Chateau Carter

Before continuing our journey, we detoured to a little slice of luxury. A sumptuous villa tucked away in the Chiang Mai Highlands Resort. You’d expect a velvet rope and a snooty doorman except the “staff” were our old friends, greeting us with wide grins and mischievous twinkles in their eyes.
​The villa was a delightful escape, airy and spacious, and surrounded by a large terrace perfect for lazy afternoons spent chatting and relaxing. We soon settled into a comfortable routine, enjoying gin and tonics and chilled wine. Each morning, or closer to midday, Tracy conjured plates of smoked salmon and perfectly scrambled eggs, delightful. Between terrace naps, the pool offered a tempting respite. Tracy insisted the water was cloudy, prompting teasing from Pete and me, as to us, it appeared perfectly clear under the bright Thai sun

Yes, this was five-star comfort, wrapped in an extra layer of comedic chaos. We soaked up every indulgence, fully aware that it might be a while before we experienced such pampering again. By the end of our stay, we’d grown so spoilt that it almost felt rude to sling our backpacks on and leave. But John and Tracy, ever the gracious hosts, insisted on driving us to the bus station, sending us off with big smiles, hearty hugs, and promises of another reunion down the track.