As usual, we took the Sky Bus, and it is the cheapest way to LCCT. We departed from KL at 9a.m in the morning and arrived at Chiang Mai International airport at around 11a.m. There is one hour time difference between Kuala Lumpur and Chiang Mai. Rilek (a.k.a Lek or Lek-the-candle) is Chloe’s Thai friend where they were met in Australia past few years. He is such a kind and friendly guy to be our “Limo driver” and tours us around the Chiang Mai city.To avoid too much disturbance from Lek, we hired a driver to fetch us after Lek dropped us at Hostel (Elegant Lanna Guest House - www.elegantlanna.com). Based on our itinerary in day one, we did a half day tour at Wat Prathat Doi Suithep and Chiang Mai old town city. Due to the time constraint, we just went for 2 temples which was Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang. For me, it is good to enough since temples are not the main attraction in Chiang Mai. To complete our trip with the most famous fine dinner in Northern Thai, Lek brought us to Khum Khantoke (cost 350 baht per head). It is a northern cuisine enhanced with cultural show. According to Lek, it is a “must” food for those pioneer visitors.
Day 2 is a full day tour to the most North district of Thailand which is Chiang Rai, Chiang Sean and Mao Sai. It took us 3 hours to destination. In the middle of the way, we had made 2 stops at Mae Kajan Hot Spring and Wat Rongkhun, the White Temple. We were lacked of time to linger around in these two places and just spent an hour to take some photos, then hurried to the next attraction at Golden Triangle (border between Thailand, Burma and Loas). From the jetty, we can ride across the river by long tail boat from Thailand to Laos. It only charges 300 baht for the boat service and another 20 baht for the entrance visa to access a market at Laos (famous whisky with creature). However, we didn’t across the river and detour to the nearest market next to Golden Triangle’s temple. The next stop was Mae Sai Market, where it is the border between Thailand and Burma. We spent less than an hour to stroll around and had our lunch with buffet within the same district. Then, we took another one and half to Karen and Mao Village. It is a living place where the Karen Tribe (long neck lady) is stayed. We met another 2 tribes called Arca(black teeth) and Mao (big ear tribe) as well. Based of the information of Lek, this is not the actual living place of them, but built by government as a tourism area, to help them to survive by selling some handcraft and local made products, as well as preserving the origins of the culture. It took another 3 hours to go back to Chiang Rai town. It was an inflexible, stretched and tired trip to me. Yet, we still continue to walk at the Night Baazar near our hostel until 11pm.
Day 3 is stated on Sunday. Lek sacrificed his rest time by touring us to Doi Inthanon National Park, where it is the highest mountain located in Thailand. It is also known as the roof of Thailand. The journey took us around 2 hours from Chiang Mai city. The first spot we were reached is Doi Inthanon. It was a sunny day, but cold and windy when we arrived. The main attraction of this place is colorful flowers and modern temples. The flowers were blooming along the main road until the hill of temples. The excellent weather made us continuously snapping the pictures. The next spot was the Peak point of the mountain. It is not hard to reach to the highest point of the mountain, but 5 minutes walking step only. The peak point stands opposite from the military centre, and you will see some radar established end of the road. After the photo session the peak point, we drove the car down to the national bird park for bird watching. It took us less than an hour to complete the circle. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any bird neither sound (LOL). However, It was a relax's stroll, and we did to discover nature with a leisurely pace. We spent our lunch on top of mountain and went back to Chiang Mai City at around 2pm. I feel regrettable to miss some other attraction areas, especially Wachiratharn Waterfall due of the time constraint. We walked around at The Airport Centre (Shopping Mall) after Lek had left us. Then, we went to the walking street at 5pm (the market’s stall is opened at 5pm). It is an amazing night market I have never seen. It is huge, crowded and assorted. Unbelievable, we spent 5 hours just walk around stall by stall. Surely, I wouldn’t miss to buy some gifts and taste their local foods. We went back to hostel at 10p.m, something crazy happened after showered, we decided to go back to walking street again and stayed there untill mid night. God! We love that place and we were unable to visit every stall (we spent total of 6-7 hours just a night market!). Ended up, I was over tired and nap while doing foot massage.
Day 4, after had the breakfast, we carried on our time to Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden. There are 4 main trails inside the park. However, we didn’t go to visit every trail. Eventually, we just focused to 3 main attractions which are a glass house, Australia Garden and White Flower Garden. We spent 3 hours to stroll around the park before next location, Chiang Mai Zoo. This Zoo is as ordinary as other zoos that I had visited before. The special of this zoo is consisted of Panda (extra 300 baht for entrance fee) and Koala. Besides, the land size of the zoo is even bigger than other zoo. Initially, we planned to visit by our foot. After certain miles, we found it is impossible without taking the bus from one to another station (2km-3km). The bus fee is charged 20 baht only. After an exhausted sunny walk, we move ourselves to another attraction in Chaing Mai called Royal Flora Ratchaphruek. SHIT! I didn’t prepare my homework well. It is closed on every Monday. With no choice, we requested the guide to allow us to take some photos in the front gate. We go back disappointed but still enjoyed the moment of photo shooting. It was the last night for us. Lek, our great friend cum part time tour guide, brought us to a special place for dinner. He brought his pretty wife along (he told us he has married a fat wife, but he lied on us), and we bought them the dinner as farewell event. This is a remarkable restaurant near the side of the river called Riverside (http://www.theriversidechiangmai.com/). The food was so great with the reasonable bill (795 baht for five persons). After the dinner, Lek brought us to another famous dessert shop called MONT. I have ordered a glass of Pink Milk which is the significance drink here. Well, it was the last day in Chiang Mai. Definitely, we wouldn’t missed out relax activity with massage. We did an aromatic body oil massage (300 baht). It was so great and my muscle was totally released after a proper kneaded.
Last day, we walked around at the market with a delicious breakfast. After that, we started to pack up our luggage. It was a time to say bye-bye.
About this trip, it was a trip consists of 2 girls and a guy. I always afraid emotional issues happened on girl while traveling. However, they didn’t make any trouble and contributed lots of fun along the journey. Perhaps, it is a pleased to my next trip’s partner. Secondly, I wish to "THANKS*100" to Lek, our beautiful Lily Candle, willing to spend his valuable time with us, fetched us and treated us as well. It was my first time to meet him. But, he is so passion, initiative and friendly to be our friend. I don't know how to compensate you unless you come to visit Malaysia next time. Please do it, okay!
This picture was snapped after few minutes from mother's belly. His name is called Dylan.