Vacation in Chiang Mai

28 - 30 March 2009 :: Vacation in Chiang Mai

On the first day, March 28, 2009, My family and I went to Don Muang Airport to use Nok Air service flied to Chiang Mai International Airport. Last time I visited Chiang Mai is when I was in the BOT-TOP Training Program in 2007. Nowaday, there are only Thai Airways, Nok Air, and Thai Air Asia serve at Don Muang Airport, the others are at Suvarnabhumi Airport. However, that day was the last day of Thai Airways at Don Muang.

We had Congees at the airport as our breakfast. The set contained Congee, 2 Pa Tong Go, and chrysanthemum juice at the price of 155 Bath. On the plane, Nok Crew served Ante Ann’s Mini Pretzel ^_^. The plane landed to the airport. Nok Crew said that we arrived Chiang Mai before time for 10 minutes..Nice.

When we reached the airport, we walked around the airport and had lunch at Krua Karn Bin Thai (Thai Airways’ restaurant). My dish was Kao Soi, the traditional Northern Noodle.

We already reserved a rental car with Budget company, a partner of Thai Airways. It was Honda New City with GPS.

We drove it to Chiang Mai Zoo. The famous animal there is Giant Panda calles Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, the two pandas in Thailand. They are like the relationship of Thailand and China’s symbol. There were other animals also such as Penguin, Asia Elephant, Zebra, and more.

In the evening, we went to BOT North Office’s employee residence. I reserved it for 3 days 2 nights. It’s still beautiful as same as I went there last 2 years.

We stayed there for a while then, we moved to Kwang Jao Noodle restaurant. It’s a noodle restaurant near the BOT. We had Noodle with Won Ton, Stewed Pork with rice, and Homemade Ka Nom Jeeb.

During the night, my dad and I went to Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. We parked the car at Anusarn Market. It’s very nice market the products sold there were not expensive. I bought a T-shirt of Lanna Alphabets.
When we reached the house, I turned on TV, I found P’Pai, my friend at BOT, spoke LIVE to cheer up N’Grand, one of The Star 5 candidate. ^_^

On the second day, since I got up late, we had to change the plan. We had breakfast at Boat restaurant. I had Egg-Bacon-Cheese Burger, Corn Soup, and BOAT fried chicken…FULLLL.

Then, we drove up to Doi Suthep Mountain. We stopped at the temple to pay respect the Bhuddhas. And we continued up there, we parked the car, and walked around Doi. My dad and I walked to watch the view of Pa Dam and played Nha Mai (Crossbow). The fee was 10 Bath per 3 arrows. My mom went to shopping there. I got an elephant shirt.

Next, we rented a Song-Taw car to go up to Doi Pui. It’s a place where Mong community lives. It was at noon, so we had lunch there. My lunch was Kao Soi again. It’s delicious.

We had a little Mong girl as our guide. She guided us to walk up to Doi Pui. During the way there were many shops sell the traditional Mong product such hats, caps, shirts, photos, bags, etc.

When we reached Doi Pui, we paid for a rental Mong costumes and took photos. The price of rental custumes was 30 Bath/person and photo was 60 Bath. Then, the driver took us back to the car park.

We bought tickets to visit Bhubing Palace http://www.bhubingpalace.org/ and we also bought a ticket for a electric can with a guide to take us to all public places inside the palace. I saw First Prize and Katreeya, the famous beautiful roses. I think it’s very nice and beautiful place that Thai people should visit. We drove down the hill.

We decided to drove around Chiang Mai University campus before going to the next target.

Then, we moved to Royal Flora Ratchaphruck. It’s very famous flora place in the name of “Ratchaphruck (Royal Flora) 2006”. There are many zones both Thai and international.

The highlight is the Royal Pavillion

After that, we were finding Bua Hima (Yacon or Polymnia sonchfolia), a fruit from China, at the market.

In the night, we went to Tha Non Kon Dern (Chiang Mai Walking Street) http://www.chiangmaiwalkingstreet.com/ it’s like an Idea products. I really like it. I got many things there. Before going back, we had dinner at Black Canyon on Tha Non Kon Dern.

On the third day, since it was weekday, there were people came there to work. Our plan today was hot spring.. Woww. We first drove to San Kampang Natural Hot Spring. We stopped on the way at Chiang Mai Café dot Com to have breakfast. It’s modern style look like internet café. My set was European Breakfast set which consists of Omelets, Bacon, Croissant, Cappuccino, Orange Juice and fruits.

After a long long way, we reached San Kam Phaeng Natural Hot Spring, the royal project. There are spring swimming pool and personal pool. We used the personal pool (one per room) for half an hour. And we went back to BOT to check out the room. We drove back to the airport b’coz we had to return the car at 13.00. We took some of our bags at the luggage service, then we went to Central Chiang Mai Airport by Airport Taxi at 120 Bath.

I had Lanna Herbal Mushroom Suki (35 Baht) as my lunch. Then, we walked around Central for a while.

There was an elephant event there. The serebities were asked to dedicate an elephant to display in Central's Northern Village. In the photo, it's Jakajan's. Only at this branch of Central, there is a zone for selling Nothern products.We called Taxi at Central to go back to the airport with the price 80 Baht.

I bought some foods as the souvenir at the shops in airport and waited for calling for boarding to Nok Air and back to Bangkok to prepare for a working day again on Tuesday.