyconnections.org), who established non-profit organisations dedicated to help people in vulnerable situations here in Chiang Mai.
What would I say to someone who is looking for a place to take timeout or have a sabbatical? Come to Chiang Mai. Just arrive, unwind and enjoy.
dress code
TROPICAL ELEGANCE – BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
insipiration
before & after my birthday
Activities
Chiang Mai friends and I would like to introduce what makes Chiang Mai and North Thailand so special to us. Therefore, we have put together some of the highlights which we would like to introduce to you at cost price. If you are interested, please enrol until 1st December 2019.
Saturday, 25.01.2020
17:00 Lecture about sustainable tea growing in North Thailand by Kenneth Rimdahl (https://monsoon-tea-company.com/)
17:45 Dinner at Monsoon Tea House, Chiang Mai (https://monsoontea.co.th/tea_lectures_and_tourism) – lecture, tea tasting & dinner THB 500 (USD 15) per person (drinks to be paid individually) – register at aa@annamann.ch
Sunday EVENING - THE BIG EVENT! 26.01.2020
18:00 – 24:00 Birthday Party at the House by Ginger.
Monday AFTERNOON, 27.01.2020
11:30-13:00 Visit Skills for Life Foundation in Chiang Mai, organised by Dominique Leutwiler, register at dominique@skills4life-asia.org
monday Afternoon 27.01.20
13:00 - 20:00 Afternoon excursion with Christine Peter, Christine is Swiss but has been living in Chiang Mai for a long time and knows a lot of special places which she will show to you. A walk is planned through Baan Tawai (this handicraft village reflects the heritage of local wisdom and villagers) where you will also visit an artist and he will inform about his work. Dinner at Kao Mao Kao Fang or Canyon View Restaurant. register at cpeter@sunrise.ch This excursion is in German.
Tuesday FULL DAY, 28.01.2020
06:00 – 20:00 Full day excursion to Koung Jor Shan refugee camp which is about a 4 hours car drive (one way) further north in Thailand, near the Myanmar border. Organised by Sallo Polak .
Approximately THB 1’500 – 2’000 (USD 45.- to 60.-) per person, register at sallo@philanthropyconnections.org
Maybe dinner on the way back at Chiang Dao Nest at your own cost.
Wednesday FULL DAY, 29.01.2020
Full day cycling with Tom - Tom Regent loves cycling and has done a lot of tours in Thailand. He will take you to some of his favourite places in the area around Chiang Mai. If you are fit and you like cycling this is your chance. Please contact Tom directly via email to register: register at tregent317@icloud.com – the number of participants is limited; first come first served 😊
wednesday afternoon and dinner, 29.01.20
16:00-18:00 Visit Sabu-Sabu at Mae Rim (30 minutes’ drive from Chiang Mai). Meet the owner Virginia Bird with her profound knowledge: she will inform about her products inspired by ingredients drawn from nature and returning to traditional methods.
18:00 Dinner in Mae Rim at the Steak of the Day at your own cost. Our dear friend Stephen Witt who has been living in Chiang Mai for over 15 years will accompany the excursion and organise the transfer. register at stephen.f.witt@gmail.com
Thursday morning, 30.01.2020
09:00-14:00 A morning with famous Marisa: visit the area around Wat Gate - temple/museum/shops and lunch. Our dear friend, the Thai-Italian filmmaker, photographer and writer is based in Chiang Mai. She explores travel, handmade crafts and culture across Northern Thailand with an emphasis on heritage and the environment. register at marisamarchitelli@gmail.com
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, 30.01.20
16:00-18:00 Sabina Fay Braxton will open the doors to her world for us. Sabina has been a creative force in the world of bespoke textiles since the 1990s. Her signature is the layering of rich textures into her designs using innovative extrapolations of traditional techniques - loom weaving, hand-printing, hand-painting, and other embellishments. Her range includes textiles for fashion, interiors, custom carpentry and accessories. Textiles for wizards, kings and mortals!
Her fabrics have featured in Harry Potter, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Peter Marino, Chanel, LVMH Stores, Fendi, Badgley Mischka, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Bill Blass, Armani. Register at aa@annamann.ch
THURSDAY DINNER, 30.01.20
18:00 Dinner at WOO Café (http://www.woochiangmai.com), dinner THB 500.- (USD 15.-) per person (dinks to be paid individually) - register at aa@annamann.ch
Friday MORNING, 31.01.2020
11:00 Elephant Parade guided tour with Jeannette Woelinga and Elephant Parade Workshop. Design the perfect souvenir or gift with a 10cm (THB 600.-) or 15cm (THB 1000.-) elephant painting workshop. Their onsite artists are there to guide you with every step and can give you some inside tricks on how to make your elephant shine. Choose your size and colours and get artsy! register at aa@annamann.ch
FRIDAY evening, 31.01.20
18:00 Yoga and Meditation at Peaks Avenue, 8th floor, register at aa@annamann.ch
Saturday MORNING, 01.02.2020
10:00 – 13:00 A morning with Poncho and Edu, visit temple Wat Rampoeng and Baan Kong Wat market followed by lunch at Pure Vegan register at aa@annamann.ch
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND DINNER, 01.02.2020
13:00 - 20:00 Afternoon excursion with Christine Peter, Christine is Swiss but has been living in Chiang Mai for a long time and knows a lot of special places which she will show to you. It is planned to go to Bo Sang umbrella village, Chiang Mai Celadon (a brand and symbol of Chiang Mai Celadon glazed ceramics) and a visit and guided tour at Vivo Bene (Thailand’s leading long stay resort with care department and only 18km from Chiang Mai) where you can also have dinner. register at cpeter@sunrise.ch This excursion is in German.
