We arrived at the Chiang Mai Plaza a little too early for check in (8.00am) so we dropped our bags and headed out down to Chang Klan road (around the corner from the Plaza) to get breakfast and a Nancy Chandler map. The breakfast was forgettable and the map took three visits to different places before we got a copy. By this time it was back to the Plaza to check in. We had two Deluxe interconnecting rooms as we were travelling with our teenage children. Rooms were big and roomy. We took a couple of hours to rest and familarise ourselves with Nancy鈥檚 map and then we were off. We took this map with us everywhere and used it as our constant source of reference.
We had a couple of priorities we wanted to do within the first one or two days, so we went in search of Sopa Tailor (who I had read about previously) and had Scott measured up for a suit. We wanted to allow enough time for fittings and alternations without being rushed for time. We got a red truck to drop us as the Tha Phae gate and we then took a leisurely walk back to the intersection of Wichayanon Road and the Thapae Road intersection and there was her shop. Black cashmere suit was 3500bht and a the shirt was 800bht. I also had her copy a linen suit that I took with me and she made 2 pairs of pants (1,200bht each) and the jacket (1,000bht) made out of very good quality linen. The measuring and choice of fabric was done and we were to call back in a couple of days. We then caught a red truck to the Arcade bus station and booked 4 tickets for Thursday on the 8.00am VIP bus to Chiang Rai.
By this stage we were all a little weary as we鈥檇 been up since 4.00am so decided it was back to the hotel for dinner and early bed.
Day 2. The next morning Tony was picked up by the Fortune Dental clinic. We had corresponded with them via emal for a couple of weeks prior to our holiday as Tony had broken half his back molar off two weeks earlier and a trip to the dentist in Aus confirmed a crown was needed. Tony needed 3 visits in all for the crown to be made and fitted and the price was a third of the cost he would have paid here at home and about 13,500bht. Meanwhile, while he was at the dentist Bonnie and I headed for Airport Plaza so we could get new glasses. We took our OPSM prescriptions with us, so it was just a matter of choosing new frames and getting them to make up the scripts. We ended up at Toyoko Optics and the glasses were each around 3,200bht including the frames. They were ready in 2 hours and we are very happy with them. We hired a guide from the large pool of 鈥榩rivate鈥?taxis at the hotel for a negotiated price of 800bht and headed off for half a day to visit the temples and factory outlet shops. Much has been written on TA about these and I certainly couldn鈥檛 add anything new to the experiences of others. We got home in time for a quick freshen up and then off to the Night bazarr. This is just around the corner from the CM Plaza so it was great to be in walking distance and most nights we found ourselves there, sometimes we ate in the prescinct and other nights we would walk there after coming back to the hotel after dinner elsewhere. We found it big and interesting and lots of fun bartering and each night we would discover a different part we didn鈥檛 see the night before.
Day 3. Wednesday it was up early for Tony and the kids as they were being picked up from the hotel at 5.45am to do the Flight of the Gibbon. This was an incredible experience, flying though the jungle tops on a series of wires, pulleys and platforms and they had an amazing time. Meanwhile, my start was a little more leisurely 鈥?I had booked to do an all day Thai cooking class with Chiang Mai thai cooking school. They picked me up from the hotel and with the rest of the cooking group for that day, took us to the markets where we all had a shopping list of the food requirements to buy for the day. We were then shuttled back to Sompon and Elizabeth%26#39;s home (which is just outside Chiang Mai in a peaceful and beautiful setting) where all the ingredients were measured, diced, sliced, and cooked under instruction. This was a thoroughly enjoyable day and I would definitely recommend it 鈥?glad I didn鈥檛 have breakfast and definitely didn鈥檛 want tea.!
