CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
I used to be really hard on Chiang Mai. At first glance, it offers the same buffet of contrived debauchery and fake luxury that Thailand’s beaches have long been famous for. Pet a tiger! Look at a temple! Get a massage for five bucks! Buy a hooker and don’t feel weird about it!

But you know what? There’s only one street with hookers. Byeond that, the weather is always perfect, there’s a twenty-four hour 7-11 on every block and thirty thousand college kids who just want to party. The streets are clean, the food is delicious and the western edge of the city is 150 miles of mountainous jungle.

Chiang Mai is awesome. It’s easy, but it’s awesome. For now I’m off to India, but this won’t be the last time I set foot in this fair city.