Sunday MORNING, 02.02.2020
09:00 – 12:00 The Monk’s Trail with Laurence & Gaston and a dharma talk at Wat Pha Lat - the Monk’s Trail is referred to as the part of the trail from the bottom of the mountain up to Wat Pha Lat. A morning of mindfulness at Wat Pha Lat. Start with a 45min walking meditation through the forest. At Wat Pha Lat we will practice total relaxation, loving kindness meditation, dharma talk/sharing and mindful eating. Please bring your own drinks and maybe a vegetarian lunch to enjoy. It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that cover your knees and shoulders (out of respect for the monks). register at aa@annamann.ch
Accommodation
Accommodation
January is high season and on 25th January 2020 is Chinese New Year – Chiang Mai will be packed, and I highly recommend booking you accommodation as soon as possible!
I suggest booking your accommodation in town and not outside.
Following a few recommendations but you will find also a lot more in the net.
Airbnb’s
The Astra Condo Chiang Mai
Peaks Garden Condominium:
1 bedroom - can sleep 3 (2300THB per night)
1 bedroom - can sleep 3 (2030THB per night)
2 bedroom (3700THB per night)
Twin Peaks:
Studio Apartment (1250THB per night)
Studio Apartment (1400THB per night)
2 Br Apartment with Ensuites (2400THB per night)
2 Br Apartment with Ensuites (2500THB per night)
Hotels
Hotel des Artists, Ping Silhouette
Ping Nakara Boutique Hotel & Spa
Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort – A Vegetarian Retreat
The Rachamankha hotel an elegant testament to Lanna architecture. This exquisite property is the largest hotel in the old city centre and sits on 2 perfectly manicured acres with just 25 rooms. The Suites are amazing.
Transport
Airport Taxi
After your arrival at Chiang Mai airport you will be able to book a taxi inside of the airport (watch out for signs) for THB160.- (USD 5.-) to every hotel or condo in town.
Grab
I suggest download the Grap App (Uber is not available in Thailand) on your phone. Grab is a smartphone-based transport booking platform and the best way to move in Thailand.
GIFTS = Charities
No gifts please but if you wish donate instead and help me to support the two organisations I can guarantee that the money is getting to people in need.
At the birth party you will find a basket where you can leave an envelope with your donation. I will then distribute the money equally between the two organisations.
skills for life
What we do
We provide a home for teenagers, a family life and the possibility to study in one of the vocational schools in Chiang Mai. We cover all the costs for their livelihood and teach them to live a social responsible life while learning to live independent.
We run 3 homes, 2 for girls and 1 for boys for teenagers between 15 and 20 years old. Besides going to a college we also provide a few in-house project like running a coffee shop, a bakery and a craft shop. The teenagers are released from our care once they have learned a skill to work, earn their own money and feel confident about their future. 27 teenagers are currently supported and we depend on sponsors to give many more young people this chance in life.
Dominique Leutwiler
For 10 years Dominique worked in an orphanage in north Thailand and realized that for many children the path to independency ended by the time they reached grade 9 – at about 15 years old. With nowhere to go once released from the orphanage, no working skills, no financial means, many teenagers found themselves in a very vulnerable situation. This was the reason that Dominique founded Skills for Life in 2015.
Philanthropy Connections
What We Do
We provide a pathway for those in need, where every project - from education, to health care, to economic development - is a steppingstone from poverty to opportunity.
At the moment thousands of children and adults’ benefit from our steppingstones approach. Be it an education in areas of armed conflict; building toilet blocks in remote areas to prevent young children suffering from deadly diseases; improving acces to education for Hill tribe children; and training the next generation of ethnic minority youths to help their own communities. These are just a few of over 30 projects that we currently support. And we are going to do much more.... With your help!
Sallo Pollak
More than a decade ago, Sallo Polak was a respected professional in the Dutch television industry, involved in many national TV programmes. After 15 satisfying years, Sallo followed his heart to help make a better world for people in need. This personal desire evolved into a well-established foundation that aims to break the poverty cycle and create opportunities for marginalised people. With its respectful bottom-up approach, empowering local initiatives, with local solutions for real needs, Philanthropy Connections had proven its effectiveness within a few years’ time.