Day 4. The following day we were up early again, to get the bus to Chiang Rai. This is a 3 hour trip and very comfortable in large reclining roomy seats. We were met at Chiang Rai by our guide Jermsak who I had previously read about here on TA. Everything everyone has said about him is true, and we couldn鈥檛 speak highly enough of him. He was a delight,his english is impeccable and he was always thinking of our needs 鈥?he provided us though the day with cold bottled water and fresh wipes from the esky in his car. Firstly he took us to the White Temple. This is the most amazing place we have ever seen. It is all white and the cement render and the exterior is embedded with millions of tiny mosiac mirrors, it鈥檚 absolutely blinding. Thailand is filled with many temples, but this one is unlike anything in the country and must be seen to be believed 鈥?it is an incredible place and well worth the visit to Chiang Rai alone. We continued our day with Jermsak where our next stop was a jungle village of the Lahu tribe, about an hour out of Burma. As he is known to the village he was able to take us on a walking tour of the village, dodging pigs and chooks, before we sat down to lunch, a feast cooked especially for us by the tribal women. This was perhaps the freshest, most flavoursome meal we had during the whole time we were away. We walked off our lunch and found a beautiful waterfall along the way. Back to the car, and we were off to the Ruammit (Karen) village to ride the elephants. This was a 1 hour ride through the village and ended up with us on the elephants as they walked towards their home through the Me Kok river 鈥?a memorable experience. After this, we took a long tail boat ride for an hour as we watched the sunset over the Me Kok river and thought about our day so far. We were met at the other end by our trusty guide Jermsak and off we went to check into our hotel 鈥?The Laluna, and a quick freshen up before our last destination for the day. When considering and planning our trip to Chiang Rai, one of the things we wanted to do was to visit an orphanage and Jermsak was able to organise this. A married couple, who are friends of his, have taken in 15 children who have either been abandoned, or parents have died. They have no financial help or government sponsorship. Prior to our visit we purchased soap, toothbrushes, shampoo, hairbrushes and general basic necessities. We also got two bags of big plastic balls (which the kids went totally nuts over) as well as rice, noodles and tinned fish and were very greatful to Jermsak for helping with these purchases as our language skills are very limited. This visit was the single most rewarding and emotional experience of our holiday. Without a doubt. The big event of the night were the ball games we taught the kids and we happily spent a couple of hours here, just having fun! 鈥?we were all were very moved by the experience, and will never forget the impact we had on each others lives for just a short time. When everyone asks us what was the hightlight of our trip 鈥?this was it!
Next morning it was back to the bus station and back to Chiang Mai. We had morning tea while waiting for the bus at a bakery across the road from the bus station. This little bakery is a fabulous find 鈥?they have great coffee, good food, western toilets (yea!) and internet for 30bht per hour.
Day 5. The boys went to a Muay Thai boxing match and the girls visited the Saturday markets 鈥?a refreshing change to the Night Bazaar markets. These are held in Wua Lai road and a foot massage is definitely needed to be able to go the distance of these marathon markets, which we got for 60bt. There are a number of silversmiths at these markets selling their wares that aren鈥檛 at the other markets and some of their work is really beautiful and a bargain to buy.
Day 6. After a well deserved sleep in we had a late breakfast did some domestics and dropped the laundry off across the road 鈥?40bht per kilo and ready for pick up the next day. Later in the day we got a red truck to the Tiger Kingdom. Bonnie and I wanted to get up close and personal with the baby tigers and Scott and Tony went in with the bigger cats. This was an opportunity to spend time with the tigers in their play area without being separated by cages 鈥?we got some great photos and it was a worthwhile experience. We later went to the Sunday walking markets in Ratchadamnoen Road which we found similar to the Saturday markets.
Day 7. Tony and Bonnie were picked up from our hotel by the people from the Travel Hub to begin their two day trek. Bonnie says this was the hardest thing she has ever done in her life, but definitely the best and she鈥檇 do it again tomorrow! They trekked through the jungle, spent the night in a hill tribe village and went elephant riding and white water rafting the next day as they journeyed back to CM. There were only 12 in their group and they both enjoyed getting to know other travellers. While they were away for the two days, Scott and I enjoyed exploring on our own back in Chiang Mai. Scott who is training for his black belt in karate here at home, booked a training session with a Muay Thai trainer which he found incredibly intense.!
