Chiang Mai, Thailand

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai, we were treated with a wide varieties buffet lunch in Park Hotel. I like the spicy pamelo shown below.

Wat Phratat Doi Suthep was built 3,520 feet above sea level in year 1383 . This mountain top temple has a chedi (pagoda) that houses holy Buddha relics. The gold-plated chedi lies in the middle of a square marble-tiled courtyard. The four corners of the chedi are adorned with parasols which represent royal regalia. The temples courtyard is lined by a cloister, which contains images and murals depicting Buddhas life.

Thais believe that dreams will come true when they walk round the chedi 3 times while making wishes sincerely. Erm...doesn't seem so true!!

It is the perfect place to get a birds eye view of the city. The temple can be reached via a steep Naga staircase comprised of 290 steps or cable. For us, we choose to go up by the cable car and walk down from the Naga staircase. As normal, there are some local fruit and souvenir stalls along the street.

We have our dinner at Gia Tong Heng Restaurant. They actually served TeoChew cuisine. The dinner is really delicious, especially the suckling pig.

We stayed in Central Duangtawan Hotel which is stractegically located in the shopping district. I can find all kind of stalls nearby, as well as Thai massage centers.

After check-in to the hotel, we spent our leisure time at the night bazaar nearyby. For me, i don't really crazy about shopping when i travel. Perhaps i like to discover something fresh and new to me i.e. unique local food. See what i got !!...

Stallholders line both sides of the street and prices are really competitive.

After tired of walking, i enjoyed my massage. The massage is so relaxing and the price is cheap! Well, since the night is still young, the members suggested to patron one of the pubs for drinks. After unwind ourself in the pubs, we went for supper. We ordered some fresh oysters. I like it very much! The weather in Chiangmai is cooling at about 18c. After breakfast, tour proceeds to visit Maesa Elephant Champ. The elephants are trained to demonstrate their skills to tourists in the form of a show ie. football game and drawing.

One of the most delightful experiences for most tourists to Thailand is their experience riding in a safe howdah on the back of an elephant. For me, this is not the first time, yet i felt excited to walk through the jungle with the elephant.

After the show, we embarked to Orchid and Butterfly Farm.

At night, we have our dinner at Khantoke Restaurant. This is the place that i would like to highlight. Khantoke-style dinners is a Lanna Thai tradition and it became a social gathering in 1953. The wonderful of the Khantoke dinner is the combination of the classical Thai dance and food with excellent music.

Fried banana served before meal as appetizer. Food served as the fixed set with free refill. There are a few different dishes are served along with a basket which include Thai soup, Pork curry Northern style, sticky/boiled rice, fresh vegetables, crispy fried pork skin, fried chicken, spicy chilli sauce northern sytle and fresh fruits. After that, sweet crispy rice and tea or coffee is served after meal.

In Chiang Mai, the Sky Lanterns are known as "Khoom Loy". Traditional Northern Thai (Lanna) people use Sky Lanterns for Spiritual celebrations and other special occasions, one particular festival, the Loi Kratong festival or Yipeng Lantern festival in which; couples and loved ones gather on the riverbanks to float handmade flower arrangements (Kratong), and release 'Khom Loy' together.

It is considered good luck to release a 'Kratong' and 'Khom Loy', as many Thai people, especially Buddhists, believe they are symbolic of your problems and worries floating away. When a Sky Lantern is lit, the heat generated from the fuel cell creates lift (like a hot air balloon), and causes the lantern to rise into the sky.

On the way to Chiang Rai, the coach stopped at the famous Hot Spring. The water comes from a deep source and is 100 degrees at the surface. You can even boil an egg in the water within 3 minutes.

From my research, i understand that the hot air balloon is available in Chiang Mai. Unfortunately, i can't experience it due to the fixed tour schedule. I strongly hope one day i can experience the sensation of flying over trees, lakes and streams, spotting wildlife and enjoy the paranomic view before and after sunrise. Let the winds embrace me... soft and tender!

For me, I think, a marry proposal in the hot air balloon will be unforgetable!

Chiang Rai, Thailand

We took 3hrs coach ride from Chiangmai to Chiangrai.

First stop, we arrived at Golden Triangle. This zone was also once world-famous for its notorious drug trafficking, as there used to be many opium fields around here. However, the local people now sell mostly souvenirs and handicrafts displayed in small shops lined along the main road. We saw the point where the three countries of Burma, Laos and Thailand meet and the ancient temples of Chiang Saen.

