Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Honeymoon trip - Chiangdao

The next morning, we got up early getting ready to go to Chiang dao. We took a local bus about 1 hour and a half to get there for 40 baht each. It was raining all the way from Chiangmai to Chiangdao and still raining when we got to our resort. We didn't do anything in that afternoon because of the rain but we did enjoy relaxing at the resort -- Malee's nature lovers bungalows


The resort area

It was about 4 pm when the rain seemed to stop. We decided to go exploring the nearest cave temple.


Not only us going to the temple that day


The way to the cave


Our destination! Up there! Keep walking!


We saw it on the half way pit stop.


Finally...we made it to the top!


The Buddha statue inside the pagoda

We were lucky that it was no rain when we went up there. The view up there was stunning, breathe taking view but hey! I'd love to breath more as the air was so clear unlike Bangkok's!!! It was worth taking long and deep breathe there.... Ahhhhh.....


The beautiful sky on the way back to our resort

510 steps... that's good enough for the evening work out! Then we went back to sleep..........zzzzzzzz

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Honeymoon trip - Part II

After visiting the famous and 'must see' temple, we went back to our hotel and waited for my friend (my ex-roommate from the university), Money, to join us.

But after waiting for awhile, she hadn't shown up yet and we were hungry (again). We asked the hotel staff where to get cheap, local food nearby. He said the walkable area where we can find restaurants is on Nimmarnhemin road, so we headed there.

We tried to look for recommended restaurants in our guidebook but we couldn't find any, so we decided to walk into a restaurant where I saw many Thai folks hanging out there. (That should be a good sign, right?)

Here are our first dinner in Chiang mai:


The famous Northern style curry noodle called "Khao soi"


The Northern style sausages called "Sai ua"


Lemon grass spicy salad with shrimps (Not the Northern style)


Deep-fried soft shell crab with garlic and pepper (Not Northern but I liked to have it!)

Money arrived when we were having dinner, so she joined us and she was so kind to treat us that meal. Thank you Money! Kiss kiss!


Jane and Money

We were lucky to arrive there on Sunday as in Chiang mai, there is a special Sunday night market on the historical street. After dinner, Money was our guide to show us around the market.




It's great for shopping and sight seeing at the same time!

As Money had to drive about 1 hour back to her home in Lampun, so we had to split early that night. Jeremy and I had to get ready for tomorrow trip to Chiang dao too, so we went to bed early. The first day on our honeymoon was great!!! Good way to start!

Monday, February 04, 2008

Honeymoon trip - Day #1

Ahhh... Finally I have time to sit down and get all the photos out of the camera. Now it's time to talk about this honeymoon trip.

Jeremy and I decided to go to Chiang mai as Jeremy never been to the north before. We went there by sleeping train (because it's cheaper and we can sleep too!)


Jeremy on the train


Jane on iPod listening "On the train" playlist

We arrived Chiang mai at 7.30AM (On time!!!! My friend who lives in the north now said she never never experienced on time train!), we took a red mini truck to our hotel "Suan doi house"


The garden view from our front balcony

We thought we could sleep on the train but the train was too bumpy and too cold, so we didn't sleep well. The hotel allowed us to check-in early, and we crashed when we reached the bed.

Waking up from the nap, feeling hungry! Lonely Planet guidebook said the hotel we stay has a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant "Le Gong kum", we decided to try! And they're right!!! The food there was so good.... mmmm.... yummy!


Our starter... Vietnamese style Calamari


Nam neung... It's so goooood!


Vietnamese fresh spring rolls

After our first wonderful meal in Chiang mai, we headed to the famous temple on Doi Suthep. This temple is the 'must see' temple in Chiang mai, they believe that if you come to Chiang mai but didn't come to this temple, it's like you haven't come to Chiang mai yet!!!

So.... we did visit Chiang mai finally!


The most popular shot at the most famous temple

What we learned today on the first day in Chiang mai is taxi drivers in Chiang mai are cheaters! I didn't say all of them are but when they have chance to rip tourists off, they do! I was really disappointed even I've got the warning from my friend earlier but still... I expected that Northern people or Chiang mai people will be friendly and kind but the people I met on the first day are not. They cheated on the Thai people, so FOREIGNERS! BE CAREFUL EVEN MORE!!!