It's my first time to visit Chiangmai, after 14 years living in Thailand, ha! After 2 kids, finally I was able to visit the famous province.
My impression? Not so impressive, well, in fairness I am a beach person...I prefer the salty waters than mountain, so I was not rushing to get there.
However, what impress me most are the fruits, cheap fruits can be found everywhere and they have avocados other fruits that are rarely seen in Bangkok. Also, the garden and landscapes are just as awesome.
So it wasn't bad at all, since it's a break from my city life.
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| Off to Chiangmai with the family. At Don Muang airport after passing the baggage scanner. |
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| Selfie with my son while riding the Air Asia bus going to the plane |
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Hello Chiangmai! Landed at Chiangmai airport
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While waiting for check in at Holiday Inn Chiangmai
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They allowed us to use the gym and swimming pool while waiting for the room to be cleaned.
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Day 1, we went to Doi Suthep temple to trek the steps and be able to reach the famous temple.
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| Steps going to Doi Suthep temple |
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| Marching on even with weak knees. lol! |
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| Reached the top and now exhausted. By the way, look at the jackfruit tree, so many fruits! |
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| Doi Suthep temple (30 Baht entrance fee for foreigners) |
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| Ah, the famous Chedi, with the little monkeys |
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| Look at the Hmong lady with the baby at the back. A working mom with babywearing skills. |
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| And the baby is all covered up, ready to take the trail home |
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| Little Hmong girl, waiting for foreigners who will have a picture with her for a fee |
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People are climbing on foot going to the temples in celebration of Visakabucha day (a Buddhist holiday)
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Before we went back to Holiday Inn for the day, we found a fruit market, and the prices are cheaper than Bangkok prices.
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| Avocado at 60 baht a kilo |
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| Mangoes, anyone? |
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| Oh, minions might have had a feast with all these bananas! |
Day 2. We had a feast with the variety of food served in the hotel buffet breakfast.
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| Sean enjoying his fruit loops cereals |
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| Ah, we love it here! |
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| Even baby Stephen loves his little playground while mom and dad are having breakfast |
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A dip in the pool after breakfast
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After an hour, we drove to Royal Flora Rajapruek, somewhere in Hangdong district.
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| At the entrance of Royal Flora |
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| Beautiful tree |
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| Houses and landscapes of other countries |
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| Time for a family picture |
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| Japanese style home/landscape |
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| Taking a rest under the bamboo trees |
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Beautiful mom
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Royal Flora is very close to Chiangmai Night Safari and we booked ticket entrance for that tour as well but we had to wait for the time as our entrance is at 6:30 pm.
After going out from Royal Flora, we had a hearty lunch in a shed. We ate somtam and other Thai food.
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| Cool eh? |
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| Menu is not too expensive |
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Thai food at its best
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Luckily, my cousin lives nearby, so we stayed at her apartment while waiting for the time to get into the Night Safari.
At 5:30, we went to Chiangmai Night Safari...
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| To feed the animals, you have to buy food at 30 Baht a basket. |
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| Taking photos with the parrot |
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| At Chiangmai Night Safari |
I was not able to take a lot of photos as most are shows, I took videos in our HD camera instead.
Day 3. We stayed in the hotel until our time for check out then proceeded to Chiangmai Central Festival before we went to the airport bound for Bangkok at 7:30 pm.
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| At Waroros market, where souvenirs can be bought |
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| At Central Festival Chiangmai |
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| Wearing his dad's new Oakley shades |
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| I'm a mountain pirate. lol! |
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| With mama la at the mall |
We had a grand time at Chiangmai, especially in Holiday Inn. I recommend it for the price and the service.