We have 2 hrs free time at Mae Sai, the northern point of Thailand on the Thai-Burmese border. The gate behind is the border to Myanmar. There are a lot of stalls along the street selling jade and gold accessories and local souvenirs.

The views across the river to Laos and Burma are breath taking and there are several pleasant open-air restaurants which afford panoramic views.

Next morning, we went the Karen Long Neck (Padang) to learn about the fascinating culture of this group in northern Thailand. The Padaung are a sub-group of Karen (Bwe Group) living in Kayah state of eastern Burma on the Thailand border. The Padaung women famously wear brass rings around their necks when the girls are 5 or 6 years old.

This row of brass rings (at least 4-5kgs) do not actually stretch their necks but in fact squash the vertebrae and collar bones.

Lahu Shi Balah or Yellow Lahu, smallest group of Lahu found in Chiang Mai and Thailand. Women of the tribe has large earloops. They originated in Tibet and Chiang.

The White Temple looks like a fairy land in snow white color and sparkling jewels from far. The entire building is white and adorned with highly detailed carvings and sculptures. It's designed to be viewed in moonlight especially during full moon.
To enter the temple, we must cross a bridge, beneath which are statues of people apparently trying to escape from hell.
The White Temple was designed and built by one of the county's most well known artists, Chaloemchai Khositphiphat. There is also a small gallery on the same grounds where some of the artist's work is displayed and for sale.

The building is simply amazing!

Phuket, Thailand

Last year, my sister and i spent our Lunar New Year in Phuket. I arrived earlier in Phuket by Air Asia, where else my sister arrived 2 hrs later by Tiger airway from Singapore. After that, we proceed to the hotel as we planned.

At at the Check-in counter, the Receptionist apologized coz the hotel is over booked and they have no room for us. I shown my unfriendly tone to her. Sorry for the misbehalf! but in fact i was so tire and hungry after long hours spent in the air port waiting for my sister and taxi to the town. No choice! They arranged us to another hotel nearby. We accepted it. However, the hotel front office supervisor promised to transfer us back to the hotel at the second night.

After checked-in, we went for our dinner at Patong. Oh ya! that night was the New Year Eve 2007, so we pampered ourself with a sumptuous seafood dinner. Let's see what i had choosen- lobster (90bht) and big prawns.

We took a full day tour to Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island. This famous landmark, called Koh Ping-gan, first found its way onto the international map through its starring role in the James Bond movie "The Man With the Golden Gun". The entire area surrounding this island with its signature rocky pinnacle is indeed spectacular.

In the afternoon, we enjoyed our lunch at Koh Ponnyi, a small fishing village.

As the hotel officer promised, she arranged us back to the original hotel and upgraded a suite room for us. Without us saying a word, the Receptionist handed over the room key to us and attached with a free dinner voucher. They apologized and compensated us with a dinner in a fine dining Thai restaurant.

Well, we were happy about the arrangement. Why? look at the delicious food photos below. The waitress told us that we are free to order anything we like - free flow of drinks and unlimited meals. End up, both of us ordered a lot of food .i.e. lobster, steamed fish, tom yam, grilled prawn in tamarind source etc. This dinner cost at least 3000 bht, for 2 persons, isn't it too luxury?

Thanks for the free dinner! we ate till our stomach surrendered! We had to do some light exercises to digest the food. Therefore, we strolled at the night market along the patong street before we went for Thai Massage..so nice!

We walked around in the hotel premises and took a lot of photos in the morning.

In the evening, I enjoyed my swim in the big swimming pool and jaguzzi. My sister can't swim. She is lucky, coz i gave her free basic lesson. But obviously, she is not a good student, as she always think she can't!

Pic below: make fun with the stone statue outside one of the local restaurant. He is cute!

This is Patong beach. Seeing some topless foreign tourists is normal. It doesn't seem like Phuket was attacked badly by tsunami one year ago.

Last activity we had in Phuket was Spa and Massage. We spent 3hrs in the center. Erm..frankly speaking, i don't like the service there.

Air Asia flies from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur daily. But, I have to fly to Singapore with my sister instead of direct to KL. The reason is because she scares of going back alone by night flight. At the end, I flu to Singapore with her, and took a 5hrs bus journey from JB to KL. No next time please!

Phuket, i will come back again very soon! Phi Phi Island is my next destination.