It's ALL about ME: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai: Dec 21 to 23 2008

The first thing we did when we reached Chiang Mai was look for food as we were all hungry. According to Lonely Planet there are several Muslim shops around the night market area and true enough as we were driving around, we found this shop, Le Spice, run by a nice and friendly Thai whose son studied in UIAM and he himself is well versed with Malaysia and Malaysians.

The food was pretty good and he serves a varied menu of Thai, Indian and Western dishes. And he offers free internet services which was really high speed! After a decent meal next on the list was to look for a place to stay. We were all tired from the long drive as the drive into Chiang Mai from SuphanBuri was not as scenic as the other routes. This highway 11 was rather boring as the road was winding and the scenery was hills. The trees were also getting drier the way there giving you the impression that fall was coming to an end. Chiang Mai by the way enjoys four seasons. The weather is cool, kinda like Bandung!

This is the place where we stayed, 296 Ratnadiya Residence. It is a not far from the city centre. For that matter the city centre is not far from anywhere. Even to the airport takes 10 minutes or so from wherever you are. The residence gives you a business hotel feel but it really is very quaint, and the decor very Zen. Nothing like the Rain Forest Resort but nice all the same.

Chiang Mai is a nice place, albeit a little busy but nice. They call it mini Bangkok. I have never been to Bangkok so I can't make a comparison but I will take the word of Lonely Planet. The guide book also says it is a shopping haven but I don't really see it that way. Maybe I am not in the shopping mode, which is hard to believe isn't it!

This is part of the city. The picture was taken on a tuk-tuk ride which the kids simply love to bits. Bob had to fix the car on the second day we were in Chiang Mai so the kids and I found our way about the town. Apparently to explore for the shopping haven but I must say my expectations were not met! Chiang Mai is famous for its silver and thai silk is really cheap there. I found some silver. Not that cheap but in abundance. I didn't feel like buying thai silk so didn't even venture into any of the shops. There are many places in Chiang Mai calling out thai silk galore so yes, it is cheap and in abundance!

The girls are enjoying the tuk-tuk ride here. They love the wind in their faces. Even Ali enjoyed it and he started pointing out to tuk-tuks every time we saw one pass by. The city is more or less built around this old fort and part of the building can still be seen along the big drain/stream/river. Not sure what this water feature is which runs through the city but they have done it up very nicely by putting fountains along it and doing up the landscape. Very creative!

This is the night market which is open only at night (DUH!) It is the usual fare of shops which is Thailand is famous for. Stalls and stalls line both sides of the road and you find all kinds of shops selling silver, thai silk, cotton blouses, fake watches and bags. Tiffany & Co designed jewellery, and a whole load of other stuff. Some parts of the market is nice cause they have done up complexes ala Central Market so the shops look a bit more organised. They also have a stage near the food court area where cultural dances are organised. This picture below is part of the cultural dance but it isn't very clear I'm afraid.

Had to take this picture. It is a tractor where they have built a lorry out out of it!

We left Chiang Mai on Dec 23 to go up to Pai, pronounced "Bye". It is like Cameron Highlands and about a two-hour drive up the hill. As you can see packing all our stuff into the Disco is quite a feat!