We ate a various places during our holiday and sometimes at the markets where it was great to sample freshly cooked and interesting food. Of all the places we went to eat the highlight was probably the Riverside restaurant just over the Nawarat Bridge and 50bt in a tuk tuk. This place will be remembered for the food, the vibe and the two guitarists who play most nights 鈥?the acoustic guitar is amazing.
Joan%26rsquo;s Chiang Mai/Rai JBRHi Joan,
Thanks for taking the time to write your trip report, enjoyed the read.
We too ate at The Riverside and enjoyed it.
Airport Plaza also picked up some bargains including $17 handbags for my wife and daughters.
Did you get out to The Ban Tawai Carving and Handicraft Village in Hang Dong?
It looks like you enjoyed your trip.
We hope to go to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle next trip.
Cheers,
Stewie.
Joan%26rsquo;s Chiang Mai/Rai JBRThanks so much for this wonderful trip report.
I felt like I was there.
So glad you had such a great time.
Isn%26#39;t the White Temple amazing! We were just in awe - and I agree, it%26#39;s worth the trip to Chiang Rai to experience it.
It sounds like you time with Jermsak was the highlight - he is a special person - far more than a tour guide.
Caroline.
Hi Stewie,
You%26#39;re a legend in our house !
Yours was the first trip report we all read, way back when, and I even printed it out and took it with us for reference while we were there. unfortunately, as we had teenagers in tow, we didn%26#39;t get to any handicraft villages etc.
Joan
Glad you enjoyed yourselves.
It is a differant world in Chiang Mai.
Only 2 weeks to go and i will be back there.
Ed
Joan:
Thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful trip report. I felt like I was right back in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai when I read your report. Your report made me want to return soon!
I am so glad that you enjoyed your day with Jermsak and at the orphanage. The orphanage was one of our highlights of the trip also. I echo Caroline%26#39;s comment that Jermsak is so much more than a guide. You really gain a friend and an experience of a lifetime with him.
Your trip sounds fabulous. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Broder
';picked up from our hotel by the people from the Travel Hub';
planning to book a 5-days%26#39; tour with them from here in europe.
which experiences did you have with them?
The Travel Hub - Licensed and bonded with The Tourism Authority of Thailand
TAT License 21-0334
The Travel Hub @ Studio99 Apartment
Thapae Rd Soi 3
Changklan
Chiang Mai 50100
Tel/Fax: 053 206960
Mob: 0894354172
thanks for comments,
regards
wolfgang
Hi Joan ..t\Thanks for the great JBR..Would you or Scott remember the name and/or location of the Muay thai facility scott trained in?..I will be in Chiang mai for songkran and would love to train as well..Thankyou
Hi Wolf.
The experience we had with the Travel Hub was a two day trek in the beautiful area South East of Chiang Mai, trekking through Shan, Hmong and Karen hill tribe villages. Overnight was spent at a Karen hill tribe village, a communal dinner was cooked and one of the guys from the village played guitar (very well) for everyone to have a sing along round the fire - everyone was tired but it was a great way to finish the night. The next day involved Elephant riding, bamboo rafting and a stop off at a waterfall which was beautiful but also very welcomed by all on the trek as a rest stop. If the weather was warmer, a swim here would have been fabulous. This was an excellent group trek of 12 people and was organised very professionally by the people at travel hub. We organised everything online with them before we got to Chiang Mai - they answered all our questions and we could%26#39;t have been happier with them. The guides are all locals from Chiang Mai so know the area very well.
Hi Limited Edition.
I will dig out my Nancy Chandler map so I can tell you the location of the gym. Scott and Tony went there one night to watch a fight and Scott went back the following day and booked a two hour session with a trainer. As I mentioned in my report he is very fit and training for his black belt in karate but this in no way prepared him for the work out he got with the trainer! The next day the only time he didn%26#39;t feel pain was in the cold pool at our hotel!
Are you training in mual thai, karate or something like that yourself?
Hi Joan,I have actually been learning thai boxing on and off for the few years here in Melbourne and at the moment I am studying krav maga.I had the opportunity to have a few brief Thai sessions in Samui and I can totally relate to how your hubby feels.The humidity and intensity can be overwhelming.Can you recall where you picked up your nancy chandler map from?They sound very useful.
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