1:21’s Trip to ChiangMai

Shafts of golden sunlight filter through the room window, heralding the arrival of early morning. The time is 7:30am here in Chiangmai.

Seating myself at a table beside the gardens with slices of toast, condiments and a fruit, the melodious humming of java pipes and thai instrumental music weave through the cool, refreshing air of this picturesque area of the Guest House. At the table just beside the gardens breakfasting, I am struck by the sheer tranquility of the place, something very uncommon back in Singapore. Serene. Surreal. Beauty in its simplicity.

As stronger sunlight creeps through, a few more half-asleep members of our team trudge into the hall to get some breakfast. The sound of more toast-laden plates seating themselves against glass tables gently breaks the dreamy mood.

The day has begun.

-Ervin Liu