Author: Bradley

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Art in Paradise 3-D Art Museum

Chiang Mai’s 3-D Art museum is a favorite of tourists and locals.

Chiang Mai has an endless variety of activities for people of all ages.  When many people think of Thailand, they think of wild beach parties, bars, and The Hangover.  However, there has been a big effort to make the Kingdom more family-friendly, and many cities, including Chiang Mai, with more wholesome options along with the bar scene.

One of these options is Art in Paradise, a 3-D museum enjoyed by both foreign tourists and Thai people.  It features “Illusion Art,” which uses special painting techniques resulting in a 3-D effect.  Visitors are encouraged to photograph themselves and companions interacting with the displays, resulting in amazingly realistic photos.

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Illusion Art looks incredibly realistic in pictures.

The museum is divided into 8 areas, each featuring 3-D replicas of famous art or iconic scenery such as the Mona Lisa, works by van Gogh, waterfall and volcano scenes, King Kong, Aladdin’s magic lamp, mermaids, and more.

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Many popular scenes include dangerous situations, which make fun photos.

Zones:  Zoo zone, Aquarium zone, Dinosaur zone, Thai zone, Lanna (northern Thai culture) zone, Egyptian zone, Surrealist Art zone, and Classic Art zone.

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Visitors can interact with works by famous painters; this is a great way to get kids interested in art.

They also have a nice coffee shop and restaurant with good prices.

They are open daily from 9 am to 9 pm.  It is best to go early, before it gets crowded so you can more easily take pictures.  I was also told that Monday is the least popular day for tourists, so it is less crowded.  I went on a Wednesday afternoon, and it wasn’t bad at all.  Admission is 300 baht (around $10) for adults and 200 baht (around $7) for children.  More info:

Address:  199/99 Changklan Rd., Changklan, Muang Chiangmai, 50200
Tel:  +66 (0)53274100
Website:  www.chiangmai-artinparadise.com

 

By the way I am wearing one of our new spring tie-dye dresses available now.  Please take a look at the listing if you like it.  Also, please share and/or like us on Facebook.  Thanks for reading my post!

 

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Our Village: Baan Wiang Thong

The best way to get around Chiang Mai is by motorbike.

Today’s blog is a little random, but I thought it would be nice to write a short post about living in a Thai neighborhood. Our neighborhood is referred to as a village, and is known around Chiang Mai as Wiang Thong.  Mostly Thai people live here, but I have seen a few other foreigners around as well.

We have just about everything we need right here in the neighborhood.  We have several small family-owned restaurants run out of people’s homes, two small stores with basics, household items, and snacks, and two reverse osmosis water tanks where you can refill your water bottles practically for free.  There is even a small mechanic and the best massage in Chiang Mai!

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My town square and having lunch at my neighbor’s “patio café”

 

We also have a Wat, or temple right behind our house.  There are celebrations and event on holidays,  readings and announcements over the neighborhood loudspeaker, and sometimes in the early morning you can hear the monks chanting.

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   Traditional “wai” pose at our temple.

 

Sadly, some people have abandoned dogs and cats around the temple.  However, Thai people are generally very kind to stray animals, and the monks also help care for them.  Our street has a soi cat (street cat) named Nuamchok, which means “good luck” in Thai.  He can usually be seen hanging around houses all down the street, waiting to see if anyone has any treats for him.  Sometimes he comes to my house and is so tired he goes right to sleep, other times he just likes to sit and watch whatever project I am working on until he falls asleep.  When the sun comes up, he’s up and on his way to do cat things all day!

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Nuamchok, the tie-dye kitty.